Frequently Asked Questions

How will you train missionaries in the new CMF?

Missionary students will enter a 30 month program which combines residential learning, online learning and practical experience which will result in a college level degree being awarded at the conclusion. 

Each missionary class will spend their first three months in a residential training program in Santo Domingo, followed by a two year practical experience in urban mission in the Mesoamerica region where online learning will also be employed.  The final three months will be spent residentially in Santo Domingo.

Have missionaries ever been trained in Mesoamerica?

Yes, we have been training missionaries for the past 10 years, however there has not been one dedicated place where it has been done. The training is a combination of online studies and residency in other missionary homes for a month of intensive training prior to a two year practical assignment.  A Master's degree in intercultural mission is also available via online learning.

How do the CMF and the Dominican Nazarene Seminary relate to each other?

The CMF and the seminary are working hand in hand.  We liken the relationship to a “program” on a university campus.  For example, a student is a part of the “School of Nursing” at a Nazarene University, but the degree is extended by the University. The majority of the student's classes are in the Nursing building(s), however there are parts of her education when she will access the greater University campus (cafeteria, science lab, etc).  

The CMF is the same - we are building a SPECIALTY program in the midst of an educational structure that already exists. We will specifically exist to train missionaries and missional leaders, while the Dominican Nazarene Seminary will extend the degree.  The CMF will help the seminary campus, as much as the seminary campus helps the CMF - it’s a relationship.

Why the Dominican Nazarene Seminary and not another campus in Mesoamerica?

With global population statistics indicating that over 70% of the world will be living in an urban center by 2050, we are convinced that future Nazarene missionaries need to be trained in an urban environment with practical experience in the urban center.  Santo Domingo is a city of four million people and provides multiple practical experiences for the students while they are in their residential training.

​

Santo Domingo was also chosen because of its unique characteristics of being a part of both Latino and Caribbean cultures.  Students from all parts of the Mesoamerica Region will be able to experience both familiarity and culture shock at the same time - experiences that cannot be created in other environments.

Why is the project cost as high as it is?

The total estimates of the Center of Missionary Formation project comes from obtaining the final title to the seminary property, construction of a two story multipurpose dorm and training center to house up to forty students at a time, and all furniture and finishings for the building.

What's your timeline?

We hope to begin construction in March of 2019 with completion by early November 2019.  The first class of missionary students would be welcomed to campus in the fall of 2020.

I'm not from Mesoamerica, but I'm interested in studying in the CMF.  Can I apply?

Yes!  We would love to begin a conversation with you today!  Contact us!

Shouldn't you be developing online education instead of residential education?

Online learning will still be an important part of the degree.  However, missions is a RELATIONAL work, and having missionaries study residentially is a strongly-held conviction by our region and leadership.  In a day and age where online training and text messaging are becoming the norm, our young people need to learn how to live in community, how to have meaningful conversations and share their faith naturally just as much as (or even more than) the book knowledge that can be offered online.