Short Term Mission Leaders Training
Due to the tremendous need and outcry for resources among many western churches and mission organizations, COMMIT Ministries began training short term ministry trip leaders in Honolulu in 1996. Drawing upon our extensive 12 years of short term experiences in seven different countries, we began to create a cutting edge, effective training program that can be used by any and all short term leaders.
A 3-day intensive, comprehensive, and interactive seminar was born as a result. This happened partly because of the overwhelming need for efficient short term planning and partly due to our partnership alliance with ServantPrep Training International.
Our next training date will be April 7 - 9, 2005 in Honolulu, HI!
What is the ServantPrep© Trainers Seminar?
It is a 20-hour experiential, interactive training program for church, college and agency STM trainers and leaders. It was built on the training model for career missionaries of Mission Training International, which has prepared more than 15,000 missionaries for more than 250 agencies over the last 48 years. During the last 5 years more than 600 leaders from churches and more than 40 agencies have completed the seminar. Although 98% has been very positive, the most enthusiastic response has come from career missionaries with more than 10 years of field experience.
What is its focus?
Convinced that an STM trip can change the life of each participant, the focus of this seminar is on those issues that can help each person draw closer to God, see the world from God’s perspective and see God’s priorities and values. Thus Spiritual life and ministry, Personal self-acceptance and discovery of strengths, developing good Interpersonal skills and understanding Cultural differences and the impact of our culture on our world-view are central to this training process. In addition, the seminar explores the need for careful attention to the Logistical issues of getting there, staying well, communicating Jesus’ love, and getting home safely. Debriefing is integrated throughout the learning experience so that both personal processing at the end and reporting to senders are done well.
Topics that are covered in the training include:
• Biblical basis for world evangelization
• Factors enhancing spiritual vitality
• Preparing and sharing your personal testimony
• Exploring personal values
• Responding to conflict
• Understanding culture
• How to "map" a people
• Learning to talk in paradox
• How to tell your story
Because of the success of these seminars hosted both in Hawaii and other key cities across the United States, COMMIT continues to develop and field-test dynamic methods that contribute meaningfully to a successful short term program for any cross-cultural endeavor. We stock several short term resources and even publish a few of our own. These are made available at any of our Short Term Mission Leaders Training seminars (STML) or any ministry conference where we have an exhibit.
You can host your own STML on behalf of your church, short term program, or mission agency!
Contact our office today and we'll begin to plan the event based on your dates, times, and special needs for those attending. |
