It can be a challenge to choose a missions organization. With so many options, how do you make the best decision?

Jo Haag, director of community and connection at Wycliffe USA, is passionate about helping people find their place in missions. She’s served with Wycliffe for over 25 years in both the U.S. and Papua New Guinea. Jo has found that asking the right questions is integral to making a confident decision.

Here are nine questions to ask that will help you determine what agency is the best fit for you!

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  1. “Can the agency use my skills?”

  
  

  Most organizations will quickly answer this question with a “yes,” so it’s wise to do your research.

  
  

  Before asking this question, you should get to know yourself. What are your skills? How do you communicate? Do you work well with a team or do you prefer to work alone? Look for several organizations that seem like a good fit for the gifts God has given you. This will help you narrow down your list.

  
  

  When Jo and her husband chose Wycliffe, they only had a short list of options. “My husband ... was serving as a pilot,” Jo explained. “We had to pick an agency that had a flight program and could use his gifts.”

  
  


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  2. “Where in the world does the agency work?”

  
  

  If you have a heart for a certain country or people group, be sure to find out if the organization works in that area. Let the agency know if you have a particular location in mind.

  
  

  Depending on the organization, it may also be possible to work in multiple countries. Jo said, “I have several [Wycliffe] colleagues who have served in many different countries.”

  
  


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  3. “What is the mission statement and what are the core values of the agency?”

  
  

  Understanding the mission statement and values is crucial. You may have to sign a doctrinal statement before you join an agency, so you need to know and agree with their statements.

  
  

  Asking about topics ranging from spiritual beliefs to dress code requirements can help you determine if you support the agency’s values. It can be tempting to overlook the fine print, but doing so could cause problems in the future.

  
  

  “Dig deep … [and] make sure that what you believe aligns with what they believe,” Jo said.

  
  


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  4. “What type of support can I expect?”

  
  

  In the event of an emergency overseas, you should know what role the organization would play. Ask for information about the member care services that the agency provides and find out what resources are available for you and your family.

  
  

  Every mission organization is different. Some have contingency plans to come alongside you during a crisis, while others might point you to your home church and your personal support system. Reflect on your own situation to determine what type of support you might need in an emergency.

  
  


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  5. “What is the culture of the agency?”

  
  

  A recruiter is a great person to meet with, but talking with other people who are part of the organization is an important way to learn more about its culture.

  
  

  Find someone else who works for the agency and ask about what it is like to be a member. For example, you could ask if the agency welcomes creative ideas or prefers to stick to what they know.

  
  

  Learning the demographics of the agency will also be helpful in determining if it is a good fit for you. Does the organization support families? Is the team diverse? Use the information you gather to determine how you would fit into the organization’s team.

  
  


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  6. “Do you offer a salary or do I need to raise support?”

  
  

  If you’re afraid to ask this question, you’re not alone. Raising support from your community can be a scary task. But raising support also offers others a chance to contribute to the work God called you to do.

  
  

  God has provided for all of Jo and her husband’s financial needs for the last 25 years, from college tuition for their children to mechanical repairs on their vehicles.

  
  

  “God provides,” Jo said. “Don’t let the fear ... keep you from saying yes to what God has for you.”

  
  


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  7. “What type of benefits are offered?”

  
  

  With the needs of you and your family in mind, check to see what benefits the agency provides.

  
  

  Do they offer life insurance? Evacuation insurance? When you eventually retire from working in the field, what are your options? These questions are especially important if you are choosing missions as a career.

  
  


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  8. “What about the kids?”

  
  

  Jo and her husband raised their two daughters while serving with Wycliffe. She said, “It’s a good idea to look at the agency and how they provide for and value the family. What place does the family have?”

  
  

  If you have kids, there are multiple concerns you may encounter, including education options and medical care. Some organizations expect families to homeschool while others use boarding schools. Ask questions about the role your kids would have in God’s calling on your family.

  
  


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  9. “What else should I ask you?”

  
  

  Finally when you talk with a representative from a missions agency, let them fill in some of the gaps for you. An open-ended question gives the representative an opportunity to mention something you may have forgotten to address.