posted on June 14, 2023
aXcess: Making Disciples Among Diaspora People Groups in Spain
This opportunity is in a large city with more than 250,000 residents and at least 23,000 migrants from a neighboring country. We navigate every day between Spanish culture and diaspora cultures. There are many arts programs, music events, and festivals throughout the year. There are mild temperatures and 300 annual days of sunshine. While migrants are welcome into this country, many students are behind in school, and a lot of them come to our community center to receive tutoring in the afternoons. Also, the team is praying and planning a church plant with the diaspora groups living here. This ministry is highly relational and requires flexibility.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)–aXcess–Clergy Track or Vocational Track
- Church planting, community center, discipleship
- Couple
Responsibilities:
- Build relationships with diaspora groups
- Disciple new believers
- Participate in creative ministries (ESL, after-school programs, etc.)
- Model Christ in word and deed
- Connect with the local Spanish church by building community and sharing passion and involvement with the migrant population
Required Qualifications:
Clergy
- 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 35
- Study of or personal experience with displaced peoples and cultures in the region
- Evangelism and discipleship experience
Vocational
- 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 35
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to speak Spanish and willingness to learn other local and diaspora languages
- Passion for reaching people groups who practice the majority religion of the diaspora peoples
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:
The ministry focus will be a people group where less than 1 percent follow Jesus. The most prominent people group served in this city comprises 30 percent of the entire migrant population. The city’s total population is about 250,000. The successful applicant(s) will live in an urban setting with high refugee and immigrant density. It is close to other major metropolitan areas. The region of this country is highly post-modern, and local believers are also under 1 percent of the population.
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.
Health Considerations:
There are excellent health facilities available in the area.
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.
Family ministry is important in this context as the people being reached highly value family.
Children’s Educational Plan and Options:
Local schools are available and there are some bilingual and international schooling options.
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.