posted on January 1, 2025

aXcess: Coach Local Pastors Who Are Growing a Young Church Network in Mongolia

We are looking for a couple with ministry experience to coach and shepherd a network of national churches in church planting, outreach, and administration.

Position Type

  • International worker (IW)–aXcess–Clergy Track 
  • Church planting, leadership development, establishing networks of churches  
  • Partially funded 
  • Single or couple 

Responsibilities: 

Required Qualifications: 

Clergy Track 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Biblical Characteristics Desired: 

Timeline for Deployment: 

Summer/fall 2027. All appointees are required to attend a cross-cultural and language acquisition program and pre-field course/experience prior to deploying. 

Must deploy during the summer, not winter. They will freeze before they get out of the airport.

General Information: 

The population of Mongolia is a bit over three million in an area twice the size of Alaska, making it one of the lowest population densities in the world. The country has a climate of extremes. The high Steppes experience bitterly cold winter temperatures and hot summer temperatures. It’s windy and extremely dry in most seasons, with frequent dust storms and icy winter conditions. The population is largely concentrated in cities, although about half the population lives a nomadic lifestyle. Only Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, is a large city. Mongolia’s second and third largest cities each have around 100,000 people. 

This MOD is looking for someone willing to consider living in Darhan, the second largest city in Mongolia, located north of UB. Homes for IWs are typically apartments in more urban areas. Mongolia has changed significantly in the past 10 years, although some comforts of life abroad are not available consistently. You can get your groceries at large open markets, small neighborhood shops, and a few larger chain stores. Food offerings vary with the season and import availability. Individuals interested should demonstrate the ability to function in difficult or remote situations, doing many daily tasks on their own. 

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 is done in a small classroom setting (two to three people and one teacher), with five four-hour lessons per week for a minimum of two years. Mongolian also requires a lot of speaking and listening practice outside the classroom. During language study, IWs are expected to use public transportation rather than having a personal vehicle. It’s also normal to walk more than drive for daily activities. This creates opportunities to interact more with local people and to use growing language skills. 

Health Considerations: 

Health-care access in Mongolia can be a challenge, and many Western medicines are not available. Healthcare in Ulaanbaatar has been increasing but is not easily accessible if living outside the city. Applicants should be familiar with first aid and comfortable treating basic illnesses. There are limited emergency medical services. Chronic conditions or dietary restrictions are more difficult to deal with here, thus requiring consultation with someone who understands the situation. The country can be a very physical place for moving around and living. Road conditions are currently very bad, though improving slowly. Many apartments do not have elevators. 

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. 

Roles for ministry will be established through the team and team leaders. Spouses are expected to take part in full-time language study.  

Children’s Educational Plan and Options: 

Home schooling or online schooling would be the primary means for children’s education if located outside of Ulaanbaatar. Darhan has a well-stocked children’s library with home-school curriculum. In UB, there is an option for an international school as well. High schoolers are recommended to pursue studies outside of Mongolia, if desired, most likely at Black Forest Academy. Education is a decision of the parents and families. We would work with the family to develop an educational plan that would work best for them.

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.

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].

Apply Now