Nazarene Theological Seminary

For 11 Nazarene Theological Students, fall classes are in session—thousands of miles from the  Seminary’s Kansas City campus.   These students are a part of the first cohort of the new 365 DAYS IN MISSION (365M) PROGRAM, a new Diploma in Cross-Cultural Ministry being implemented collaboratively with participating universities and Nazarene Global Mission. This year, 365M students are studying and ministering in three countries around the world:  The Republic of Ireland (working with a local congregation to implement a church planting initiative); Brazil (participating in the ministry of the local church in four different areas); and Croatia (church planting and church development). 

Dr. David Wesley, NTS Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies and 365M Program Director, says that a combination of things came together to aide in the development of the unique NTS program called 365M.  “First, we wanted to find an optimal learning experience in which students could learn about a culture from those in a specific cultural context itself, thereby equipping them with tools for learning in any context,” explained Wesley.  “I had also been doing some reading related to short-term mission research, and I noticed that a growing percentage of college graduates leave the U.S. for a one-year transition before going on to graduate school. It seemed that a program like 365M would be a great opportunity for students to learn as they experience another culture. And finally, a growing trend within the Church of the Nazarene is the sending out of missionaries as tent-makers or volunteers. Thus, one objective that we have with 365M is to prepare students to raise their own support and/or effectively serve in a role other than that of a full-time, salaried missionary.” 

The objective of 365M is to expose students to integrated learning through academic resources used in a classroom environment, as well as through experiential learning in a contextual setting.  This happens as students complete NTS coursework while being actively engaged in ministry in a culture different from their own.  This year’s cohort completed two NTS summer courses in Kansas City before being commissioned to their global ministry site.  While in their assignment, they will complete two additional courses related to culture and context, all the while applying what they are learning as they minister. Next summer (2011), the 365M students will return to NTS to complete another two courses, earning a total of 24 credit hours of graduate theological studies in a 12-month period.   Those who complete the 365M Program will earn the NTS Diploma in Cross-Cultural Ministry; they will also have the option to apply these credits toward completing a full NTS degree program. 

Missionaries in the three participant countries are working alongside these student-ministers, helping them to gain the tools necessary to understand the culture and why a certain form of ministry may or may not be effective in a particular context. 

To learn more about 365M and about how NTS has recently made earning a Master of Divinity Degree more flexible, accessible and affordable, log on to www.nts.edu; find links to 365M student blogs on the 365M Facebook page.  To talk with someone in the NTS Admissions Office, call 800.831.3011, ext. 5452 or send an email to enroll@nts.edu.