Graduating college seniors are making major decisions about jobs, cities to move to or further education. What if churches can connect students to an opportunity to leverage their next season for the kingdom?
Graduating college seniors are making major decisions about jobs, cities to move to or further education. What if churches can connect students to an opportunity to leverage their next season for the kingdom?
GOJourneyman is an initiative with the International Mission Board (IMB) that helps students take the gospel to the nations by leveraging their degrees, skills and passions to join missionaries and national partners around the world.
IMB connects them with missionaries spread over eight geographic areas and to Deaf Peoples. To help students consider GO2 as they plan for life after college, here’s how you can respond to questions they may have.
How long will I serve?
IMB Journeyman students serve for two years overseas. Many then return to finish graduate degrees and/or apply to become career missionaries.
Am I really paid to go?
Yes. As a Journeyman, your salary, housing, transportation, benefits and other resources are provided for you thanks to the generosity of N.C. Baptists and mission partners through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
What ages are allowed for the Journeyman program?
As long as you are a college graduate under age 30, you can be sent as an IMB Journeyman. If you are over 30, IMB has hundreds of other mid-term and long-term opportunities for you to explore.
Can I be married and still be sent as a Journeyman?
Yes. You and your spouse both will be assessed and sent together.
When should I apply?
Because IMB values sending healthy missionaries, students are encouraged to reach out about developing a timeline a year or two before you want to become a Journeyman. Applications are open all year, but the best time to apply is in the fall of your senior year. Finishing your undergraduate degree is important because it opens many opportunities around the world.
Can I do seminary at the same time?
This is an incredible experience for you to see God’s work in the nations. Balancing seminary hours while learning a new culture and language, sharing the gospel, training national pastors, researching people groups (and much more) is challenging. Leaders recommend pausing post-graduate courses until after you return home.
Do I have to be a member of a Southern Baptist church?
Yes. We believe we can do more together and in communities. Great Commission Baptists support missionary teams through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Because of this giving, IMB can send fully funded missionaries. Students have a wonderful opportunity to start their career in a strategic location for the sake of the gospel. Learn more at go2years.net.
by NC Baptist Communications
Editor’s note: This article has been adapted from the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board’s The GO2 Initiative.
