Employment

South Asia International Worker (Business)

August 29, 2012

Location:

South Asia (CAC*)

Position Type:

International Worker

Description:

This is an unusual opportunity for a highly motivated, out-of-the-box individual or couple, who have a strong calling, to be vitally involved in a brand new initiative to one of the most needy and challenging countries in the world. This country has more unengaged and under-engaged people groups than any other single nation. It will be a tough place to serve and demand a high level of tenacity. Workers will be members of a team dedicated to culturally sensitive approach to pioneer church planting, using some form of a “business as mission” strategy. Each team member will be expected to make a strong contribution in the areas of relational outreach, discipleship, and leadership development, as core methodologies in this effort.

Important Clarification: Applicants should be aware that serving in the missions world typically requires a higher than normal degree of grace and flexibility. Overseas cross-cultural positions can be a bit of a moving target. For example, overseas teams can be suddenly and unexpectedly impacted by illness, government decisions, financial realities, team changes, or other factors beyond the team’s control. The challenge for applicants is that these factors can sometimes necessitate the sudden redefining of a position. This redefining can take place before, during, or even after the application/interview process has begun or is completed.

Ministry Responsibilities:

1. Learn the local language to a high level of proficiency. Funding will be provided for the new worker to complete this important task in an appropriate location that allows for significant local language immersion. Normally the language program will be completed in approximately two years.
2. Adjust to the culture in healthy and positive ways.
3. In consultation and cooperation with local partners and advisors, and the team leader, establish a for-profit business which will function as a bridge for culturally sensitive outreach into the surrounding community.
4. Monitor the business closely, adjusting the plan and strategy as deemed appropriate and in consultation with the team leader and key partners.
5. Keep current regarding best business practices in the country.
6. Make new contacts, develop relationships, and share the gospel.
7. Participate in Bible studies or discipleship activities with new contacts.
8. Have an open home regularly for entertaining new contacts and team events.
9. Attend, lead, or contribute to a weekly Bible study, discussion, or other types of meetings and events designed as outreach, discipleship, or worship meetings as a part of the church planting effort.
10. Carry out any work duties related to a professional ministry platform.
11. Regularly communicate effectively and securely with the local team leader, IM, and supporting churches and individuals in the U.S.
12. Perform any other duties as assigned by the team leader.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Academic Qualifications:
• A recognized bachelor’s degree. (both husband and wife if married)
• In the case of married couples, the husband will have completed a minimum of 30 hours of Bible/Theology/Ministry, 15 hours of Intercultural Studies (ICS). The wife a minimum of 18 hours of Bible/Theology, 15 hours of missions/ministry studies. Of the 15 hours of missions/ministry studies at least 6 hours must be in cross-cultural or missions fields.
• Single workers will meet the same academic qualifications as “husbands” above.
2. Ministry Qualifications: Two years of licensed Alliance ministry experience.
3. Successful completion of a hiring/appointment process involving a positive review of five references, completion of application materials, and a multi-leveled interview process that would involve full mental and physical health assessment and background checks.
4. Please see the International Ministries Handbook (C-1) for further qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. MBA and at least three years’ experience in a successful business.
2. Some ministry training preferred and ministry experience essential.

Ordination:

Not required

Timeline:

Planned arrival on field for this role is summer 2013.

Work and Living Environment:

Workers will live in a dynamic urban environment which is likely to be congested, hot, noisy, and lively, all at the same time. Housing will probably be a rented apartment or townhouse like facility. Because incarnational ministry is viewed as highly strategic, team members will live in, or very near, the areas targeted for ministry.

Language Expectations:

Learn the local language to a high level of proficiency. Funding will be provided for the new worker to complete this important task in an appropriate location that allows for significant local language immersion. Normally the language program will be completed in approximately two years.

Expectations for Spouse:

Spouses are considered equal team members. Consideration will be given to an appropriately reduced team involvement because of children’s needs.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options:

Educational options include: home schooling, possible co-op schooling, and local international schools. Boarding school is not an option before the child reaches high school age. Local regular schools may not be considered adequate.

Available Housing:

Rented facilities as noted above. This country has 220v but it may not be constant and there could be periodic/regular power outages.

Health Considerations:

Local hospitals may not be considered adequate for some health issues. Much better medical care is available in the major cities of this country and regional hubs, such as Singapore and Bangkok.

Geographic Information:

The team will be located in a large fairly sprawling urban center with approximately five million people. Extremes of poverty, riches, class distinction, heat, noise, filth, cleanliness, modern facilities and outdated infrastructure all exist within the city limits. The target areas are in the northern region, which is known as the most populated and crowded part of the country.

Status of Christian Witness:

These areas are critically under-engaged with the gospel. The people are difficult to reach and yet God is opening many hearts. Currently the overall number of Christians in the area is under 1% of the total population.

General Information:

Life and ministry in this country will not be easy for the reasons cited above, but it is highly strategic for advancing the Great Commission. Workers should be prepared for the long haul. It will be through friendships and networks of relationships that the gospel is most effectively shared, and making many friends is very possible.

Team Make-up:

Teammates will be highly-motivated, talented, and well-trained individuals committed to the task of being effective culturally sensitive witnesses in a very challenging environment. While this describes all members of the team, some will come with strong business training and business experience and therefore focus more on the on the business dimensions of the ministry. Others will come with traditional ministry training and church leadership experience and thus will focus more on the ministry aspects of this effort. This is not to say that these two basic types of worker or work are mutually exclusive. On the contrary, it is rather to point out different, and yet highly complementary, backgrounds and experiences which will blend to form an effective kingdom advancing team, pulling together, in diverse ways, for the same objectives.

Compensation Package:

The sacrificial giving of Alliance people to the Great Commission Fund allows us to designate this role as fully funded. The generous giving of Alliance churches and individuals all across the U.S. allows us to cover all costs related to a monthly living allowance, housing, travel, children’s education, and full benefits. For details on how Alliance compensation works see our worker compensation page. Our international workers are expected to be involved in raising funds for the Great Commission Fund and also to privately raise some funds for vehicle purchase and ministry funds.

Interested parties should also write to ministryopps@cmalliance.org to request a copy of our International Ministries Handbook (IMH). The personnel section of the IMH should be read carefully by anyone with serious interest in serving with us.

(CAC) Creative Access Country. Specific location information related to this ministry description will only be released in later stages of application process.

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