Stage 1: Initial Excitement

This stage is all about (1) gauging where the person is in their walk with the Lord, and (2) setting them off in a good direction towards mission engagement.  Much of this step could/should be done with any believer.  We are checking the foundations, and only after that, getting them moving along the mission pipeline.

When you meet with someone in this phase, they will have had their eyes opened somehow to God’s mission & his call on their lives. They may be mature, but some may be new believers.  Take that into account as you meet with them.  Having said that, here’s steps to take to have a conversation when they have expressed interest in getting involved in Evergreen Missions.

Initial Interview (any pastor or ministry director): 

Read their responses to the intake form prior to meeting. Be prepared to dig into some of the details of their answers. Consider asking some of the questions provided below for each area.
The goal of this interview is to gauge the level of commitment to the Christian walk and to the church body. Their interest in serving in missions gives us an invitation to ask specific and detailed questions about their Christian walk. These are things all Christians need to be engaging in, so you’re making sure they are plugged in.
1. How did you come to know Christ?
  • Did you grow up in the church?
  • What does a relationship with Christ look like for you?
  • What has God been teaching you lately?
  • Have you been baptized?
  • Are you being discipled?  Are you discipling anyone?
  • How often are you reading the Bible on your own?
  • Describe your prayer life.
2. Describe your involvement at Evergreen?
  • Have you gone through 101 and joined Evergreen?
  • What service do you normally go to?
  • Are you in a Sunday School or LifeGroup?
  • Are you serving in the Church somewhere?
  • What does church mean to you?
3. How has God stirred up an interest in missions in your life?
  • What sparked your interest in missions?
  • Have you been on a short-term mission trip?
  • What does evangelism look like in your life?
  • Are you involved in local outreach of some kind?
  • (If they say they feel called to missions) Describe the call that you have on your life?
  • What does missions mean to you?

Stage 1 Assignments for Church Member:

Head
  • Attend Evergreen 101
  • Attend at least one other paradigm class (201, 301, or 401)
  • Join an Explore Study
  • Attend 501 (Intro to Evergreen Missions Course)
  • Watch these missions videos

Heart
  • Have a regular quiet time/bible study
  • Be scripturally baptized
  • Be discipled by someone
  • Get involved in a Lifegroup

Hands
  • Serve in a church ministry for at least 6 months
  • Join a Missions Night at Evergreen
  • Go on a mission trip

Expectations for Moving on to Stage 2:

Complete all of the above.  After all steps are complete, have a debrief and next steps conversation with the Missions Pastor (or Missions Mentor).