Behind the Scenes: Candidate Seminar 2003
By S.G.D.
Every July, the ABWE Home Office is pitched into a frenzy of activity.
All year, Missionary Mobilization counselors have contacted potential
missionary candidates. Hundreds of emails have flown back and forth;
applications have been processed. As the months passed, applicants
have spent many hours praying, seeking God's direction, testing
their desire for missions. Finally, after much preparation, the
new class of missionary candidates arrives at ABWE.
The Candidate Seminar has a three-fold purpose: to instill in candidates
an understanding of the ABWE philosophy; to complete the screening
of potential career and short-term missionaries; and to equip them
for pre-field ministry.
 But
what is it really like to be a "unit" (a single or a married couple)
in these two intense weeks of training, interviews, and final tests
for missionary service? What goes through their minds as they endeavor
to discern which field God has chosen for them?
The candidate class of 2003 is the largest in ABWE's history. To
tell the remarkable story of every candidate would be impossible.
Instead, we will go behind the scenes with a candidate couple, Tim
and Ashley Bigelow*, and a candidate single, Jessica Ryder, following
them through the two weeks of the seminar.
June 2003 One Month before Candidate Seminar
When I first speak with the Bigelows, several weeks before Candidate
Seminar begins, they don't know yet where they're going. Tim and
Ashley are newlyweds in their 20s, exuberant in their love for each
other and in their passion for missions. Tim is an MK from West
Africa. "As a kid," he tells me, "I grew up watching a video of
David Livingstone over and over. I wanted to do what my parents
were doing. I always used to be embarrassed by the way my Dad would
cry when he gave presentations in churches, but it was that complete
burden for people that shaped me most."
In seminary, Tim met Ashley. She was initially unimpressed: " I
used to say, 'God, I'll go anywhere but Africa.' So Tim turns up,
an MK from where? Africa."
Ashley was spurred to enter seminary by a short-term trip to Israel
with ABWE. She intended to earn her Master's as swiftly as possible
and return to the Middle East : "The culture drew me in, the people.
I was fascinated intellectually and burdened spiritually. When I
prayed for the Jews and the Muslims, I would weep."
Are they torn between fields? Tim answers, "It's true that Africa
is home to me. But I want to be open-minded and consider the different
field presentations at Candidate Seminar. Also, I recently went
on a survey trip to the Middle East. I was moved by a child I saw
there in a cancer ward."
A doctor told Tim the child would die in three months. Tim suddenly
realized how hopeless the Muslims were without Christ: "The Muslim
call to prayer blares five times a day, yet so many are dying. Since
I've returned, I keep reading Acts 10, where God prepares Cornelius's
heart before Peter even knows him. In the Middle East , we heard
so many stories of God preparing the hearts of Muslims before they
were even approached by believers. Even now I'm praying God will
prepare people's hearts before Ashley and I arrive on the field,
and that He would prepare our hearts with a real love for the people."
 I ask them about their other goals for Candidate Seminar. Ashley
is keen to meet missionary wives and hear a "woman's perspective"
on career missions. Tim wants to learn about pre-field ministry,
designing quality PowerPoint presentations, approaching pastors.
They both have so many questions about practical details-how to
raise money, work budgets, find housing, minister cross-culturally.
Ashley tells me she is a mixture of "excited, nervous, and eager,"
anticipating this next stage of their life. Yet she looks forward
to the fellowship: "I can't wait to be with other people who dream
about missions."
Jessica Ryder
Jessica Ryder is quiet, self-possessed, in her early 20s. She will
take a different trajectory through Candidate Seminar than the Bigelows,
because she is engaged to serve short-term for a year in Portugal
with missionary Miriam Tyers. The year in Portugal will act as an
extended survey trip, enabling her to experience missions and develop
skills before she commits to a field. Candidate Seminar will provide
groundwork training.
Like Ashley, she is eager to bond with like-minded people. I ask
her whether she is daunted by the prospect of serving as a single,
without the support of a husband.
"God has contented me," she answers. "Perhaps I'd like to be married,
but I know God has a bigger plan for my life, so I am going to pursue
Him. I can't just sit on my couch and wait for a man to come along.
Singleness has its advantages-the fact that I am free to go to Portugal
and devote myself to youth evangelism. I might not be able to do
that otherwise."
Jessica is drawn to youth because of her own experience: "Ministry
to youth is more than just teaching them stories, but instead challenging
them to live for Christ. In my early teenage years, I really struggled
in my relationship with God. It would have been such a blessing
if there had been people to mentor me, disciple me. My desire is
to provide youth the guidance I lacked."
At Candidate Seminar, Jessica has an array of goals. She wants
learn to minister to churches, not just ask for support,
to gain a deeper understanding of ABWE's philosophy, and ignite
her passion for missions and serving God.
 Days 1-3 Testimonies
The pace of the first days of Candidate Seminar is relentless.
