Responsibilities:

• Learn the local language and culture
• Work and serve on a team
• Engage in hospitality with locals, both believers and non-believers
• Engage as a team member to shape and implement the expanding church-planting strategy of the team

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• A self-starter able to launch a new team and ministry
• Training or experience working with those in the majority religion
• Experience leading people to Christ
• Established track record of discipleship
• TESOL/ESL training and experience
• Training or experience in community development

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:

This ancient city lies at the core of the Silk Road. According to natural and geographical conditions, it is one of the most favorable in the Central Asia region and is known for its combination of plains and mountain terrain. Despite being located in what is often considered a dangerous part of the world, it is ranked by the U.S. State Department as one of the safest countries to travel to. IWs would have access to most items to make living very similar to life in the U.S. Homes are usually apartments and are comfortable with air conditioning and heat. Grocery stores are well-stocked and have a lot of variety. Foreigners, especially Americans, are a bit rare in this country but are welcomed and treated kindly and positively.

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.

There are two possible languages to learn depending on where you will be living and working. Finding excellent quality-directed study programs is difficult, so it is very helpful if language learners are self-starters and good at self-directed study. There are tutors available and some nascent programs that are decent.

Health Considerations:

There is an international clinic connected with the American Embassy that offers an excellent first line of contact in English and is staffed with very good doctors and a few specialists. 

For major medical needs, most IWs leave the country to be assured of quality care. The international clinic is excellent at recommending what should or should not be done here.

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:

English schooling options are extremely limited. Although, in recent months, new schools have opened that give a quality education in English. Many IW families are home schooling, and some have their kids in a local school but do need to supplement at home.