The Nations Course has been developed to equip new missionaries with tools to ensure their first term is successful and fruitful. The course is also valuable for missionaries already on the field.

The Nations Course is largely based on the World Harvest Institute's course material, which has a proven record of equipping cross-cultural workers to reach their full potential quickly. Without pre-field training, it can take seven years to reach maximum effectiveness, but research has shown that with pre-field training, this time can be reduced to only three years.

This course is run by World Outreach, but it is not exclusive to workers within the organisation. Nations is taught by experienced World Outreach missionaries as well as guest lecturers with a proven track record of effectiveness in the field.

ONLINE TRAINING

The first part of the course is run via distance learning methods using Zoom for live interactive classes and WOI Learn (Moodle), where you can find everything you need to participate successfully.

LIFE EXPERIENCE

The second part of the course is a real-life experience of crossing cultures with people from many different nations. This part will be held in person over four weeks, usually in Thailand.

The online training is a prerequisite to the Life Experience component.

THE NATIONS COURSE CURRICULUM

  • This course is an introduction to cultural anthropology that pays special attention to applying the insights of anthropology to the communication of the Gospel cross-culturally.  The course focuses on what the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus means for missionaries as they cross cultural frontiers.  It provides tools to learn another culture quickly.  Particular attention is given to the processes of culture change and their use in the transmission of the Christian message and the growth of Christian communities.

  • Mission history is God's story. It is the story of how God has worked out his redemption over time. This topic explores the movements of God through the lenses of structures, kings and rulers, persecution, and opportunities.

  • Life on the Field has unique pressures. With the proper preparation and realistic expectations, these tensions can strengthen relationships, and enhance effective ministry. 

    This topic will be introduced online through recorded sessions, activities, and accompanying readings and assignments. The remainder will be taught in the final week of classes.

  • This course gives the student an in-depth understanding of the animistic worldview which is key to understanding more than 4 billion of the world's population. It will explore how animism is expressed in the lives and rituals of people and the role of  evangelism and discipleship in confronting animistic practices.

  • How do we lead in a multicultural situation? There is no one-size-fits-all to leading cross-culturally. This topic explores values, expectations and styles with regard to leadership. 

  • Most cultures in the world value the spoken word over the written word. This preference towards orality is essential to understand when sharing The Word. How can we share the gospel in a way that connects to oral cultures. This topic is a revelation to all who seek to expand the Kingdom of God. 

  • This course is a study of the principles and processes of communication, including communicating from one culture to another. In particular, the course will focus on the communication of the gospel and on attaining cultural intelligence. 

  • Speaking to the heart! There is nothing like hearing the gospel in your own language. Schools are not always available for local languages, as opposed to trade languages, so how can you learn the everyday dialect of a people effectively?

  • An overview of church planting principles to inspire, inform, and equip cross-cultural workers to be effective church planters, so that chains of churches can be planted in a way suited to the targeted culture, using methods that the local believers can use to facilitate continued growth.

  • Scripture is full of signs and wonders. What place do they hold in our ministries?

  • Knowledge without a plan is just knowledge. This topic is about putting everything together and developing a strategy that is imaginative and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

  • This topic offers an overview of each of the three major predominantly unreached religions of the world. One week will be dedicated to each: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, get in touch with The Nations Course principal, Malcolm Taylor, for more information.

CONTACT MALCOLM