school of world missions
Frequently Asked Questions

1.	What is the School of World Missions?
	SWM exists to prepare men and women to proclaim the gospel in cross-cultural settings, be they in the United States or in other countries. Professors at the School of World Missions integrate theology, anthropology, and missiology in preparing students for cross-cultural ministry. These professors are academically qualified and have served as career missionaries themselves.
2.	Who should major in Cross-cultural studies?
	Those who believe that God is guiding them into some type of church-related cross-cultural service, either as a "tentmaker" or as a professional missionary. Training is available to students who are planning toward various types of Christian service in a new culture. For example: Starting churches in unreached people groups (Church planting) Accelerating church growth among responsive people groups (Church planting) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Teaching the Bible or counseling (Bible teaching/counseling) Equipping church leaders to understand the major religions of the world (World Religions) Participating in Bible translation (Bible translation) Participating in Medical Missions as a doctor or nurse (Medical Fields concentration) Specialized ministries [broadcasters, journalists, tentmakers, etc.] (Cross-cultural studies with a minor)
3.	Why would the Cross-Cultural Studies major prepare me better for overseas ministries than another option?
	Cross-Cultural Studies comprises a major group of studies designed with the knowledge that a cross-cultural worker is a specialist in communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a new culture. Graduates in other majors are not equipped with professional courses necessary to help them apply gifts and skills in a new culture. The cross-cultural communicator is one who is therefore trained in the following areas: Missions: World Religions, Church Growth, Strategy of Missions, Training and Discpling, Theology of Missions, Urban Ministry, Church Planting, etc. Anthropology: Cultural, Applied, Ethnology, Cross-Cultural Communication, Belief Systems, Field Internship, etc. Bible and Theology: Principles of Evangelism, Life of Christ, Power Encounter and other Bible and Theology courses totaling 30 semester hours.
4.	What concentrations do you offer in the Cross-Cultural Studies Major?
	The cross-cultural studies major offers seven specializations: Intercultural Church Planting - Candidates trained in church planting are the greatest need of virtually every evangelical mission board today. A church planter builds relationships in a culturally appropriate manner in order to present the gospel. Those who respond positively are discipled and form the nucleus of a local church. After growing in the faith, indigenous believers take on the leadership of the emerging church.  The church planter then moves to another area to plant another church. TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: The skill of teaching English is in high demand worldwide. Missionary "tentmakers" use this skill to reach into China, North Africa, the Middle East, and other areas where traditional missionaries cannot enter. Intercultural Bible Teaching & Counseling - The concentration is designed to prepare prospective cross-cultural workers with teaching and counseling skills that are vital both in a new culture and in one's home culture. Bible Translation - This concentration provides basic introductory courses that prepare students for graduate translation training. World Religions Concentration - This concentration provides training in the beliefs and worldviews of the major world religions. Intercultural Medical Fields Concentration: This concentration allows those who have medical certification, or who plan to get such certification, to complete a two-year accelerated program which provides a solid core of Bible, missions, and anthropology. Cross-Cultural Studies with a Minor: This concentration allows flexibility in choosing a minor. It is designed for the non-traditional approach to missionary service.
5.	Is SWM a good platform for a Masters Degree? A SWM graduate can obtain a MA from certain highly accredited seminaries with only one extra year of studies.