Getting Started

It all starts with YOUR LOCAL CHURCH… AND YOU.

Have you talked with your church leadership yet about how the Lord is leading you? That's the crucial starting point. Before you complete our pre-application, please read FIM's view of the relationship between you, your church and FIM. You will find a link to the pre-application at the bottom of this page.

Your Vision is the Compass for Your Ministry

Has God given you a vision for what could be if you obey His call to ministry? That vision will guide your plan of ministry. We'd be glad to share some tips for defining your vision.

Your Next Steps

The choice of an agency to partner with you and your church in the pursuit of your vision is an important decision. We have put together some hints on choosing a mission agency. The next steps are designed to help you know FIM and to focus your vision as you consider that decision and move forward.

Step 1: Introductions

We've tried to introduce ourselves to you through the website. Now it's your turn to introduce yourself to us. We do this through the following ways.

  • A "Get Acquainted" Pre-application
  • A Full application
  • References
  • Transcripts

Step 2: Relationship & Ministry Building

Get to know FIM better as we help you work through some logistics for planning for ministry. We'll discuss with you and provide tools to prepare for various aspects of successful ministry. These aspects include:

  • Researching the country/people God is calling you to
  • Personality and Spiritual gifts
  • Personal mission statement
  • Ministry Plan
  • Financial Requirements
  • Educational Requirements
  • Language Learning Style
  • Scripture Knowledge

As your ministry building steps build a greater focus, we'll have you come to the home office for an interview with the leadership team where you will share personally what God has called you to do, get to know the team that will support this ministry better and we will get to know you better.

Step 3: Candidate Orientation

After your interview, you will be given the medical report form for your physical exam and FIM will do a criminal background check. If your planning revealed the need for additional education, you would complete that before Candidate Orientation.

Candidate Orientation is a full week spent with the entire leadership team. During this time, we get to know each other and become more of a family. We spend time…

  • encouraging your heart
  • looking at how FIM works (policies & procedures)
  • discussing effective field ministry
  • equipping you for successful support raising

At the end of the orientation week, you meet the Board of Directors and become an FIM missionary appointee.

Step 4: Support Discovery

One of our goals during Orientation is to equip you to jump into Support Discovery. This is not just a "necessary evil" you must endure; It is a vital part of your ministry in two ways.

  1. The Lord uses the experiences He gives you in Support Discovery to further your preparation for field ministry.
  2. The relationship you build and the people who become part of your ministry team are both a great blessing and a vital part of your ministry success.

Your final trip to the home office before going to the field will happen a few months from gaining full support. During this time we will…

  • do final departure paperwork
  • provide some further training on acculturation, security, etc.
  • rejoice and pray with you

If you want to start step one, our pre-application on-line, click here.