posted on January 1, 2024
aXcess: Church Planting in the Least-Reached Region of Thailand
Join a newly formed team to reach the least-reached region in Thailand by targeting one of the fastest growing areas in Thailand, Udon Thani Province. Come and work in partnership with other Alliance workers, the Thailand C&MA, and local Thai believers to develop creative outreaches, plant churches, and use proven methods of discipleship and leadership development.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)–aXcess–Clergy Track
- Church planting, discipleship, evangelism, leadership development
- Partially funded
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Develop relationships with local people that allow ministry to flow as an expression of faith and genuine concern for local people
- Be intentional to share the gospel in the Thai context
- Disciple new believers
- Develop strong relationships with Thai believers, national church pastors, and leaders
- Help raise up Thai leaders in the church
Required Qualifications:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
- Spouse must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree and have completed at least 18 hours of Bible/theology, 12 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of 6 hours in cross-cultural or missions studies)
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration
- Minimum of two years successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 60
Biblical Characteristics Desired:
- Kingdom-minded
- Biblically grounded
- Spirit-dependent
- Competently skilled
- Self-aware
- Self-disciplined
Timeline for Deployment:
Summer/fall 2025. All appointees are required to attend a cross-cultural and language acquisition program and pre-field course/experience prior to deploying.
General Information:
Udon Thani is a growing city of half a million people with shopping malls, grocery stores, cafes, Western restaurants, and gyms. Internet and cellular data are inexpensive with good service throughout Thailand. Western products are readily available. There is a small international airport in the city. Not too long after leaving the city, one finds oneself very quickly in the midst of rural living where you will see rice fields and water buffalo. There are several parks in the city and outdoor activities. The Thai people are friendly and gracious, but spiritually, the people are in bondage as they don’t know freedom in Christ. Living arrangements will be in a local community.
World Factbook – Thailand
Joshua Project – Thailand
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend a language study program. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.
The successful applicant(s) will receive one year of intense language classes followed by ongoing language and cultural acquisition. The second year will emphasize opportunities to use the language in different settings and grow in proficiency. The mastery of the Thai language is a lifelong learning process.
Health Considerations:
Modern and inexpensive medical care is available throughout Thailand. Udon Thani has several great hospitals including one that is accredited by the U.S. Joint Commission International. Medications can be easily and inexpensively obtained.
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:
The current team members in Udon Thani have chosen to send their children to the International Community School Udon Thani. This Christian school provides a high-quality, American-curriculum education. Homeschooling is an option for those who desire to do so.
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
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.
Importance 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 the IPO office at [email protected].