Historically, there has been a focus on sending vocational missionaries all over the world. However, this pathway to the field has a long incubation period. By the time the potential missionary identifies an agency to go with, is assessed and approved, decides on a place and role, and raises support, he or she has often taken up to two years in order to take off. This process sounds similar to a plane taxying around, waiting for their turn on a long, congested runway.
But, once we start emphasizing sending marketplace workers, students, and retirees overseas, we may not have as much notice to prepare them to go. The company that may be hiring them, for instance, will not wait two years for them to go through our typical missionary development programs. Therefore mission readiness should be a normal part of discipleship, so that when a sense a calling comes and a job opportunity arises, they are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Picture this readiness like a helicopter that can take off from the helipad it is already resting on.
That's where our Helipad training comes in. The Upstream Collective is committed to equipping not only churches, but also those desiring to live, work, and study overseas. This short (just a few days) training is geared towards potential sent ones who have a shorter on-ramp to the mission field but is for anyone desiring further missions training.
Topics covered include:
Creating a Personal Development Plan
Sent Identity
Alternate Pathways
Cultural Adaptation
Leaving Well
Building Advocacy
Being Spirit-Led
Mapping
Cultural Exegesis
Tribes, Person of Peace
Security and Crisis Management
Spiritual Warfare
Raising Families Overseas/Third-Culture Kids,
Marriage on the Field/Being Single on the Field
Soul Care
Teaming/Handling Conflict
Understanding Roman Catholic/Islamic/Post-Christian Contexts
Sometimes being sent demands a helipad, not a runway. Find out more and register for the next training here.