Pioneer Ministry Rarely Matches the Manual.

You feel a clear calling to take the Gospel to unreached peoples. But pioneer missions is slow, costly, and spiritually demanding. When raw excitement fades and reality collides with intense cultural pressure, passion alone isn’t enough to keep you there.

You shouldn’t have to risk your family’s health or your ministry’s future by stepping onto the field unprepared. We believe a lifetime of faithfulness deserves a foundational season of deep, intentional formation.

Three people on a trip during their missionary training

Training You in Ministry, For Ministry.

We’ve walked this path for over two decades. Throughout the year, our experienced field veterans will observe, coach, and assess you through our TEAMS development matrix to ensure your character supports your calling:

The 5 Evaluation Pillars

T

Train Cross-Culturally

We move past abstract theory to evaluate if you can actually teach and pass on biblical truth effectively in a real cross-cultural setting. You’ll apply what you learn directly to your ministry ability on the field.

E

Engage Community

We assess your outward engagement with specific people and places. You will learn to deepy “get” the local community from a surface and relational level, building real pathways into the culture.

A

Assimilate into a Culture

We measure your internal adaptation to a new environment. To master this competency means moving completely past complaining about cultural differences, demonstrating the inward flexibility and humility required to truly fit into a certain culture.

M

Make Disciples

We assess whether you possess the practical ability to build trust, evangelize, mentor, and actually multiply disciples within a cross-cultural context rather than just completing tasks.

S

Submission

We look for a demonstrated, consistent ability to “be subjest to one another”—evaluating how you handle team dynamics, receive feedback, and show humility in your character, your family, and your ministry.

One Year In-Person Missionary Training Schedule

September

Establishing Churches

 

Classes
  • Fundamentals of Cross-Cultural Church Planting
Mission Experience:

Religious Survey of DuPage County

October

Expositing Scripture

 

Classes
  • Exposition Training
  • Exposition Gospel
  • Exposition Epistle
  • Exposition Old Testament Wisdom
Mission Experience:

Phase 1: Find a coffee shop or any proximity space and meet people

November

Exposition Culture

 

Classes
  • Missional Exposition Culture
  • Ethno-Arts in Cross-Cultural Church Planting
  • Gospel and Culture
Mission Experience:

Phase 2: Attend a religious gathering and identify different forms of religious expression

December

Engaging People

 

Classes
  • Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally
  • Theology of Risk
  • Worldview Apologetics
  • How Orals Learn
Mission Experience:

Phase 3: As you continue to engage in your proximity space, look for opportunities to have spiritual conversations

January

Evangelizing the Lost

 

Classes
  • Oral Bible-Storying
  • Gospel Theology
  • Exegeting Idols
  • Theological Foundations
Mission Experience:

Phase 4: Participate in a Hub Church outreach activity

February

Equipping New Converts

 

Classes
  • Helping Others Discover Their Gifts
  • How to Train Others
  • Training Families
Mission Experience:

Phase 5: Work with the Hub Church to help develop a discipleship pathway for a ministry in the church

March

Developing a Pioneer Plan

 

Classes
  • Developing a Pioneer Plan
  • 4 Selves/Enduring in Ministry
  • Spiritual Warfare
Mission Experience:

Phase 6: Shadow a biblical counselor

April

Field Experience Prep

 

Classes
  • Traits Training
  • Building Teams
  • Practical Living
Mission Experience:

Phase 7: Observe the Ministry Training Academy of the Hub Church – noting ways that leaders are trained and developed

May

Field Experience Prep

 

Classes
  • On-Field Training
Mission Experience:

TET Missionary Training Field

June

Field Debrief & Application

 

Classes
  • Enduring as a 21st Century Missionary
  • Missio vs Ekklesia
Mission Experience:

Phase 8: Do a deep-dive study of the work of the pastors at the hub-church noting what character and skills it takes to shepherd the sheep of God

July

Sending Agency Processing

 

Classes
  • Meet with To Every Tribe’s Sending Department for Field Specific Conversations and Preparation
Mission Experience:

Write an overview of the type of ministry you believe the Lord has and is preparing you for

A classroom with people going through missionary training.

Simple, Transparent Financial Planning.

You don’t have to fundraise alone. We’ll provide coaching, resources, and templates to help you build a reliable partnership team.

Item
Estimated Cost
Training Fee
$1,800
Field Training Deployment
~$7,000
Housing
$1,000 – $2,000/mo

Step Off the Plane with Quiet Confidence.

The Outcome

At the end of this year, you will be able to say: “I have lived in another culture, built relationships across cultural barriers, communicated the gospel, and gained complete clarity about my place in God’s global mission.” You will be ready to stay.

Avoid the Risk

Don’t risk heading to the nations guessing if your coping mechanisms, family rhythms, or theological framework can take the heat. Avoid the strategic pitfalls that cut short so many missionary careers.

Your Season of Preparation Begins Now.

Spaces for the 2026-2027 program are limited to ensure high-relational mentorship. Talk to Director of Training Ryan Faught today to take your next step.

Have questions?

ryan.faught@toeverytribe.org