Thrive in South Asia

Be Equipped to Serve the Unreached

Is God calling you to the unreached?


With nearly 2,000 unreached people groups (UPGs) across South Asia, there is urgent need—and the opportunity is now.


The SLICE Program is designed to prepare and support new missionaries through hands-on experience, language acquisition, cultural immersion, and Christ-centered mentorship. Whether you're exploring a long-term call or stepping into your first term on the field, SLICE equips you to thrive—not just survive.

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What is SLICE?


S.L.I.C.E. stands for Strategy, Language, Identity, Culture, and Exalting Jesus  — the five areas every missionary must grow in to serve well and last long in the field.

Our 6-month to 2-year program places you in the heart of a multi-ethnic city in South Asia, where you’ll gain real-life ministry experience while building a solid foundation for long-term impact.

Why Train with Us?


At GFM, we’ve been equipping and sending cross-cultural workers into South Asia for over a decade. We've trained laborers from six continents to not just land on the field—but to stay, thrive, and bear lasting fruit. SLICE was born out of real experience, shaped by the challenges and victories of dozens of missionaries who have gone before you.


We understand the complexities of entering unreached areas—the language barriers, the cultural disconnects, the identity tensions, the spiritual battles. That’s why this program is more than a course. It’s a launchpad for long-term effectiveness.

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What sets SLICE apart:

Local Immersion with Global Vision

You’ll live in a diverse, urban hub with access to each of the THUMB (Tribal, Hindu, Unreligious, Muslim, Buddhist) people groups. Daily life becomes your training ground as you learn how to share the gospel across cultural and religious divides.

Proven Language Learning Method

You’ll spend 20 hours weekly learning language through the GRPA, an immersive model proven effective in various contexts. Whether learning Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, or Nepali, you’ll be coached by experienced nurturers to engage hearts, not just converse.

Mentorship from Experts of the Field

Our team of seasoned missionaries will guide you weekly, helping you develop practical skills in strategy, cultural discernment, and identity management. We’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and teach you how to build trust and gain access in your focus community.

Built for Sustainability

Many missionaries burn out within their first term. We’ve designed SLICE to help you start strong—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. With rhythms of rest, mentorship, and community woven in, the program equips you not just to go, but to stay.

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Click here to get a glimpse of what a typical week in the SLICE South Asia program looks like! 

Testimonials

Strategy

Finding the right strategy to fulfill your calling is essential to making your vision a reality. Walking alongside seasoned missionaries as you learn and implement different strategies is one of the best ways to determine if a particular method fits you and your calling.

Language

Learning the heart language of your people group is absolutely critical to life and ministry in South Asia. Through the Growing Redemptive Participator Approach (GRPA/GPA) of language learning, we will show you that language learning is not only fun but also an essential part of ministry, learning culture, and thriving in your new environment. Although we can facilitate other languages, currently, we offer classes in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Nepali, which are taught by local language nurturers.

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Identity

In South Asia, identity is everything. Without an identity that makes sense to your people group and the government, you can be immediately ostracized from the community and possibly even barred from entering the country. Our training walks you through the process of choosing an identity that allows you to engage and build trust in your focus community.

Culture

Culture includes anything and everything related to the people and places of South Asia—what the people do, how they do it, and all the attitudes and practices in between. During your time in our city, we will teach you skills to help you understand the culture and keep you building trust among the people. As you go through the program, you will have opportunities to delve into culture like never before!

Exalting Jesus

All that we do is through Jesus and for Him. Whether headed to the market, taking a language class, or visiting a neighbor, we desire to exalt Jesus in all we do. During our SLICE program, we will help you keep Him first. Not surprisingly, taking the focus off Jesus is one of the main reasons missionaries experience burnout.

Some Specifics of S.L.I.C.E.


- The program runs on a semester schedule, beginning two times per year, in January and August


- 20 hours per week of language learning with a local nurturer (Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, or Urdu)


- 10-15 hours per week of community engagement 


- 5 hours per week of strategy, identity, and cultural skill training


- $799/month program cost*, which includes housing, utilities, language classes, and mentoring


- Applications are due two months before the start of each semester


*Tuition cost does not include personal expenses. Cost is for single students, married students and families can contact us for more information.

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Upcoming Program Dates


July 14th, 2025

Applications Due June 1st


January 12th, 2026

 Applications Due November 1st


July 13th, 2026

Applications Due May 1st, 2026



Apply Today!