by Dr. Bob Green

“Brother Green, the screening of the missionary candidates applying to serve in countries in the Far East was like a mini-revival. It was thrilling to hear their testimonies and see how God has worked in their lives.”

This was the comment made by one of the four local pastors participating in the screening of the new candidates on June 6, 2005. Candidate School, with all of its activities, is an exciting time.

Each year during the first full week of June, BIMI celebrates its primary Candidate School and meeting of the Board of Trustees. The new candidates’ activities began this year on Friday the 3rd with a special evening service. Dr. James Ray, General Director, gave a brief history of BIMI. Candidate School 2005 marked BIMI’s 45th anniversary. BIMI is grateful to God for the privilege of assisting local churches and their missionaries during the past 45 years.

The scheduled classes of Candidate School begin in earnest on Saturday morning. The week of sessions closes on the following Friday night with a special pinning service. Each of the newly approved candidates receives a BIMI lapel pin. No doubt the most stressful day of the schedule is Monday. This is the day the applicants take a doctrines test and meet with a screening committee. In the evening they meet the members of the Board of Trustees for final approval. Once the board members give their vote of approval, the candidates are considered to be a part of the BIMI family.

The candidates are definitely the center of attention, before, during and after Candidate School. Though BIMI was established to serve the individual missionary, it also exists to assist the local church. Great emphasis and importance are placed upon the roles of the sending church and pastor. The Lord intends for the local church to be at the center of all missions activity. Even though God has raised up BIMI to assist the local church, measures are taken to maintain the proper relationship between the two. BIMI respects the authority of the sending church and pastor as God ordained. The candidates must have the recommendation of the sending pastor if they are to be considered by BIMI. With this in mind, we encourage the sending pastor to be present for as much of Candidate School as is possible, especially the screening of their own candidates.

The time scheduled for screening committees allows the directors of BIMI to meet with the candidates and interview each one personally. Usually each committee is composed of two or three field directors, at least one of their wives, a local pastor and if available, the sending pastor of the candidate. The director for the field to which the candidate has applied serves as chairman. The committee has a suggested list of topics to be covered in the time of questioning.

The candidates are asked to give their personal testimonies concerning salvation and God’s call and leading in their lives. They are also questioned concerning doctrine, their understanding and philosophy of missions, and their objectives for the chosen field of service. Additional topics, such as, their relationship with one another as a couple, with their children, with BIMI, with the nationals with whom they will work, and with their sending church and pastor. The screening allows the candidate to know BIMI better and for BIMI to know the candidate better.

Having the sending pastor present is always a blessing to the applicants. The applicants appreciate the moral support provided by their pastors. It is understandable that not all sending pastors are able to attend the screening or pinning activities, but it is a blessing to all concerned when they can.

This year several pastors came to be with their candidates. One pastor traveled all the way from Valdosta, Georgia, while another came from South Carolina. Several of the pastors, who are board members, had candidates from their churches.

The Lord sent 36 new candidates. Eight candidates were approved for countries in Africa, including Togo, Uganda and Ivory Coast. Two couples were approved to serve as church planters among the US military personnel in Europe. Three couples will be serving in Latin America (Peru, Brazil and Mexico). Of the five candidates approved for the Far East, the Civales are BIMI’s first missionaries in American Samoa, the Bauers will minister to the Aborigines of Australia, and Sam Dayanand, married to Sharon Divakar (formerly single BIMI missionary), was accepted and will continue with the ministry in India. The 6th and 7th screening committees screened and recommended one couple for Canada, three people for Ireland, five for the Caribbean and two couples for the Philippines.

These newly approved missionaries were joined by others already having been accepted, some for their second week of candidate school. This gave a grand total of 71 attending this year.

BIMI is grateful for the many pastors who have guided their missionaries to choose BIMI as their missions agency. The missionary who has the support of his/her sending church and pastor has a greater advantage over those that do not. The sending church is able to do much to assist and encourage the new missionary, even if limited financially.