Christian Colleges for Missions

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Throughout the Bible, God calls us, those who believe and follow Jesus, to go and tell others about Christ. The ministry of Paul in the New Testament is primarily to gentiles (non-Israelites), as he spreads the good news of Jesus Christ, what God has done for him, and how churches and christians should behave in light of what Jesus has done. Missions can take many shapes, between teaching, serving, bringing aid, and volunteering in various ways, but the primary purpose is always to love of Jesus and truth to others.

Choosing to pursue a missions degree at a Christian college will prepare you for a career as a missionary or in ministry wherever God may put you. Not only will you have the academic environment to cement your theological knowledge, but you’ll be surrounded by other believers and Christian leaders who can encourage you in your faith. Choosing to major in missions at a Christian college allows you the growth needed to pursue missions and ministry with Christ as your foundation.

A list of potential careers for someone who chooses to major in missions:

• Missionary: Missionary work is service or evangelism to different cultural or geographic communities. Usually this involves preaching, teaching, and sharing one’s religious faith and Biblical understand with the goal of conversion in mind. Often, evangelism is coupled with some other form of service, such as education programs or healthcare, to serve others and benefit the community.

• Church Missions Coordinator: A church missions coordinator oversees the global and local outreach efforts of a church. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and creating support opportunities for mission trips and outreach, including preparation and fund raising of volunteers. Communication and support for current missionaries with thechurch or other partner organizations may also fall under their purview.
• Urban Ministry Worker: Urban ministry workers focus on the spiritual and practical needs in city environments, such as poverty, homelessness, addiction, and more. They may focus on tutoring, mentoring, discipleship, community outreach, or creating partnerships with local agencies to help find practical solutions to the problems in the community. Urban ministry workers may work through a church or ministry, with the purpose of fostering relationships within the community and loving others as Christ calls us to.
• Social Services Liaison: A social services liaison bridges the gap between local agencies, nonprofits, and the mission organization to help coordinate and effectively provide care and support to those that they serve. They may connect individuals or mission workers with organizations or practical resources that help with housing aid, feeding programs, healthcare, immigration, or even crisis assistance. Their role allows for mission organizations or missionaries to effectively provide spiritual guidance and care that meets the needs of their local.
• Church Planter: Church planters, as the name implies, plant churches or start new churches where there are either none, or not enough. They build a core team, preach, nurture discipleship and relationship in the community, and establish a vision for the church, based on where God is leading them. They may, or may not, build the physical building, though often that step is much further down the road. Church planters establish the organizational structure and support system that a new church needs to thrive.

Placement rates for the missions degree vary significantly between colleges, so it’s difficult to pin down a general percentage. What should be understood is that a career with a missions degree often leads to roles that are largely “service” oriented, meaning that the pay is not necessarily the priority. The average annual salary sits between $30,000-$50,000. However, the value of missions workers extend far beyond salary. So, what can you do while still in college to best prepare yourself for the work with a missions degree?

The first step in preparing yourself for a career with a missions degree is to strengthen and cement your foundation in Christ. Seek out mentorships from a Christian leader or a missionary (former or current), someone who can speak to how to work in a ministry position, what challenges may arise and how to prepare for them, who can encourage you, and who can hold you accountable. Spend time in prayer and in the Word of God, because that is where your wisdom and strength will come from—from the Lord.

Your next priority is to gain experience working in the mission field. That can be done through internships with ministries and churches, which are important for learning the behind-the-scenes work of missions. But, also commit to going on missions trips, short-term or long-term (which is harder to do while in school, but not impossible). These valuable missions opportunities will give you experience not only serving, but working with others in service and adapting your ministry approach to new cultures.

Keep connections that you make while you gain experience, intern, and go on these missions trips. In fact, keep contacts that you make in every field, throughout college, in small groups, going to church, and even friends of the family. A big part of missionary work is fund raising, or support raising. Some missionaries can get all of their money to live on through the ministry or church(es) they are sent through, but many also have to rely on support that they raise themselves. This means asking others to support you with a little bit of money each month or year as you serve the Lord wherever he places you.

Because you may need to raise support, update others on your progress, and work with diverse groups of people, you’ll need strong communication and interpersonal skills. Humility, specifically cultural humility, is a key trait to have as you’ll have to approach new places and people with a teachable attitude and an understanding that you will need help. Being willing to adapt to the culture you move to, instead of expecting it to cater to you, seems obvious, but it’s something that requires self-awareness and accountability when you move somewhere new, especially in order to preach the gospel or serve others. Perseverance is also key, as life in a new country and in service to the Lord is full of hardship and trials. Be rooted in the Word of God, strong in Faith, and bring all your cares and issues before Him, willing and ready to trust him even in the face of suffering. Someone with these traits is well equipped for a role in ministry.

Work Cited:

• Admin, BGU. “Missionary Income: How Much Money Do They Make?” Bethany Global University, 17 July 2025, bethanygu.edu/missionary-income/.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)

Romans 10:14-15
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (NIV)

Someone with a missions degree is well equipped for service, which is the primary calling of a missionary. Whether that’s service in preaching, teaching, church-planting, aid, or another kind of ministry, the heart of missions is to serve others and live out the love of God. In some cases, the need may be introducing the gospel to a people group for a first time, and in others it may be providing aid to a church that’s struggling.

The skills developed through a missions degree will prepare someone to be a strong communicator and adapt their presentation of the gospel to meet different cultures and people groups. They could also effectively minister in different communities, in the United States or abroad. There is always a need for those who will answer the calling to “go” and serve, and someone with a missions degree will be well equipped to do so.

The potential impact of someone with a missions degree is clear; there is immeasurable and eternal value in lives that are saved and souls that are introduced to Christ. If you are passionate and eager to serve other, humble and willing to adapt to new environments, and feel a calling on your life to “go,” then perhaps the Lord is leading you to pursue a missions degree!