FAQs
As you seek your place in missions we’ll walk alongside you providing encouragement, training, and direction. On the field, you’ll be part of a team and under the care of leadership who are familiar with the challenges of living and serving cross-culturally. Throughout your ministry with World Team, you’ll receive support from your sending office in the form of administration, on-going training, and pastoral care.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions by those exploring long-term missionary service. If we haven’t answered all your questions here, please contact us.
- What are the steps for getting to the field?
- What are the main qualifications World Team is looking for in missionary candidates?
- What are World Team’s educational requirements for missionaries?
- How do World Team missionaries raise support?
- When does the missionary begin to receive financial support?
- How much support does a World Team missionary need?
- What kind of training will I receive?
- What emotional/psychological support systems are in place for missionaries and their families?
- Who makes choices regarding MK education?
What are the steps for getting to the field?
Step 1– Continue to pray. Invite your church into the process, asking them to pray and offer their input and guidance.
Step 2– Fill out a Getting Acquainted form and let us know about you, your gifts and passions for ministry. Complete the application process.
Step 3– Once invited, participate in RACE, World Team’s week-long candidate assessment program. You’ll learn about us. We’ll learn about you. Together we’ll seek God’s direction.
Step 4– Field Allocation: After joining World Team’s missionary family, we’ll work with you to match your gifts and ministry experience to the opportunities open on our teams.
Step 5– Partnership Development: We’ll help you achieve your goal of reaching the field, giving you practical tools and encouragement as you raise financial and prayer support for your ministry.
Step 6– Pre-Field Training: As you near the goal of full financial support, US appointees will participate in an intensive 10-12 week training program at the Center For Intercultural Training in North Carolina. Training for Australian and Canadian appointees varies.
Step 7– Go! Once you reach your appointed field, you’ll receive culturally specific training and mentoring to help you transition well into your new ministry.
What are the main qualifications World Team is looking for in missionary candidates?
- Bible knowledge and wisdom
- Solid Christian character
- Varied ministry and/or professional experience
What are World Team’s educational requirements for missionaries?
Applicants should be able to articulate the main doctrines of the Bible. While many of World Team missionaries have attended Bible college or seminary, we recognize informal Bible training as well. Educational requirements depend on the ministry description and requirements from the field.
How do World Team missionaries raise support?
Each World Team missionary depends upon the Lord’s provision for the necessary financial support for their ministry through faith promises made by their church, family, friends, and other contacts. We’ll provide training and resources to help you communicate about your ministry needs.
Some missionaries gain access to unreached people groups using their profession as a platform. In these cases, support needs are adjusted accordingly. These workers may find that their job helps offset the amount of support they need to raise.
When does the missionary begin to receive financial support?
World Team missionaries begin receiving salary and benefits upon departure for the field. Ministry expenses prior to departure are remitted from the missionary’s World Team account.
How much support does a World Team missionary need?
Support levels vary depending upon the cost of living on each field, number of family members, travel expenses, etc. The total support level needed will include benefits, taxes, health and retirement expenses. Each field provides a scale to help missionaries determine what level of support they need to live and serve on the field.
What kind of training will I receive?
Relevant training is provided to our missionaries at every level of their career; from partnership development, to pre-field training, field-specific cultural preparation, language study, and on-going training opportunities within the mission. We are also committed to the spiritual development of each missionary. Regional retreats, team building, and mission-wide conferences provide opportunities for spiritual formation and development.
What emotional and psychological support is available to missionaries and their families?
The Member Care team works closely with Pastoral Care workers to provide counseling, training, debriefing, transitional care, and other support services to keep you and your family emotionally and spiritually strong.
Who makes choices regarding MK education?
Each missionary family makes choices regarding the education of their own children. The Member Care team and your field leadership will help you explore the options and resources available such as home schooling, international schools, and national schools.