“Dr. Sills does a wonderful job, in the parameters set by the book itself, of introducing the reader to the many historical aspects to our understanding of the missionary call. With the chapters on the historical understandings of what the missionary call means and who has gone before us to the mission field, think Hebrews 11, the reader is better equipped to deal with the challenges that will surely be set before him.

He treats, at length, how to avoid what is called "the paralysis of analysis" whereby a person called to missions never does anything because he or she does not know what to do. He also helps the reader understand that there is room in the Bible for personal convictions regarding the how and where-to's of the missionary call.

This book is a great resource for anyone contemplating a call to missions. Dr. Sills does a masterful job of explaining all that goes into actually getting to the mission field and, more importantly, why one has to seemingly jump through all of the hoops. Some of these chapters would be great as stand-alone "workbooks" for group study in a young college and careers class or even a mini-conference at a local church on missions and the missionary call.

The fact that Dr. Sills pulls from years of experience on the mission field only strengthens the content of this book. While he would never say that he, too, can be listed as one of the heroes in chapter eleven, one would be well-served to learn from this man who has poured his life into the Great Commission.”

-T. Delaney

"Because the God of universe longs for every tribe, tongue, and nation to worship Him with a red-hot passion that only He deserves-- I am convinced that He is pleased with David Sills marvelous contribution on that very topic. This resource was desperately needed for the missions-minded, God's will pursuer. There is truly not another like it. Thank you, Dr. Sills, for the helpful, practical insight found in this book. May all the peoples praise Him!”

-M. Coady

“Dr. David Sills has written an excellent resource for those who are interested in missions. Whether you are a "sender" or a "goer", all who follow Christ are called to missions in one way or another and this book is a must read. Challenging, sobering, enlightening, yet encouraging, this book will provide insight and provoke deep thinking for those who are feeling the call of God into international missions. Dr. Sills writes with a pastor's heart and keen desire to see Christ glorified among the nations and his own missions experience in the field and in the classroom are laced throughout this work. I am thankful to God for laying this task on Dr. Sill's heart and for David's diligence in following his own missionary calling by writing it. This is a read worth your time."

-Dr. Jeff Love

“This is a great book for anyone trying to determine God's plan for missions in their life. It's full of practical application from a man who has gone through the experience. The book is currently on its way around my circle of friends who also want a clear response on their call. You'll want to pass it around, too.”

-R. Hancock

"I want you to know that I have no doubt God is going to use this book in the lives of a lot of people who are struggling with a call to missions. You did an amazing job in taking the enigma out of the call to missions, while at the same time leaving intact the very personal and supernatural nature of that call. Personally, it reaffirmed my call to missions and inflamed my passion and determination to be a part of seeing every tribe, tongue, and nation around the throne of God. Dr. Sills, I really appreciate your heart for the nations and obedience to our Lord. Thank you for writing this book."

-R. Bush

"Dr. David, Stan May here. I’m using your book in my “Principles of Southern Baptist Missions” class and just want you to know what a pleasure it has been to read! Thanks for a delightful work that powerfully and practically touches students. Already some have come to me about the book, and others in their reviews of the book sing its praises. God is spreading your influence far beyond the borders of SBTS. Thank you, dear brother, for this honest, heartwarming, and scholarly work."

-Stan May, PHD
Chairman and Professor, Missions Department
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

"David- Greetings to you, and I trust you are well.  We met many years ago with Dr. Fred Malone and I have kept up with your ministry for many years.  Thanks for your work. As part of our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering emphasis, I wrote about your new book and ministry in concert with LMCO. Thank you for your life and ministry."

-Douglas E. Baker

Director of Public Relations
Administration & Convention Relations

Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

"For a child whose parents did not actively encourage faith in God nor a love for the gospel, I attended a decent amount of church activities. One year, I even received a Bible as a reward for perfect attendance (my teacher picked me up every week). My fondest memories involve Mission Friends and Girls In Action. At least a full decade before I ever understood the gospel, I remember memorizing John 3:16. I distinctly recall praying for specific men and women on their birthdays, writing letters and drawing pictures to encourage missionaries to share a message I could not comprehend. I did not know Jesus, but these programs and activities birthed in me a life-long love and admiration for The Missionary, an extraordinary person who left the comforts of America to live in jungles and far-away places searching for men and women, boys and girls, who had never heard John 3:16.

After God opened my heart and mind to understand and believe the gospel, I wanted very much to share it with others. Throughout my college years I participated in various evangelism training seminars, served on week-long mission trips, and local camps. I day-dreamed of sharing the gospel with men and women from different nations. I wondered whether or not I, too, was called to be a missionary. With several years of foreign language study under my belt, I thought I was a perfect candidate. I prayed for an opportunity to go. But the door never opened. To be honest, I've wondered about that exciting time of my life. Did I miss something? After reading M. David Sills' book, The Missionary Call: Find Your Place in God's Plan for the World, I understand so much better what God was doing in my heart all those years ago... (more)"

-L. Wiggins

"I couldn't have read this book at a better time or at a worse time. I couldn't have read it at a better time because I had it in my grip during some of our final weeks of preparing to go to Japan with the International Mission Board. I couldn't have read it at a worse time for 2 reasons. First, I wish I had the time to write up & interact with every single chapter in detail - what is on the pages is good enough to do so, but because of all the things we are trying to get done before we leave for training in less than a month, I simply don't have the time. Another reason reading it now was the worst time was because I think I could have saved many anxious moments over the last 5 plus years as we sought God's guidance about our call to missions. But being able to read the book at the end of the journey of our calling (just the beginning of our actual ministry) & finding God's plan for us allowed me to validate how helpful this book is & will be for others wanting to know about God's heart for the nations & His will for their lives...Because Dr. Sills has years of both missionary experience & theological training & teaching, he brings a perfect balance of a missiology fueled by strong Biblical theology, which again, makes this book highly commended reading... (more)"

-D. Rainer

In The Missionary Call, David Sills gives an excellent explanation of the difference between how people relate in Eastern cultures compared with Western cultures:

"Every culture uses language for two reasons. One is to communicate information and the other is to maintain relationships. The culture of the United States uses language in this order of priority. Relational, face-to-face cultures of the group-0riented societies of the world operate with an opposite order. Our culture of direct communicators expects honest answers to questions; in fact, our society depends on it. But indirect communication cultures answer with what you want to hear in order to appease and avoid the awkwardness that saying no to a request might cause. The resulting confusion makes the North American missionary seem rude and demanding at times, while he things that people in the new culture are liars who are incapable of telling the truth." (139)

That last sentence described us for at least the first year of our time in China. I really wish I would have read something like this before we went over!

-I. Lawrence

We've never met, but I praise God for your ministry. Your book on the Missionary Call is proving quite helpful to my wife and me as we consider how best to serve the Lord long-term.  We love our current church and pastorate, but are praying for wisdom as we consider the future.  To the extent that your book has helped us focus our praying as husband and wife, I am grateful.

-S. Sumrall

For more information about Dr. Sills' ministry, visit his ministry website,

Reaching and Teaching.