Last May our mission leaders met in the UK for what they call International Council meetings. During that time Jeff turned over his position of Associate International Director to another man named Daren Beck. Jeff took on Daren’s role of Asia Regional Coordinator. We will be writing more about this new role in our upcoming newsletter. I was appointed as the International Integral Missionary Training Coordinator. It is in regards to this role that I am writing. Jeff on my task force since we will be developing a training program in the Philippines—primarily for ACTION missionaries but it can be expanded to others as we are able. It will include both classroom (with ourselves and other leaders) and on the street aspects to the training.
We are concerned about unnecessary missionary attrition that happens during the first term of service. It is our desire as a task force to investigate ways of better preparing missionaries to avoid pre-mature departure from field service. We will be investigating how we can do a better job of selecting potential missionaries and then guiding them to the point where they are ready to serve and be effective in their first term of service. Missionary preparation encompasses four aspects (at least) which our task force will be working on. Although I list them in a linear sequence, each aspect overlaps.
1. The individual or couple, their calling into foreign missionary service and their own preparation, schooling and personal development
2. The churches' guidance, mentoring and ministry training opportunities
3. The application process and orientation with their mission agency
4. The training provided by their mission agency which is specialized to that organization
Jeff and I will be primarily focused on the 4th aspect for missionaries who are joining our organization but we want to investigate the first two aspects. When someone is called of the Lord to become a missionary, what steps can they take to begin preparing themselves for foreign service? What disciplines, training or character qualities need to be developed? Then, what role does the church have in helping that individual or family to be prepared for missionary service? How can they provide a venue for ministry within the church prior to being deployed to the field?
