Frequently Asked Questions
We want to make the registration process as helpful as possible and have sought to provide you with information that will assist in your planning to come for our programs.
Please click on the questions below to see the answers to these frequently asked questions. We would also be happy to hear from you by contacting us directly at:
Email: contact card
Phone: 416-840-5488
MissionPREP
What makes MissionPREP uniquely different from other missionary training programs?
What airport is the best for me to use when I fly into Toronto?
What about participants coming from the USA to Toronto, Canada?
What can I expect weather and temperature-wise at MissionPREP?
How can I find out more about the Children’s Program at MissionPREP?
IMPACT & PLANTS Programs
Debrief & Reentry
Housing
Questions about MissionPREP
1. What distinguishes MissionPREP from other missionary training programs?
We are delighted to have as colleagues other missionary trainers such as CIT (Centre for Intercultural Training) and MTI (Missionary Training International) Our IMPACT and PLANTS seminars were started with the encouragement and assistance of the experienced staff of MTI.
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MissionPREP training is unique in a number of ways ** For participants from the USA coming to Toronto, Canada is truly a “cross-cultural” experience.
- Cultural and language aspects of the missionary experience are taught using a unique combination of dialogue education, experiential and formal instruction.
- MissionPREP facilitators combine extensive field experience with sound academic qualifications.
- Toronto is one of the world’s leading multicultural cities, which offers the opportunity for you to encounter people from most of the worlds’s major cultures.
- Participating in worship and building close friendships in a supportive community are key components of our training programs.
- The PLANTS Language program provides participants with self-assessments in learning styles.
- MissionPREP's two-week courses have a full children and teen's program. Back to Top
2. What airport is the best for me to use when I fly into Toronto?
If coming by airplane please plan to arrive in Toronto @ Pearson International airport. Please allow 2 hours between landing in Toronto and arriving at our facility. We ask that you confirm your registration with our office before booking your flights.
3. What about participants coming from the USA to Toronto, Canada?
We welcome our brothers and sisters in Christ from south of the border to Canada. We recommend that you consult the following website for current requirements for US citizens, permanent residents and their dependants to enter Canada as a visitor. http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html#_s2a
It is also recommended that you have some documentation that informs the custom officials (if asked for) of the nature of, timing of and address of the program location.
Bring some extra spending money so you can take advantage of sight seeing on the weekend. Niagara Falls is about 1.5 hours from Toronto.
4. Can someone pick me up at the airport?
MissionPREP does not provide a shuttle service for participants flying into the area. Airport taxi prices range between $50-$60 Canadian dollars for a one way trip to our locations in Toronto, $110-$130 to our locations in Guelph and Cambridge. Contact us for advice about public transportation routes from the airport.
5. Is there a dress code or style at MissionPREP?
MissionPREP programs have an informal atmosphere. Casual dress is fine for classes. You may require dress clothes for a church visit on the weekend. Bring clothes for outdoor activities. In the cooler months (Nov-April), warm coats, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens,and winter boots are the normal wear. For the warmer months, jeans, capris, shorts (we ask that they be modest), and T-shirts, etc., are the usual attire for students. We will notify IMPACT students of specific dress needed for adults for a field trip.
6. What can I expect for weather and temperatures while at MissionPREP?
We recommend you visit http://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html to get forcasts the weather conditions at the time of your program.
7. Where is my MissionPREP program located?
We run our programs either in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or a nearby community as listed on the registration and specific program pages. We may use multiple sites during a program depending on the size of class and time of year. If outside of Toronto, the distance is typically close enough for a weekend exploration and visit to one of the ethnic neighbourhoods and churches in Toronto. Please contact us if you have specific questions about the facility of the program you are registering for.
8. What do I do for meals while at course?
During our two week programs your meals will be made on-site for you either in a cafeteria or dining room. On weekends only your breakfast will be provided. We encourage you to explore the many ethnic restaurants in Toronto.
