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The Mind of a Missionary: What Global Kingdom Workers Tell Us About Thriving on Mission Today
Discover how to navigate the motivations, expectations, sacrifices, and rewards of missional living.
God thinks highly of you, esteems your uniqueness, and values your individuality. Whether He uses you at home or abroad, The Mind of a Missionary gives you the keys to thriving in your heavenly calling as you join God's redemptive mission.
Twelve missionary guides (and dozens more modern-day global Kingdom workers) show you how to grow your missionary mindset and leave a Gospel mark on the world. These guides are
Jim & Elisabeth Elliot,
C. T. Studd,
Nikolaus Zinzendorf,
Robert Moffat,
Jackie Pullinger,
David Eubank,
Nik & Ruth Ripken,
William Carey,
Hudson Taylor,
Amy Carmichael,
Don Richardson, and
Heidi Baker.
Nik Ripken, author of the wildly popular The Insanity of God, calls this book "a future missions classic."
In the 2nd edition of The Mind of a Missionary, author David Joannes draws upon history, psychology, life experience, and powerful storytelling to reshape your perception of God's global work.
You will learn how
- Cultivate authentic mission motivations
- Establish healthy ministry expectations
- Embrace a mindset of sacrificial living
- Obtain the heavenly rewards offered to you
This book gives you a shot of Jesus' missionary ethos, helping you overcome challenging obstacles, dare the impossible to advance God's Kingdom, and maximize your role in the Great Commission.
This Spirit-infused, life-transforming journey begins when you BUY NOW and get your copy of The Mind of a Missionary.
God thinks highly of you, esteems your uniqueness, and values your individuality. Whether He uses you at home or abroad, The Mind of a Missionary gives you the keys to thriving in your heavenly calling as you join God's redemptive mission.
Twelve missionary guides (and dozens more modern-day global Kingdom workers) show you how to grow your missionary mindset and leave a Gospel mark on the world. These guides are
Jim & Elisabeth Elliot,
C. T. Studd,
Nikolaus Zinzendorf,
Robert Moffat,
Jackie Pullinger,
David Eubank,
Nik & Ruth Ripken,
William Carey,
Hudson Taylor,
Amy Carmichael,
Don Richardson, and
Heidi Baker.
Nik Ripken, author of the wildly popular The Insanity of God, calls this book "a future missions classic."
In the 2nd edition of The Mind of a Missionary, author David Joannes draws upon history, psychology, life experience, and powerful storytelling to reshape your perception of God's global work.
You will learn how
- Cultivate authentic mission motivations
- Establish healthy ministry expectations
- Embrace a mindset of sacrificial living
- Obtain the heavenly rewards offered to you
This book gives you a shot of Jesus' missionary ethos, helping you overcome challenging obstacles, dare the impossible to advance God's Kingdom, and maximize your role in the Great Commission.
This Spirit-infused, life-transforming journey begins when you BUY NOW and get your copy of The Mind of a Missionary.
Audible Audio
Published June 29, 2022
227 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
David Joannes
15 books7 followersDavid Joannes is the Founder/CEO of Within Reach Global, a Christian mission organization committed to reaching unreached people groups in the 10/40 Window.
David is the author of The Space Between Memories, The Mind of a Missionary, The Mind of a Missionary Devotional, Gospel Privilege, and See the City. He is also the host of Missions Pulse video podcast on YouTube.
He has been involved in cross-cultural mission work for over two-and-a-half decades, serving as a career missionary in China for fifteen years and now in Thailand for the last ten years. He currently leads a growing team of foreign and indigenous missionary staff located in Thailand, China, and Myanmar.
David is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and proficient in Tagalog and Thai.
He lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with his wife, Lorna, and their two daughters.
Learn more about David at www.davidjoannes.com
David is the author of The Space Between Memories, The Mind of a Missionary, The Mind of a Missionary Devotional, Gospel Privilege, and See the City. He is also the host of Missions Pulse video podcast on YouTube.
