Pre-field preparation is crucial. On the Global Frontier Missions website this statement is made: “Studies show that many missionaries planning to go to the mission field long-term are only lasting about two years, and experts agree that quality pre-field missionary training can help workers bear more fruit and last longer on the fields.”
Imagine being a parent of a young boy who, after watching the Super Bowl, wants to play football. Imagine sending the enthusiastic lad out to that “foreign” field where he would be knocked around by the opposing team. Imagine he is excited to win games but has no idea of the risks on the field, no equipment, no coach and no physical conditioning. If all he has is enthusiasm, will he learn to play the game, let alone survive it? Not likely. I think you will agree with me that appropriate pre-season training and daily preparation with on-going coaching and development, once on the field, is vital to becoming a successful player. *
Now, imagine a person newly called to serve the Lord in foreign missions. That’s wonderful. Would it be wise to send him or her out as quickly as possible because they are excited to get started? Would it not be wiser to train, equip, mentor and send them fully prepared?
In 1984-‘85, Jeff and I participated in an internship program designed by Woody Phillips. At the time Woody was the missions pastor of Edina Baptist Church (our sending church which is now Grace Church Eden Prairie). We are very grateful for the year-long training the church provided for us and believe it had a great impact in our being on the field for thirty-three years.
Several years ago Woody and Carl Palmer wrote an article about the role of churches in missionary preparation. It is called “Candidate Preparation: The Responsibility of the Local Church.” The article raises the question, “Isn’t there some way to reduce [the preparation time] so that the missionary gets to the field sooner?” Phillips and Palmer responded, “Inadequate preparation is a major reason for missionaries not staying on the field. Nothing is lost in the… years of preparation, and so much is gained. If we are to send out the best, we must equip them carefully.”
Sadly, very few churches are equipped to provide that kind of training. When I surveyed our team a few years ago and asked if they had received any missionary training from their sending church, only one couple responded that they did.
A few years ago I was appointed as International Coordinator of Missionary Training and Development. My role is to coordinate training for members that will make a difference in the effectiveness of their first term and beyond. I believe that if the church and agencies fail to encourage pre-field preparation and development, the cause of missions will be greatly hampered.
Early departure from the field due to avoidable circumstances is very difficult and can result in shattered lives, disappointed sending churches, delayed or discontinued projects and immense costs. There may also be a disruption in the spread of the Gospel among the people where God sent them to serve. The Lord is faithful and gracious so these are not hopeless situations, but when a worker is well prepared they have the tools needed for long-term fruitful ministry.
It has long been a dream of mine to have a site where we could host people to build into their lives what is needed as they prepare for the field. We don't have one location for this purpose so Jeff and I have develop a training program for our agency's missionaries called Skills Conference. In each conference we cover many crucial topics but we also encourage ongoing training through other programs designed to prepare missionaries for fruitful field service. As we pray for workers to be sent out to the harvest, we also pray God will use us to help them to prepare well.
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