An overview of missions with some specific skill training is introduced during the initial three-month course and then developed further during the field assignment. Topics include: biblical and historical foundations for missions; the nature of the Church; intercultural communication (principles of and skills for learning another language and culture); missions strategy (evangelism and church planting, church growth, intercession and spiritual warfare, healing, signs and wonders, relief and development); personal and team relationships (the worker's relationship with God, interpersonal relationships, leadership and authority, team building and team dynamics, developing and relating with a prayer/financial support team).

Depending on where the School of Missions is offered, there may be a particular emphasis on a geographical region, demographic category (e.g., urban, rural poor, etc.) and/or cultural/religious grouping (Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Tribals, etc.). Some emphases are:

Frontiers: focuses on unreached people groups among Muslims, Hindus, Tribals and Buddhists. The purpose is to train workers for living and ministering among unreached people groups with church planting as a key strategy in discipling new converts;

Strategic: focuses on deploying pioneering teams as the basic vehicle for addressing strategic areas of need throughout the world. Strategic missions embraces both short-term and long-term strategies to accomplish all aspects of ministry, including the planting of both local churches and missions structures.

Pioneering: focuses on equipping individuals and teams to pioneer new ministries in geograpical areas and societal spheres, and to help clarify callings, develop vision and learn how to implement a pioneer project.

Urban: focuses on urban areas. Students study demographic and structural views of cities, cross-cultural strategies for cities, and types of evangelism which are effective in cities.

Asian: focuses on Asian studies, learning research skills, with application to developing effective mission strategy for a particular nation or people group.

Muslim: focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills to minister effectively long-term in a Muslim nation. Students should be able to provide an effective, contextual witness to Muslims, having the skills to be a part of a team starting a new long-term ministry in a Muslim nation.

Note: College of Christian Ministries degree students will not be awarded credit for this course until both the lecture and field assignment are satisfactorily completed.