The Missionary Journey

The spiritual journey of the missionary is complex, and each one is unique. Even so, we have observed and modeled a framework that has proven helpful to describe the general needs and processes of hundreds of missionaries from all diverse walks of life. Although every journey through a missionary’s calling is unique, fluctuating, and different, we observe that the phases and steps along the way can be roughly broken down into 3 general moments, each with their own markers and needs.

Take a look at the defining moments and needs of each step (or take our short assessment quiz!), and try to find the one that you identify with most. Then, see what kinds of resources and tools that we suggest you might need to help you stay focused, encouraged, and connected.

The Emerging Leader.

See the whole Missionary Journey →

Driving Moments

Lordship (Acknowledgment/realization that Jesus wants every part of our life)
Liminality (a worldview-shattering experience with the poor/broken/lost)
Calling (a yearning to be a part of some aspect of God’s redemptive work in the world)

Needs

A basic calling to dream around.
A simple plan to walk away with.
Permission to start something
Resources to inform and advise.

An Emerging Leader is someone who has been called by God to do something missional. We’re here to help! At this stage in the missionary journey there are several resources that could be helpful to get you started. Here are a few:

Looking for more hands-on training?

Start Something Cohort

Interested in JOINING our missional family?

JOIN A MICROCHURCH

BECOME A MICROCHURCH

GLOBAL MOVEMENTS

The Practicing Leader.

See the whole Missionary Journey →

Driving Moments

Experimentation (trying, failing, learning, and trying again)
Ownership (your calling has become something that you take active responsibility for)
Discipleship (a cohort of new leaders to share victories and hardships with)

Needs

Effective assessment for growth and refinement.
Resources to assist, experiment, inspire, and support.
Innovation and a spirit steeped in creativity.

Practicing Leader is someone who has been leading for a few years and has experimented and found some best practices for their mission. We’re here to help! At this stage in the missionary journey there are several resources that could be helpful to get you started. Here are a few:

Do you need more specific Services?

The Underground non-profit offers a service platform for missionaries to help sustain their work while taking care of things like running payroll, making websites, providing space, and 1:1 coaching. Click to learn more.

Finance

Media

Facilities

Coaching

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR MISSIONAL FAMILY?

JOIN A MICROCHURCH

BECOME A MICROCHURCH

GLOBAL NETWORKS

The Persevering Leader.

See the whole Missionary Journey →

Driving Moments

Pivots (a fundamental upset in environment or calling)
Crossroads (hardships and increasing sacrifice lead you to asking “is this worth it?”)
Maturity (time, increased reliance on Jesus, elderhood, and the sending of disciples)

Needs

Reciprocal involvement with other leaders facing similar challenges.
Encouragement and room for significant shifts.
A deepened intimacy with Jesus.

A Persevering Leader is someone who has been in missional leadership for a long time. You have a pretty good understanding of how to start a missional community, you may have even scaled your microchurch or pivoted and started something new. We’re here to help! At this stage in the missionary journey there are several resources that could be helpful to get you started. Here are a few:

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR MISSIONAL FAMILY?

JOIN A MICROCHURCH

BECOME A MICROCHURCH

GLOBAL MOVEMENTS

Interested in becoming a part of our missionary family?

Join a Microchurch

We believe that the church is most powerful when it is small and simple. While many of our microchurches are focused around missions to specific people groups, several of our microchurches serve as “incubators” in the form of house churches or bible studies, built for missionaries of every level of experience to be immersed in a loving environment that values mission.

If you don’t have a lot of experience with mission, we recommend you join one of these incubator mirochurches.

Get Connected

Be a Microchurch

The Tampa Underground Network is unique in that we blah blah blah blah.

We understand that missionaries are a unique breed in our culture, and that their ingenuity and passion makes it hard to find like-minded peers and support that might need. We are committed to serving every unique expression of what we believe fits the creative, blahhhh

Apply to Join

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENTS

Not in Tampa but still want to learn about being a part of a missional network? We have connections to unique missionary networks in a variety of cities across the country, continent, and world.

If you are interested in finding resources about leading a missional network, or are interested to know if there’s a network near you, visit our Translocal Movements site and reach out to our team.

Learn more