Your Pathway to Intercultural Service
Good preparation is critical for effective and sustainable intercultural ministry. Baptist Mission Australia is committed to providing relevant, practical and thoughtful learning and development opportunities throughout an intercultural team member's preparation, on-field ministry and home assignment.
Discernment
1
Contact your State Office
and start the conversation. You may be encouraged to visit an intercultural team, meet with other team members and engage in intercultural mission locally.
2
Discuss your call
with your local church leadership (if you haven’t already). Keep them in the loop as you move forward and begin developing a prayer or advocacy group.
3
Participate in a Discernment Weekend
where you join others to explore your call to intercultural mission and discern an alignment of values with Baptist Mission Australia.
Application
4
We send your profile and preferences to ministry team leaders
to get a sense of the most suitable location, ministry and team.
5
Your state leader will walk you through completing application forms
that include a church reference, medical disclosures, psych clearance and police check (not as scary as they sound).
6
Take part in an interview day
with a group of experienced and prayerful people (Selection Committee) who will join the discernment process and (hopefully) recommend you for ministry.
Preparation
7
Build a team to financially and prayerfully support you and your team mates.
Baptist Mission Australia staff will equip, resource and guide you during this process. Your local home church will also be integral in this process.
8
Complete seven core theological subjects
at an academic level that suits your circumstances.
9
Participate in four weeks of learning and development courses.
A combination of online, live-in and intensive classes spread over at least 12 months.
10
Engage in practical, self-paced and guided experiences
catered to your areas of growth and future ministry, including regular supervision.
11
Follow up all the practical details
including visas, medical clearances, packing and communicating with your church and supporters as you prepare to say goodbye.
Your learning and development will focus on three key learning areas:
1. Ministry Effectiveness
2. Personal and Spiritual Formation
3. Baptist Mission Australia Understanding
Departure
12
Once you have completed the preparation components, are commissioned by your church and have received formal clearance from the Leadership Team, you are ready to go!