Equipping for the mission journey

3 minute 20 second read

Do you not feel woefully unprepared for the trip? I posed this direct question to one of my best friends when we were young adults. He had arrived at the church car park pick-up point and was waiting to board the minibus. The intended destination was the foot of a mountain in the UK. He was excited and raring to get going – in fact he was very confident that he would complete the ‘Three Peaks’ challenge without too much trouble.

My assessment was that his youthful exuberance, a rucksack, a toothbrush, and sandals was insufficient kit to complete the challenge. Mercifully, the rest of the cohort lent him items and he arrived home in one piece. The sandals however didn’t prove all that useful. Knowing the size and nature of a task should undoubtedly affect how you approach it.

Specialised training with a purpose

In April 2015, AWM-Pioneers reviewed and relaunched our strategic priority to equip new and existing cross-cultural workers for long-term ministry among Arab people. The heart behind the initiative was to provide high-quality tailored training to participants at various points of their mission journey, from tentative enquirers to experienced workers.

One of the developments was to adapt the level of pre-field training offered to people based on the previous experience of the participant and where the Lord was leading that person to serve long-term in ministry.

Four levels of input and support

One way of explaining the types of training and support offered to Christian workers by AWM-Pioneers is by seeing the stage of the mission journey an individual is on.

1. Introductory training

For those less familiar with Islam or cross-cultural mission, we offer introductory teaching on what Muslims believe and the way that culture shapes people’s understanding and openness to spiritual concepts. We find that Christians in the UK often have some awareness of how to engage with a secular worldview but may be less familiar with the very different questions and beliefs that shape a Muslim’s life. Our desire in delivering topics on Islam, Engaging with Muslims, and Cultural Training to churches, Christian Unions, and other Christian groups is to encourage people to build strong friendships, serve others, and give confidence when sharing the gospel with Muslims.

2. Orientation for ministry

We provide more specialist training for those seriously considering long-term work overseas or for those regularly engaged in outreach to Muslims in their local communities. These events cover topics at a greater depth, helping participants in their understanding of mission and Islam and giving exposure to ministry tools and resources. They often involve the participation of experienced field workers to share their practical experience. Feedback from previous attendees tells us that these training sessions often come at pivotal times for people to be encouraged, equipped, and continue their discernment of God’s will for their life and ministry.

3. Preparing to go

As you would expect from any mission agency, we invest time, care, and resources into preparing those looking to go into short and long-term ministry among the unreached. The nature of the input they receive from our training team will be dependent on each person’s past experience and prospective ministry placement. Long-term pre-field training focuses on meeting key requirements identified by ministry team leaders and covers areas such as biblical and theological proficiency, cross-cultural awareness, and the ability to work in a team. Through this personalised approach, our aim is to prepare candidates well without forcing them into a particular ministry approach or being dogmatic on which courses they should complete.

4. Member support and development

We believe that cross-cultural workers are able to serve most effectively in the long-term when they are appropriately cared for by their sending organisation. Our dedicated Member Care team keep up to date with our long-term workers – our members – and support them more specifically when they face times of need. Where possible, our team visit workers and attend Pioneers regional conferences to see members face-to-face to debrief experiences and provide prayerful support and encouragement. As well as signposting specialist training and helping when needed throughout the year, we take advantage of inviting workers to the Loughborough office each summer to catch up and build relationships with those visiting their sending churches and supporters.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have been encouraged by who the Lord has brought across our path to support and develop. In the last eighteen months, we have seen over 100 people take part in either training or short-term outreach. We continue to pray and plan that the Lord will enable us to train and equip many more people into long-term fruitful ministry among Muslims of the Arab world.