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Benefits
Qualifications
Applying for MIT Status
 As long as the Great Commission is in effect, more missionaries
will be needed. Since its establishment in 1914, the Assemblies
of God has been dedicated to sending God-called men and
women to the mission field.
Most missionary candidates are ordained ministers with
considerable experience. However, many exceptional young
people who yearn to heed God's call lack the necessary
qualifications for full missionary appointment. To train
these young people in missions work as early as possible,
the Missionary-in-Training (MIT) program has been implemented.
The MIT program places called young people with outstanding
gifts and abilities under the supervision of experienced
missionaries, who serve as mentors. Under such tutelage,
the MIT may develop a ministry which will qualify him or
her for both ordination and future lifework in missions.
The primary focus is on developing future career missionaries
rather than meeting field needs.
Benefits
The program allows the MIT to develop the cultural understanding,
practical skills and spiritual gifts necessary for cross-cultural
service as early as possible. The program also helps the
MIT learn the language within the culture and to develop
relationships with nationals. As young people encounter
the challenges and opportunities of the mission field,
their call is clarified, and they discover where they best
fit into the scope of world evangelization. Upon completion
of the program, the MIT has established a ministry base
for possible ordination.
Qualifications
Spiritual Considerations
- Teachableness: The applicant must be able and willing
to learn. He or she must humbly respond to trying situations.
- Submissiveness: The applicant must possess the God-given
grace to surrender to authority in order to learn,
reach goals and be Christ-like.
- Initiative: Applicants must be self-starters and
hard workers. The must work creatively within a
team, obtaining
permission
before launching out on endeavors, but doing their
duty without being reminded of every task.
- Dependency on the
Holy Spirit: The applicant must
find strength and direction in the Lord through
a daily, personal
devotional life.
- Call and Commitment:
Applicants must show evidence of a clear sense of God's
call to foreign missions
service,
and declare their full intentions of becoming
career missionaries.
Each applicant is expected to have demonstrated
some measure of fruitful experience in evangelism.
Practical Considerations
- Membership: The applicant must be a member
in good standing of the Assemblies of God
and hold
a ministerial
license
with a district. He or she must have district
approval for assignment as an MIT. The
district must indicate
its willingness to apply the MIT's overseas
experience toward
fulfillment of the requirements for ordination.
- Age: The status of MIT is normally granted
to applicants between the ages of 21
and 27.
- Family: While some single men and women
will be approved for MIT status,
preference will
be given
to married
couples with not more than one child.
- Education: An undergraduate degree
in Bible, theology, pastoral ministry
or missions
is recommended for
MIT applicants. However, ministerial
training or an educational
equivalent
approved by the MIT's prospective
director is also acceptable.
- Finances: The applicant should
not be under heavy financial
obligation. School loans
are an acceptable
obligation,
but they should not be excessive.
The MIT's budget is considerably
less than
the career
missionary's
and covers
only minimal
expenses.
Applying for MIT Status Initial Information Phase
The applicant should contact Assemblies
of God World Missions (AGWM). An Initial screening will be done to determine
the applicant's eligibility. The applicant's home district
will be notified, and its counsel and approval will be
sought.
If the applicant appears to meet the requirements for foreign
missions service, and if the district office grants initial
approval, the AGWM Personnel Department will send the appropriate
application forms. Forms sent to married applicants should
be completed by both husband and wife. Application forms
should be returned to the AGWM Personnel Department.
After the director of world missions personnel has received
and evaluated the completed application forms, he will
ask for a second, formal endorsement from the applicant's
district. He will also ask the appropriate regional director
to review the information and determine if a suitable mentor
is available. The applicant's name will then be place before
the World Missions Committee (EXCOM), who will prayerfully
and deliberately decide whether to process the application.
Official Application Phase
If the EXCOM clears the applicant, medical forms and an
agreement form will be sent for completion. The applicant
will also receive AGWM's Missions Manual. Questionnaires
will be sent to the applicant's references. AGWM will then
evaluate the application, references, college transcripts,
and medical reports. Because most applicants have had minimal
experience in practical ministry, college records are especially
important.
To help AGWM know the applicant better, psychological
tests will be administered and explained to each individual.
AGWM will also arrange for a representative to visit you
to talk about your burden and plans.
The applicant will attend a special week-long interview
and orientation session in Springfield, Missouri. At that
time the applicant will meet with the director of his or
her intended region, and take language aptitude and Bible
content exams. Applicants will receive a general orientation
to AGWM policies, financial procedures, and deputational
practices. Each applicant will meet the EXCOM for a personal
interview.
If the EXCOM approves the applicant, his or her file will
be passed on to the World Missions Board for final approval.
If the board's decision is affirmative, the applicant will
become an approved MIT and will begin deputation to prepare
for departure to the field. Through the MIT program, more
and more young people are learning to preach the gospel
in all the world. They will help fulfill the Great Commission
until Jesus returns.
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