MOP exists to equip missionary appointees and their children for effective transition into fruitful intercultural ministry with SEND International. To accomplish this purpose SEND seeks to:

• strengthen the participant’s commitment to the regular practice of nurturing one’s relationship with God and living as a disciple of Jesus
• further equip the participant to address the challenges they and/or their family will face in a cross-cultural context
• deepen the participant’s understanding of SEND’s values, mission statement, and strategies in ministry.

These outcomes encompass all the pre-field training that is part of MOP: MOP 201 and MOP 202/ MOP 202V.

Through the course of MOP (MOP 201 and 202), the participants will…

1. Review healthy habits for spiritual growth and practice habits of spiritual formation that will sustain them in context of spiritual warfare, cross cultural stress and the day-to-day sacrifices of missionary life.
2. Examine the concepts of culture and worldview and discuss how being a humble cultural learner can aid missionaries in their goal of sharing the gospel and ministering cross-culturally.
3. Examine personal basic values, and identify causes, symptoms, and cures for the cultural stress that is produced when our own cultural norms collide with another culture.
4. Review the importance of serving in harmony with those of other cultures, and discuss some of the points of stress that they will experience in relationships with those of other cultures.
5. Examine the concept of successful ministry, develop a list of realistic expectations for their first term, and write a personal definition of success for their first term.
6. Evaluate the impact of leaving friends and family on them and their families, and practice saying goodbye to one another.
7. Discuss a wholistic biblical view of sexuality in light of creation, fall, and restoration, and after personal reflection, consider how to walk in sexual integrity while facing the unique circumstances and stressors on the mission field.
8. If married, identify a few things they can do as a couple to help sustain the health of their marriage and family as they move into their new assignment.
9. If bringing children with them to the field, continue to learn strategies to help their children make the transition to cross-cultural life.
10. Review the dangers actual and perceived of missionary service. Ask relevant questions about security, receive answers to those questions, and think through appropriate responses to various scenarios involving missionary safety and security.
11. Develop and explore together a deeper understanding of teaming in SEND including the challenges and complexities of teaming in a cross-cultural ministry setting.
12. Review SEND’s values and mission statement and renew their commitment to live in alignment with these values and SEND’s mission in their life and ministry as a missionary.
13. Identify principles of discipleship and church community life that will guide missionaries in leading new believers to spiritual growth and mobilize them for ministry.
14. Compare and contrast various church planting strategies used in SEND and discuss the church planting process from initial evangelistic efforts to reproducing church to mission-sending church.
15. Get to know, pray with and discuss important ministry and life questions with SEND leaders, SEND U staff and other new SEND appointees.

updated: June 14, 2023
View and download purpose and objectives in Word format.