WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

ORIENTATION OF CANDIDATES
PRE-FIELD ORIENTATION
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The purpose of Pre-field Orientation is to prepare the candidate for his
or her specific assignment and to enable the candidate to carry out what is
needed to go to the field. The focus is on the needs of the candidate and of his
family.
The programme is normally conducted in a particular location for a period
of time for a group of candidates. It is usually geared towards those who are
embarking on long-term assignments. Short-term candidates may attend some
sessions that are applicable to them.
In an Asia Missions Survey conducted, almost half of the missionaries
and tentmakers who responded indicated that they had been on exposure trips
to their target area. This had given them clearer impressions on the language
and culture of the countries and helped them to anticipate what was needed.
However, they all affirmed the benefits of pre-field orientation.
Benefits enumerated included:
• a greater awareness and increased sensitivity to what was required
• practical insights which could be verifiable
• cross-cultural stress prevention
• practical ways of dealing with crises and problems
• helpful training in ministering in context
• understanding of missiological issues
Their orientation was conducted by mission agencies or by veteran
missionaries.
Some survey respondents indicated that their pre-field orientation was
inadequate. One candidate attended a two week course which was helpful but
far too short. He recommended more cross-cultural aspects to be covered.
Missionaries and tentmakers who have received adequate orientation
have expressed greater self-confidence with less anxiety about their venture
into the unknown. Many field leaders have expressed their conviction that
improving the level of pre-field orientation would increase the effectiveness of
workers and the overall performance of the mission.
Pre-field orientation can be most beneficial when conducted in a nonformal
or informal atmosphere. There are also special training institutes that
have their own curriculum. 1 After attending such an institute, candidates receive
other aspects of orientation from their own mission agency or sending base.
1 A useful guide to these training centres and institutes can be found in Robert Brynjolfson and Jonathan Lewis, editors (2006),
Integral Ministry Training Design & Evaluation, World Evangelical Alliance, William Carey Library.