ABWE
Well, after a number of weeks and a couple contacts, it looks like things have dried up for us at the Baptist General Conference. Marge and I felt we should work with them from the Missionary Assessment Center through whatever possibilities they might put forward.
They had just about one option that they really put forward to us as a reality.
In retrospect, their size may make it difficult for them to give us personal attention and to work with an out-of-box couple such as ourselves. They have about 150 missionaries and only two people for all of their missionary recruitment. Curt Hanson coordinates their career missionaries and Deb Castig coordinates their short term missionaries.
So, Marge and I returned to pursuing ABWE. Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. ABWE has 1,000+ missionaries and 2 staff just for working with and guiding applicants through the process. Those two staff also have an admin. and an assistant. In addition once a missionary is appointed, there is a training staff who develop a personal training plan for missionary to help build up any areas where growth is needed. This training includes mentoring, classes, and even financial or marital counseling as needed. ABWE also pursues continuing education for all their missionaries.
I'm not attempting to bash BGC. Only to point out that ABWE is more equipped to work with an a-typical couple such as ourselves. We aren't late twenties with a seminary degree. Nor am I a medical professional. I'm a self taught preacher/teacher and largely on-the-job trained project manager. I have very little in the way of credential to commend me to any organization.
ABWE didn't bat an eye at my lack of an official credential. Their expressed concern is to help us discover God's leadership for our lives. If God is directing us toward missions, they want to help us locate the work that best enables us to serve and glorify God.
That's cool. Marge and I have something to offer. Everybody does really. I'm excited that ABWE has the staff to provide personal attention and guidance.
Marge and I are filling in the applications right now. There are also reading assignments as well as a face-to-face doctrinal interview. I'm praying that all of this will be done enough to allow us to enter Candidate Seminar February 3-11, 2006.
I have great hope for our relationship with ABWE. I told Marge, if for some reason it doesn't work out to go with ABWE, then we need to hit the breaks and take a hard look at our lives. Maybe a hard look at my life. I always have this fear that my lack of formal schooling or experience will create a road block. I wonder if maybe my health (fibromyalgia) will give them pause, or maybe they've never sent an adult (or children for that matter) with Asperger syndrome to the field before.
These things are all in God's hands, but it is a worry that niggles at the back of my mind.
Keep me in your prayers.
Adam
They had just about one option that they really put forward to us as a reality.
In retrospect, their size may make it difficult for them to give us personal attention and to work with an out-of-box couple such as ourselves. They have about 150 missionaries and only two people for all of their missionary recruitment. Curt Hanson coordinates their career missionaries and Deb Castig coordinates their short term missionaries.
So, Marge and I returned to pursuing ABWE. Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. ABWE has 1,000+ missionaries and 2 staff just for working with and guiding applicants through the process. Those two staff also have an admin. and an assistant. In addition once a missionary is appointed, there is a training staff who develop a personal training plan for missionary to help build up any areas where growth is needed. This training includes mentoring, classes, and even financial or marital counseling as needed. ABWE also pursues continuing education for all their missionaries.
I'm not attempting to bash BGC. Only to point out that ABWE is more equipped to work with an a-typical couple such as ourselves. We aren't late twenties with a seminary degree. Nor am I a medical professional. I'm a self taught preacher/teacher and largely on-the-job trained project manager. I have very little in the way of credential to commend me to any organization.
ABWE didn't bat an eye at my lack of an official credential. Their expressed concern is to help us discover God's leadership for our lives. If God is directing us toward missions, they want to help us locate the work that best enables us to serve and glorify God.
That's cool. Marge and I have something to offer. Everybody does really. I'm excited that ABWE has the staff to provide personal attention and guidance.
Marge and I are filling in the applications right now. There are also reading assignments as well as a face-to-face doctrinal interview. I'm praying that all of this will be done enough to allow us to enter Candidate Seminar February 3-11, 2006.
I have great hope for our relationship with ABWE. I told Marge, if for some reason it doesn't work out to go with ABWE, then we need to hit the breaks and take a hard look at our lives. Maybe a hard look at my life. I always have this fear that my lack of formal schooling or experience will create a road block. I wonder if maybe my health (fibromyalgia) will give them pause, or maybe they've never sent an adult (or children for that matter) with Asperger syndrome to the field before.
These things are all in God's hands, but it is a worry that niggles at the back of my mind.
Keep me in your prayers.
Adam
Labels: Journey To Missions
posted by Sojourn @ 6:03 AM
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