He has been involved in cross-cultural mission work for over two-and-a-half decades, serving as a career missionary in China for fifteen years and now in Thailand for the last ten years. He currently leads a growing team of foreign and indigenous missionary staff located in Thailand, China, and Myanmar.
David is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and proficient in Tagalog and Thai.
He lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with his wife, Lorna, and their two daughters.
Learn more about David at www.davidjoannes.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 28, 2021
I’m so torn when it comes to rating this book and here is why
When it comes to writing style and content delivery, The author absolutely killed it. He utilized compelling real life stories woven seamlessly into his narrative to compliment the points he was making. It was such a wonderful mix of stories and the typical theological discussion. It was a unique approach and I loved it. I will be honest, it did get me thinking critically about my thoughts and choices as a missionary and I would suggest it if you are entering or in the mission field.
However, I feel he was too extreme in many of his assumptions and points. At the start of the book, he emphasizes that not all Christians need to be missionaries and that missionaries should not be put on a pedestal because all roles are important to the body of Christ. Then, he spends the rest of the book putting missionaries on a pedestal and concluding that those who do not make radical, dangerous or extremely sacrificial moves are lukewarm in their mission and not fully committed to the great call.
He spends a good amount of time discussing how missionaries leaving the field can be prevented. He lists the most common reasons missionaries head home, then proceeds to explain why the majority of those are invalid (even though they are 100% completely valid reasons!!!) by siting times people worked thought such challenges. just because one couple is comfortable taking their children into a war zone, does not mean every missionary or Christian needs to, or is called to, do the same.
He emphasizes repeatedly the importance of following where God calls you, but fails to recognize the possibility that God may in fact call you away from the international mission field. While the stories the author shared show the benefits and fruitfulness of encouraging missionaries to stay in field past the point that they can handle, I can’t help but bring attention to the many untold stories of when that choice lead to broken ministries and relationships. Perhaps I am simply not as radical as this author, but I think he definitely had some big holes in his assumptions regarding the mind of a missionary.
When it comes to writing style and content delivery, The author absolutely killed it. He utilized compelling real life stories woven seamlessly into his narrative to compliment the points he was making. It was such a wonderful mix of stories and the typical theological discussion. It was a unique approach and I loved it. I will be honest, it did get me thinking critically about my thoughts and choices as a missionary and I would suggest it if you are entering or in the mission field.
However, I feel he was too extreme in many of his assumptions and points. At the start of the book, he emphasizes that not all Christians need to be missionaries and that missionaries should not be put on a pedestal because all roles are important to the body of Christ. Then, he spends the rest of the book putting missionaries on a pedestal and concluding that those who do not make radical, dangerous or extremely sacrificial moves are lukewarm in their mission and not fully committed to the great call.
He spends a good amount of time discussing how missionaries leaving the field can be prevented. He lists the most common reasons missionaries head home, then proceeds to explain why the majority of those are invalid (even though they are 100% completely valid reasons!!!) by siting times people worked thought such challenges. just because one couple is comfortable taking their children into a war zone, does not mean every missionary or Christian needs to, or is called to, do the same.
He emphasizes repeatedly the importance of following where God calls you, but fails to recognize the possibility that God may in fact call you away from the international mission field. While the stories the author shared show the benefits and fruitfulness of encouraging missionaries to stay in field past the point that they can handle, I can’t help but bring attention to the many untold stories of when that choice lead to broken ministries and relationships. Perhaps I am simply not as radical as this author, but I think he definitely had some big holes in his assumptions regarding the mind of a missionary.
July 28, 2018
I received this book free as a part of the launch team. Even though I am a missionary, I have not read many stories of historical missionaries. I loved how David connected modern mission work with past “heros of faith,” which in the end helped you to see that we are all ordinary people seeking intimacy with our creator. It was so powerful to be reminded that all missionaries struggle and most have hadseasons of complete defeat. This was an encouragement to me. I plan to share this with many supporters and all the missions pastors I know as I believe it will help them to better understand the reality of living on the missions field.