Eighty-nine attendees share their testimonies. Candidate after candidate
talks of seeking God's design, looking for His direction. To listen
is to be profoundly impressed by the way God has drafted His plan
in each of their lives. They are from so many different backgrounds
and countries: from Christian heritages, from non-Christian families,
from North America, Canada, Switzerland, India , and the Philippines
. They are in their 20s, 40s, or 60s, single, or married. They have
been students, skateboarders, surfers, carpenters, soldiers, aviators,
mothers, homemakers, preachers, teachers, businessmen, and lawyers,
but all of them are here now with one purpose-to serve the Lord
in missions. They are all waiting to know where He will send them.
They are looking for the blueprints of their future.
Throughout the room, there are strategically placed tissue boxes
for the inevitable tears as they testify. Tim Bigelow breaks into
tears as he describes his own father weeping for West Africans.
The room resonates with the low hum of bass voices, as men rumble
their affirmation of the truths being spoken.
On Day 3, Sunday morning, the candidates minister at local Baptist
churches. Jessica teaches Sunday School to elementary-aged children.
The Bigelows share their testimony in the main service. Other candidates
lead worship, sing, or preach.
The first of the regional presentations start on Sunday night.
Administrators for each region-Africa, South America, North America,
the Caribbean Basin, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe,
the Far East, GAP, and WIN (restricted-access countries)-describe
the needs and teams in each country of their region.
Days 4-10 Seminars and Interviews
 In Week One, seminars begin in earnest. Candidates attend sessions
on Finance, Media Scripting, Dynamic Bible Teaching. Afternoons
are consumed by interviews with counselors and administrators. In
the evening, the field presentations continue.
When I meet the Bigelows on Day 4, I'm curious to know whether
the presentations have affected their decision for the field. In
the "Guidelines for Choosing Your Field" session, Bill Commons told
candidates to list the three fields most on their hearts. Tim tells
me, "I'm amazed how God has started to burden my heart and Ashley's
for the same field."
West Africa and Israel were both on his list, but he also had a
specific interest in a Middle Eastern country. He can't tell me
its name because he and Ashley are now seriously considering going
with WIN to a restricted access country. Because of security precautions,
they cannot name the country, only the region.
"The 'incognito thing' is a real concern for me," says Tim. The
Bigelows wonder how they will know what to say, whom they can contact,
without hurting someone's ministry. Missionary service is always
a major decision, but it is even more momentous when you can't tell
people where you're going.
I ask Ashley whether she is prepared for the challenges of an Islamic
country. "This country is just on my heart. I love Arab culture
and the Middle East, but I don't know how equipped I am. I tend
to speak my mind." She laughs. "I think could keep up with Arab
women, be outspoken the way they are within close relationships.
But I might have to grow a tougher skin."
As I pose questions to the Bigelows , Ashley keeps interrupting.
She's so enthusiastic that her answers just burst out. Tim tells
her, "Go ahead, it's good to hear what you're thinking." The seminars
and classes are back to back. The conference runs from 7:30 AM to
9 PM , so there's little time for the Bigelows to discuss and process
all the information they are receiving.
Taking walks together in the evening refreshes them and gives
them time to talk through the day's lessons. They're both tired,
especially Ashley, but they love Candidate Seminar. Ashley says,
"There are so many people here who 'get it,' who help us see where
we're going. It's remarkable to hear all the testimonies. I've appreciated
meeting such a diversity of real people."
 Last night they talked late with Duane Early, the field administrator
for Central and Eastern Europe , discussing the Middle East . Many
candidates find that one-on-one interaction with administrators
is one of the most helpful steps in the process of deciding a field.
Tim still struggles between desires and interests. He loves the
West African country where he grew up: "It's hard to step back and
ask why I have this burden for Muslims in the Middle East . Where
does God want me to go, not where do I want to go?"
Tim was particularly impressed by Duane's perspective: "Ask the
questions who and why not where. Who,
as is in what people are you working with, can you fit in with the
team on the field? Why are they there, do they have a clearly
defined vision or purpose for the field with which you can fit?"
Duane also told them to look long-term, to consider whether the
field they choose will enable to say they've grown, whether there
are people on the team to mentor them.
Jessica Ryder has had much the same conversation in her interviews.
She was encouraged to set goals for growth during her year in Portugal,
particularly since she will be working with only one person, instead
of in a team.
She too feels the strain of the intense classes. In the evenings,
she talks through her reflections with her roommate, Krista Manago.
Single candidates are paired off in the hotel rooms-it gives them
opportunities to pray together, bounce their experiences off each
other, the way the married "units" do. Krista is already a friend
of Jessica's from college, which is an added blessing. Krista and
Jessica have opportunities to hang out and bond with the other singles:
"We stay up talking so much, there's not time for sleeping."
Jessica has been impressed with a sense of urgency after watching
all the presentations: "There is so much need. I still don't know
where I will go after Portugal , but like Dallas Washer [a former
ABWE missionary], if I have but one candle to burn, I want it to
burn in a place of darkness."
