This team finds that teaching conversational English in a community center and university setting can lead to conversations about the One who is peace and offers freedom. Although English is highly valued and team members can be a blessing to their neighbors through teaching well, there is much opportunity for ministry beyond language instruction. This team desires to work where God is working, build relationships that are bridges to sharing the gospel, help develop communities of faith, and encourage new believers as they reach out to their families, friends, neighbors, and neighboring countries. Come join this team that God is leading in a new, evolving work.
Required Qualifications:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree, preferably related to ministry, teaching, or community development
- The spouse must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- Completion of Missions Perspectives course
- Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 60 or higher
Responsibilities:
- Formal language study (30 hours per week) for the first two years, followed by work in and through a team-run community center
- Possible community center ministries include:
- Developing and teaching English lessons to students at the center and at local universities
- Engaging with students in discipleship relationships that lead to oppor-tunities to communicate the gospel and testify to what God has done in the team member’s life
- Partner with the team to establish and develop communities of faith that seek to mobilize and develop locals in their journey with Christ
- Seek ways to be an active, fully engaged team member
- Demonstrate the heart of a servant-leader fulfilling the duties and ministries the team assigns
- Regularly and effectively communicate with supporting churches and individuals
Timeline for Deployment:
Late summer 2017
General Information:
In this nominally Christian nation there is a church on nearly every corner; people are warm but hurting. This country has endured centuries of occupation, decades of communism, and been at war in the past 10 years. Divorce and abortion are rampant; on all fronts there is a desperate desire for freedom.
Walls—in hearts, minds, and in the churches—characterize this land, separating the people from the sacraments and God’s Word. People have little peace or hope, believing they have no direct access to God since the Orthodox Church tells them they must have a priest or icons to serve as a mediator. As one woman said, “We are required [by the church] to do so many things, but we can’t.”
Work and Living Environment:
This is a beautiful country with some of the world’s tallest mountains and rich soil producing bountiful crops. New team members will join the existing team in the capital city (population 1.5 million), which is nestled within smaller mountain ranges. The city dates back to the 5th century and is being restored to showcase its ancient beauty. The people are known for their art, poetry, hospitality, and strong religious beliefs.
Status of Christian Witness:
Many view this country as predominately Christian and tolerant of other religious faiths. However, the people hold strong orthodox religious traditions; they view evangelical Christianity with great suspicion, and any departure from their traditions is considered to be a betrayal of their religion and their country.
Lack of access to the gospel is a major obstacle for this nation’s people; there are few international workers, and less than 0.5 percent of the population is evangelical. The Orthodox Church is strong, but most people attend service only during holidays and for special ceremonies. Christianity here is often characterized to be works-based, hypocritical, and impersonal, which has caused many young people to leave the church and turn to atheism.
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. International workers will receive two years of intensive language and cultural study, followed by continued learning when entering other ministries. It is expected that the selected applicant(s) will dedicate several hours per day to language acquisition (30 hours per week) and continue to make mastery of the local language a lifelong goal. This will greatly enhance ministry and the ability to influence people for Christ. The goal is to speak, read, and write the language at a fluent level to share the good news of Jesus.
Health Considerations:
This is a rapidly developing country, especially in the field of medicine. New hospitals and clinics with modern facilities and equipment are opening continuously, staffed by doctors trained in Western standards, many of whom speak English. Most medications are readily available. A neighboring country also is well known for its medical care and is available to provide specialized care if needed.
Expectations for Spouse:
The successful applicant’s spouse is expected to engage meaningfully in fulfilling ministry objectives based on his/her gifts, training, the team’s needs, and the family’s needs. Married couples on this team see their ministry as a partnership and their families as a part of the team as well. Both spouses are expected to fulfill the two-year full-time language study requirement. If children are in the home, it is understood that there may be a limited time commitment for ministry.
Children’s Educational Plan and Options:
The capital city offers excellent opportunities for families with several schooling options. Currently, international workers’ children attend a local International Baccalaureate® (IB) school with local and expat youth. Homeschooling also is an option.
The people in this nation love children, which is reflected in the various child-friendly parks and gardens found throughout the city. There also are plenty of family-friendly venues and activities available in the cities, mountains, and seaside.
Compensation Package:
This position is designated to be fully funded through the Great Commission Fund (GCF). Please visit our compensation page for details on how U.S. Alliance international workers are supported. We offer a comprehensive package for this position, covering all costs related to a monthly living allowance, housing, travel, children’s education, and full benefits. GCF-funded workers share responsibility for raising GCF dollars from Alliance churches and other sources.