CANDIDATES FOR
MISSIONARY SERVICE
Scriptural definition of a missionary is
seen in Ephesians 4:11 - "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."
QUALIFICATIONS
A. Spiritual Condition
The work of missions requires Spirit-filled
workers with spiritual weapons. These requirements are paramount and can be briefly stated
as follows:
1. A born-again child of God (John 3:5). A
genuinely converted person of clean wholesome spiritual life, witnessing to the lost at
every opportunity and having a sincere love for souls.
2. A Baptist by conviction, holding membership in a World Baptist Fellowship church or an
approved Baptist church and being familiar with both Baptist polity and policies and
Baptist history and distinctives.
B. Physical Condition
1. The candidate must meet missionary health
requirements and give satisfactory evidence of mental aptitude and social compatibility.
The candidate must have a complete physical examination before approval.
2. No specific age requirements are set forth.
Each individual case is considered in the light of circumstances, education, previous
experience, and technical skills. Therefore, each candidate will be considered on his or
her own merits.
C. Education
1. A qualified candidate must have a high school
diploma or its equivalent. He must have a diploma from some acceptable Bible school,
institute, college, or seminary.
Note: After examination of a
missionary candidate by the Mission Committee - should they feel it necessary - it shall
remain the prerogative of the Mission Committee to require an applicant who is not a
graduate of the Arlington Baptist College, Arlington. Texas, to attend at least one year
at the College. Note: After examination of a
missionary candidate by the Mission Committee - should they feel it necessary - it shall
remain the prerogative of the Mission Committee to require an applicant who is not a
graduate of the Arlington Baptist College, Arlington. Texas, to attend at least one year
at the College.
2. The wife of a qualified candidate must have
completed a course of study at the Arlington Baptist College or some other acceptable
Bible school. She should contact the Mission Office to obtain the schedule for this
special course of study if she does not plan to take the regular four-year course of study
along with her husband. A missionary's wife is expected to learn the language and have an
active part in the ministry of her husband, remembering, however, that her first
responsibility is to her home and family. This does not mean that the Mission looks down
on the importance of women in the work, but rather requires that the missionary wife be
capable of working with women, young people, and children.
D. Call
A male candidate must have a clear conviction
about the call of God to the mission field to preach the Gospel; however, realizing that
there are other areas of service supportive of missionary work, other such supportive
services will be considered.
E. Marriage
1. Both single and married applicants will be
given consideration. In the case of married couples, each must complete the application
process, and both will be considered as candidates upon acceptance.
2. Unmarried candidates who are engaged must
clearly declare this fact and will be accepted only after both parties have been
considered and approved. Unmarried candidates who are not engaged should give prayerful
consideration to any contemplated move toward engagement and shall do so only after
consultation with the Mission Director.
Applications of engaged couples will be handled
together as in the case of married couples.
3. All marriages proposed to be contracted by
missionaries on the field are subject to the approval of the sending church and the
Mission Committee.
F. Adoption
Due to the many difficulties involved, adoption
of national children is not recommended. Any adoption of national children must be in
compliance with the following guidelines:
1. Each case will be handled by the Mission
Committee on an individual basis.
2. The missionary couple must be unable to have
children naturally.
3. The missionary couple must have completed at
least one term of service on the field.
4. The adopted child must be under the age of
three. Adoption of a newborn is recommended.
5. The missionary couple must have sufficient
personal support for all legal fees. They may not solicit funds from supporting churches
to pay for the adoption.
6. The adoption must be completely legal and in
accordance with U. S. and national laws.
7. Approval by the missionaries’ pastor and
World Baptist Fellowship Mission Committee must be granted before adoption procedures
begin.
G. Divorce
Because of possible complications and the
testimony on the field, no missionary or missionary couple shall be approved for
missionary service if either husband or wife has been previously married or divorced.
Should serious marital difficulties arise
between husband and wife, the Mission will make every possible effort to assist them in
restoring proper relationships. However, if reconciliation is not reached, the couple will
be asked to leave the Mission.
H. Single Female Applicants
The World Baptist Fellowship Mission Agency will
not encourage single female applicants because of the many problems that naturally arise;
however, an applicant with specialized training may receive special consideration and,
upon approval, be sent as an Assistant to a Missionary.
I. Missionary Intern Program
True education is a combination of schooling and
experience. If the missionary is to cope with the many adjustments that he will face on
the mission field. He should have some practical experience in the pastorate or in working
with an experienced pastor or missionary, as explained in the Intern Manual.
The Missionary Intern Program is set up to help
the missionary intern get this necessary experience. The genius of intern training is that
the intern has a church-centered ministry experience with the pastor. Keeping in mind the
primary aim is to build into a missionary candidate, through experimental training, many
useful tools and ideas that will help him cope with future situations, which may be
encountered some day on the mission field. He needs to discover any deficiencies he may
have in time to correct them so that he can be a sharp, useful tool in the Master's hand.
The Candidate Missionary may get the required experimental training by:
1. Pastoring a church for at least one year, or
2. Working with a pastor or missionary for at
least one year.
Note: If a missionary candidate
has had pastoral experience or has a working relationship with a pastor or missionary, he
may be exempt from the Intern Program requirements. In every case, the Mission Committee
will determine whether or not the candidate has met the requirements of the Intern
Program. If a missionary candidate
has had pastoral experience or has a working relationship with a pastor or missionary, he
may be exempt from the Intern Program requirements. In every case, the Mission Committee
will determine whether or not the candidate has met the requirements of the Intern
Program.
