posted on January 19, 2022
aXcess: Ministry to Overseas Cantonese in Taiwan
From 2019 to March 2021, more than 19,000 people from Hong Kong have moved to Taiwan and acquired resident permits. Having similarities in culture and language, these individuals are seeking a fresh start, and Taiwan is their preferred destination. People in transition, especially those who are lonely and grieving what has been left behind, are often the ones who are most responsive to the gospel message. Our team in Taiwan has taken hold of this window of opportunity to launch an outreach focused on new Hong Kong immigrants in Taiwan. Through networking, we are building fellowships and partnering with local C&MA churches to help these new residents find comfort and hope in Jesus as well as a new “family” in their new home.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)—aXcess—Clergy Track
- Discipleship, evangelism, leadership development
- Partially funded
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Learn the local language of Mandarin Chinese
- Be proactive in making new contacts and developing relationships, seeking opportunities to share Christ through friendship evangelism
- Coordinate events and activities to bring new Hong Kong immigrants together and connect them with other local believers
- Develop relationships within the Taiwan C&MA national church which are aimed at partnering together in ministry initiatives
- Engage in support ministries within local C&MA churches or church plants to help strengthen them
Required Qualifications:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
- Note: If a couple, one spouse must meet this requirement. It’s preferable that the other spouse holds a recognized bachelor’s degree, has strong ministry experience, and has completed the C&MA Polity course and at least 18 hours of Bible/theology and 12 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of 6 hours in cross-cultural or missions studies).
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 60
- Completion of Alliance ordination or consecration (all singles or one member per couple)
- Minimum of two years of successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
- At least two years of full-time ministry experience within the US as a licensed worker with the C&MA
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fluency in Cantonese, preferably with a Hong Kong background
- Ability to work within a multicultural team structure
- Ability to lead in the initiation of new ministries and/or grow established ministries to new levels
- Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changes
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:
Taiwan is a modern and convenient country in which to live and work. Excellent food, shopping, medical facilities, and public transportation options are readily available. Taiwan’s people are friendly and helpful, and most new arrivals to Taiwan find life enjoyable and comfortable in an atmosphere, which makes it easy to establish new friendships.
CIA World Factbook—Taiwan
Joshua Project—Taiwan
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. The successful applicant(s) will receive one year of intense language study followed by ongoing language and cultural acquisition. 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:
Taiwan has good health-care facilities and well-trained physicians, and most medications are readily available. IWs will be covered under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance, which provides inexpensive and accessible health care.
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:
IW children attend school at one of four Morrison Christian Academy’s campuses. If a move to a ministry located further from a Morrison campus is required after language study, there may be a need for homeschooling or even attending a local public school during early elementary years. Boarding facilities are available at the Taichung Morrison campus for junior and senior high students whose homes are too great a distance from campus to commute.
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].