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Calling - Who? What? Why?

Why we all need a calling and how to pursue it.

Pre-Field Post-Field Senders

This is a mini-course of 5 short videos which requires no registration and is designed for anybody and everybody, from cross-cultural workers to praying supporters! There is a common misconception in the church the only 'exceptional Christians' receive a 'proper' calling from God. In fact, the Lord has plans for every believer (Ephesians 2:10) and it is important that we pursue Him in discerning what they are. For some it may require leaving. For others it may involve remaining, whichever it may be for you, knowing your calling will bring you in line with the way God designed you!

Watch the first video:

Module Details

The 5 part course won't take you long to complete, but the questions it brings may challenge you for a long time to come!

Part 1 - Do we all need a call?

In this first video, lifelong missionary Ross Paterson starts with a fundamental question: Does everybody need a call? Do we all get a call? Or is it only the exceptional Christians who receive a ‘proper’ calling from God?

Part 2 - Why it's Important to Know Your Call

In this video, lifelong cross-cultural worker Christine Paterson explains why it is important to know your call. It will also look at what might hold us back from hearing God’s call and what brings us to a place of willingness to hear it.

Part 3 - Testing Your Call

Ross and Christine host this video together as they share the importance of properly testing that you have your cross-cultural calling by seeking confirmation, gaining cross-cultural exposure, equipping yourself with training and building a strong relationship with your sending church.

Part 4 - Four Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Call

In this penultimate video, we’re going to summarise the questions of calling by asking four simple, but vitally important questions. Who is going to write your story? What greater purpose will direct your life? Do you know that others will be impacted by your obedience? Have you taken steps to discern your calling?

Part 5 - What if I Don't Have a Calling?

In this bonus session of the series on the topic of calling we will look at the important issue of those who don’t feel called, which we felt was a common problem and, therefore, important to address.

Your Instructor - Ross and Christine Paterson

Ross and Christine Paterson have spent over 40 years of their lives on the mission field serving the Lord and His Church in China. They are currently based in Taiwan, serving as mission consultants with a global ministry. They have decades of experience in cross-cultural mission, which has fuelled their passion to help others navigate cultures well and live healthily on the field. They want to use this season of their active ministry LIFE to mobilize and equip both Eastern and Western believers to be involved in cross-cultural mission. Their resource, FieldPartner International, provides online training resources for cross-cultural workers and their sending churches. Read more about Ross and Christine.

Curriculum Breakdown

Part 1 - Do we all need a call?

Video (8.43) with accompanying notes
Questions for Reflection

Part 2 - Why it's important to Know our Call

Video (9.45) with accompanying notes
Questions for Reflection

Part 3 - Testing Your Call

Video (9.47) with accompanying notes
Questions for Reflection

Part 4 - Four Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Call

Video (7.57) with accompanying notes
Questions for Reflection

Part 5 - What if I don't Have a Calling?

Video (5.46) with accompanying notes

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

Where will I access the course?

Our online learning takes place on our dedicated training platform, found at courses.fieldpartner.org.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

What if I have a problem with the course?

If you have any issues with accessing the course, or with its content, please get in touch, we'd be happy to help! You can contact us at fieldpartner.org/contact.

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Reviews of FieldPartner

Jackie Pullinger
MBE
Missionary to Hong Kong since 1966
Founder of the St Stephen's Society
Ross & Christine’s training and ministry have always had a biblical base, integrity and practicality. This material meets a need vital for the mission field and use on the ground. It will help to make Jesus known in different cultures.
George Verwer
Founder and former International Director
Operation Mobilization
I have followed Ross since his student days at Cambridge when he also joined OM for a short time. I have seen God using him and his wife in wonderful ways and their commitment to China is outstanding. They have a teaching ministry that has impacted many lives and you will be blessed as you take time to read and listen.
Simon Guillebaud
Founder And International Director
Great Lakes Outreach
The Patersons have been a lifelong inspiration to me in laying down their lives for the call to cross-cultural missions. I cannot think of any better training available on the web than FieldPartner, which is the synthesis of their five decades of learning on the ground as authentic practitioners.
Rachel
From Taiwan
Before going on a short mission trip to China, I learned a lot at the Barnabas School of Missions, which was built by the Antioch Missions founder Ross Paterson and his wife Christine. The program provides training to challenge us to want to see God glorified among the nations. Ross and Christine’s 48 years of mission experiences taught me how to do it - and how not to do it!
"I am a huge fan of cross culture training before hitting the mission field... I would go as far as to say is absolutely the difference between being successful and lasting out long-term on the mission field and burning out within a short period of time and having to head back home"
Lydia
Years of mission experience
in Asia and Middle East
Jenny
Student of 'Crossing Cultures 101'
...a total revelation for me and it helps to explain some of my past struggles in cross-cultural experiences. As I've been exposed to several cultures, I often wonder what's my true identity and have this constant longing for a sense of belonging, while at the same time I appreciate the fact the exposure has made me more adaptable...Thank you!
Michael
Student of 'The Antioch Factor' &
'Crossing Cultures 101'
That was excellent and very insightful...I need to think on this more, a lot more! So much to take in and think over in this module. This should be part of all church discipleship programmes.