Missionary Apprenticeship Program (MAPPER)

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Missionary Apprenticeship Program (MAPPER)

A Mapper is a man or woman who serves on a foreign field for a limited period of time (two months up to two years) alongside and under the direction of an seasoned
missionary for the purpose of gaining practical experience, thus the name Mapper (Missionary Apprenticeship Program).    A Mapper must be a saved person, evidencing a dedicated life, and a member in good standing  independent, fundamental, separatist Baptist church.

Normally, Mappers are college students who desire to explore the possibility of missionary service by serving on a mission field for two months up to two years. However, the Mapper program is not limited to college students and may include other interested adults.

NOTE:  BWM does not organize trips to visit the mission field. However, our MAPPER program offers a mentoring opportunity in short-term missionary service alongside a BWM missionary.

Rebekah Alexander - BWM Mapper 1
Rebekah Alexander - BWM Mapper 2
Rebekah Alexander - BWM Mapper 3
Rebekah Alexander - BWM Mapper 4
Timothy Warren BWM Mapper 1
Timothy Warren BWM Mapper 2
Timothy Warren BWM Mapper 3
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    • To allow an interested missionary prospect to visit an actual mission field and, in a limited and temporary way, enter into the missionary experienceMappers Program Logo
    • To introduce the Mapper to the challenges presented in living and working in a different land and culture
    • To provide an outreach for the local church as they send one of their own to the mission field
    • To teach a Mapper how to work as part of a team, laboring together to fulfill the Great Commission
    • To encourage the missionary on the field by providing extra assistance, along with fresh zeal and new ideas
    • To assist a prospective missionary in determining whether  or not he or she is truly called of God to vocational missionary service

    It is the responsibility of the prospective Mapper to correspond with a BWM missionary, thereby securing an invitation to come and serve alongside the missionary for a determined amount  of time. Baptist World Mission cannot guarantee that each Mapper will be able to serve on any certain field, but we will always take preferences into consideration.

    Prospective Mappers must submit an application, along with a letter of recommendation from their pastor. College students or recent graduates should also include a recommendation from an official at their college.

    Prospects will be screened by BWM after they have been approved  by their local church. All Mappers must be approved by the Mission’s deputation director, and only approved Mappers will be authorized to serve with our missionaries.

    A Mapper must be a saved person, evidencing a dedicated life, and a member in good standing of an independent, fundamental, separatist Baptist church.

    Normally, Mappers are college students who desire to explore the possibility of missionary service by serving on a mission field for two months up to two years. However, the Mapper program is not always limited to college students and may include other interested adults.

    Only those college students who have completed their sophomore year will be considered.

    There must be agreement with BWM’s doctrinal statement and, while working with the missionary, a willingness to abide by the principles and policies outlined in our Missionary Manual.

    MAPPER Testimonies

    Rebekah Alexander - BWM Mapper

    I left Alabama on June 9th and began the thirty hour trip to Russia. I stayed with the missionary family for five weeks. I was able to assist in their ministry by teaching English during a children’s summer camp for nine days and playing a lead role in their skits, object lessons and games. During their two weeks of Vacation Bible School I helped with crafts and snacks. I attended the church services and youth group meetings and became friends with the national believers. During my stay, I had the opportunity to pass out fliers on the streets for the Vacation Bible School and also witness the missionary family befriend nationals with the intent to win them to Christ.

    Cultural relations were interesting at times. Body space, language, food, relationships, greetings and hospitality are very different in that culture than in America. All of these took some time to adjust. Although I could converse in their language on a very elementary level, it was a great challenge at times to communicate. During most of the summer camp I was without a good English translator, but God was faithful and brought people who knew the right words at the right times or reminded me of foreign-language words I thought I had forgotten. Communication could have been a frustration, but God’s grace turned communication into a humorous element that brought joy and laughter into my experience instead of being a stumbling block. By the end of my trip, my language was greatly improved, and I pray many people’s English as well.

    The recurring theme of my trip was a verse from Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who Strengtheneth me.”

    Rebekah Alexander
    BWM Mapper - 2015
    Tim Warren - BWM Mapper

    I am so thankful for the opportunity God gave me to experience ministry in Japan and learn about the country and the people. I loved Japan, and I am praying about returning again and ministering there full-time. I don’t know for sure if that is where God has called me, but He has opened the door so far, and until He shuts it, I will keep walking toward it. Thank you all so much for your prayers and financial support! The Lord used this trip to teach me so much, not only about Japan, but also about my own weaknesses and shortcomings. Please continue to pray for me as I seek the Lord’s calling for my life.

    I spent my first four days in Japan with Pastor Hideki Matsuyama of Narashino Baptist Church. Narashino is a small city just a few minutes train ride from Tokyo. Here I got my first taste of Japanese culture and my first opportunity to serve in a Japanese church by helping teach a children’s English class before Sunday School. Many Japanese are eager to learn English, so hosting English classes can open many doors to the gospel. I also had the opportunity to teach the adult Sunday School class. Many of the church members spoke English, and I enjoyed fellowshipping and worshiping with them.

    My final week in Japan I spent with Mr. Melton’s parents, who have been serving as missionaries since they first came to Japan nearly 50 years ago! They also live north of Nagoya, about half an hour away from Camp Raphayada. In Japan, it is legal to put advertisements inside mailboxes, so the primary way many missionaries give out tracts is by placing them in mailboxes. That week, we passed out several hundred tracts. I also got to serve in his church by playing special music on guitar and singing. After that week, I rejoined Mr. Melton in Nagoya for my last few days in Japan.

    Tim Warren
    BWM Mapper - 2015