July 14, 2025
Every missionary should read this book. It is a longer book, but a worthy read. Some great insight and help within the pages of the book. Below are some personal takeaways:
Compassion for the lost, obedience to the commands of Christ, and a passion for God‘s glory will help form an authentic missions motivation.
God desires praise from every nation, which is why Missions exist.
Are we internally driven by the praise of men or the adventure of the field instead of compelled by the love of Christ?
Loving Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength means participating in His redemptive mission.
Missionaries many times find their identity in their doing instead of their being.
Prayer directly affects the momentum of God’s global plan on the Earth.
The mind of a missionary realizes the power of prayer and therefore makes prayer a priority.
“So don't come out to be a missionary as an experiment, it is useless and dangerous. Only come if you feel you would rather die than not come.” — C.T. Studd
You can be a small part of God‘s big story.
Christ did not save us just to be recipients of His salvation, but to be witnesses of His great love.
God‘s glory must be the core of missionary work. Without it, Christian ministry turns into drudgery.
Compassion and obedience divorced from God’s glory will never form authentic missions motivation.
World evangelization is for God.
Think of compassion, obedience, and God‘s glory as three essential parts for Gospel momentum.
A Heavenly vision is not always a call to missional work. It is more often a specific guidance for Cristian’s already living on mission and intent of seeing God‘s glory being revealed in the nations.
The outer critic (adversary the devil) uses your inner critic to discourage and confuse you not to continue. How you respond to inner critic will determine your effectiveness and fruitfulness in ministry.
New missionaries want to get to the field fast, see an unprecedented amount of fruit, and learn the language in a short amount of time. Intentions are good, but misplaced expectations will seriously hurt the missionaries.
Your inner critic will be your lifelong foe.
You may feel inadequate, and the doubts may remain, but don’t forget that you get your marching orders from the Lord Jesus.
Following Christ does not just lead to difficult decisions, it leads to crucifixion.
It is imperative that we protect the mental, spiritual, and emotional state of those going out.
The closer you get to God, the less you are concerned with the social influences.
Sacrifice always proceeds rewards.
When you realize that He stands with you forever, no sacrifice it’s too great for Him.
When an inquiring person asked Amy Carmichael what missionary life was like, she responded, “Missionary life is a chance to die.”
The Missionary venture is impossible without the Holy Spirit’s help. The enemy will not sit by idly. The enemy will not release his grip on countries, communities, cities, and individuals without a fight.
Why do so many missionaries fall flat when they make it to the mission field? Seventy percent of the premature departing, according to the author, can be prevented.
It is estimated that one career missionary in twenty, or 5.1%, leaves the mission field to return home every year. Of those who leave, 71% abandon their post for preventable reasons.
Some reasons for returning to one’s passport country are:
Lack of missionary care
Lack of integrity in the team
Lack of freedom to pursue calling
Team conflict
Confusion of the role in the team
There’s only one direction in ministry. Lower, and then lower still, until you become the unpretentious instrument in God’s kingdom.
Compassion for the lost, obedience to the commands of Christ, and a passion for God‘s glory will help form an authentic missions motivation.
God desires praise from every nation, which is why Missions exist.
Are we internally driven by the praise of men or the adventure of the field instead of compelled by the love of Christ?
Loving Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength means participating in His redemptive mission.
Missionaries many times find their identity in their doing instead of their being.
Prayer directly affects the momentum of God’s global plan on the Earth.
The mind of a missionary realizes the power of prayer and therefore makes prayer a priority.
“So don't come out to be a missionary as an experiment, it is useless and dangerous. Only come if you feel you would rather die than not come.” — C.T. Studd
You can be a small part of God‘s big story.
Christ did not save us just to be recipients of His salvation, but to be witnesses of His great love.
God‘s glory must be the core of missionary work. Without it, Christian ministry turns into drudgery.
Compassion and obedience divorced from God’s glory will never form authentic missions motivation.
