Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.                                       2 Timothy 2:15

Paul’s exhortation to his younger counterpart Timothy, was purposeful in expressing the need for Timothy to be a continual student of the Word of God. The need for continued study in the Word is a need to be at our best in knowing and presenting the Truth and Life of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

In addition, there are many areas that ministers of the Word, missionaries particularly, need to give attention to. The training given in Bible College and the development of qualifications in Bible, doctrine and ministry made at the local church level are key prerequisites. The BBFI Mission Office also takes a role to help missionary candidates be better prepared for being a BBFI missionary on the field God has called them to.

Candidate Training Provided by the Mission Office

Candidate School – Two intensive weeks are provided in two one-week segments by the Mission Office staff. It is designed to prepare new missionary candidates for the many different areas of ministry they will encounter. It is first expected that those applying to be BBFI missionaries, TEAM or Career, will have varying foundations of preparation at the College level and from their involvement in their local churches. The training from the Mission Office is designed to evaluate where the candidates are at, and if needed, fill in the gaps or even ask that the candidates receive further preparation before moving forward in their candidate application.

Some of the areas Candidate School addresses are: Personal Spiritual Development, Church and Pastoral Expectations of Missionaries, Deputation, Intercultural Issues and Encounters, Language Acquisition, Financial Responsibilities, Media, Technology, Basic Security and Safety Training, Mission Office Procedures and Presentations in the Local Church. Each of these areas are taught during intensives through the weeks of Candidate School.

Basic instructions are given on how to put together a presentation and the benefits and struggles of deputation. Such a design is to help missionaries prepare for the travels and time of raising support. A large portion of time is spent in helping the missionaries understand how the Mission Office helps missionaries with finances and prepares them for the reporting process they will be doing. Additional areas focus on things they will expect on the field, such as trying to learn a new language, how to help their children educationally, and being able to handle security threats and assessments on the field. These practical helps are essential to being better prepared for the journey ahead.

Professional Development

The Mission Office continues to develop better ways to help the missionary force on the field. One area is in Safety and Security Training for foreign travel led by Steve Bender. As the world has changed, so has the need for threat assessments and preparation for missionaries as they travel.

A second area is a desire to see continuing education for missionaries. There are many ways that missionaries can now do courses online through colleges, but consideration is being given to video training segments from the Mission Office to enhance continued training and education in many of the services that the Mission Office provides. An example would be in Finance. As changes happen financially on a continual basis, due to governmental and banking changes in the states and abroad, there is a greater need for regular updates to be given. Other areas can be developed in media and technology advancements, computer and internet security, and updates about benefits the Mission Office offers the missionaries, their families and the local church.

In today’s world it is a common practice for doctors, lawyers, teachers, and many other professions to continue their studies for the purpose of staying up to date and being the best at what they do. Should any less be expected of God’s servants who carry the greatest message of divine hope to the nations? The Mission Office desires to be a valuable tool in preparation and continued development to help in accomplishing such a purpose for BBFI missionaries and churches.

-by Timothy Long, Associate Mission Director