Your cell phone starts ringing. You glance at the caller ID, and immediately you know this call could change your life!
Up to this point, your life has had its share of ups and downs—nothing overly exciting. You are in reasonably good health, and your spiritual life has not really been hot or cold. But deep down, you feel a growing discontent with “average.” You long for more.
If you answer this ringing phone, you know that nothing will be the same. You will be drawn into something big, something epic. It’s decision time. Will you choose average, ordinary and safe by putting the phone back in your pocket, or will you answer this call?
This summer, between 20 and 30 young people will answer the call, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:18-20). These student missionaries in training will gather at the AFM Training Center not just to prepare for a year or two of overseas mission work, but to launch a lifetime of service for their King.
Training in the school of Christ is a transformational experience. It’s not just something that happens in a classroom. In fact, a classroom is probably the least effective place for this kind training. Jesus’ disciples were transformed as they journeyed with Him. Our training team’s goal is that every experience you have, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, will contribute to your transformation.
Personal transformation fundamentally changes how we relate to others, and here is an example of one area of focus in AFM’s training. Probably the most important responsibility a disciple of Jesus has is to preach the Gospel. What is this Gospel? At its core, it is the good news that we can be family with our Heavenly Father again! We call this reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21). Jesus said that our love for God is expressed by the way we love each other (1 John 4:7-9). In a very real sense, what this means is that the way we live together is the Gospel we preach. So where is the best place to learn how to preach the Gospel? In the Christian community of teams.
This kind of learning is not a one-way street. Both students and teachers grow under the loving guidance of the Spirit. We grow together—what an amazing privilege! This is the experience that awaits you at AFM’s student-missionary training. If you hear Jesus calling you to a life-changing experience, we would welcome your application. AFM’s one-month student-missionary training is open to anyone 18+ years of age, not just those who will be joining AFM projects.
Also, for the first time, we are offering career-missionary training modules that can be completed in a week or two. If you are going through another mission-sending agency to serve cross-culturally, or even if you just want to learn how to be an effective cross-cultural witness to immigrants here at home, AFM training will prepare you for effective disciple-making. For more information, visit afmonline.org/afm-training/training-options.
Answer the call that will change your life forever!