OUR NEXT FIS: January 15, 2025 to July 25, 2025
Do you have a heart for missions to Muslims?
Have you always wanted to get to know them better over a cup of coffee or tea and start to build relationships with them? Sign up for the Foundations for Intercultural Studies (FIS) school and make him known in the Muslim world!
We work in France and North Africa to bring the gospel to the last, the least, and the lost. Our FIS school is designed to give you the training you need for effective long-term ministry.
Basic Information
What is Foundations for Intercultural Studies (FIS)?
The Foundations for Intercultural Studies (FIS) school is a YWAM secondary school with the University of the Nations (UofN) designed to equip missionaries for sustainable long-term missions work. The school lasts for 6 months and is divided into two phases, the Training Phase and the Practical Phase. Our FIS at YWAM Provence has a particular focus on Islam and the Muslim World, but teaches valuable information that can be applied anywhere. Whether God is calling you to plant churches, start businesses as mission (BAM), or bring holistic transformation to communities, the FIS equips you to think long-term. It helps you build a foundation for enduring impact, focusing on discipleship, leadership development, and local empowerment.
Who is the FIS for?
Anyone who has completed a DTS and has a heart for Muslims will benefit from the FIS training! The school is oriented towards North Africa, but will equip you to evangelize to Muslims everywhere. The Foundations for Intercultural Studies course aims to build pioneers who will be on the field long term.
Training Phase
The Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Foundations for Intercultural Studies (FIS) training phase lasts 3 months and is designed to equip participants for effective mission work in less-reached and unengaged areas of the world. Participants will study important topics including understanding culture, business as missions, a biblical perspective on missions, contextualization and much more.
By the end of the training phase, participants will possess a deep understanding of cross-cultural missions, practical skills, and spiritual readiness to engage in missions effectively. The training phase is intensive and immersive, aiming to nurture not only knowledge but also the heart and skills necessary for impactful mission work.
Practical Phase
The Practical Phase of the FIS lasts 3 months and is designed to launch you into long-term missions work. During the Practical Phase, you will join a long-term team serving the last, the least, and the lost and receive practical on the ground training.
Did you know? In Islamic countries, there is only one missionary per 500,000 people!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the training and outreach be?
The three month training period will take place at our base in France and at an undisclosed location in North Africa.
For the three month practical phase we will be working and praying alongside you to help you decide where to go. You will go wherever the Lord is leading you to go. Ideally, the practical phase is meant to give you a jumpstart into full time ministry where God is calling you.
Do you accept families and couples to attend the school?
Absolutely! We at YWAM Provence are family oriented and if the Lord is calling you to do this school as a couple or family, you are more than welcome to apply.
Do I need to have completed a Discipleship Training School (DTS) to attend?
Yes, the FIS is a YWAM secondary school which means that completion of a DTS is a prerequisite for joining. If you have not yet done a DTS we strongly encourage you to one. We offer a DTS here at YWAM Provence. The DTS lays the foundation of knowing God and making Him known.
How much does the school cost?
The school fees include food, accommodations, and tuition for the school. Our lecture phase costs 2600€ which is over 1000€ less than at other bases. All our staff are volunteers and we do not make money from this school. We want to help train you to do what the Lord is calling you to do without having to worry about it costing too much. We trust that if the Lord is calling you to this school, he will provide for your needs.
Detailed Information
Date and Location:
The next FIS will be from January 15 to July 25, 2025. The lecture phase will take place in France and a country in North Africa. The practical phase will be wherever the Lord is leading YOU to serve.
Price:
Lecture Phase: 2600€*
Practical Phase: 2000-3000€* (Varies by location)
* These prices are indicative and are subject to change, this includes tuition, accommodation, food and some transportation. Costs such as insurance (health, travel), your flight to get here, and visa are not included.
University of the Nations (UofN) Credits:
Lecture Phase: 12 credits (HMT 271)
Outreach Phase: 12 credits (HMT 272)
Some of the topics covered in this course
The Basics and History of Islam will be taught by a former Muslim who now follows Jesus. You will learn about the Five Pillars of Islam, the Quran, the importance of Muhammad in Islam, and many other topics. You will also learn the history of Islam and how it spread.
Learn about the different approaches Christians have used over the centuries to evangelize to Muslims. Learn what it takes to build bridges between Christians and Muslims. From Raymond Lull to Lilias Trotter, you will learn about those who have come before us and what we can learn from them about how to reach Muslims today.
This teaching emphasizes the importance of seeing culture as a reflection of God’s creative diversity while recognizing the effects of human sin. As followers of Jesus, we need to approach different cultures with respect and humility, acknowledging that cultural practices can both reveal God’s image and fall short of His intentions. The goal is to discern what aligns with biblical values and what may need transformation. By understanding culture, Christians can more effectively engage with people, build relationships, and share the gospel in a way that resonates within their cultural context, showing Christ’s love through actions and words.
Many Muslims today still live in oral cultures. In these cultures, being able to present biblical stories well from heart is key in presenting the gospel. Through a creative and immersive approach, you will learn to tell stories from the life of Jesus and other biblical narratives word-for-word from Scripture, but with deep personal connection and storytelling techniques. This teaching will equip you to share the gospel in a powerful, relatable way, using storytelling as a means to communicate God’s Word.
Discover how biblical principles of love, justice, and stewardship can transform communities. Learn practical ways to address poverty, promote sustainable growth, and empower individuals, all while reflecting Christ’s heart for restoration and wholeness. This teaching will equip you to make a lasting, Christ-centered impact in the world around you.
Learn practical strategies to quickly and effectively acquire new languages, enabling you to share the gospel and build meaningful relationships across cultures. Discover how language learning enhances your ministry and helps you embody Christ’s love through communication. This teaching will equip you with tools to overcome language barriers and reach people for Christ in their heart language.
Discipleship Making Movements (DMM) are a method of multiplying disciples who, in turn, make other disciples, emphasizing obedience to Jesus’ teachings and rapid reproduction of small, simple, and reproducible groups. Rooted in the Great Commission, DMM focuses on empowering local believers to lead and disciple within their own communities, rather than relying on outside missionaries to do all the work. DMM is important because it enables sustainable, long-term impact by creating self-replicating, indigenous movements that can continue to grow and spread the gospel even after missionaries have left.
Business as Mission (BAM) is a strategy that integrates business and ministry, using ethical, sustainable businesses to serve communities, share the gospel, and address social and economic needs. Through BAM, missionaries establish or support businesses that create jobs, improve livelihoods, and reflect biblical values, all while building relationships and making disciples.
BAM offers a practical, holistic way to engage with communities, especially in areas where traditional mission work may be restricted. It provides a platform for long-term presence, opens doors for evangelism, and demonstrates Christ’s love through both word and deed.
Be equipped with the skills to work effectively in diverse, cross-cultural teams. This course covers essential topics like communication, conflict resolution, leadership styles, and fostering unity in mission settings. It emphasizes the biblical principles of collaboration, humility, and service, helping missionaries understand how to navigate challenges and maximize team strengths.
By learning how to work cohesively as a body of Christ, you will be better prepared to support your teammates, and create a stronger, more effective impact in the field.
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