Supporting document for Session by Mark Patterson, "20:21 Library--Where Do We Go From Here?".
Global Mapping International
Michael O’Rear
President
7899 Lexington Drive, Suite 200A
Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4215 USA
Phone: 1-719-531-3599
Fax: 1-719-548-7459
VISITING TRAINEES PROGRAM
An opportunity for “on the job” training with GMI
In March 1996 GMI (Global Mapping International) established a Training Division with the mission of enabling people to find and apply information that will make them more effective in the work Jesus has called them to do. One of the new forms of training GMI is now building into its ministry is a “Visiting Trainee Program” which will be available to 7-10 people or couples for periods of 2-4 weeks during the next 12 months.
For whom is the program designed?
Primarily for people who live and work in the 2/3 World and who have either a specific project they want to complete using a GMI product or a specific group of people they want to train to use a GMI product. For example,
- Creating maps that plot religious statistics and show where church planting is most needed in a given district or city
- Compiling bibliographies for mission-related courses taught at a seminary
- Translating GMI overhead transparency map sets into your language and/or developing map sets of your own
- Preparing a research paper with graphs and maps which your organization or board will use as the basis for discussion leading to a major decision
- Writing a pamphlet or booklet to help mobilize people to pray for your mission work
- Learning the many features of the 20:21 Library of Mission and Evangelism Resources well enough to train students how to use it in their research
- Learning the mapping software well enough to train staff researchers of mission organizations how to apply it in their situations
What training is provided?
GMI’s Training Division will take you through these steps:
- Defining the objective before you come and determining which GMI team member(s) will assist you
- Providing you with an office (sometimes shared with one other person), a desk and a computer (if you do not bring one)
- Orienting you to GMI, and inviting you to two weekly meetings, one for prayer and one for discussion of GMI ministry
- Supervising you in your project, which will include the needed amount of training to get you started and the opportunity to request help as you go along. A brief daily meeting with your supervisor is a required minimum.
What are the costs?
- Tuition is not charged. Trainers’ salaries are covered mostly by contributions to their ministries from congregations and individuals.
- Travel is ordinarily the responsibility of the trainee. In exceptional cases GMI may subsidize part of the travel cost; we recommend that the training be done in conjunction with some other trip to this region so travel costs can be reduced.
- Living expenses are negotiable. Trainees usually stay in homes of various GMI staff members for one or two weeks at a time. There is no set fee for this. A contribution may be appreciated by some host families and declined by others.
- Transportation to the office is provided as a courtesy either by the host family or another GMI staff member.
Does the trainee need a laptop computer?
No, but it may help (if the laptop is of sufficient power to handle the trainee’s proposed project). GMI usually has only one computer available for visiting trainees, though we have shared office space for two or three trainees. If you bring your own computer, there is a better chance that GMI can accommodate you at the time of your choice.
How does the selection process work?
An application form is available in print or on e-mail from info@gmi.org. E-mail is more convenient for GMI but does not get preferential treatment. Applications are acknowledged when they are received, then held until the next Training Division selection meeting, which is usually the first Tuesday of the month. If a reply is needed sooner than that, please indicate it on the form.
It is likely that GMI may have to turn down more applicants than we have room to accept. Please pray with us that we have the Spirit’s guidance as we make the difficult choices.
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APPLICATION FORM
GMI VISITING TRAINEE PROGRAM
Name:
Postal address:
FAX (include country code):
Tel:
E-mail:
- Briefly describe the project you plan to work on during your training period (this will usually be a project of yours though it could be a project of GMI’s that you assist with).
- How did the idea for this project originate and take shape?
- Who will benefit most if the project is completed well, and in what ways will they benefit?
- How will the skills you develop while doing this project under GMI supervision be put to use on other projects in your ministry? Whom (if anyone) will you be training on the basis of your experience here?
- What (if any) time frame do you have in mind for your GMI trainee program?
- What (if any) work will you do on your project before you come to GMI and after you leave?
- Mission/church/organization which recommends you for this training
- Your position in that mission/church/organization
- Length of time you have been attached to that mission/church/organization
- Name and position of your supervisor there
- Home country
Country in which you minister
- Highest earned degree
Year received
Where earned
- How much do you use a computer in an ordinary week and what do you use it for? What kind of computer and software do you use most?
- Do you expect to bring a laptop computer with you to GMI? Minimum requirements: IBM-compatible 386DX20, 4 MB RAM, VGA screen, 2X CD-ROM drive, 20 MB free disk space. If you do mapping, 30MB free (unless Atlas GIS is already on your machine) and more RAM.
- Do you have any special needs in diet or housing? If so, please explain.
- What contribution for room and board (if any) might you be able to offer to the GMI person or family who hosts you? $_____ per week. (Note: your answer will not affect our decision about accepting you as a trainee; it may affect our decision about which family you stay with since some families welcome such assistance and others refuse it).
- Any other comments:
Applicant’s Signature
Date
Supervisor’s Signature
Date
Please return this form to:
GMI Training Division
7899 Lexington Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920, USA
FAX (719) 548-7459; Tel: (719) 531-3599
Presented by Mark Patterson.
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