During our time together, both seasoned trainers and those new to STM leadership will share their own experiences and learn how to develop and strengthen their programs to focus on building life-long followers of Jesus.  (We are convinced that a short-term missions experience should be just the beginning of a lifelong commitment to World Evangelization.) We will experience and debrief a training sequence, modeling and teaching principles and proven techniques that are used in one of the world's most honored pre-field programs for career missionaries, one which serves more than 1,000 missionaries each year.

This program focuses on preparing effective leaders and trainers for your program with coaching and other help available from our experienced training staff.  It can help both in preparing people for an international assignment and for those committed to cross-cultural ministry closer to home.

When I enter a new culture, whether for a week or for a lifetime, the issues that determine my effectiveness are not the information or lack thereof. They are my ability to respond well to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and unexpected experiences. 

Thus,

1) developing the heart of a servant,

2) accepting myself and others,

3) learning to ask good questions,

4) sharpening observation and coping skills

are all critical to making the most from even a one-week cross-cultural experience.  Learning these skills also begins to build the foundation for life-long ministry both at home and abroad.

The ServantPrep Training program is based on the training model used in the preparation of more than 17,000 career missionaries for more than 250 agencies. In 2000, ServantPrep Training became a part of The Gateway Missions Training Center to provide similar training to Short-Term Mission leaders who will assist STMers to focus on the same critical issues faced by career missionaries.

Since 1997 more than 900 church and agency missions leaders have completed the ServantPrep Training program.  The most common response has been “This has changed me and will change the way I train and lead STM teams from now on.”

Costs  

Registration, Tuition, Materials, Food, housing and local transportation                                              $250/person

Graduate academic credit through Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry is available at additional cost.

Program

Interaction and personal reflection will be key program elements as well as time for informal conversation.  Each participant will leave with a notebook including a model training program which they have experienced and will be able to lead.  Supplemental training resources will also be available for purchase.

Schedule

Please arrive in El Paso by 3 P.M. Thursday, and schedule your departure after 6 P. M. on Sunday.  We will be in Juarez from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon

Due to the developmental and interactive nature of the training, only full-time participation will be permitted.  Attendance will be limited to 30 participants.

If you're interested in bringing teams to work with Gateway in Juarez, please contact Dan Klooster to set up visits to potential sites before or after the seminar.

Please contact the Gateway office to register and for logistical questions. 

Contact Ray Howard at ServantPrep Training at 800 474-2129  or at servantprep@aol.com with questions on seminar content and instructional format.