Getting Started

It all starts with YOUR LOCAL CHURCH… AND YOU.

Before you complete our pre-application, please read this page on the relationships between you, your church, and FIM. You will find a link to the pre-application at the bottom of the page. How does FIM understand the role of your local church in getting you started to the mission field? We believe your church should…

  1. Identify and cultivate you as one called by God to His service. With their biblical oversight, you will:
    • Gain insight into God's Word
    • Mature spiritually
    • Develop your spiritual gifts
    • Prove your Christian character
    • Understand how God wants to use you
    • Establish your long-term spiritual guidance and support system.
  2. Launch you into service. (A public commissioning service by the sending church is required before missionaries are released to their ministries.)
    • You share your missionary desire with your church
    • They see it in you
    • The Holy Spirit confirms it
    • YOU may volunteer, but YOUR CHURCH sends
  3. Pray faithfully for you.
  4. Support you as God provides.
  5. Communicate with you and FIM.
  6. Hold you accountable for your ministry, both directly and through FIM.
    This church serves as your "Key Accountability Partner," the direct authority over you, with FIM cooperating in accord with Mission policies.
  7. Offer opportunities for you to report your progress to the church to improve prayer support and promote missionary burden in others.

If you decide FIM should be your mission board, we would join you and your church in a three-way partnership. How do you get the process underway?

  • Complete a pre-application form
    This brief "get acquainted" form allows you to introduce yourself. Fellowship International Mission can now join you and your church in praying for mutual understanding of the Lord's leading.
  • Complete a formal application
    This includes an application form, a personal interview, references from people who know you, a statement of your personal health, your signature on the FIM Statement of Faith, and other documents. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the leadership team, conduct a personal interview before formal acceptance.
  • Attend Candidate Orientation
    This annual event affords you an opportunity to:
    • Confirm your call
    • Focus your vision
    • Think strategically
    • Profit spiritually
  • Conduct pre-field ministry (sometimes called "deputation")
    Share the vision that God has given you for a people, a field, a ministry. Spell out the opportunities. Trust God to pass that vision to others. Watch Him supply people to pray and people to give financially. You don't raise support… God does! You do your part, He does His.
  • Be commissioned and released to the field

If you want to complete a pre-application on-line, click here.