posted on January 1, 2024
aXcess: Refugee Outreach and Preparation for Launching into a War-Torn Country in Central Asia
Despite their extreme suffering while fleeing from their war-torn country, the warm openness of the people will allow for opportunities to build relationships and share truth with those you encounter through a variety of opportunities such as teaching English, community health education, and business development. While these types of opportunities will provide legitimacy within the community, relationship building will also happen around tables in homes drinking tea and sharing life. This transient population offers an opportunity to learn language, culture, and have overseas experience before possibly launching into a closed country in the future.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)–aXcess–Vocational Track or Clergy Track
- Business development, church planting, community development (rural), ESL/TESOL, evangelism, leadership development, medical, NGO, refugee or immigrant
- Partially funded
- Creative-access country (CAC)
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Learn the local culture and the majority language of the country and then learn the primary language of the people group you are working with
- Make contacts and develop relationships that create opportunities to share your faith
- Use your skills to find legitimate ways to have presence in this refugee community
- Communicate consistently with other workers in this refugee community to create clarity and consistency of work and presence
- Lead/participate in discipleship, Bible studies, and other outreach events within the community
Required Qualifications:
Clergy Track
- 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 40
Vocational Track
- 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 40
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certification or degree in one or more of the following areas: medical/dental, engineering, business, or leadership development
- Experience in community development preferred
- Certification or experience in TESOL is preferred
- Training in majority religion ministry
Biblical Characteristics Desired:
- Kingdom-minded
- Biblically grounded
- Spirit-dependent
- Competently skilled
- Self-aware
- Self-disciplined
Timeline for Deployment:
Summer/fall 2025. All appointees must attend a cross-cultural and language acquisition program and pre-field course/experience before deploying.
General Information:
This is a beautiful, mountainous country with moderate four-season weather. There are many opportunities for scenic walks, hiking, and camping. The majority religion of Central Asia has taken over this country, keeping most people bound in fear and darkness. There is a small body of believers, making up 0.02 percent of the total population. Within the refugee population, this is even lower. We desire to see the Kingdom spread among people in their heart language. Because of deep-seated discrimination, it is tough for the refugee population to find work or adequate education. While people may have few resources, they are quick to invite you into their homes, creating opportunities to build relationships and share the good news.
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 to mentor, teach, and train others.
Language study for this location is a self-driven, curriculum-based program carried out with the help of local language helpers. For a minimum of one year, you will study the primary language of the country. After, you will transition to studying the primary language of the refugee population. Throughout your three-year language study, you will use self-study, class time, and intentional immersion to learn. With your language coach, you will set goals and receive support.
Health Considerations:
The health-care system is available for mild injuries and illnesses. Serious medical conditions are difficult to address in-country.
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:
Within our city, there are several options for local and international schools in English for children pre-K through 12th grade.
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].