Responsibilities:

• Learn the national language (French) and the language of the target people
• Build relationships with non-believers, share the gospel with them, and be prepared to disciple those who respond positively
• Help organize new believers into fellowships and equip leaders for those groups
• Teach individuals and small groups of local believers church planting methodology and walk with them through implementation
• Develop church planting vision and strategies in collaboration with the team and local leaders

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).
• Minimum of two years of successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
• Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration (all singles or one member per couple)
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 70
• Some understanding of and a desire to work among people of the majority religion
• Willing to work collaboratively on a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with current church planting strategies such as T4T, Discovery Bible Studies, or oral Bible storying
• Experience in discipling believers in spiritual growth and ministry
• Willingness to travel by car in remote areas and appreciate rural hospitality
• Specific training or experience in working with those of the majority religion

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 capital is a major urban area that often defies expectations of life in Africa. The weather is cooler much of the year, beaches abound, modern supermarkets and goods are available, and there are lots of options for eating out. On the flip side, many find it harder to build relationships, and battling traffic is always an issue. Dress is more conservative, especially for women. The team will support the process of cultural learning and facilitate new relationships and ministry encounters. The ministry location is rural and traditional, about four hours from the capital. The village is an important commercial center in the traditional West African nomadic cattle trade.

CIA World Factbook – Senegal 
Joshua Project – Senegal

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.

The worker will spend a school year in French language study in France in a formal language school. Upon arrival in the country, the worker will study the language and culture of the target people group for a year before taking on full team member responsibilities. The team will guide and help new workers develop a participant-driven local language program with local language partners.

Health Considerations:

The ministry location has high temperatures (80-115ºF) and occasional dust storms. The capital city has a milder climate than interior regions, though it does experience high temperatures and humidity from August through October. There are high levels of air pollution at times, which can affect those with respiratory issues. There are very few ex-pats/IWs in the village. High-quality health-care institutions are present in the capital.

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 village ministry is a Christian medical facility that provides several opportunities (medical and non-medical) for the spouse’s involvement. This ministry is a part of a larger team with other work in urban church planting, reaching urban professionals through business and leadership training, medical ministry, and music and media ministry (production, training, and events). A spouse could also serve in any of these areas.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options:

There are no schooling possibilities at the ministry location. Home schooling or boarding school in the capital city should be considered.

For team members living in the capital, some children attend private, bilingual French schools that use the French system. Most of the children’s classmates are the children of people from around Africa and Europe, as well as local children. Other members’ children attend a Christian international Pre-K–12 school following the American system with all courses in English and taught mostly by Americans, as well as some foreign English speakers. The latter also offers boarding school.