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Believers preparing for a career in missions have boxes to check. They need a calling from God and a passion for the world. They need a supportive network of friends and family, not to mention a financial plan for making ends meet on the field. But if you're a missionary in the making, there's another important thing you need to consider: what to do about missionary agencies. It's something that some future missionaries might not think about, or they might put it off until it's absolutely necessary. But if you're weighing a call to missions and wondering how to become a missionary, deciding whether missionary agencies are right for you (and how to pick one) represents a huge piece of the puzzle. Key Takeaways Missionary agencies serve as a lifeline for missionaries by providing spiritual, logistical, financial, and relational support both before and during overseas service. Mission sending organizations assess readiness through training, evaluation, and formation to ensure missionaries are prepared for the challenges of cross-cultural ministry. Once approved, missionary agencies assist with job placement, travel logistics, insurance, fundraising guidance, and financial management. Choosing the right mission sending organization requires careful evaluation of theological alignment, ministry philosophy, member care, training quality, and organizational reputation. In addition to researching missionary agencies, speaking directly with experienced missionaries offers practical insight and wisdom that can shape a wise and informed decision. What Do Missionary Agencies Do? In general, missionary agencies are your lifeline as a missionary serving in another country. These mission sending organizations serve as a touchpoint for life back home, along with providing the support you need on the ground. They provide connection instead of isolation and offer the kind of support that no one else can. One of the primary jobs of missionary agencies is to determine if you're ready to take the field. Through cultural and language training, spiritual formation exercises, and personal evaluations, these mission sending organizations can open the door to the greatest experience of your life. But they also can save you from making a drastic mistake if you're not prepared for an overseas assignment. Assuming you are ready to go, missionary agencies can help you search for missionary jobs to identify and connect you with opportunities. In addition, these mission sending organizations can offer important logistical support, like travel arrangements, insurance, and visas. Many agencies also manage your finances. They can teach you how to raise support and steward the money that comes into your account. Perhaps more than anything, missionary agencies offer accountability. Whether it's ministry, relationships, finances, or spiritual health, the best mission sending organizations watch out for their people's well-being and intervene during times of crisis. "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...'" — Matthew 28:18-19 What to Look for in a Mission-Sending Agency Of course, there's no law that says you have to partner with missionary agencies. Many missionaries "go it alone," or they work with a church or parachurch organization. You will need to do your homework to evaluate various mission sending organizations and to determine which one (if any) is right for you. As you think about the pros and cons of missionary agencies, you need to establish some criteria for evaluation, and we've listed some important starting points below. Honestly, these should probably be deal breakers for you because ignoring any of them will likely cause problems for you—and the agency—down the road. 1. Make Sure the Organization Is a Theological Fit If a sending agency's theology does not align with your key beliefs, move on to the next option. One way to resolve this issue is to lean into your denomination's agency. But if you choose another route, make sure you agree on non-negotiable theological issues with the missionary agencies you are considering. 2. Make Sure the Organization Is a Philosophical Fit If God has called you to the mission field, you have some deeply held ideas about what missions are all about. You need to make sure your vision for missions aligns with the mission sending organizations' vision. That includes issues like methodology and sustainability. If theology is the "what" in missions, philosophy is the "why" and the "how." 3. Make Sure You're Comfortable with the Organization's Care Plan It's not selfish to expect missionary agencies to have your back. You should absolutely be comfortable with a group's plan for getting you to the field and meeting your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs once you arrive. Not to mention, you'll need a financial plan, so make sure you're aligned on things like travel costs and salary (if applicable). Even the strongest believer following the most passionate call will struggle with adjusting to life overseas. Be sure the mission sending organizations you consider have a clear plan to support you. 4. Make Sure the Organization Is Committed to Proper Training The best missionary agencies work hard to prepare their missionaries for what's coming their way on the field. That can encompass things like cultural and language training, which are vital. But it also includes spiritual guidance and basic life skills. The value of personal and spiritual preparation can't be overstated, so prioritize mission sending organizations that will do their best to set you up for success through training. 5. Make Sure the Organization's Reputation Is Airtight Most missionary agencies are sincere and committed to their calling, but sketchy operators do exist, so you have to be careful. Look at things like how long mission sending organizations have been sponsoring missionaries and how effective their work has been over that time. Of course, you'll want to ensure a group's financial integrity. One great way to do that is by checking their standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). A good mission agency will hold you to a high standard, and its leaders won't be offended if you hold them to a high standard as well. Find a Missionary with Experience Honestly, the number of missionary agencies continues to grow. As noted, some are affiliated with particular denominations, while others are private mission sending organizations. But they're all passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission. So, you have a lot of options—and that's not a bad thing. It just means you'll need to be intentional in your research. While internet searches are fine, don't ignore the benefit of talking with actual missionaries who are on the field or have been overseas. It could be an individual on furlough or a veteran who's now retired. Better yet, talk to as many as you can. Missionaries can give you great insight into some of the best practices for picking among missionary agencies. They can also help you know what to expect once you're in the country. Maybe most importantly, their stories and wisdom can inspire you in a way nothing else could. Once you have a missionary agency in mind, a good next step is going on a short-term mission trip with them to experience what they do and how they do it. Related Questions How Much Does a Missionary Get Paid? Missionary pay varies widely, but many are supported through fundraising, and others receive a modest stipend that covers basic living expenses rather than a traditional salary. Do You Need a License to Be a Missionary? You do not need a general license to be a missionary, though certain roles, such as medical or counseling work, may require professional credentials. How Many Hours a Week Do Missionaries Work? Most missionaries work full-time hours, often exceeding forty hours per week as ministry and daily life responsibilities overlap. Do Missionaries Pay Income Tax? In many cases, missionaries are responsible for paying income tax, though specific obligations depend on citizenship, income structure, and tax laws in their home country.

