This is an introductory course in church planting. The goal is for each student to gain broad exposure to and a general understanding of church planting strategies, methods, and issues. Students will integrate theological, missiological, and anthropological church planting principles as they observe and evaluate existing models of church planting.

This course is a study of distinctive strategies for world evangelization. The instructor will emphasize application to current missions practice. Special attention will be given to the historical development of mission strategies and leadership development.

An introductory study of Southern Baptist missions, with emphasis upon the preparation, life, and work of the cross-cultural missionary. The first part considers the call, qualifications, and appointment procedure. The second part deals with field adjustment of the missionary family on the foreign field. The third part surveys the traditional methods of missionary work and examines current innovative approaches. Primary attention is given to international missions, with additional attention being given to North American missions. Two major objectives are: to provide an adequate understanding of Southern Baptist misions and to encourage each Mid-America student toward a personal commitment to missions.

A general survey of the major world religions and cults. The course examines basic beliefs in these religions and is designed to help students understand the basic concepts in order to contextualize the message of the Gospel in appropriate forms and lead followers of these religions to faith in Jesus Christ.

A study of the life of the Apostle Paul, including the missionary mandate of the local church according to Paul. Attention will be given to Luke's explanation of Paul's mission and theology, including Paul's understanding of the Gospel and the practical application for both evangelism and church planting.

A study of missionary expansion during the modern missionary movement from the time of William Carey to the present. The course provides an outline of the significant developments in the history of the modern missions era. Particular emphasis is given to the unique way in which God calls, prepares, and uses chosen individuals in carrying out His redemptive plan for sharing the gospel with people groups throughout the world. Biographies of selected missionaries are featured to deomonstrate missionary endeavor as it is seen through the eyes of those who have been involved in God's Kingdom purpose.

A specialized bibliography course that involves a minimum of 5,000 pages of supervised reading and results in preparation of an annotated bibliography that is relevant to the missionary work that is being carried out on the assigned field. Students will read materials that normally are required in the third-year courses in the on-campus program as well as other specific materials designated by the missions department. Students may select other reading from materials found on the mission field. Sources must include a balance of materials that includes journals; people profiles, reports and field studies generated by missionaries and others on the field; and carefully selected internet sources. A typed report is to be prepared for each book or other source. The format will include the bibliographical entry, a statement of the author’s purpose, the manner in which the author develops or organizes his topic and a critical evaluation of the effectiveness and relevance of the source for missionary ministry in the assigned field of service. The reviews are to be written in the format of the sample reading report distributed by the missions department. Finally, students must prepare an annotated bibliography that is relevant to the missionary work that is being carried out on the assigned field. All initial written assignments must be submitted to the missions department at least six months prior to expected graduation. Final corrected versions of all written assignments must be submitted to the missions department at least one month prior to the end of the term in which students are scheduled for completion of the on-field work and graduation from the Seminary (nine semester hours credit).

A specialized bibliography course that involves a minimum of 5,000 pages of supervised reading and results in preparation of an annotated bibliography that is relevant to the missionary work that is being carried out on the assigned field. Students will read materials that normally are required in the third-year courses in the on-campus program as well as other specific materials designated by the missions department. Students may select other reading from materials found on the mission field. Sources must include a balance of materials that includes journals; people profiles, reports and field studies generated by missionaries and others on the field; and carefully selected internet sources. A typed report is to be prepared for each book or other source. The format will include the bibliographical entry, a statement of the author’s purpose, the manner in which the author develops or organizes his topic and a critical evaluation of the effectiveness and relevance of the source for missionary ministry in the assigned field of service. The reviews are to be written in the format of the sample reading report distributed by the missions department. Finally, students must prepare an annotated bibliography that is relevant to the missionary work that is being carried out on the assigned field. All initial written assignments must be submitted to the missions department at least six months prior to expected graduation. Final corrected versions of all written assignments must be submitted to the missions department at least one month prior to the end of the term in which students are scheduled for completion of the on-field work and graduation from the Seminary (nine semester hours credit).

A specialized bibliography course that involves a minimum of 5,000 pages of supervised reading and results in preparation of an annotated bibliography that is relevant to the missionary work that is being carried out on the assigned field. Students will read materials that normally are required in the third-year courses in the on-campus program as well as other specific materials designated by the missions department. Students may select other reading from materials found on the mission field. Sources must include a balance of materials that includes journals; people profiles, reports and field studies generated by missionaries and others on the field; and carefully selected internet sources. A typed report is to be prepared for each book or other source. The format will include the bibliographical entry, a statement of the author’s purpose, the manner in which the author develops or organizes his topic and a critical evaluation of the effectiveness and relevance of the source for missionary ministry in the assigned field of service. The reviews are to be written in the format of the sample reading report distributed by the missions department. Finally, students must prepare an annotated bibliography that is relevant to the missionary work that is being carried out on the assigned field. All initial written assignments must be submitted to the missions department at least six months prior to expected graduation. Final corrected versions of all written assignments must be submitted to the missions department at least one month prior to the end of the term in which students are scheduled for completion of the on-field work and graduation from the Seminary (nine semester hours credit).

