posted on September 1, 2021

aXcess: Opening Doors to Closed People in Mexico

Be part of a church-planting team in the heart of Guadalajara, Mexico, by engaging in relationships with a focus on making disciple-makers. This position involves evangelism and helping form communities of faith among those with the least amount of access to the gospel.

We are looking for people who will courageously live out their faith to form Christ-like servant leaders in a culture of corruption and violence. This role involves planning and implementing evangelistic and church-development strategies to form a strong, multiplying church in the Guadalajara Metro area.

Position Type

  • International worker (IW)—aXcess—Clergy Track
  • Church planter, discipleship
  • Partially funded
  • Single or couple

 Responsibilities:

 Required Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

 Biblical Characteristics Desired:

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:

Guadalajara is in the state of Jalisco, where mariachi music, rodeos, and tequila originate. This city is the home of the “Virgin of Zapopan,” and as many as 3 million people participate in a processional in her honor through the streets on October 12. Typical foods include tacos, pozole, and mole. Guadalajara is at an altitude of 5,000 feet and has a moderate climate with dry, mild winters and warm, wet summers. Although subject to electrical storms and occasional flooding, Guadalajara does not experience earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes.

The Joshua Project—Mexico.
CIA World Factbook—Mexico.

Work and Living Environment:

Guadalajara is a modern city, one of the largest in Mexico, but has a small city feel. It is called the Silicon Valley of Mexico because of its many universities and service industries. The people are friendly and helpful. Although violence is prevalent, work and life continue normally with alertness and common sense. The worker will live in a rented house or apartment. Most appliances and electronic items are available. High-speed internet and cable TV are helpful for work effectiveness and connectedness.

Status of Christian Witness:

Mexico is approximately 4.5 percent evangelical according to more complete studies. Most Mexicans will say they are Roman Catholic but do not necessarily practice the religion. Though there are evangelical churches in many parts of Guadalajara, the vast majority of the population has not had relevant, personal exposure to the gospel. Those who make decisions for Christ usually receive pressure from their family to renounce their faith because of long-held family beliefs and religious traditions. Discipleship is often challenging for new believers because they struggle against prejudice.

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry. International workers will receive one year of intensive Spanish language study in Costa Rica, followed by on-the-field language and cultural acquisition studies. It is expected that while in Costa Rica, several hours per day will be dedicated to language acquisition. The goal of mastering the Spanish language is a life-long process, greatly enhancing ministry and the ability to reach people in Guadalajara for Christ.

Health Considerations:

Guadalajara has excellent health and dental care. International workers can often receive care from physicians who have studied in the United States and speak English.

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. The team expects the spouse to be able to teach at the Bible institute and engage in leadership development.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options:

Lincoln School, which blends English and Spanish teaching, is not far from targeted areas for church planting. The school offers grades K–12 and has an excellent student-teacher ratio. Other neighborhood pre-schools are also an option.

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].

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