Career Training

Orientation Training
Orientation Training is a residential training program that lasts approximately two weeks and takes place in a cross-cultural setting. During training, new missionaries are taught the fundamentals of missionary preparation including those related to cultural, ministerial, spiritual, personal, and practical issues.

Guided Reading and Response
Guided Reading and Response is an independent, self-directed study program. During this phase of training the missionaries complete an assigned reading list. This phase usually takes place when they are conducting support-raising before departing for their field of service.

Cultural and Language Launch
The Cultural and Language Launch section of training takes place at Mission Training International (MTI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, or the Institute for Cross-Cultural Training at Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, Illinois. This phase occurs within six months before the anticipated departure date, and after the missionary has raised at least 65% of his or her financial support.

Language School
Language School focuses on teaching missionaries the language spoken in the area in which they will be ministering. Career missionaries are normally required to spend the first year of their term in language school. Depending on the language and the place of service, language acquisition may take place on the missionary’s field of service or in another location.