World evangelization is for God.
Think of compassion, obedience, and God‘s glory as three essential parts for Gospel momentum.
A Heavenly vision is not always a call to missional work. It is more often a specific guidance for Cristian’s already living on mission and intent of seeing God‘s glory being revealed in the nations.
The outer critic (adversary the devil) uses your inner critic to discourage and confuse you not to continue. How you respond to inner critic will determine your effectiveness and fruitfulness in ministry.
New missionaries want to get to the field fast, see an unprecedented amount of fruit, and learn the language in a short amount of time. Intentions are good, but misplaced expectations will seriously hurt the missionaries.
Your inner critic will be your lifelong foe.
You may feel inadequate, and the doubts may remain, but don’t forget that you get your marching orders from the Lord Jesus.
Following Christ does not just lead to difficult decisions, it leads to crucifixion.
It is imperative that we protect the mental, spiritual, and emotional state of those going out.
The closer you get to God, the less you are concerned with the social influences.
Sacrifice always proceeds rewards.
When you realize that He stands with you forever, no sacrifice it’s too great for Him.
When an inquiring person asked Amy Carmichael what missionary life was like, she responded, “Missionary life is a chance to die.”
The Missionary venture is impossible without the Holy Spirit’s help. The enemy will not sit by idly. The enemy will not release his grip on countries, communities, cities, and individuals without a fight.
Why do so many missionaries fall flat when they make it to the mission field? Seventy percent of the premature departing, according to the author, can be prevented.
It is estimated that one career missionary in twenty, or 5.1%, leaves the mission field to return home every year. Of those who leave, 71% abandon their post for preventable reasons.
Some reasons for returning to one’s passport country are:
Lack of missionary care
Lack of integrity in the team
Lack of freedom to pursue calling
Team conflict
Confusion of the role in the team
There’s only one direction in ministry. Lower, and then lower still, until you become the unpretentious instrument in God’s kingdom.
June 4, 2022
|| 4/5 stars ||
This book and collection/reflection of missionary stories, past and present, served to remind me where my focus should be. Even having grown up as a missionary kid myself, it’s surprising how easy it is to forget the Great Commission as I go about my daily life now. I think this is one of those books that could be read again from time to time… just as a reminder of the great need and darkness in the world that we, as the Church, are responsible for shining God’s light into. But also, a reminder of how God displays His power in our weakness. Missionary stories are always such a marvellous example of this.
Many of the missionaries highlighted in this book I had heard about before, but I was very encouraged by the studies of their individual work. They are all just ordinary, flawed, and weak human beings who love the Lord, and desire to bring that same love to others regardless of the circumstances they are in. Although they may face the most unimaginable struggles and challenges on the field, they are open to God’s leading, keeping their eyes firmly set on the eternal realm.
I really appreciated how this book highlighted the importance of missionary care and the job of those back home “holding the ropes”. Just because we aren’t all called to go overseas doesn’t mean we aren’t all commanded to participate in the Great Commission, even from home. If we don’t work on the mission field, we must send, support, pray for, and check up on those who do.
I had problems with a couple of the missionaries’ theology and approach to missions, but even then it was pretty neat to learn how God used them when they leaned solely on Him.
Definitely worth a read if you want to learn/remember how you fit into God’s global plan.
This book and collection/reflection of missionary stories, past and present, served to remind me where my focus should be. Even having grown up as a missionary kid myself, it’s surprising how easy it is to forget the Great Commission as I go about my daily life now. I think this is one of those books that could be read again from time to time… just as a reminder of the great need and darkness in the world that we, as the Church, are responsible for shining God’s light into. But also, a reminder of how God displays His power in our weakness. Missionary stories are always such a marvellous example of this.
Many of the missionaries highlighted in this book I had heard about before, but I was very encouraged by the studies of their individual work. They are all just ordinary, flawed, and weak human beings who love the Lord, and desire to bring that same love to others regardless of the circumstances they are in. Although they may face the most unimaginable struggles and challenges on the field, they are open to God’s leading, keeping their eyes firmly set on the eternal realm.
