MTILet’s review/refresh our list of those who provide generic pre-field training to missionaries heading overseas — and let’s add any training agencies outside the USA, if they exist. We’re not talking about specific training (in TESL, or Bible translation, or church-planting or CHE or agency-specific candidate schools), but rather, generalized training in how to understand yourself, how to cross cultures, and how to learn another language.

The granddaddy of them all (longest in business) might be Missionary Training International. Learn more about them at…

http://www.mti.org

Located near Colorado Springs, they have a great training site (foothills of Pikes Peak and the Rockies), an experienced staff, a strong set of “customers” (meaning you’ll have great interaction with classmates and possibly form lifelong friends). On the flipside, they’re often booked (filled) far in advance and some might say they’re rates are rather strong.

Close behind them would be the Center for Intercultural Training, on the web at…

http://www.cit-online.org

They’re situated in Union Mills, North Carolina (between Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina). In their favor is the fact that they work closely with MTI (in fact, some MTI instructors have guest-taught often at CIT), so their training is similarly taught with experience and depth. Some have said their training is seemingly more biblically-centered (but that’s probably a subjective call?). They might be a shade less expensive, and they also might have a few more openings more often. Balancing these pluses might be the fact that, well, it just seems they’ve never quite been able to get past the fact that people are always comparing them to MTI! People who attend CIT generally seem to come away with a positive report; people who decide to attend MTI instead sometimes report that they feel better-trained. ???

In Joplin, MO, you’ll find a third option, Train International. Find them on the web at…

http://traininternational.org

In their favor is the fact that they are quite a bit less expensive, with even more availability, generally, than CIT. For many in the “middle” of the USA, it might cost less to travel and stay there. And don’t underestimate the adjunct faculty. Many are incredible people with tons of experience and lots of heart. However, realize that they have very few FULL-time trainers. Nearly 100% of their trainers do something else for a living and help at Train when they can, if that matters to you. Also, the class size might not be as large (meaning you might not have quite the multitude of new lifelong friends). However, remember that — because class size is smaller, you just might receive more personal attention, too.

Are there others? If so, please click “Comment” below the web version of this item. Please ESPECIALLY highlight international training locations.