>[!warning] Status: Under Construction >This page is a work under construction. It will become the home of materials and templates for a multi-church sending cohort designed to help churches equip members for cross-cultural missions. ## Working Description This cohort is designed for those who are in process of going to serve overseas as missionaries.  The cohort has been designed to prepare future missionaries to better understand the biblical mandate for missions and the core missionary task, as provide instruction on developing a care team. Additionally, the cohort will help potential applicants fulfill the requirements of the International Mission Board such as developing a doctrinal statement, creating an evangelistic log, and writing a spiritual biography.  The Cohort will meet collectively a total of six times across a calendar year.  Member churches are encouraged to supplement the cohort meetings with small groups for accountability and discipleship in the missionary task. For more information about the process, read here: [[Pathways IMB Explainer]]. ## What is a multi-church cohort? Sending for the sake of the Great Commission is the responsibility of every local church. While every church is called to the task, like the rest of the church's mission, the Scriptures never intend this responsibility to be done in isolation from other, like-minded, local churches. Instead, the Scriptures demonstrate a pattern of churches working [together on God's mission](https://amzn.to/4gzSmbi). This cohort is a pilot in doing just that, allowing churches to work together to equip those called into cross-cultural ministry. By The concept of equipping cohorts and residencies is not new. Local churches have used residencies for years to identify, equip, send, and support their members in fulfillment of the Great Commission. These residencies take on many flavors, too. Some are intensive, requiring members to quit their jobs and dedicate full-time attention to the training process. Of course, that requires support for families. Furthermore, the resources necessary to accomplish that form of residency often make it prohibitive for normative size churches. This equipping approach is different. In fact, it may meet the need at the other end of the spectrum, serving specifically those churches which do not have the resources to hire a staff to execute full-time residencies. For more information about the instructional philosophy, read here: [[Pathways IMB Instructional Guide]]. ## Required Resource Downloads: - [[foundations-2022.pdf|Foundations Manual]] - [[foundations-companion.pdf|Foundations Companion Guide]] # Cohort Scope and Sequence ## Meeting 1: Foundations for Mission - **Proposed Topic:** Understanding the Task -- Biblical foundation of missions, exploring key missiological terms (Foundations) - **Homework:** Study a list of key Scriptural passages on God's heart for the nations and keep a journal with your reflections on each passage. Share what God taught you with your a small group or your missions pastor. - ### Potential Agenda - **Module 1:** How does this cohort work? - **Module 2:** Why are we doing this? - **Module 3:** What are we doing? - **Module 4:** How are we doing it? ## Meeting 2: What We Believe - **Proposed Topic:** Reviewing and understanding core components of our confessional document, the Baptist Faith and Message. ## Meeting 3: Sharing Your Story - **Proposed Topic:** Writing your personal biography, belief statement, and testimony. ## Meeting 4: Expectations and Entitlement on the Field - **Proposed Topic:** Dealing with field expectations, teaming matters, and home support. ## Meeting 5: Core Missionary Task Part 1 - **Proposed Topic:** Abiding in Christ, Entry, Evangelism, Discipleship ## Meeting 6: Core Missionary Task Part 2 - **Proposed Topic:** Teaming, Healthy Church Formation, Leadership Development, Exit to Partner