Cosmetologist seeks to minister with skills, perhaps missionary work. Advice, caution etc?

Q: I need some prayer and maybe some advice, I’m a licensed cosmetologist, looking to go do some mission work, I’m looking into a few programs, and they are all pretty expensive. 

I could use some prayers on finding the money to be able to go on mission, and that God will provide for me. I got in a slight argument with my family, because they think they are going to lose me [die] if I go. I’ve tried explaining that all the organizations I’m looking into go in teams. My mom and I went to church this morning and after the service she told me that as long as I came back she was okay with me leaving. The rest of my family will need some convincing, but I am set on going, I know this is something God is calling me to do, and I will do it.

Advice is a little different of a request, what are your stories on missions, the main one I’m looking at is YWAM (youth with a mission) and I’ve heard mixed reviews, I’ve heard people calling them a cult, saying that they abuse faith and other things, and I’ve heard that they have helped so many people get closer to God by engaging people. 

Also how would you all go about fundraising, I’m basically raising the funds myself, through saving up, fundraising, and other things? Thank you for your prayers and advice. 

Btw, Cosmetology is way more than just makeup. It’s haircutting, coloring, protective braiding, nails, anything like that. I became a cosmetologist so I could help people feel good about who they are, and I’ve helped so many people, feel good about themselves again. 

Cosmetology is not what I would focus on. Personally I would even love talking to crowds. want to be able to help people find the Lord, and make disciples, my church motto is to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples, and I feel a personal pull to go do mission work.

A: YWAM is def not a recommendation. 

They join Christianity with the false religion of Roman Catholicism making YWAM unequally yoked, not holding to the Biblical Gospel thus distorts the sacrifice & truth of Christ, and embraces doctrines of demons. Thus we cannot join with such an organization as we would be unequally yoked to them both too. Additonally in the Christian "church" groups aad ministries associated with YWAM there, [or sects who claim to be Christian], YWAM also embrace folk who preach a wishy washy Gospel message, which also damages the truth Christians are to proclaim. They allow works based religions and beliefs to mingle and polluted the true Gospel of salvation by Grace. We are not to parrlticolipate with thrm or it preaches we align with error and shows the world we seem like we agree with these heresies & false groups as if we all have the same God, Jesus, Gospel or teachings they do. We dont. And further besides the other ossie of wishy washyness, YWAM may allow progressive and lgbt folk in the volunteer ranks as well. Avoid YWAM at all cost. Avoid YWAM at all cost. Have nothing to do with them.

I could suggest getting equipped here (below), and going where you find opportunities such as women's shelter, places folk are going from homeless to jobs etc. As you might get grants and fundings for as a non profit. Then use your mission as your ministry to do charity and the Gospel since both are to go together in Christianity. And you can fund yourself within that non profit you run, for State, National or international missions, (like doctors without borders but) using your skills. 

Ambassadors Academy (Summer only)

In 25 days the current one starts. So sign up today.  They'll start to equip for evangelism, helping with fears, etc. Its fantastic. I went long b4 they had an academy. Its been built up greatly since then. You'll definitely benefit. And with your willingness to speak to crowds, you'll get that opportunity too. 

You can def get advice from the Adademy leadership about this idea you have and family concerns. They could share some things your pastor may be unaware of and miss in the convo. But def have a long list of questions to ask yourself, and you could ask those AA folk for some to add to your list, so you can prayerfully examine and consider before you decide what to do as you seek to be in-line with God's Will and what God would have you do. 

More good resources can be found here too, as you start this journey. 

It is very important to have this conversation with your pastor, and also...see if your church has evangelism training or a outreach group. You might be better starting there.

Then discuss your thoughts on non profit ministry work with the pastor, and get counsel. You'll need to do anything and all of it under the guidance (and submission to) your church leaders... who shepherd you and whom your accountable to as a member, so your being, honest and an integrity led ministry, while living holy. Also the pastors may know folk who can help you get started with a non profit - if you go that direction. Its likely good to have the pastors and decons on the board of directors to help the ministry remain biblical, and hold you to holy living. 

I wanted to be a missionary when I was really young, but later found out we are missionaries, ambassadors of Christ "where we are, and where we go". So we don't need to go to some far flung place to reach folk for Christ. We can & should evangelize where we already live. 

And I know of folk who fundraise, either as short term missions or actual "missionaries" and they go begging church to church to raise funds every single year [as churches dont usually fully support a missionary though they should]. They go live in foreign places, and not much Gospel focus is going in. Wack "friendship evangelism" stuff is their excuse as they live it up in a foreign country and not do what God called them to. They live in fear that after time once or if they get around to sharing the Gospel, if not ghosted on by the folk, all the time ends up wasted cuz when they share Christ... poof, they flee. They should engage anyone they meet, but they don't. They delay and people die in their sins. If one cant be bold and not fear men, they don't belong on the mission field. If they're ashamed of Christ or fear jail or death. They're not worthy. And STM is problematic too. Was greatly disapointed to find out what goes on at STMs and is not good to financially support them. There's 0 reason to go to some other church intl and be a vbs helper or whatever, no....go out and tract and have convos for Christ if your going on a evsngelistic trip. Its not a vacation. It wastes church folk money when there's no evangelistic purpose and is empty; it has no eternal value and are cheating church folk of no treasure being stored up in Heaven. Would be better to give money to evangelistic organizations snd ministries where you know they're good stewards of the money given for God's Kingdom. 

And that's not including the discussion of the phoney folk and false churches who grift, to bilk donations or gfm from church folk who don't use it for godly purposes but as scam. Supposed missionary work or not. 

If you start a non profit focused on cosmetology ...just remember, (and dont lose sight of), as believers our goal is to show them who we are in truth, by God's design, not try to find an alternate identity as the world does now, including by covering insecurities of looks, by make up and those kinds of things, as related to false identities [or dncouraging them]. So def ensure the focus is on Christ and sharing thr Gospel with everyone from the ones you minister to, to those around you and whom work for you, or volunteers. 

I can see helping folk feel valued, in ways we can minister, but yes the Gospel is the vital focus...cuz they might not live to tonight or tomorrow. 

✝️ Don't make any decisions (on this) without solid counsel & guidance by your church shepherds and leadership. 

God be with you as you seek to find ways to open doors to convos, and fulfill your part in the Great Commission. ✨️