Excerpt From The Interview

“I do believe that there is a certain measure of calling that comes into play. We know from scripture that everybody is called to look after the orphan and the widow and as it talks about in James. Especially in the Old Testament, such a big part of Israel’s focus was on being a blessing to the nations around. Loving our neighbor, whether here or abroad, is part of what we’re called to do on some level. We are told to count the cost. I do think we have to be careful that it’s not just this cool thing that we’re going to run out and do and make into our big cause. 

For one thing, I think it’s probably the hardest thing you can choose to do is to go into another culture and try to immerse yourself in that culture and bring the gospel and serve the people. I can’t really think about a harder call. You have to know that the Lord has called you there. In that calling, then, you can concretely say that He’s going to be with you. I just talked to a missionary that went to Milan 40 years ago. She just said it took her ten years to feel like that was home. It almost just broke her psychologically. The cultural change was so different. The only thing that kept them there was knowing that the Lord had called them.”

About Kelly Minter

Kelly Minter is an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster. Her most recent Bible study from Lifeway publishers is called Encountering God: Cultivating Habits of Faith Through the Spiritual Disciplines. Kelly speaks around the country and also works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon jungles of Brazil as well as the Eastern European country of Moldova. Kelly is deeply passionate about teaching the Bible and believes it permeates all of life. When she’s not writing, traveling, or speaking she enjoys time in her garden, cooking, and being with her friends and family. A Southern transplant, she delights in long walks, her local church, meaningful conversation, and coffee in her Justice & Mercy International diner mug.

Links Mentioned

Cultivate Podcast 

Justice and Mercy International 

Kelly’s Bible Studies

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