posted on January 1, 2023
Envision: Site Associate in the Middle East
The successful applicant(s) will join the new Envision team working with a variety of partners, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), an established international church, and multiple local congregations. The individual or couple will work with majority populations, as well as various immigrant populations, making a strong contribution to the local Alliance ministries through personal participation and hosting teams and interns to connect them in local ministries. They will invest heavily in the growth and development of all short-term volunteers (teams, interns, and residents).
Position Type
- International worker (IW)–Envision–Vocational Track
- Community center, community development (urban), discipleship, evangelism, leadership development
- Creative-access country (CAC)
- Subscribing support
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Partner with local ministries (Alliance churches, other Alliance international workers, and other key ministries)
- Develop and implement a discipleship and development program for all short-term volunteers
- Build and maintain partnerships with U.S. churches desiring to be involved in overseas missions
- Host teams and interns, taking care of logistics for trips and ministry experiences
- Develop a personal ministry in the community/church using personal gifts and experience
Required Qualifications:
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- Completion of the World Perspectives Mission Course (minimum of certificate level) or equivalent
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 80
- Demonstrated proficiency in a vocation
Preferred Qualifications:
- Leadership skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a gift of hospitality
- Experience in group and event planning
- Experience in mentoring or coaching
- High level of interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
Biblical Characteristics Desired:
- Kingdom-minded
- Biblically grounded
- Spirit-dependent
- Competently skilled
- Self-aware
- Self-disciplined
Timeline for Deployment:
Summer/fall of 2024. Following appointment, and once fundraising goals and other qualifications are met, the appointee is required to attend a cross-cultural and language-acquisition program, and pre-field orientation prior to deploying.
General Information:
People in this country are eager to learn English from native speakers, and the culture is generally hospitable toward Westerners. Electricity and water services are unreliable. There are a growing number of Western-style brands, retail chains, and restaurants. Most families on the team live in houses or apartments in the community they are seeking to impact.
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. Envision staff receive one year of intensive language and cultural study. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.
Health Considerations:
Good health is necessary to thrive in this environment. There is a local, foreign-staffed private hospital and a few accomplished specialists, but public health care is, in general, sub-standard. Pharmacies carry most medicines, and any routine procedures can be done locally. Major non-emergency surgeries should be done abroad.
Expectations for Spouse:
Spousal roles vary based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities as well as the needs of the team. It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc.
Children’s Educational Plan and Options:
Good schooling options are quite limited. There are several English international schools, but some lack upper grades or only offer a minimal curriculum. Some IWs choose to home school or utilize online classes.
Compensation Package
The successful applicant(s) will receive a full compensation package with the expectation that, once appointed, efforts will be made to raise a portion of support costs through the applicant’s network of friends, family, local church, or other resources. Information on support costs will be made available upon application. Training and/or coaching in fundraising is available.
Whole-Life Health
CAMA Services is the relief and development specialized structure of Alliance Missions. As part of an evangelical denomination, we are committed to biblical holism, which is modeled and reflected through our work. Due to this commitment, part of the required qualifications includes optimal emotional, spiritual, and physical health. These will be assessed during the application process.
Important Clarification
Applicant(s) should be aware that serving in the international world often requires a higher degree of grace and flexibility. 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, which may take place before, during, or after the application/interview process has begun or is completed.
Questions?
Please email Lisa Ramsey at [email protected].