I really appreciated how this book highlighted the importance of missionary care and the job of those back home “holding the ropes”. Just because we aren’t all called to go overseas doesn’t mean we aren’t all commanded to participate in the Great Commission, even from home. If we don’t work on the mission field, we must send, support, pray for, and check up on those who do.
I had problems with a couple of the missionaries’ theology and approach to missions, but even then it was pretty neat to learn how God used them when they leaned solely on Him.
Definitely worth a read if you want to learn/remember how you fit into God’s global plan.
December 24, 2020
This is an essential book for anyone currently in the foreign mission field or considering the foreign mission field. And everyone else, those who don't identify as a "missionary", would benefit from this book as well. What I found unique about The Mind of a Missionary was the way the author masterfully weaved mission stories with Scriptural truth. The stories of missionaries never glorified the missionary themselves, but rather Jesus Christ. Each page of my book is filled with underlines and notes in the margins. Every. Single. Page. When I finished, I was ready to flip to the front cover and start reading it again.
But the one thing I found most beautiful about this book was the way it continually pointed to Christ, His grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. Too often, I read these kinds of books and leave feeling guilty about my lack of service and vigor for missions. But this book, rather than making me feel like I need to do more for Him, left me craving a more intimate relationship with Jesus. The Mind of a Missionary reminded me that through that relationship, He would lead me into the next opportunity to share His love. Whether serving at home or the foreign mission field, my mind as a missionary must be rooted in Him and flow from a relationship with Christ.
But the one thing I found most beautiful about this book was the way it continually pointed to Christ, His grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. Too often, I read these kinds of books and leave feeling guilty about my lack of service and vigor for missions. But this book, rather than making me feel like I need to do more for Him, left me craving a more intimate relationship with Jesus. The Mind of a Missionary reminded me that through that relationship, He would lead me into the next opportunity to share His love. Whether serving at home or the foreign mission field, my mind as a missionary must be rooted in Him and flow from a relationship with Christ.
March 23, 2021
Every missionary should read this book. It transforms your thinking from unrealistic expectations to praying expectantly. It details the lives of missionaries who have gone before us, shared our common struggles, and endured hardships greater than we will probably ever face. Yet through it all, if you were to ask the missionaries featured in this book, is He worth it? Is Jesus worth everything you have gone thru, every good breakthrough in ministry you have had, I believe the resounding answer would be yes.
The author’s emphasis especially in the latter chapters on charismatic teaching and “signs” is a bit of a disappointment to an otherwise well written book. I am not denying God is able to do the miraculous, but this becomes the focus much of the time as it did closer to the end of the work.
The author’s emphasis especially in the latter chapters on charismatic teaching and “signs” is a bit of a disappointment to an otherwise well written book. I am not denying God is able to do the miraculous, but this becomes the focus much of the time as it did closer to the end of the work.
June 23, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book. As someone who hasn’t experienced a whole lot of missions yet, I found it very helpful, honest, and inspiring. He didn’t try to be pretentious in his writing, to where I would have to reread sentences multiple times to understand what he was saying (like many missions articles I’ve read recently). I appreciated the honesty behind the hardships that come with missionary life, as well as the joy that comes when our identity is found in Christ and not our “job” as a missionary. I loved all the stories behind past missionaries, which helped broaden my knowledge of missions history. Bring a highlighter when you read it! There are lots of good truth and thought provoking ideas.
January 31, 2021
This was an interesting and challenging read at a timely moment. I felt encouraged and maybe somewhat a teeny bit more prepared mentally for the work (we will see though). Loved the testimonies included. I don’t know if I would recommend this book to everyone because early on in the book I could see how some people would disagree with certain ideals. But the book has a good purpose- prevention of M attrition from the field.
