How Does NMSI Train Its Missionaries?
NMSI's training program (8 1/2 weeks) integrates four components to equip and prepare new missionaries and staff for long-term service: Community, Orientation, Assessment and Training (COAT).
Community - COAT participants live in NMSI housing with missionaries who work at the Center for Global Outreach (CGO) in Fort Myers. Those who live in the community meet for lunch and dinner once a week, help with yard chores, attend community Bible studies and have formal and informal mentoring relationships.
Orientation - COAT participants learn what happens administratively to keep NMSI missionaries and programs functioning. This orients them to services provided for them once they get to the field. It also puts people to the names with whom the missionaries will be working long-distance.
Assessment - COAT participants meet weekly with a staff member for encouragement and to process and apply what they have been learning. NMSI uses various assessment methodologies to better know and understand the needs of our missionaries in order to enable them to have effective ministries.
Training - COAT participants attend seminars taught by CGO staff and guest speakers on spiritual formation, life goal planning, support raising, financial stewardship, global issues such as HIV/AIDS, and practical aspects of living cross-culturally.
"COAT is able to draw people out, break down walls, reveal truth. It encourages and strengthens one's call to ministry." - NMSI affiliate in Asia
Future COAT dates:
January 27 - March 27, 2009
May 20 - July 17, 2009
September 15 - November 13, 2009
Click below for Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
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COAT Finances - What does the COAT program cost? What are some suggestions for raising monies for the COAT program? Where does money given to NMSI, designated in my name, really go? Do I ever lose access to it? What is the purpose of Team Share?
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COAT Schedule - What will my schedule be like during COAT? What is Discover NMSI? When can I arrive for COAT? When can I leave after COAT? What is the typical timeline for a missionary planning to go directly overseas? What is the typical timeline for a missionary planning to return to the CGO?
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Community Living - What should I bring down to Ft. Myers with me? What are NMSI office hours? What living/housing policies will I have on campus? What is the weather like in Ft. Myers?
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Health/Car Insurance - What about health insurance? Do I need to change car insurance coverage? Do I need to bring a car?
You may also contact our Affiliation Department by calling 239.337.4336 to continue the process of learning who we are and how we might assist you in this journey or clicking below to email.