Prefield Development

Preparing You for the Field

You’ve taken the incredible step of faith and answered God’s call to become a missionary. But what comes next?

At ABWE, we understand that your path to the mission field is unique. Our Prefield Ministry Team provides a comprehensive framework to prepare you spiritually, mentally, and practically for the mission field. Through personalized coaching and robust training, we aim to equip you with the biblical foundation, ministry skills, and cross-cultural experience needed for effective ministry.

We believe that effective mission work is built on strong partnerships, particularly with your sending church. Together with your church, we walk alongside you, providing the biblical foundation, ministry skills, and personal support you need to thrive in the field where God has called you. Our Prefield Ministries Team is designed not only to equip you but also to strengthen the connection between ABWE, you, and your sending church, ensuring that all partners are actively involved in your preparation and ministry.

Our Goals

Our mission is to partner with churches to send and sustain healthy, well-equipped missionaries for long-term ministry. To achieve this, we strive to:

  • Improving the quality of onboarding to ensure you are prepared for ministry
  • Strengthening preventative care to reduce stresses in the field
  • Decreasing prefield duration by streamlining support-raising and training
  • Equipping missionaries to build lasting, effective ministries in the field

Our Prefield Process

Here is what you can expect as you prepare for the field:

1. Reading and Education

Once you’ve been appointed as an ABWE missionary, you will begin working towards both fundraising and educational goals. Your sending church plays a key role in supporting your spiritual and academic preparation. Our team partners with your church leadership to ensure you are receiving the necessary guidance and accountability.

We will work with you and your church to assess any additional needs or training gaps and customize an educational plan accordingly.

2. Partnering with a Missionary Coach

Your Missionary Coach will be your guide throughout the prefield process, providing support, guidance, and regular check-ins. Together with your sending church, your coach will:

  • Help create a personalized support-raising plan. 
  • Assist in support raising, using a variety of tools like Fully Funded Academy, Kingdom Come Training, and personalized fundraising plans in partnership with your church.
  • Prepare you and your church for a survey trip to your mission field, offering guidance to ensure everyone is aligned with the mission vision.
  • Work with you, your executive director, and your church to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP), tracking progress and milestones.

Your coach will maintain regular communication with you, ABWE, and your sending church to ensure you’re on track and supported.

3. Missions Training

Our Essential Mission Components course equips you with the foundational tools for cross-cultural ministry: evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Your sending church is actively involved in this training process, reinforcing the role they play in sending and supporting you as a missionary.

Our Departure Readiness Seminar prepares you for logistical and cultural challenges of transitioning to the mission field.

Our Personal Security Training is an interactive course designed to equip workers for security risk and ensure safety on the mission field.

4. Cultural and Language Preparation

We evaluate your cross-cultural experience and language needs, and we ensure you are equipped for your specific ministry context. ABWE’s language acquisition training is designed to prepare you for effective communication and ministry in your new culture. 

5. Family Life Support

Our Missionary Care Team provides holistic support for you and your family, addressing marital, parenting, and financial concerns that could impact your ministry. This personalized care continues throughout your journey, ensuring you remain equipped and encouraged.

We provide resources to your church helping them to establish local church bases and missionary care teams. By involving your church in these processes, we strengthen the relationship between you, ABWE, and your church, ensuring that the support you need is provided both at home and in the field.

6. Regular Communication and Progress Tracking

You’ll have access to my.abwe.org, ABWE’s online portal, where you can track your assignments, and monitor your financial support. Regular communication with your coach and your church’s leadership will ensure transparency and accountability throughout your journey.

Support for Sending Churches

ABWE deeply values the role of sending churches in missions. We work to actively involve your church in every stage of your preparation, ensuring they are equipped to send and sustain you effectively. We support your church through:

  • Introductory calls: We establish open communication with your church early on, reviewing the partnership between your church, ABWE, and you as the missionary.
  • Ongoing collaboration: We work with your church to review your Individual Development Plan (IDP), aligning ministry goals with your church’s vision for missions.
  • Training and resources: ABWE provides ongoing training and resources for your church, helping them grow as an effective sending and sustaining partner.
  • Regular updates and meetings: Your Missionary Coach will meet with your church’s leadership, providing updates on your progress, listening to their input, and ensuring that they feel confident in their role as your sending church. They will also provide ongoing collaboration to keep your church involved in your spiritual and practical preparation.

We Are Here for You Every Step of the Way

​We’ve been told that our training program sets us apart as a mission agency and has been invaluable to many people, just like you, who wanted to serve but weren’t sure they were ready.

We are excited to see how God uses you as you embark on this incredible journey of becoming a global ambassador for Christ to the nations.

Missions Training and Events

Next Steps

Are you ready to take the next step in answering God’s call? Contact us today to begin your journey through the Prefield Development Program and discover how we can help equip you for the mission field.