Missionary Associate

Missionary Associate is the Alliance designation for those with a passion to serve in critical roles supportive of overseas church development efforts (teachers, administrators, bookkeepers, dorm parents, etc.). Alliance church planting efforts around the world require a large group of people who are prepared to serve sacrificially in roles that care for the behind-the-scenes needs of that front-line work.

Qualifications

Must meet the same spiritual standards of testimony and conduct as career missionaries as well as the general qualifications outlined for all missionary personnel.
Must be at least 24 years of age.
Although not required to have formal theological training in a C&MA college or seminary, must have a solid working knowledge of the Bible and how it applies to life and ministry.
Must give ample evidence of proficiency in their particular vocation. MK school teachers should have a minimum of a master's degree and state certification with at least two years of teaching experience.
Must obtain medical clearance from IM's medical advisor and complete a series of psychological evaluations.

In the case of married couples, both individuals need to satisfactorily meet these qualifications. Married couples who have more than two dependent children generally are not considered for appointment.

Opportunities

School Teacher

Applicants seeking to serve as teachers must be professionally certified, have at least two years of acceptable full-time teaching experience, hold a master’s degree, and be actively involved in a local Alliance church. Teaching personnel are usually appointed for a four-year term with a two-month mid-term home assignment. Limited opportunities exist in the following settings:

MK Schools

C&MA staff currently serve in MK schools in Ecuador, Malaysia, Gabon, Philippines, Germany, Taiwan, and Africa. These settings offer education in a traditional classroom setting.
International Schools

In cities around the world where Alliance missionaries serve, MKs attend local international schools. The C&MA occasionally staffs these schools. Openings vary and require the approval of the school and the C&MA.
Schooling Cooperatives

In some settings, the C&MA has established schooling cooperatives where elementary-aged children can remain at home with their parents and be educated in a cooperative using home schooling materials with the assistance of a coordinator who has educational training and experience. The cooperatives generally are related to an MK school to provide for assessment and resourcing. Schooling cooperatives presently operate in Guinea, Russia, and Mongolia.

Dorm Parents

A dorm assistant is usually a single person who works with a dorm parent couple to assist in the care of MKs in a dorm. Dorm assistants must meet the same criteria as dorm parents. A minimum two-year term is preferred. Currently, dorm assistants serve with the C&MA at the Dakar Academy in Senegal, the Morrison Academy in Taiwan, and Black Forest Academy in Germany. Read the supplemental sheet on dorm parenting.

Business Manager

This position requires experience in business and entails helping missionaries with the red tape that is encountered in an overseas setting. It may include serving as a purchasing agent for missionaries, dealing with visas and customs, procuring government documents and more. The work varies depending on the needs of the mission field. A minimum four-year term is preferred.

Guest House Manager

The Alliance operates guest homes in major cities that operate as a multipurpose stopover for missionaries and other travelers to various fields. The guest home manager serves as hostess, sometimes providing meals and cares for the upkeep of the guest house rooms. In some cases, the host and hostess serve as tour guides for North American guests. It may also mean facilitating airport travel.

The guest home serves as a place where soul and body can be refreshed. Seminars, prayer conferences, or retreats may also be held there. Personnel in this type of ministry must be gifted in providing hospitality, enjoy entertaining, and be capable of handling the guest home finances. Most of these roles are ideally filled by self-supporting, semi-retired individuals. A minimum two-year term is preferred

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

English as a Second Language teachers are missionary associates. They must have training and experience as well as certification in ESL. A two-year commitment is required.

Secretary/Bookkeeper

Many mission offices need secretaries, bookkeepers, or people to fill both of these roles. Office personnel must be skilled in computers and other office equipment and possess bookkeeping/accounting experience. Ideally, people serving in these roles will be involved in church ministry as well as office duties. A minimum four-year term is preferred.

CAMA Worker

Personnel must have a clear conversion and call to ministry and demonstate spiritual maturity and service. Workers must have a A.B.A. degree (minimum) and two years of professional, cross-cultural training and/or experience. Typically, a two-year contract (minimum); four-year contract is preferred.

Medical Ministries

Though The Christian and Missionary Alliance is primarily a church-planting mission, there are significant ministries that occur in the medical field. View a listing of ministry opportunities in this field.

The Process

Make initial contact with the Candidate Development Office (CDO), preferably early in your undergrad years, and request consideration for missionary service. (called@cmalliance.org, 719–599–5999, 877–284–3262)
Complete the application process. Working with your CDO regional representative, complete the application using Web resources found on this Web site.
Complete any additional requirements. The CDO regional representative also will assist you in completing requirements based upon which category of missionary associate service you are seeking.
Prayerfully await placement. Upon completion of the application process, you will begin to work with the Missionary Candidate Office (MCO). The MCO will oversee the process of seeking an opening for service for you. There is no way to predict how long this will take because The Alliance only assigns MA people to address requested personnel needs overseas. Once an appropriate opening for service has been identified, the MCO will arrange for your pre-appointment interview and walk you through the final steps of the appointment process.