Why Be a Missionary in West Africa: An Honest Take

I remember a morning in Ghana, deep in the Volta Region, sharing breakfast with a new believer named Samuel. He was a fisherman, a quiet man who had heard the Gospel for the first time only months before. We sat on plastic chairs outside his small home, talking about the King James Bible I had given him, about what he was learning. He looked at me, then at the Bible in his lap, and simply said, “Now I know.” That moment, seeing the light of understanding in his eyes, answers the question: Why be a missionary?

The mission field clarifies things quickly. It removes the padding. There are no stage lights and no weekly affirmation that you are doing well. Instead, there is only the work. You study again. You visit again. You preach again. You forgive again. You trust God again. The mission field does not reward drama. It rewards endurance.

The Call: It Starts with a Burden to be a Missionary

Before Laura and I ever packed our first crate for Ghana, there was a deep, unsettling burden in my heart. It wasn’t a fleeting thought or a casual interest; it was a weight, a constant pull toward those who had never heard the name of Jesus. That burden isn’t just a suggestion; it is the Holy Spirit moving in a believer’s life. Indeed, it is the first answer to why any of us would consider leaving everything we know.

This burden comes from understanding the lostness of humanity. Back home, we have churches on every corner, Bibles in every home if we want them, and preachers on television. However, in many parts of the world, including the remote villages where we work in West Africa, people live and die without ever hearing the simple truth of salvation. They are not rejecting Christ; they simply do not know about Him. That’s a stark reality that changes your perspective.

The Bible makes it plain. Jesus commanded us, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). That isn’t a suggestion for a select few; it’s a direct order to every believer. It’s the driving force behind everything we do, and it’s why I wrote my book, “Missionary on Fire,” to share the urgency of that call.

Obedience to the Great Commission

The Great Commission is not an optional extra for the spiritually ambitious. On the contrary, it is the central mission of the church. When Christ gave that command, He wasn’t asking for volunteers; He was giving marching orders. Our response as believers should be one of immediate and willing obedience. We don’t just send missionaries; we are all called to be part of fulfilling that command, whether by going or by sending.

Teaching all nations means more than just dropping a Bible off. It means learning languages, understanding cultures, and building relationships that take years to forge. Furthermore, it means explaining the Gospel in ways that make sense to people whose worldview is entirely different from our own. It means patiently discipling new believers so they can, in turn, teach others and plant their own churches. It is a long, slow process, but it is God’s process.

“Globally, there are over 7,400 unreached people groups, representing more than 3.2 billion people who have little to no access to the Gospel.”
International Mission Board

Consider the sheer number of people in the world who still wait to hear. The numbers can feel overwhelming, but they also highlight the profound need. If we truly believe that salvation is through Christ alone, then we must share Him with those who have never had the chance to hear. That’s the heart of the matter. We cannot stand idly by when so many are perishing without hope.

The Reality on the Ground: It’s Not a Vacation

Let me tell you, life on the mission field is not always picturesque. We live in Ghana, West Africa, and while the people are warm and the culture is rich, the daily grind can be a challenge. We’ve dealt with malaria, power outages that last for days, roads that disappear in the rainy season, and vehicle repairs that make you want to just sit down and cry. I remember one time, our trusty mission truck broke down in the middle of nowhere, miles from the nearest mechanic. We had a service to get to that night.

I looked at Laura, and she just sighed. We started fixing it right there, on the side of a dusty track, using what tools we had. Eventually, we got it running. It wasn’t pretty, and we were late, but we made it. That went about as well as one would expect, but we had a church service to get to. We didn’t have time for drama. We had work to do. One learns quickly that resilience isn’t a virtue you cultivate; it’s a necessity for survival.

The real work of church planting is also not for the faint of heart. It means countless hours learning a new language, making mistakes, and patiently explaining simple truths over and over. Moreover, it means building relationships with people who may initially view you with suspicion. It means facing spiritual opposition you never imagined. But through it all, we see God moving. You can read more about some of these adventures and the lessons we’ve learned on our blog.

Sometimes, I feel like the hapless main character in a Patrick McManus story, just trying to navigate the absurdities of daily life while still trying to preach the Gospel. We’ve had goats wander into our church services and chickens roosting on the rafters. Once, I was trying to explain the concept of spiritual warfare, and a local witch doctor’s apprentice decided to test my resolve right outside the church door. I chose to believe them when they said they were just passing through.

The Reward: Seeing Lives Changed as a Missionary

Despite the challenges, the profound joy of seeing a soul saved makes every sacrifice worth it. There is nothing like watching a man or woman who has lived their whole life in darkness suddenly grasp the light of the Gospel. I’ve seen hardened idol worshippers weep as they understand God’s grace for the first time. I’ve helped people bury their idols, literally, and dedicate their lives to Christ. That’s victory.

The reward isn’t just in conversions; it’s in discipleship. It’s in watching new believers grow, mature, and begin to share their faith with their own families and neighbors. We’ve seen local churches planted, led by Ghanaian pastors we’ve trained, reaching their own people with the truth. That’s the multiplication principle of missions at work, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness. This is why we continue to serve and share our experiences, like those you’ll find on the Missionary on Fire video series.

The Apostle Paul asked a crucial question: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15). Our feet may get dusty and tired, but the message we carry is eternal.

Counting the Cost and Committing to the Work

Being a missionary requires counting the cost. You leave behind family, familiar comforts, and a certain level of security. There are days when homesickness hits hard, when you miss the simple things like a reliable internet connection or a cold glass of sweet tea. I’ve had to say goodbye to loved ones knowing it might be years before I see them again. Those moments are quiet confessions of the heart, not for pity, but for the reality of the choice.

However, the cost pales in comparison to the eternal reward. We are not just building churches; we are building God’s kingdom. We are not just teaching; we are rescuing souls from eternal separation from God. The opportunity to be a part of something so eternally significant, to see God work in ways you never thought possible, is a privilege beyond measure. It’s why we invite others to partner with us and connect with our ministry.

Ultimately, the answer to why be a missionary is found in obedience to Christ, compassion for the lost, and the profound joy of seeing God’s power transform lives. It’s a life of surrender, often messy, sometimes difficult, but always, always worth it. It’s a commitment to God’s global plan, and it’s a commitment that defines everything we do.

If you’ve ever felt that stirring in your heart, that quiet tug towards something more, perhaps it’s God calling you to consider what your role in the Great Commission might be. Whether it’s going, praying, or giving, there is a place for every believer in this vital work. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into what that call looks like and how God prepares ordinary people for extraordinary tasks, I encourage you to check out my book, “Missionary on Fire.” It shares many more stories and lessons from our journey, and it might just be the spark you need to ignite your own mission for Christ.

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