A master-level thesis of at least 75 to 90 pages of text (plus an appropriate bibliography) that deals with significant selected aspects of the work that is being carried out on the assigned field. The primary purpose of the thesis is to draw together what the students have learned from the two years of field experience, from the study of the language and culture of the target people, from the reading and research that has been accomplished during that time, and to write a formal paper that makes a significant contribution of the work in the assigned mission area. The sections of the paper should encompass a study of the geographical, physical, and political environment, historical development, anthropological and religious features, and a specific strategy of evangelism, church planting, and leadership development relevant to the target people group. Each paper is to include a title page, contents page, approximately 75 to 90 pages of text and a bibliography of source materials pertaining to the topic. The research thesis is to be written in accordance with A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th ed., by Kate Turabian (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013). The paper must conform to the Mid-America Guide for Form and Style. The initial draft of the thesis must be submitted to the missions department at least six months prior to expected graduation. A corrected final copy must be submitted to the missions department at least one month prior to the end of the term in which students are scheduled for completion of the on-field work and graduation from the Seminary (MS 6485 counts as nine hours credit, and MS 6486 counts as six hours credit for a total of 15 semester hours credit).

A master-level thesis of at least 75 to 90 pages of text (plus an appropriate bibliography) that deals with significant selected aspects of the work that is being carried out on the assigned field. The primary purpose of the thesis is to draw together what the students have learned from the two years of field experience, from the study of the language and culture of the target people, from the reading and research that has been accomplished during that time, and to write a formal paper that makes a significant contribution of the work in the assigned mission area. The sections of the paper should encompass a study of the geographical, physical, and political environment, historical development, anthropological and religious features, and a specific strategy of evangelism, church planting, and leadership development relevant to the target people group. Each paper is to include a title page, contents page, approximately 75 to 90 pages of text and a bibliography of source materials pertaining to the topic. The research thesis is to be written in accordance with A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th ed., by Kate Turabian (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013). The paper must conform to the Mid-America Guide for Form and Style. The initial draft of the thesis must be submitted to the missions department at least six months prior to expected graduation. A corrected final copy must be submitted to the missions department at least one month prior to the end of the term in which students are scheduled for completion of the on-field work and graduation from the Seminary (MS 6485 counts as nine hours credit, and MS 6486 counts as six hours credit for a total of 15 semester hours credit).

An introduction to the basic concepts of cultural anthropology which have practical relevance to effective missionary communication of the Gospel in a culturally heterogeneous world. The course examines marriage, family, and kinship structures; authority and decision-making structures; status, role, and function; the life cycle and rites of passage; and other factors relevant to meaningful public confession of Christ and church membership in traditional societies. The section on worldview defines worldview and focuses on the nature and functions of worldview in human culture as well as the dynamics of worldview change. Major emphasis is given to the importance of worldview understanding to communicate the Gospel in a relevant fashion.

The Missiology Practica (MS 6581 and MS 6582) seek to provide students with 40 hours of on-the-field training under a school authorized seasoned field missionary. The student will receive instruction by a missionary or ministry action coordinator that includes the following: observe and participate in ministry opportunities in a missions setting (church plant or ministry site), benefit from regular depriefing sessions, and learn best practices in accomplishing the core missionary task.

The Missiology Practica (MS 6581 and MS 6582) seek to provide students with 40 hours of on-the-field training under a school authorized seasoned field missionary. The student will receive instruction by a missionary or ministry action coordinator that includes the following: observe and participate in ministry opportunities in a missions setting (church plant or ministry site), benefit from regular depriefing sessions, and learn best practices in accomplishing the core missionary task.

A course designed for selected individuals who are committed to planting a new Baptist church in North America. The students will not meet in classroom format but will be involved in the practical exercise of a church start under the authority of a local church in cooperation with a Baptist association. Students will be accountable to the mentoring supervision of the pastor of the sponsoring church who will communicate with the professor of record regarding the student’s activities and progress in the church start.

A course designed for selected individuals who are committed to planting a new Baptist church in North America. The students will not meet in classroom format but will be involved in the practical exercise of a church start under the authority of a local church in cooperation with a Baptist association. Students will be accountable to the mentoring supervision of the pastor of the sponsoring church who will communicate with the professor of record regarding the student’s activities and progress in the church start.

The purpose of the Missions Capstone course is to help the student to encapsulate in theory and practice the core elements of his or her studies in the field of missiology. The aim is to help the student to distill the curriculum into a biblically sound and practical ministry approach in a missions setting.