The questions that lurk in the
mind of every new missionary range from “Am I going
to be the next Hudson Taylor?” to “Am I going
to be another drop-out statistic?” The answer to both
questions directly relates to the quality of training received
from people who have been there before. Zeal without practical
wisdom can lead to heartache and the squandering of Kingdom
resources.
That’s where SPLICE comes in.
What Is SPLICE?
(SPLICE for Kids/Teens = CHIPs)
SPLICE’s three-week, pre-departure program
is designed to help you–and your family–develop
the practical skills and attitudes that will successfully
take you through the challenging and rewarding process of
being interwoven with another culture.
SPLICE focuses on your skill and character development
in six vital areas:
Spiritual
Personal
Lifestyle
Interpersonal
Cultural
Endure/Enjoy
Moving from one culture to another, with all
of the accompanying value differences, is similar to the process
of splicing together the strands of two pieces of rope. Splices
are never invisible, but, as any sailor knows, the completed
splice becomes the strongest part of the rope.
Why choose SPLICE over other training
programs?
Great question – as there are many good
options from which you can choose. Your sending agency likely
will want to you to get the appropriate formal education,
vocational expertise, and organizational orientation –
and rightfully so. Our job is to provide you with skills that
will enhance your effectiveness, endurance and enjoyment in
cross-cultural ministry.
- Not all training is created equal. Here are
the distinguishing characteristics that set us apart from
others: click here for the
Top Ten Reasons.
- Available times – When you are ready
to go, we are ready to get you to the field as quickly as
possible. SPLICE and PILAT are offered in all but one month
of the year, allowing quality training to fit into anyone’s
hectic, pre-departure schedule.
Program Calendar
Why do you highly recommend taking PILAT
along with SPLICE?
SPLICE and PILAT are meant to be one pre-departure
program with two focal points. We strongly believe that you
will be best equipped for effectiveness, enjoyment and longevity
in missions if you take both programs. That’s why we
offer so many PILAT programs back-to-back with SPLICE.
Another way to say it – SPLICE prepares
you for the practical, vital aspects of ministering cross-culturally
except one: language acquisition. That’s where PILAT
comes in. If you don’t get the right tools for language
acquisition before you leave, you may never acquire them once
the stress of overseas living kicks in.
Tell me more about PILAT.
OTHER QUESTIONS PEOPLE ARE ASKING:
What are recent alumni
saying about SPLICE?
Tell me more about the six vital areas
of S.P.L.I.C.E.?
Who should come to SPLICE and when?
What are recent
alumni saying about SPLICE?
"I had no idea how much I did not know!
We have covered topics we had no clue were relevant, but seem
indispensable now. Becoming an effective missionary requires
a great deal of interpersonal skill and understanding which
were taught very well at SPLICE.”
"It was not anything I expected but everything I needed.”
"Finally, time to focus on what we’ve been neglecting
in our preparation - our marriage, our family, the personal
values/interpersonal quirks that will hinder cross-cultural
effectiveness and our relationship with God. The SPLICE staff
and program did such a great job of preparing us for the field…
thank you”
"More than anything, my wife and I
will be forever in your debt as you have resourced us to meet
the needs of our children… you have exceeded our hopes.”
Please tell
me more about the six vital areas of S.P.L.I.C.E.
1. SPIRITUAL Resources
The goal here is inner stability – strongly
anchored to your Lord and prepared for inevitable turmoil
and stress.
SPLICE will help you:
- Maintain closeness with God amidst the fog
of adaptation
- Apply God’s grace to yourself and others
while wrestling with cross-cultural stress
- Utilize soul-care disciplines and self-feeding
during times of external chaos
- Identify and wrestle with spiritual conflicts
2. PERSONAL Growth
Actions speak louder than words, and the personal
life of the messenger determines the volume and clarity of
the message.
SPLICE will help you:
- Identify the personal values that will likely
taint your cross-cultural judgments
- Get ready for dealing with the specific stressors
that will likely affect you
- Understand your way of relating and its impact
on others
- Develop your strengths and manage your weaknesses
3. LIFESTYLE Adaptation
Surgeon General Warning: Cross-cultural ministry
is sacrificial and will turn your world upside-down.
SPLICE will help you:
- Navigate the challenges of transitioning
to your host culture
- Make informed lifestyle decisions that honor
God and your new culture
- See the benefit of maintaining behaviors
that promote longevity
- Understand and value your children’s
personal, social and educational needs
4. INTERPERSONAL Skills
The hallmark of authentic Christianity is “their
love one for another” and so it is no surprise that
the most common source of ineffectiveness is the lack of getting
along with other missionaries.
SPLICE will help you:
- Build and maintain trust on your team
- Deal with personal differences on the team
- Grow in conflict management skills –
especially confronting others when necessary
- Apply forgiveness in healthy, practical ways
- Guard your heart for moral purity
5. CULTURAL Adjustments
What will people from your host country say
about you behind closed doors? That mostly depends on your
attitude and posture as you enter the culture.
SPLICE will help you:
- Observe and identify cultural differences
that cause personal dissonance
- Deal with the inevitable negative feelings:
alienation, bitterness, pessimism, etc.
- Learn listening and questioning skills
- Recognize the importance of language acquisition
- Deepen your commitment to enter and remain
as a learner
6. ENDURE/ENJOY Paradox
Paradox = two seemingly contradictory facts
that express a truth. Life in missions is full of paradoxes.
SPLICE will help you:
- Live with paradoxes while retaining your
sanity
- Manage ambiguity while still taking initiative
- Define the disciplines that will help your
longevity
- Find enjoyment in your calling despite the
hardships
Who should come
to SPLICE and when?
If you are heading into cross-cultural ministry
then both SPLICE and PILAT should be considered necessary
training for effectiveness, endurance and enjoyment in your
calling.
The optimum time to come to SPLICE and PILAT is two to eight
months prior to your scheduled departure. Of course, training
at any time is better than none at all.
REGISTER
for SPLICE |
