posted on January 1, 2023
aXcess: Church Planting through Ministry to Addiction Sufferers in Mexico
Are you committed to developing Christ-like communities of faith? Are you passionate about missional, multiplying churches among those with the least access to the gospel? Are you ready to live your faith with passion and pour out your life to form whole, integral followers of Jesus? Use your experience as well as counseling skills as training in working with those who struggle with various addictions as evangelistic and discipleship tools. You can be part of a multi-site church-planting team that is serving in Guadalajara, Mexico, and help grow reproducing communities of faith in the multiple campus sites that are being established in the six-state area known as the Circle of Silence. The need today is in the area of least access in the Western Hemisphere: central Mexico.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)–aXcess–Vocational Track
- Church planting, community development (urban), discipleship, evangelism, counseling, recovery from addictions
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Serve on a team of multiplying church sites in the Guadalajara area
- Minister to addiction sufferers in a holistic manner leading to recovery
- Evangelize and disciple addiction sufferers
- Build bridges into the community through the development of recovery program ministry
- Provide support and ministry to families that are affected by addiction sufferers
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 20
- A clear call to cross-cultural, innovative evangelistic outreach ministry
- Willingness to live in a challenging culture that is resistant to evangelical Christianity
- Training or demonstrated effectiveness in the use of one or more of the following: evangelizing and discipling those who suffer from addictions, understanding of the effects of addictions on the family unit and community well-being, the gift of compassion, the ability to mentor, counsel, and deal with the underlying issues of addiction
- Training in one or more of the recovery models with a focus on a holistic approach of healing the entire person
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with and compassion for those with addictions
- Knowledge and experience in the underlying issues and family dynamics that enable addiction sufferers to continue down unhealthy and destructive paths
- The ability to initiate new relationships and build trust in the community with the goal to be able to cooperate and partner with the community
- Experience and perseverance with the long-term nature of this challenging ministry
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:
Joshua Project – Mexico
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.
Language learning for Mexico involves attending a full-time, one-year language study program at an approved school in Costa Rica or in Mexico. A second year of language is generally required in Mexico and completed in-country.
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.
It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives, serving in the local church, team, and community.
Children’s Educational Plan and Options:
Children’s education options are available in Guadalajara. A variety of educational options exist in the city. In conjunction with our regional educational consultant and conversations with current workers in the city, a recommended plan for families with school-age children will be developed.
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.
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 the IPO office at [email protected]
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.