"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him." (2 Timothy 2:1-4)

As a missionary you are not just a disciple of Christ, you are a member of a team that is focused on meeting the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. As St. Paul urges, we are men, and women, focused on the mission of bringing Christ to others, being "faithful witnesses" as to teach the faith. 

TRAINED FOR WAR
Every soldier is trained through extensive training and education. We see this in secular militaries all the time. As a Missionary of Jesus Christ, you will receive extensive training in catechetics, evangelization and theology. Our missionaries also receive instruction through the Desert and Church Fathers to fight "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12). This is a key part to the life of a soldier and missionary of Jesus Christ, for Christ calls us to "be perfect as the heavenly father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Missionaries will be taught through the Greek tradition how to conduct this warfare for the preservation of their souls and the fullfillment of the mission they have been tasked. 

LIVING THE GREEK TRADITION
As a missionary, you will be expected to pray the Greek hours from the Horologion for Morning and Evening Prayer, Night Prayer (in private) and attend services in the Greek tradition. For those not coming from the Greek tradition, it is highly recommended that one discerns by visiting a Greek church regularly before making application. Missionaries should bring their prayer rope, or one can be provided, so that they can pray the Jesus Prayer and the Prayer Rule of Mary (known as the Rosary in the west). 

SOLDIERS, DISCIPLES AND MISSIONARIES
Looking at the example of the apostles, and the various missionaries throughout the history of the Church, one thing is clear: missionary life is not comfortable. Our missionaries are issued clothing items to wear so that one understands that not even the clothes on your back are yours. This is truly a humbling life that relies on you to be willing to put aside yourself while you are in service to God and the Church. Some may stay for a year, others may stay for the rest of their lives. Those who join are not subjected to celibacy, but are subject to chastity. 

Those who are married, with families, will also be accepted as missionaries. Due to the delicate situation that married families find themselves, these applications will be interviewed separetly from those who are single. Those accepted will be given family housing during the duration of their training. If it becomes necessary for the family to live away from the training location, they can request to receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) subject to approval by the Board of Ministers. They must reside within 50 miles of the training location. 

RELYING ON GOD'S PROVIDENCE
All missionaries are expected to fundraise for their service. Typically, missionaries will leave for a month to return to their home parishes and let others know of the work that they have been doing. This usually takes place during the Christmas break in which they leave for break on December 20 and return January 20th.This break from the training gives them an opportunity to continue practicing what they have learned away from the controlled environment of the training area, or the mission field. It also gives them an opportunity to gain more persons to join into the mission by their monetary support. 

Before missionaries may report to training they must have 60% of the fundraising totals raised and 100% pledged. Fundraising totals vary depending on their rank and years of service. Missionaries are given a ranking depending upon their qualifications and receive pay depending upon rank and years. All missionaries enter in as a Levy while they are in training, which typically lasts for four months (August-December). If missionaries request BAH they must request it during the application process. Depending on funding, this may increase the amount that is needed to be fundraised (subject to Board of Minister Approval). After the first promotion, further promotions are approved by the General Minister and recommended by the formation officer.

Many are not able to take on the full-time life of standard missionary life due to many factors. Yet, there are some who are still determined to praise God with their life and enter into some participation of this service to God and Church. These persons are invited to serve the mission at their local church through the institution of food pantries and other outreach opportunities at the local level. These persons serve one weekend a month and have the option to serve the greater mission activity during the summer. All part-time missionaries are give a missionary rank and are paid one days wage for every day they serve. 

Part-time missionaries are also able to receive education and training in evangelization and catechesis to build up the parish church and to be prepared should they be called upon to serve as full-time missionaries.