Language Advantages
Local/national Christians often have a great advantage when it comes to language – they don’t have to learn a new one!
Even with dedication and good language schools, it often takes years to truly become comfortable and capable in a new language (including local slang and differences). This can create a barrier for foreigners. But, a local missionary can usually jump right in – even with regional differences.
Lifestyle and Physical Advantages
Local/national missionaries frequently can “hit the ground running” as they do not have to adapt to housing differences, clothing, food and even transportation differences.
Instead of using energy and time to adapt to new surroundings, they can use that same time and energy to leap right into ministry work and focus on the end goal.
Additionally, they also can benefit from continued support of their home church and community, even when traveling to other parts of their home country – simply because “home” is still close by.
Cultural Advantages
Local/national missionaries frequently enjoy immediate acceptance in a new location of their home country.
As they are a product of that same culture, they are seen as familiar from the start. That is because they share not only language, but thought structure, expectations and points of view. In short – they fit right in naturally – because they are “cut from the same cloth”.
Economic Advantages
Local/national missionaries are often able to “do more with less”. This comes from knowing where and how to buy at the best prices as well as knowing what is actually needed – and what isn’t.
Many cultures outside the U.S. have simple solutions to what can seem to be complex problems. Sometimes this is because expectations are different. Sometimes it is out of necessity – because the available resources are different.
But often local/national missionaries can achieve the same goal while stretching the budget a bit more.
Legal Advantages
Not every country is open to foreign missionaries. In fact, a growing number of countries have made it illegal to enter as a foreign missionary.
However, in many of these same countries, there is no law barring the citizens of the country from planting churches and sharing the gospel. Indeed, in many countries the only legal way to share God’s message of salvation is through the native people of that country.
Also, local/national missionaries have little risk of being removed from their home country. This provides built-in stability to the relationships that they may build (without the risk of the missionary being denied the ability to stay).
There will still be Challenges
Of course, no ministry or mission work is without challenges. The bible is clear that the sower will face obstacles, likely even failure. (The parable of the sower). But the local/national missionary has an advantage of being close to their family and their home church for support and encouragement for whatever challenges may come.