ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

Steps to Career Missionary Service

1. Getting to Know You

   Regardless of how far along the path to missions you are, if you believe that the Lord is directing you to vocational ministry, we want to get to know you early on the journey. Our desire is to help you develop your full potential to the glory of God.

2. Preliminary Application

   This is the first step in getting to know you and your talents, interests, and educational background. Once the Missionary Mobilization Department learns of your interest in vocational missions, we ask you to complete a preliminary questionnaire. Through our communication with you, our review of the questionnaire, and the recommendation of your pastor and home church, we will then be able to counsel you as to your next step.

3. Formal Application

   The formal application takes at least three to four months to complete. The procedures to be completed are as follows:

   • Candidate Questionnaire
   • Home Church Certification
   • Missionary Applicant References
   • Personal History Essay
   • Medical History
   • Physician's Report
   • Psychological Testing
   • Required Reading

4. Doctrinal Evaluation

   As a candidate you will be evaluated through a written and oral testing process to affirm that your doctrinal position is in agreement with ABWE’s doctrinal statement, and to insure that you have an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the Word of God.

5. Candidate Seminar

   Through our annual Candidate Seminar we hope to introduce you to ABWE. We strive to foster a team spirit by helping you to build relationships, grasp new information, and apply it to your life and future ministry. We encourage a spirit of complete openness in our communication and fellowship together. During this time you will be exposed to different fields and the needs that each one represents. At the completion of the Candidate Seminar, candidates go before the ABWE Board for acceptance and appointment to the field.

6. Pre-Field Ministry

   This is the opportunity for you as the missionary appointee to challenge churches with the burden God has given you to reach “the regions beyond.” It is a time to learn to trust God to meet your spiritual, emotional, and material needs.

7. Commissioning

   As the sending agent, the home church commissions vocational missionaries before departure for the field.

8. Departure to the Mission Field

   Once pre-field responsibilities are complete, release to the field is approved.

Steps to Short-term Missions (AMP) Service

* Not all of these steps apply to short-term medical teams and construction project teams. For more information contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

1. Getting to Know You

   If you believe that the Lord is directing you to be involved in the Assistant Missionary Program (AMP), we want to get to know you. Our desire is to help you develop your full potential as an Assistant Missionary for the glory of God.

2. Preliminary Application

   This is the first step in getting to know you and your talents, interests and educational background. Through our communications with you, our review of the preliminary application, and the recommendation of your pastor and home church, we will then send you a full AMP application.

3. Full Application Process

   The AMP application procedures to be completed are as follows:

   • Complete full application
   • Home church certification
   • Missionary applicant references
   • Medical history
   • Telephone interview with an ABWE administrator
   • Formal invitation from field
   • Financial clearance (if seeking support for AMP ministry)

4. PreAMP Seminar

   If you plan to serve as an assistant missionary for six months or more, you are required to attend the PreAMP Seminar. PreAMP is held on the campus of Messiah College in July of each year, simultaneously with the annual ABWE Missionary Enrichment Conference. You will be introduced to ABWE, the organization and our global family, and you will receive invaluable training that will enable you to have an effective assistant missionary ministry.

5. Departure to the Mission Field

   When your AMP application is complete and support requirements (if you will be seeking support) are met, and you have attended PreAMP, release to the field is approved.

Steps to Short-term College (IMPACT) Service

1. Getting to Know You

   If you believe that the Lord is directing you to be involved in the IMPACT Program either through a short-term trip opportunity or through an internship, we want to get to know you. Our desire is to help you develop your full potential as you serve with us for the glory of God.

2. Full Application Process

   This is the first step in getting to know you and your talents, interests and educational background. Through our communications with you, our review of your application, and the recommendation of your pastor and home church, we will approve you for overseas service. The IMPACT application procedures to be completed by going to application.abwe.org are as follows:

   • Register online at applications.abwe.org and begin filling out the College Short Term (IMPACT) application.
   • Provide both your home and school addresses and phone numbers in your profile.
   • Submit Full Completed Application, which involves required Readings to be completed.
   • Student Mobilization office will send out references to those whom you have listed.
   • Once those references are returned your application will be sent to the field for approval.
   • Approval from field and office is given.
   • Financial Account is created and your account number is sent to you.
   • Student to Develop Support.

3. Support Development and Preparation

   Only after the field and the ABWE home office have granted approval are you released to begin developing support. Student mobilization will help you to acquire plane tickets, visas, etc. Since preparation is a vital part of any overseas ministry opportunity, you will be required to attend ABWE’s IMPACT Training Camp. Usually this training takes place at ABWE’s home office in Harrisburg, PA (occasionally other arrangements are made and you will be notified of other plans). Your training will introduce you to ABWE, the organization and our global family, and you will receive invaluable training that will enable you to have an effective ministry.

4. Overseas Departure

   When your IMPACT application is complete, support requirements are met, and you have attended training, you will be sent out to serve overseas.

5. Debriefing

   Following your overseas ministry opportunity, you will meet with Student Mobilization personnel to discuss and debrief from your overseas ministry opportunity.

Steps to Short-term High School (Expedition) Service

1. Getting to Know You

   If you believe that the Lord is directing you to be involved in the Expedition Program either through a short-term trip opportunity or through an internship, we want to get to know you. Our desire is to help you develop your full potential as you serve with us for the glory of God.

2. Full Application Process

   This is the first step in getting to know you and your talents, interests and educational background. Through our communications with you, our review of your application, and the recommendation of your pastor and home church, we will approve you for overseas service. The Expedition application procedures to be completed by going to applications.abwe.org are as follows:

   • Register online at applications.abwe.org and begin filling out the High School Short Term (Expedition) application.
   • Provide both your home and school addresses and phone numbers in your profile.
   • Submit Full Completed Application, which involves required Readings to be completed.
   • Student Mobilization office will send out references to those whom you have listed.
   • Once those references are returned your application will be sent to the field for approval.
   • Approval from field and office is given.
   • Financial Account is created and your account number is sent to you.
   • Student to Develop Support.

3. Support Development and Preparation

   Only after the field and the ABWE home office have granted approval are you released to begin developing support. Student mobilization will help you to acquire plane tickets, visas, etc. Since preparation is a vital part of any overseas ministry opportunity, you will be required to attend ABWE’s Expedition Training Camp. Usually this training takes place at ABWE’s home office in Harrisburg, PA (occasionally other arrangements are made and you will be notified of other plans). Your training will introduce you to ABWE, the organization and our global family, and you will receive invaluable training that will enable you to have an effective ministry.

4. Overseas Departure

   When your Expedition application is complete, support requirements are met, and you have attended training, you will be sent out to serve overseas.

5. Debriefing

   Following your overseas ministry opportunity, you will meet with Student Mobilization personnel to discuss and debrief from your overseas ministry opportunity.