(MOST OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ONLY PERTINENT TO TESOL STUDENTS WHO ARE ALSO ENROLLED IN AN SWD FULL-TIME PROGRAM)
What is my time committement for out of school ministry?
An essential component of the HMS program is the hands on learning you will receive with His Majesty's Service (HMS) ministry teams. This may involve weeknights and weekend trips as well. On average, you will be involved in 12 hours of ministry per week. It is our goal to give you ample opportunity to minister and grow, but not stretch you too thin. As some time periods are busier than others for academic requirements, we do our best to find a balance for you.
What about ministry in the local church?
We also strongly believe
that getting connected to a local church while you are here is important
as well. While you may find it hard to commit to regular ministry due
to the commitment to HMS ministry, the first week of school we will talk
about what it means to have an active role in the life of your local church
and lay out what our expectations for your church attendance will be.
Where will I minister during the year?
HMS ministers in a number of different settings . . . Kid’s ministry, Youth, Schools, Outreach settings and Overseas. In past years, we have traveled all over Alberta and even into Montana and the North West Territories. We are currently putting our ministry schedule together. We make these schedules available to students as early in the school year as possible.
Where will I go for my main HMS missions trip?
We have felt strongly to develop long term relationships with churches and organizations that we work with overseas. By being a long-term partner in their ministry, we can be an effective part of their strategy for reaching a group of people. We have focused on working with a mission organization that works in China.
China is a restricted access nation (RAN). We go not only as teachers, but students as well to gain access to these countries. By going as professionals, business people or teachers, Christians go to China to influence the people around them. Following the same model, we will go and teach English in a number of settings. In these settings, it is very possible to share the Gospel with students and teachers alike.
We find creative ways to share the Gospel here. Drama, music and stories from home are important, but one of the keys to ministry here is the willingness to build relationships with people. Sharing a bowl of noodles and ‘something else’ might be the setting where someone is most open to the message of the Gospel.
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