Occupational therapy missionary work is the use of occupational therapy skills to serve people in under-resourced settings while also sharing the gospel. It often looks like helping someone regain daily function after injury or illness, teaching caregivers practical strategies, and adapting everyday tasks when resources are limited. For occupational therapists who want to combine clinical skill with gospel-centered service, occupational therapy mission trips can be a meaningful next step. Around the world, people experience physical and emotional trauma that leaves them hurting and helpless. Doctors and nurses can provide lifesaving care, but recovery does not stop when the wound closes or the fever breaks. Many patients need help getting back to daily life, and that is where occupational therapy missionary work fits naturally alongside broader medical missions. Key Takeaways Occupational therapy missionary work focuses on helping individuals adapt to life after illness or injury by restoring daily function rather than simply improving movement. In low-resource settings, occupational therapists often rely on practical problem-solving, caregiver training, and culturally appropriate strategies instead of specialized equipment. Occupational therapy mission trips typically involve treating functional limitations from conditions such as stroke, trauma, burns, and congenital disorders while equipping families to continue care at home. Organizations like Christian Physical Rehab Professionals, Mission of Hope, and Medical Ministry International provide structured opportunities for occupational therapists to serve on short-term mission trips. Effective preparation for occupational therapy mission trips requires cultural humility, clear communication with host leaders, and thoughtful planning that supports long-term community goals. Occupational Therapy and Medical Missions It is easy to lump occupational therapy and physical therapy together, but they are not the same. One helpful way to think about it is the difference between movement and adaptation. In general, physical therapy focuses on helping people move better. Meanwhile, occupational therapy missionary work focuses on helping individuals adapt when a health crisis makes what was once normal difficult or impossible. Occupational therapy also centers on the daily activities of life. Therapists teach patients how to relearn skills many people take for granted, such as feeding themselves, buttoning a shirt, brushing their teeth, or returning to work tasks. Occupational therapists may also support mental health by sharing coping skills with individuals who live with anxiety, disability, or trauma. In many low-resource settings, occupational therapy is limited or nonexistent. That reality is part of why occupational therapy in third-world countries can look different than what most therapists are used to. You may not have the equipment you want, but you can still provide what people need most: practical problem-solving, caregiver training, and durable strategies that fit the local context. What Occupational Therapy Mission Trips Often Look Like Occupational therapy missionary work tends to focus on functional recovery and daily living skills. On many occupational therapy mission trips, therapists may help patients after stroke, brain injury, orthopedic trauma, burns, or congenital conditions. They may teach positioning to prevent contractures, recommend simple adaptive techniques, coach families on safe transfers, or create basic splints from locally available materials. Just as important, occupational therapists often serve as educators. Caregiver training can change outcomes quickly because families do most of the day-to-day work when formal rehab is unavailable. In settings where disability is stigmatized, a therapist’s encouragement and practical guidance can restore dignity and hope. Organizations That Have Occupational Therapy Mission Trips More mission organizations are creating opportunities for short-term occupational therapy mission trips. The groups below have trips where occupational therapists can serve, learn, and support long-term work in the community. 1. Christian Physical Rehab Professionals Part of a larger network called Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA), Christian Physical Rehab Professionals emphasizes the work of occupational and physical therapists who strive to integrate faith and calling. Through Global Health Outreach, occupational therapists can choose from opportunities in a variety of locations. If your goal is occupational therapy missionary work that connects you to a broader healthcare team, this model can be a good fit. 2. Mission of Hope Mission of Hope focuses on ministry that touches the whole person. The organization offers occupational therapy mission trips in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and aims to meet basic human needs, including medical care and therapy. Occupational therapists often work within a network of local partner churches, which helps short-term teams support ongoing work. 3. Medical Ministry International Based in Canada, Medical Ministry International encourages applicants from anywhere. Trips often last one to two weeks and focus on underserved communities. These communities may struggle with access to medical resources, including occupational therapy. In addition, limited education can mean patients and families may not understand why rehab matters, which makes teaching and follow-up plans an important part of occupational therapy missionary work. How to Prepare for the Work The best occupational therapy mission trips start long before the plane takes off. A solid plan includes clear expectations, cultural humility, and the willingness to adapt clinically without compromising safety. Teams that thrive usually do a few basics well: understand the host community’s goals, communicate clearly with leaders on the ground, and pack with the mindset that improvisation is part of the assignment. Practical planning helps you serve well and reduces avoidable strain on the host team. Your Gifts and God’s Glory If you are an occupational therapist with a heart for missions, occupational therapy missionary work may be part of your long-term path. Some people begin with occupational therapy mission trips and later pursue longer assignments as relationships and clarity grow. Either way, the opportunity is real: occupational therapy missionary work can bring tangible relief to people who struggle to function in daily life, while also strengthening the ministry presence of local believers who continue the work after you leave. If you are ready to explore next-step opportunities, take a look at short-term mission trips and narrow your search to roles where occupational therapists are specifically needed. Related Questions Can you get paid to do missionary work? Yes, some occupational therapy missionary work roles are salaried through a sending organization, but many occupational therapy mission trips are volunteer-based. How many hours does a missionary work? Hours vary by location and role, but many missionaries work full days that include ministry, relationships, and practical responsibilities beyond clinical care. Do you have to pay to go on a medical mission trip? Often yes, because many occupational therapy mission trips require participants to fundraise or cover travel and trip costs. How do you prepare for a medical mission trip? Prepare by building a practical plan for serving well in low-resource settings.