Rationale

Many young people are looking for creative alternatives to training for full-time service in foreign and home missions. Young people today who are called to missions are faced with the high cost of a traditional Christian college education, which can often exceed $20,000 per year including room and board. In addition, mission agencies themselves are struggling to know how to deal with potential missionary candidates who have accumulated thousands of dollars of college indebtedness. Even though some students may receive substantial financial aid, they may graduate with $30,000-$50,000 of student loans. In many cases these candidates are rejected by mission agencies or advised to pay their debts first then reapply at a later date. Many get caught up in other pursuits and do not follow their missionary calling.

To solve this dilemma, Child Evangelism Fellowship^® through the Children’s Ministries Institute^® introduces the Fast Track to Missions program (FTM), which allows young people to begin missionary service quickly and fully equipped without incurring debt that can hinder them from entering the field. The three-year program offers Bible training, specialized training in children’s ministry and supervised internships, allowing involvement in practical hands-on ministry.

Definition

Fast Track to Missions is a three-year diploma program offered through the Children’s Ministries Institute.

Description

CEF’s FTM program offers high school graduates a quality, practical option for fulfilling their God-given calling to missionary work in the USA or internationally with a specialization in children’s ministry. The three-year program offers:

1. One year of Bible/theological training on the campus of a partnering Christian college or Bible institute; summer urban or overseas assignment with CEF

2. One year of specialized training which includes attending the Children’s Ministries Institute; serving at CEF’s World Headquarters in Warrenton, Missouri; raising ministry support; summer urban or overseas assignment with CEF

3. One year of supervised CEF field internship for further development of missionary skills.

 These components can be fulfilled in various orders according to the student's goals. Fast Track is flexible yet specific in its program requirements.