What is needed in order to prepare for and be equipped for serving globally?

Perhaps, at the mention of qualifications for serving globally, a question may come to mind.  If God has called me, why can’t I just get on an airplane and go and serve? To respond to this kind of question it is helpful to explore the life of Paul, someone who knew a lot about working cross-culturally.

Paul's conversion story (Acts 9), along with his almost instantaneous sense of God’s very specific plans and purposes for him, is well known. Immediately, he began to become involved in serving God. In spite of that however, a period of almost 10 years passed between his conversion and when he was sent out from his home church, Antioch, on his first "missionary journey."

What happened during those ten years?

Paul certainly was involved in loving God and actively serving. But it was also a time of God preparing Paul for the demands and the challenges that were to come. We know that Paul says he spent three years (Gal. 1:17,18) in Arabia, probably devoting himself to times of meditation, prayer, and a complete reworking of his knowledge and experience of God. After this time of preparation, he became very actively involved in the church in Antioch. While there, he lived in such a way that he quickly gained the respect of people and he became a leader in the church. Acts 13 indicates that the Holy Spirit called him and Barnabas to embark on a cross-cultural journey and that those in the church saw clear evidence to confirm this calling.

We believe that God works the same way today as He did in the first century in terms of preparing people for cross-cultural ministry. Some of the key elements we see in Paul's journey that carry on to this day are:

• Spiritual and Character Maturity -The Spirit of God continued to transform Paul's character and mature His walk with God. In the very demanding realities of international ministry, people today also need time to develop spiritual and character maturity.

• Confirmation by the Church Community- Paul was sent out by the church in Antioch. Although the Spirit of God called him to this activity it is clear that his community saw much evidence to confirm the reality of this calling. Today a person's local church is the key element in confirming God's call to international ministry.
  

• Ministry Experience- Paul faithfully and effectively served God and discovered the spiritual gifts with which God had equipped him. Today, ministry experience is very important in order to be prepared for serving in another and sometimes a more hostile context.

• Knowledge of God and His Purposes- Paul knew the scriptures well as a result of his rabbinic training. But he also needed a time of intense reformulation of his understanding and experience of God, probably the three year period mentioned in Gal. 1:17-18. So also, today cross-cultural workers need a thorough grounding in God's revealed Word.

• Intercultural Dynamics and the Mission of God in the World- The direction of God upon Paul’s life was to leave his surroundings and go “to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20).  Paul had a solid understanding of God’s plans and purposes in the world.  God also used many experiences to help Paul move effectively between cultures - his Roman citizenship, his Jewish heritage, his academic background, his exposure to Gentile thought and culture in Antioch, to name a few.  In the 21st century, international workers need this same kind of foundation.

• Formal Education and Vocational Training- We know that the Apostle Paul received a good education and that this formal preparation was very valuable in carrying out God’s plans and purposes in his life.  He also acquired some vocational skills that “opened doors” for him to move cross culture.  Today we continue to affirm the value of formal education and good preparation for the rigors of serving God in a global context.

SERVING WITH GLOBAL MINISTRIES OF THE C&MA IN CANADA

In addition to the above, in order to serve as an international worker with Global Ministries of the C&MA in Canada, a person must be willing to complete the application, licensing, and screening process.  Some key aspects of this process include:

• Citizenship –Individuals must have Canadian citizenship or Landed Immigrant status in Canada

• Physical and Psychological Health – Sufficient to withstand the rigors of diverse environments

• Ministry Track Record – Individuals must evidence involvement in the ministry of a local church in some capacity, sense a God-given call to international ministry and be affirmed by their church leadership

• C&MA Commitment – Individuals must be members of a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and become licensed workers with the C&MA

Please see specific Educational Requirements in WAYS TO SERVE.