The Free Methodist missionary candidate process is grounded in a partnership between the candidate, the local church/conference, and Free Methodist World Missions. The local FM church/conference is the place in which spiritual gifts and graces are expressed and recognized, and forms the basis for the future missionary’s support system. The missionary is sent by their local church/conference, utilizing the depth of knowledge, administrative support and accountability framework of FMWM. Resources and training are available from FMWM to the local church/conference and the missionary candidate at every stage of the process. Below is a general outline of the missionary candidate’s journey from calling to field deployment.  More details can be found in the downloadable PDF at the bottom of this page.

Initial Consideration

Most potential missionaries, upon sensing a call to missionary service, contact FMWM and/or their local pastor/superintendent to discuss their possible calling and to obtain more information. FMWM and the local pastor/superintendent will conduct an initial screening to ensure the candidate meets basic missionary qualifications and that the proposed ideas and plans for support and service fit with FMWM’s vision and personnel needs.

Creation of Partnership

In order to move forward, the involved parties (the candidate, FMWM and the local church/conference) will decide how the process will be shaped and who will participate, in what role, and to what extent. Those involved may draft an agreement, will strategize together to plan for the care and support of the potential missionary, and will outline the specifics of the candidate process they agree to follow.

Seeking Confirmation

At this stage, the candidate, the pastor and/or superintendent, and FMWM work together to carefully confirm the candidate’s calling to missionary service. FMWM will begin to work with the proposed area director and mission field to ensure a suitable fit on the field. The candidate will fulfill a list of general requirements, including an application, references, assessments, psychological evaluation, consultation with a travel medicine specialist, required coursework, etc. The process participants may also decide on special requirements, such as an exploratory trip to the potential field of service, mentoring, an internship, or other preparation.

After the necessary information has been gathered, FMWM will create a report that will be given to those involved in the approval process for review and comment. If all parties are in favor of moving forward, FMWM will distribute the necessary requirements for consideration to the Missions Executive Leadership Team (MELT).

Appointment

Upon presentation of the candidate’s profile, qualifications and plans for service, the MELT will vote on the candidate’s appointment as an FMWM extended-term missionary and set pre-field requirements.

Preparation and Partnership Building

Once approved, the new missionary may fully engage in partnership building ministries to raise the needed prayer and financial support. FMWM will guide the creation of the missionary support account (MSA) budget and can also provide training and resources for partnership building. Several requirements must be completed or in place before the missionary is authorized for field deployment, including pre-field orientation, new missionary training, raising full commitments for needed prayer and financial support, and fulfilling all pre-field requirements as set by the MELT.  Once everything is in place and all requirements have been met, the Executive Director will release the new missionary, in coordination with the area director and field, to transition to overseas ministry.

Now read through some frequently asked questions.  Take the sixth step.

Get a PDF of this page