One-Year School of Mission

The School of Mission (SoM) is an intensive two-semester program that takes place over the course of an entire year and is designed for students whose desire is to serve the Lord in an international, cross-cultural context. Students will be taught by teachers with years of experience in missionary service, church planting, and many other areas of cross-cultural ministry. Throughout the program, students are provided opportunities to gain first-hand experience in missions, allowing them to step out in the gifts and callings the Lord has put on their hearts.

Those students sensing a call to global ministry will gain a deeper understanding of both the foundational principles of missions as well as the daily realities of life while serving cross-culturally. One of the ways SoM better equips future missionaries for the part of the world they feel called to serve is by having each student participate in an independent language study. The student may either choose a foreign language to learn, or they have the opportunity to get certified to teach English through the TEFL/TESOL programs.

School of Mission students participate in our curriculum of biblical courses, as well as, a key element is that several of our SoM classes follow a discussion-based format, allowing students and teachers to share and learn from each other. The presentation of relevant material is given in the following forms and specific questions are given to facilitate the discussion process:

• Lectures are based on texts that cover history, biblical foundations, and relevant contemporary strategies and principles of missions.
• Readings: assigned from textbooks and a required reading list used throughout the year.
• Practical experience: weekend outreaches and two 10-day outreaches, are planned throughout the two semesters with all of the student body participating. In addition, each SoM student will participate in a 40-day practicum which occurs during the school’s winter or summer breaks. These are specifically planned for students to be under the guidance of the leadership of an active church plant and are chosen with guidance from the program director.