About the WDMT

Re-introducing the World Directory of Missionary Training

In 1995 Ray Windsor published the 2nd edition of the World Directory of Missionary Training Programmes a catalogue of over 500 missionary training programs from around the globe. This was one of the early missionary training resources published by the Mission Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and the International Missionary Training Network (Known at that time as the International Missionary Training Fellowship.). As is the case with any printed directory it did not take long before this valuable resource was out dated.

The Mission Commission of the WEA occasionally studied the possibility of republishing this list, and these discussions began to focus on the developing Internet technology as a preferred medium of delivery. It was soon apparent that an online directory would allow institutions to register and update their information which would better serve the needs of the institution as well as provide more up-to-date information for those researching available missionary training. As such, when the IMTN developed its website “TheIMTN.org” one of the goals was to provide a directory using a self-registration and updating feature.

Before this project could advance very far, this aspect of the IMTN website was intentionally halted. News of the Evangelical Training Database project headed up by Ian Benson of the UK based Missionary Training Service, ground the IMTN directory to a halt. The reason was simply expediency, not wanting to unnecessarily reduplicate the efforts of others. For a number of years now, theIMTN.org redirected inquiries to the Evangelical Training Database (found on the www.trainforChrist.org website) where institutions could register and people could search for training programs.

This arrangement was not without its challenges though. As the trainforChrist.org developed it became increasingly difficult to filter through the many training courses to find dedicated missionary training programs. Discussions with the Missionary Training Service, led to a collaborative development. In February of 2009, Ian Benson was invited to become a part-time volunteer staff of the IMTN as the Associate Director of Information Service. This brings the Evangelical Training Database together with the IMTN and makes it possible to develop a new World Directory of Missionary Training. The intent of this new directory is to filter missionary training programs from the list of available evangelical training programs on the database so that missionary training programs and schools will be more easily accessed by those seeking training. This directory is now online featuring self-registration and maintenance of contact and course information. You will easily find the World Directory of Missionary Training at www.theIMTN.org.

The IMTN invites missionary training programs to register on the Evangelical Training Databaseand to request registration on the World Directory of Missionary Training. The following conditions apply:

1. Shorter term programs (one year or less) must be dedicated missionary training programs (not principally discipleship or biblical studies courses),
2. Longer term programs (over one year) must offer a major or a minor in missiological training/studies.
3. All registrants must comply with the terms and conditions stipulated by the Evangelical Training Database.

It is our desire to serve the missionary training community and to help potential candidates find dedicated and contextual missionary training. Inquiries and input are welcome.




More reading:

About the Evangelical Training Database

Terms and Conditions

Inquire

Register on the WDMT

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