If you are commuting to the course, we require you to purchase a lunch plan in order to encourage community (and all the learning that happens around the table) and to include you in activities such as a community night, culture shock dinner theatre (IMPACT only), registration dinner, closing lunch, daily snacks. See the IMPACT or PLANTS program pages for costs. We cannot cater to every food allergy or restriction. Please contact us at the time of registration if you have any concerns regarding the food served at our programs.
9. What about childcare?
We have a strong commitment to family and children at MissionPREP. We provide childcare for our participants with infants and toddlers. We have a full age appropriate cultural and language training program for preschoolers, school aged children and teens.
10. How can I find out more about the Children’s and Teen's Program at MissionPREP?
At the time of registration MissionPREP will email you a questionnaire to complete. This will give you an opportunity to give details of your children routines and any special needs they might have. Please email or call us with your specific questions.
11. How does MissionPREP debriefing fit in with our organization's debriefing?
How Third Party Debriefing fits into a debrief strategy for cross-cultural workers.
This flow chart is to show you different people that can be involved in debriefing cross-cultural workers. Notice that field, mission agency and third party debriefing are not clinical endeavors to help people in transition.
12. What kinds of debriefing are useful for cross-cultural workers?
There are three types of debriefing*:
- Operational debriefing: Asking for information about the work performed, and what was achieved.
- Personal debriefing: Asking how the experience was for the individual (what was best/ worst? How is the readjustment process going?). Aims to help them integrate their experience into their life as a whole, perceive the experience more meaningfully, and bring a sense of closure.
- Critical incident debriefing (CID): A highly structured form of personal debriefing, which can take place after a traumatic experience (such as a natural disaster, a violent incident, or a traffic accident). Done by: Professional Counsellors
13. Where can I read an article that gives an overview of debriefing?
Dr. Debbie Lovell-Hawker, Oxford University Psychiatry Department wrote an article here.
Questions about Programs
1. Do I have homework assignments at MissionPREP?
Participants in the PLANTS Language program are required to complete approximately thirty to sixty minutes of homework in preparation for each of five language learning sessions.
Participants of IMPACT are encouraged to complete approximately 30 minutes of reading each evening.
2. What is the typical daily/weekly schedule for the classes?
MissionPREP courses begin at 8:45 am and finish each afternoon at 4:30 pm. We generally have 2-3 evening activities for the community. All other evenings are yours to reflect, rest, fellowship with other participants or visit in Toronto. Because of the intensity of the seminars we discourage making other plans during Monday - Friday.
3. Will I be free on weekends to explore Toronto?
Though there is no class on Saturday or Sunday, IMPACT learners will be encouraged to do an assignment in one of the ethnic neighbourhoods of Toronto on Saturday. We also encourage you to visit an Ethnic church in the city on Sunday. Visitors to Toronto could also explore the many events taking place especially on the weekends. To find more information on “What’s Happening in Toronto please check out this web site: www.toronto.com.
4. When will the MissionPREP course end?
The two-week MissionPREP courses conclude after lunch on the second Friday. Please do not book your flight from Toronto until after 4:30pm. We strongly discourage participants from leaving the program before the official closing ceremony as this disrupts the sense of community which has been built over the two weeks together. The five day RE-VIEW course also ends after lunch on Friday.
5. Do you offer degrees or certificates?
MissionPREP does not have a degree program. We present paper certificates on completion of your specific course.
6. Can a person simply audit a course?
MissionPREP does not have provision at this time for auditing classes. There is only one exception to this: When a couple attending a seminar has only one spouse enrolled for a course because the other spouse has taken the course elsewhere, we have on occasion allowed the non-enrolled spouse to audit the class for a small fee.
7. Do both spouses have to take the course?
MissionPREP does not "make" anyone register for a course. We strongly encourage both spouses to enroll, however, it is up to the sending church/agency and the missionary to decide which courses are the best fit for them.
With that said, it is the general rule that both husband and wife are significantly involved in ministry and because of this, both will be significantly impacted by the training.