March 18, 2021
Such a good, practical, encouraging book for missionaries. I really appreciated it. The research and thought that went into addressing all the different aspects of missionary life was very well done. It is also very aplicable to missionaries of various denominations and work. Highly recommended for anyone who is a missionary or wants to support someone who is.
February 18, 2020
Uplifting
Just what I needed. Exactly when I needed it. This uplifting book includes a wonderful balance of teaching, scripture and examples - both contemporary and from church history
The perfect pick me up for a tempted-to-grow-weary missionary!!
Just what I needed. Exactly when I needed it. This uplifting book includes a wonderful balance of teaching, scripture and examples - both contemporary and from church history
The perfect pick me up for a tempted-to-grow-weary missionary!!
January 14, 2021
Some good takeaways
Not the greatest book but there are definitely some nuggets to take away. There are sections of the book I would just skip over. At times it seemed a little unorganized but overall I took away some good thoughts and lessons.
Not the greatest book but there are definitely some nuggets to take away. There are sections of the book I would just skip over. At times it seemed a little unorganized but overall I took away some good thoughts and lessons.
April 29, 2021
David Joannes motivates the reader to be passionate about completing the great commission, personally and corporately as a church. His style of editing engages the reader to understand the history of missions and how mission movements have begun, changing the world.
December 2, 2022
An essential book for me at a pivotal time. I loved how insightful this was into the mind of a Missionary. As a missionary, it encouraged me to know that what I felt was felt by other missionaries as well.
January 3, 2026
SUCH A GOOD GOOD BOOK! So many missionary stories that will flame your fire for the lost! While wresting with God about wanting to go overseas but feeling as if I’m not enough, this book showed me just how much missionaries are just ordinary people who want to share the gospel! 100/10
December 26, 2018
Great read! I loved how David looked at several different aspects of being a missionary and tied in stories of missionaries from the past.
March 6, 2020
This was a really good read. As a missionary, I found the stories and the author's thoughts to be very applicable.
April 11, 2020
Many thoughts and quotes to carry from many different missionaries who chose to give all to follow Jesus.
August 5, 2020
An excellent job, well written.
March 19, 2021
Must read!!
April 3, 2021
Incredibly well written, informative, and inspiring.
December 19, 2022
a solid read for the sent and the church sending out. lots of really cool stories as well as shining a light on mental health and strains on the mission field.
January 12, 2024
Recommended for all missionaries and ministers and those interested in missions. Its about a return to a Biblical philosophy of missions and ministry in general.
February 25, 2024
A book that is both challenging and convicting for all missionaries. Excellent read!
March 10, 2024
Excellent
A must read for all overseas workers and those who send them. It will encourage and challenge you in all the needed areas.
A must read for all overseas workers and those who send them. It will encourage and challenge you in all the needed areas.
April 27, 2025
4.5 stars!
November 17, 2023
inspiring stories of historical missionaries and how they came to ministry. easy to read and takes you through history with present day examples of what is happening both in the field and the training of those interested in missions.
If anyone is seeking clarity on a mission calling, or wants to know what motivated missionaries through history, this book is a must read.
If anyone is seeking clarity on a mission calling, or wants to know what motivated missionaries through history, this book is a must read.
April 9, 2020
Good, challenging bk worth reading. Good stories
Read
February 7, 2019Well, I read a lot of it. But the author tried to pull in too many different kinds of content and cover too many topics. History! Psychology! Personal experience! Stories from friends! Quotes! Stats! A tremendous accomplishment, a great and difficult work, but exhausting. Why do it all in a single book? I wish he had a hard-nosed editor to make him simplify the thing. I'll hold onto it but use it more for reference.
September 23, 2020
Well Written. Thoroughly Researched
This book examines missionaries from the past while presenting a way for missions to move forward today. It is articulate and thoroughly researched. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves missions or anyone who has never heard of missions before.
This book examines missionaries from the past while presenting a way for missions to move forward today. It is articulate and thoroughly researched. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves missions or anyone who has never heard of missions before.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews