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The
Process of Mobilization
Page
5 — The Three Phases of Mobilization
Motivation/Inspiration
This phase refers to the first time someone is impacted with God's mandate
to extend His blessing to all peoples. This may occur, among other ways, at
a mission conference, by reading a missionary biography, interacting one-on-one
with a missionary or a mission mobilizer, watching a mission oriented video,
etc. Whatever the avenue, our budding World Christian is on his way.
Preparation
and Training
In phase two we see many further steps of yielding and obedience, leading
to new convictions as a World Christian and the deepening of existing convictions.
This phase is crucial if we are to see a person establish a World Christian
life-style. Normally these further steps of obedience are facilitated by organized
growth experiences such as a short-term mission abroad, establishing a consistent
habit of intercession for mission-related needs, efforts to befriend international
students, the development of a "wartime life-style," participation in a local
mission fellowship, caring for particular missionaries, etc.
Moving
into specific mission training in more specialized areas of interest and study
is eventually necessary for on-going growth and development, especially as
a person gains a clearer understanding of his or her strategic place of long-term
involvement in the cause. (Note: This is not just for those called to the
field, but for all believers.)
SENT
ONES—For those who will be sent out as missionaries, this phase may
take place in a general candidate training program through Wycliffe's Summer
Institute of Linguistics, Missionary Training International, or more likely,
in actual candidate training prescribed by the mission agency under which
the person will serve. For a great set of brochures that deal with most of
the initial questions and issues raised by those called to the field, go to
the Caleb Project website,
or contact Caleb Project at: 303-730-4170. Another source of help is a new
book titled: Send Me! Your Journey to the Nations, written to help
prospective missionaries understand all that is involved in getting to the
field (William Carey Library: 626-798-0819 or, email).
It
is well to note that there are a number of churches today who are developing
church-based missionary training and internship programs to provide candidates
with an excellent training experience and proving ground before going to the
field. Many of the churches belonging to the Antioch
Network fit this category. Their address is: 5060 N. 19th Ave., Suite
306 Phoenix, AZ 85015, USA, Ph: 602-589-7777, Email.
SENDERS—Training
for senders is carefully addressed in the book Serving
as Senders by Neal Pirolo which contains a study guide for small
group usage (currently available in 8 languages o Ph: 619-292-7020). Also,
the Evangelical Missions
Quarterly can be very helpful to senders as it often covers key
issues that face missionaries on the field and on furlough. Knowledge
of these issues equips senders to better appreciate what missionaries
face and how they can best assist them. (Ph: 630-752-7158, Email).
WELCOMERS—Training
for welcomers is best found through contacting International
Students, Inc. (Ph: 1-800-ISI-TEAM or 719-576-2700, E-mail).
MOBILIZERS—Training
for full-time mission mobilizers can come through ACMC's
Training Church Missions Champions (TCMC) seminar as well as other ACMC conferences
and seminars (Ph: 800-747-7346).
The
USCWM publishes a Mission Mobilizer's Handbook that provides budding mobilizers
with a wealth of information and guidance on mobilization and on the various
key ministries and resources available to serve the local church. By mid-2000
an updated version should be available online.
Nate
Wilson of Caleb Project provides 1) a Mission
Mobilizer's database with extensive information for mobilizer's and
2) a mobilizer's email conference with over 650 participants from 55 countries.
Note: Entries in this database are from multiple sources with various
levels of knowledge and expertise and should always be recognized as such.
To subscribe, send a blank e-mail.
If you do not have web access, you can request an application by email.
Finally,
a must-read book covering all four dimensions of missions involvement is,
Run with the Vision, by Bob Sjogren and Bill Stearns (William
Carey Library Ph: 626-798-0819).
Mission
Ultimately, everyone who successfully moves through this process of mobilization
becomes a sender, a mobilizer, a welcomer or a sent one (or any combination
of the above).
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