Questions about Registration & Payment
1. How can I register for MissionPREP?
There are two ways to register for courses at MissionPREP:
- You can register online by visiting the registration page and filling out the form
- We will email parents a registration form for your children and teens once we have received your online form.
2. When should I register?
The earlier you register for any program, the more certain you will be of assuring your place. Registering at least one month before the start date is advised in order for us to plan and prepare for the necessary staff, housing and resources.
3. Is there a fee involved during registration?
MissionPREP requires a deposit at the time of registration of $100 per adult and $50 per teen or child. This may be done through Paypal, credit card or by cheque or money order.
This deposit is not an added fee. It is just that - a deposit. We will deduct the amount of your deposit from your final invoice.
4. Can I get a refund on my registration deposit if I can't take a course?
All registration deposits are non-refundable (unless we cancel the class) and non-transferable.
6. When is my bill due for the courses I'm taking at MissionPREP?
Your deposit is due at the time of registering for the course. The balance of payment is due two weeks before the course begins, however we prefer you make payment as soon as possible. The invoice will include your tuition, housing & materials.
7. How do I pay my bill and to whom?
Cheques should be made out to “MissionPREP.” We currently offer the following payment methods: cheque, money order/bank draft, or by credit card through PayPal (via our website.)
8. Can you bill my agency directly for the deposit?
Yes, we can bill your agency directly. Please provide the contact information on the registration form.
9. Can you bill my agency directly for the balance of fees?
Absolutely! Please be sure to indicate on the registration form who your contact person is (if there is someone who needs to approve your invoice), as well as the email address where it needs to be sent.
10. How much can I expect my books & materials to cost?
The materials required for the course are included in the fees listed on the payment page of our website.
11. What other expenses can I expect while at MissionPREP?
Please remember you will need money to purchase lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday of the weekend.
Questions about Housing
1. How do I register for housing?
When you register for a course with MissionPREP you will indicate whether you require housing or not. You must let us know if you have any special needs such as "allergies" or "a single room" (which is available for an added fee.) All prices quoted on our website are based on double occupancy for adults.
2. How do I get my room key when I arrive?
MissionPREP's two-week courses usually begin after lunch on Monday with moving into the residences followed by an introductory session at 3:00 PM followed by supper. We therefore encourage participants flying into Toronto to arrive no later than 1:30pm at Toronto Pearson International airport. MissionPREP staff will assist you during registration to find your assigned room where you will be staying.
3. How much is housing for MissionPREP?
Room/Board costs for our five-day or two-week courses are based on arriving Monday afterlunch until Friday noon of the first or second week.
Please see the IMPACT, PLANTS, or RE-VIEW program pages for the exact costs for each age group. There are separate meal prices listed if you are commuting to the course.
4. Are the rooms furnished?
All of the accommodations are furnished. They are either “dorm” rooms, bedrooms in a shared townhouse or motel style rooms, depending on our location. Bed and bath linens are also provided but you will need to bring your own toiletries. /p>
Please enquire with our office about any special items required for young children such as playpens, highchairs, strollers etc. There are a limited number available. If the children are under the age of 12 they may be assigned to stay in the parent’s room.
5. Is there laundry service available?
There are coin-operated laundry facilities or in some cases free washers and driers available on site.
6. Is there phone and modem access in the rooms?
Dpending on the location, there may be wireless internet in the residences. There is wireless internet in the common lounges of all facilities. There are telephones for free local calls. You will need to purchase a long distance calling card in order to make long distance calls from the telephones.
7. Are there televisions and/or DVDs in the rooms?
In most of our facilities there is a "Common Room" area which has a television and a DVD player for participants' use. However, MissionPREP does not supply televisions or DVD equipment to individual dwellings.
8. Is there exercise equipment on site?
No, there is not workout equipment on site. There is a gymanasium in most of the locations we meet with floor hockey, basketball, and volleyball equipment available to use when the gym is not booked by other groups.