the guild incarnational community apprenticeship

Training that aims at not only your mind, but your heart and hands toward planting the Good News of the Kingdom in pioneering mission contexts.

Missional Guild

A four session seminar on Incarnational Approaches Among the Least Reached

February 22, March 28, April 25, and May 23

U.S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena, CA

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the Vision

Raise up a new generation of apostles to live among Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and other unreached peoples, in order to plant the gospel within unreached social networks, resulting in organic, reproducing Jesus-centered communities of faith. The Guild is coordinated by senior mentors and team leaders who focus on mobilizing, mentoring and training apostles for such work, both globally and locally.

the Need

We believe that the Gospel is for all nations, and that proper training can help people to effectively pursue this calling. Amidst the challenges of sharing the Gospel cross-culturally, the complexity of developing Kingdom communities requires that we properly prepare for the task. For the sake of representing the Gospel in a way that honors its message, we seek to develop an education for apprentices that is not a classroom experience for only your mind, but an education that starts with the heart, encompasses the whole body, and transforms the mind.

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how the training works

Our inter-agency team of senior mentors has 89 years of combined experience in cross cultural community ministry

knowledge, character, skill all in one program
knowledge, character, skill all in one program
knowledge character skill

What do we mean by these? Click and find out.

how this training happens

immersion living

practicing skills by living among an immigrant population

personal development plan

map of the skills and growth areas the apprentice needs to be effective

senior mentor

each apprentice will have a senior mentor who will evaluate, encourage, and track his or her progress

community life

each apprentice will learn and serve as part of an apostolic team

personal journal

to record what is being learned and what struggles are being encountered. The mentor will review the journal regularly

group training

monthly gathering to cover foundational aspects of the apostolic task

The Guild works personally with apprentices to develop a unique situation for each apprentice. Apprentices spend eight to twelve months living in an ethnic community of Los Angeles. They are responsible for their living expenses during this time, and we anticipate that for most this will mean working in the community. Apprentices can also expect to invest at least twenty hours a week into training and ministry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

To apply, you must be a high school graduate who is at least 18 years of age.

I don't currently live in an ethnic community in Los Angeles. Would I have to move?

Yes. The program requires integration into an ethnic neighborhood. If possible, apprentices are encouraged to live in an ethnic home. 

What is the level of commitment each week?

Apprentices are expected to spend 20-40 hours working, volunteering, or going to school. Additionally, apprentices should be ready to commit at least 20 hours a week to Guild activities of training and ministry. This includes face time with community members, time with mentors, language learning, team activities, personal devotions, etc. 

How long does the program run?

Apprentices should expect to commit 8-12 months. The Guild does not have a set annual schedule, so we will work with apprentices to individually determine their beginning and completion dates. 

How is this funded?

Apprentices are responsible for their living expenses during this time. For most apprentices, we strongly encourage them to work a job in or near the community. However, some apprentices may find that they need to raise some supplemental financial support.

How does the Guild relate to other organizations and agencies?

No organizational, church, or agency affiliation is required, but Guild members (individually or as a team) can be affiliated with different church or mission organizations. The Guild is not a sending agency, but apprentices can be received from different organizations for training with the network and continue their affiliation during their apprenticeship.

What are you looking for in an apprentice candidate?

  • A person of biblical character: love for the lost, humility, teachability, integrity, sexual morality, and a servant heart
  • An active and independent learner: willingness to experiment, innovative
  • A person of financial responsibility: hard working, having a responsible plan to pay off any debt
  • A person with a heart to see Jesus-centered communities in context: seeking the formation of communities of Christ followers that remain within their own natural relational networks
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Bruce and Christy Graham

12 years in India among Muslim and Hindu communities training Indian missionaries how to disciple peoples of another culture through Biblical Story.

Dick Scoggins

10 years with immigrant communities of Rhode Island and 15 years in England with starting house church planting teams and training church planting teams with Frontiers in the Muslim world.

John and Anna Travis

John J. and Anna Travis have been involved in sharing the love of Jesus with Muslims for more than 25 years, living in Asian Muslim neighborhoods 22 of those years. They currently coach and train teams throughout the Muslim world. John is affiliate faculty at the Fuller Graduate School of Intercultural Studies. The Travises have authored numerous articles on contextualization, cross-cultural ministry and inner healing and deliverance prayer.

Harley and Chris Talman

The Talmans have ministered to Muslims in the Arab world, Africa and the US for 30 years in contextualized evangelism & church planting, as well as in humanitarian aid and interfaith dialog. Harley is a theological educator, while Chris has mentored women and established an MK school.

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