Last week I mentioned that my third point needed two weeks to explain. The first week I spoke about the need. Now I want to talk about how we can do it. Often when traveling, I hear many great ideas, but seldom do the ideas come with the practical means that are needed to go with the suggestions. Here, I want to show that I have given much thought to how we could put together a plan that could succeed. Studies of many other youth movements, coupled together with my 31 years experience on the field, have yielded this proposal.

My goal is that in ten years to have 10,000 young Southern Baptist young people on the field for a two-year term of missionary duty. To begin with, we will set a goal of 200 out in the next two years. Here is how we could do it.

1. We would create a program whereby churches and universities would be contacted and encouraged to send out some of their young people between the ages of 18 and 21 for two years of service.
2. The financing for their work would come from family, friends or churches. I estimate that the cost would be about $15,000 for the two year period. This would cover their living expenses and travel to and from the field. The price might vary depending on where they would go. They would live very economically.
3. One half would serve overseas and other half would serve in the United States.
4. One hundred teams each with two young people would be created. The teams would consist of either two young men or two young women. We would then form ten clusters each consisting of five teams. The clusters would have both men and women. Each clusters would be assigned to work in the same city, town or area. This would mean that the domestic area would have clusters as well as the international area. During the summer short term teams of young people could work with the clusters. The main job of the teams would be evangelism and discipleship.
5. A search would be made to find ten DOMs and ten foreign missionaries that would be willing to work with the clusters. Those helping should be good with young adults.
6. The first year we would have only one half of the above numbers out on the field. On the second year those teams on the field would divide and the new missionaries coming in would then partner with those who already have one year of experience. This model would then be continuos so that each team would have one person who has served a year working together with a person show is new to the field. The older person would then also disciple the newer one.
7. The teams would be directly under the leadership to the DOM or missionary. The next level of responsibility would come from the home staff. They would also work with the local Baptist Church pastor.
8. Each summer in July and August there would be a two month orientation. During this time there would be an intensive language learning class. The orientation could possibly be held at our SBC seminaries or large churches that would be ready to house such a meeting. The teachers could be seminary professors and others who see the vision.
9. We would coordinate what we are doing with the leadership of both the IMB and NAMB.
10. Students who take a two year break from their studies would be expected to go back to their universities and finish their degrees.

There are many other details that have already been worked out and I am sure that as we begin the program there will need to be some changes. It is important to note that a major difference from other programs is that this one would start from the top down. It would be a Southern Baptists program and not just another para-church movement that will not reach many. SBC churches will be challenged to catch the vision and be a part of what is happening. The whole program would be church-based. I feel that our churches and our young people are ready to be challenged to help reach the world.

I realize that what I m suggesting has not been done before on this scale, but I know it can be done. I would appreciate any suggestions that others might have as to how such a program can be made into reality.

God Bless!!!!!