Planned Giving
Leave a legacy of hope and healing through a planned or estate gift.
Find an Advance Project or MissionarySupport a missionary or project that matches your passion and interest.
[Body lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit nunc vulputate libero.]
Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella commissions Mamei Sombo Lansana as a missionary during the May 2 morning worship of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Assisting are Grace Choi and Roland Fernandes.
Photo: Paul Jeffrey, UM News
Becoming a United Methodist missionary through Global Ministries means joining a legacy of faithful service rooted in compassion, justice and partnership. Missionaries serve as a tangible expression of the church in the world — building relationships, sharing skills and standing in solidarity with communities across the globe. Whether you’re called to public health, education, community development or ministry, Global Ministries offers pathways for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in God’s transforming mission. From short-term volunteers to long-term missionaries, each journey begins with a willingness to listen, learn and love in the name of Christ.
Jump to Section
In The United Methodist Church, discernment is a prayerful process of listening for God’s call — a journey of reflection, community and grace. It invites us to ask not only what we are called to do, but who we are called to become in service to Christ and the world. Whether you feel a quiet nudge or a bold conviction, participating in God’s mission unfolds through intentional steps, trusted mentors and faithful openness to the Spirit’s leading. Discernment is not a test of certainty, but an invitation to walk with God toward deeper purpose and service.
Wondering where to begin? This discernment resource can help you listen deeply and take your next faithful step.
Missionaries serve in a variety of roles in more than 60 countries around the world. Here are a few examples of how Global Ministries missionaries participate in God’s mission:
Global Ministries offers multiple ways to serve in mission, each rooted in faith, partnership and a call to compassionate service. Explore the different types of missionary service to discover where your gifts can make a difference.
Global Missionaries are long-term United Methodist missionaries who serve outside of their home settings. Immersing themselves in local contexts, Global Missionaries listen deeply and prayerfully discern how best to participate in God’s mission in that time and place. Global Missionaries engage in mission “with,” not mission “for,” recognizing that God is already at work in the people and places they serve.
Term Duration
3 years (renewable)
Age Requirement
21 to 67 years old
Citizenship
All Nationalities
Application Deadline
Open year-round
Benefits
Application Documents
Placement Categories
U.S. Missionaries are long-term United Methodist missionaries that include Church and Community Workers (CCWs) and Racial Ethnic Plan (REP) missionaries. CCWs connect the church with underserved communities, leading programs that drive positive change. REP missionaries support local racial-ethnic congregations, strengthen community resources and empower leaders for the future.
Term Duration
6-9 years (renewable)
Age Requirement
21+ years old
Citizenship
U.S. citizens
Application Deadline
Open year-round
Benefits
Application Documents
Placement Categories
Mission Volunteers are short to long-term self-funded United Methodist volunteers. Placed at partner sites worldwide, Mission Volunteers serve in a variety of roles, from working with refugees, children and youth to serving as a teacher, pastor, camp director or health care professional. Individuals or couples (ages 18 and up) are invited to apply.
Term Duration
2 months to 2 years (renewable)
Age Requirement
18+ years old
Citizenship
U.S. citizens and residents (able to self-fund)
Application Deadline
Open year-round
Benefits
Application Documents
Placement Categories
The Global Mission Fellows – International track is a two-year program for young adults (ages 20-30) serving in placement sites outside of their home country. In this new context, they serve in a variety of roles based on their skills and the needs of the placement site. Engaging with global social issues like migration, health access and education, to name a few, changes fellows’ perspectives and prepares them to serve more effectively wherever their journey takes them next. Please note: fellows will not be placed in the U.S.
Term Duration
2 years
Age Requirement
20-30 years old
Citizenship
All nationalities
Application Deadline
Opens in October, 2025. Deadline: January, 2026
Benefits
Application Documents
Placement Categories
The Global Mission Fellows US-2 track is a two-year program for young adults (ages 20-30) serving in the United States. The US-2 track has entered a season of re-envisioning, which means that new applications are not being accepted at this time. Global Ministries continues to support US-2s already in service.
Term Duration
2 years
Age Requirement
20-30 years old
Citizenship
U.S. citizens
Application Deadline
Not currently accepting applications
Benefits
Application Documents
Placement Categories
While the exact qualifications for each type of missionary service varies, there are some general qualifications that apply across all service types. Continue reading to learn more.
Faith Confession
All missionaries of Global Ministries must be Christians. Although membership in The United Methodist Church or other Methodist affiliated churches is not required for missionaries, familiarity with and commitment to the United Methodist Book of Discipline (the UMC’s polity and structure) are required.
Church Involvement
Applicants should demonstrate experience in mission and/or active involvement in the life and ministry of a local congregation.
Clergy and Laity
Both lay people and clergy serve as missionaries with Global Ministries. Those assigned as pastors must be in good standing within their annual conference (if United Methodist) or denomination.
Assignments
Missionaries do not initiate, create, nor design their own assignments. Rather, Global Ministries missionaries are placed where local mission partners (United Methodist episcopal areas, autonomous Methodist churches or United Churches) have extended an invitation for someone to join in ministry with them in their context.
Length of Service
Different programs require different lengths of service. Those who are accepted into service are expected to fulfill the full term of that program’s service length.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience is required. However, further educational requirements may vary among placements, and seminary training is necessary when assigned as a pastor or seminary professor. If an applicant does not have an academic resume, necessary equivalent vocational and/or life experience will be considered.
Professional Credentials
All professionals (clergy, physicians, educators) who will serve as a missionary in their field of expertise must have the appropriate credentials/licenses in order to be commissioned for missionary service.
Experience with Diversity
A candidate must have a willingness to engage in ministry with people of different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in a language or languages other than English is an asset although not a requirement for application. Language study may be required for particular assignments.
The application process varies between different types of service, but generally, becoming a Global Ministries Missionary or Mission Volunteer follows these 8 steps:
1
Discern
Prayerfully reflect on how God might be calling you to mission, using tools like our Discernment Guide and conversations with mentors, faith leaders or mission staff.
2
Apply
Complete the online application and submit required materials like a resume, references and relevant documents.
3
Review
Our team carefully reviews your application, considering your skills, experience and readiness for mission service.
4
Interview
Selected applicants are invited to one or more interviews to explore calling, compatibility and potential placements.
5
Acceptance
If accepted, you’ll receive confirmation and begin the onboarding process, including background checks and placement matching.
6
Training
Participate in orientation and training designed to equip you for cross-cultural service and prepare you spiritually and practically.
7
Commissioning
You are officially commissioned by a bishop as a United Methodist missionary in a worshipful sending celebration. Please note: Mission Volunteers are not commissioned.
8
Departure
Once logistics are finalized, you’ll travel to your placement site and begin your service in partnership with the local community.
Your journey into mission begins with a single, faithful yes. When you offer your gifts in service to God’s mission, you become part of a global community working for healing, justice and hope. Questions? Reach out to missionaryinfo@umcmission.org.
Take the first step toward serving in mission by starting your online application today.
Photo: Mike DuBose, UM News
