Is it true that most people that wanted to be a missionary when they were younger will end up doing that?

Question

I've heard that a good percentage of people who wanted to be a missionary when they were younger end up being that when they grow up.

Answer 1

All I know is that all the stories about witch doctors and satanic magic scared the hell out of me and made me never wanna be a missionary.

So I suppose the reverse is true at least.

Answer 2

I have known many missionaries and I do not believe that to be the case. Just as a small child may decide to be a fireman when they are small does not mean that that is what he or she will become. Being a missionary, and I assume we are talking about foreign countries, is a difficult task in which not everyone is suited to it, no matter how much they wanted it when they were seven.

Answer 3

Actually statistics show that many who want to go end up not going. Some of the more popular reasons people don't go is: debt, career, and family.

i went to Urbana in '2000 (it's a missions conference held every 3 years) and they were saying that a very low percentage of those who commit to go actually end up going.

hope this helps,

nickster

Answer 4

Well I'm sure if there are financial, spiritual, or physical goals that have to be reached before they can go, then having that desire early can certainly help. I was kind of the opposite, I didn't want to go on a mission as a kid, but I ended up going when I was 21 anyway. (I guess the desire hit me when I was about 19).

Best wishes.

Answer 5

it's possible. if it is something that they really wanted to do and it's something God wanted them to do then yes. I personally believe we are all to be missionaries... some people are just called to places far away from where they were born/raised.

Answer 6

I wanted to be a missionary when I was five. Now I'm fourteen and I want to be a psychologist.
-Iman J.

Answer 7

I know many missionaries and have never heard that.

Answer 8

Not true. Don't believe everything you hear.