At the end of the first week, Jessica feels reassured that "Missionaries
don't have to be perfect. In the women's session, we talked about
the need to be real, authentic. Missionaries are real people with
real needs-I can be one of them."
Days 11-14 Electives
In the second week of Candidate Seminar the hectic pace slows for
the candidates, if not for the staff. There is time for individual
interaction with administrators and missionaries. Afternoons are
devoted to a series of electives designed to teach candidates crucial
skills. Electives cover every aspect of ministry: advanced photography,
homeschooling children, serving as single women, and much more.
Outside the training rooms, the seminar is a whir of volunteers.
In the kitchen, under the expert guidance of the Wheatons, they
whip together three meals a day. The candidates praise the food-not
only tasty, but healthful, too. The QUEST MKs are ubiquitous in
their khaki shirts, working in the computer lab, chopping carrots
in the kitchen, sitting children in the nursery. All the staff-from
volunteers, to administrative assistants, to region administrators-are
pulling together to make the candidates' training as effective as
possible. They are truly in pursuit of excellence.
By this stage of the seminar, many candidates have formed close
friendships that they hope will last for life. They all share in
the joy when one of them decides on a field. Jessica tells me it
's wonderful to see how happy administrators are for the candidates-even
when they choose a different region.
For the Bigelows now, it's settled. They've decided to go with
WIN to a Muslim country in North Africa or the Middle East. The
Bigelows must now start observing security precautions, and I must
change their names and photographs. Ashley is grateful because the
Lord has raised up another couple to go with them-they will be a
team on the field. This other couple, at least, will know where
they're going.
 The final week focuses on pre-field ministry, which candidates
will begin as soon as they are appointed. In the last days, Tony
Beckett leads sessions on homiletics, captivating the candidates
with his charismatic delivery. He emphasizes that women, not just
men, must know how to clearly communicate the Word-for both Ashley
and Jessica, this rings true. Jessica will teach youth, and Ashley,
in a Muslim country, will have access to women in a way her husband
never could. After Tony's classes, Jessica tells me that she has
resolved to read at least one homiletics book a year.
Days 15-16 Board Interviews
Finally, the day arrives for the candidates who have fulfilled
the requirements of financial and spiritual readiness to go before
the ABWE board. Outside the interview room, region administrators
circle, waiting to accompany candidates into the interview. Many
of the candidates, including Ashley, are nervous, wondering what
questions will be posed. As Tim and Ashley enter the room, the fifty-some
men inside rise to their feet, as they do whenever a woman enters.
It is a custom instituted when Wendell Kempton was president of
ABWE. After being introduced by the WIN administrator, Tim and Ashley
give their testimonies, both breaking into tears when they describe
the impact their fathers have had on their lives.
"Before I was born," says Ashley, "My father always prayed
that one of his girls would be a missionary. He never shared this
hope with me. It was only recently, when I made the decision, that
he told me how God had answered his lifelong prayer."
After they finish, the board members ask questions. Finally, their
pastor prays for them. Many of the candidates' pastors have flown
in for this final interview. The Bigelows are surprised to discover
that not only their sending church pastor is present, but also Ashley's
childhood pastor, and their youth pastor. The sense of support is
overwhelming.
When the Bigelows exit, the board deliberates and confers approval.
Immediately, they are ushered to Finance, to set a level of support
to raise during pre-field. It's confirmed now. They're going.
Not all candidates are interviewed or appointed. Some defer for
a variety of reasons, others will be pursuing short-term service
first. Jessica, like a dozen of the other units, does not have a
board interview. She will be appointed after she returns from her
year in Portugal , just like her friend Krista, who will spend a
year in England . In August, when the Bigelows are just starting
pre-field, Jessica will leave for Portugal . She already has her
support. All she needs now is an intensive language course to acquire
Portuguese.
Day 17 Appointment
On Sunday, the final day of Candidate Seminar, the Bigelows are
appointed new ABWE missionaries alongside their fellow candidates
in a gala service at Messiah College . The auditorium stands are
filled with family: relatives of the candidates, and the many members
of the ABWE family, from Home Office staff, to pre-field missionaries,
to missionaries fresh off the field.
When the candidates leave, they will start the round of calls to
churches, pastors, and missions committees. Many, like the Bigelows,
will plan survey trips to their newly chosen fields, where they
will research the costs of living, experience the culture for the
first time, and form a clearer picture of the direction their service
will take.
When I ask Ashley whether her concerns about serving with WIN have
lessened, she answers, "My goal is to be able to undertake any risk
that He requires. I believe that God has not prepared us for an
'easy field,' if there is such a thing. All my life, He always sent
me atheists, skeptics, Hindus, and Muslims to witness to. God doesn't
send you to a place you don't want to go to. He sends you to the
place He has prepared you to go."
Her final words seem a fitting close to Candidate Seminar 2003:
"When I weigh the costs involved in our field, I think at this point
it would be a greater sacrifice for us to stay home."
* Names have been changed to protect their identities.
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