Church Connections

Pre-Field

Interactive "Focus on the Target" diagram! This interactive diagram highlights and describes how ABWE's Pre-Field Ministries works. There are 3 circles of support surrounding the missionary. Find out how they inter-relate by clicking the link above.

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Pre-field Overview

Pre-field ministry begins at the time of Board appointment and continues until the missionary is released to their field or language school. It's four-fold focus includes:

  1. PRAYER
    1. Staff prayer time
    2. Monthly Pre-Field Prayer and Praise Update
    3. Personal daily prayer
  2. COMMUNICATION
    1. Monthly Pre-Field Prompter with personal notes
    2. Birthday and anniversary cards
    3. Phone calls, e-mail
    4. Copies of Presentation Evaluations
    5. Office appointments
  3. TRAINING/SUPPORT
    1. Pre-Field Manual received at Candidate Seminar
    2. Field Preparation Seminar (twice annually)
    3. Annual visit with missionary and pastor
    4. Website listing of pre-field missionaries on ABWE website
    5. Media presentation assistance available
  4. ACCOUNTABILITY
    1. Monthly Ministry Report
    2. Monthly Schedule Update
    3. Presentation Evaluation forms
    4. Continuing Education
    5. Annual Performance review to your pastor (copy to the missionary)
    6. Annual Reports (Ministry and Personal)

Pre-Field Ministries Facts

  1. Explanation:
    1. An opportunity to challenge churches with the burden God has given you.
    2. A time to build relationships with churches and individuals while ministering to them and God is simultaneously bringing together the team that will support your ministry in coming years.
    3. The average time from appointment to release to the field or language study is 30 months
  2. Factors impacting the length of pre-field ministry:
    1. Personal readiness
      1. No significant deterrents (education, internships, indebtedness)
      2. Favorable employment schedule
    2. Support commitment and involvement of the sending church
    3. Many churches schedule missionaries 6 - 12 months in advance
    4. Time required to prepare presentation materials
    5. Availability of missions funds where presentations are made
    6. Support requirement varies with country, family size and ministry
    7. Commitment and self-discipline of the missionary
    8. The sovereign purposes and timing of the Lord

The diagram below represents the support raising & development process during pre-field ministry.