The First Missionary Candidate School

The Free Church has sent missionaries across the globe since Hans van Qualen left for China in the late 1880s. Many of those early missionaries were from strong homes in the churches where they were converted at a young age, steeped in Sunday school teaching and ministry experience with their pastors. Typically, they attended the Bible institute as well. Evaluating those early candidates was often just a brief form and some interviews with the mission committee. 

But as the mission grew (now at about 650 missionaries serving under the name ReachGlobal) more organization, evaluation and training was needed. Today, many candidates come to the EFCA from secular universities with little biblical background and may not have accepted the Lord until their 30s or beyond. Many have come from difficult circumstances and are working through spiritual battles. So the application process is now much more thorough and involves a department–called Engage–with half a dozen people working to process them. It also involves significant training, both online and in person, before new missionaries are deployed. 

It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that a formal candidate training program emerged. As new missionaries were going to many countries (Hong Kong, Venezuela, Congo, Philippines and Japan at that time) and needing more training for this new role, the mission began an annual candidate school. 

A great many of these missionaries served their entire careers in God’s service overseas. While most are now with the Lord, a few remain here on earth and are good witnesses to how God used them during their careers overseas. We praise God that He continues to call new missionaries into His harvest field. Might God use you as a missionary? Or might you be able to point others to ReachGlobal for service?  

Learn more about how you can serve with ReachGlobal.