posted on January 1, 2024
CAMA: Holistic Agropastoral Development and Discipleship in Guinea
Come and join a new work that is seeking to bring lost people out from under the yoke of physical and spiritual poverty. The successful applicant(s) will be part of a team living in the Savanah region of Guinea with a goal of restoring local people to a right relationship with God and His creation using agriculture. They will share the message of hope by working in local villages through developing an experimental farm. They will also help to find adaptable solutions to problems that local farmers face.
Position Type
- CAMA worker
- Agriculture/food security
- Partially funded
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Works alongside a farm project and their team in teaching and discipling people
- Assist with agricultural trainings, research, and implement new programs based on need
- Work with local leaders to develop programs that focus on community concerns
- Communicate regularly with supporters
Required Qualifications:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- 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:
- Experience in farming/livestock
Biblical Characteristics:
- Ability to articulate personal conversion and call to gospel ministry
- Demonstrated heart for the poor and marginalized (Micah 6:8)
- Theological Alignment with The Alliance
- Demonstrated flexibility and grace in all aspects of life
- Vibrant spiritual life with consistent practice of spiritual disciplines
- Ability to learn and recover from failure
Timeline for Deployment:
Summer/fall of 2025. Once appointed and fundraising 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 Upper Guinea region lies in the northeastern part of Guinea, providing a warm dry season (March–May) with temperatures reaching 100°F while cooling off at night, a rainy season (June–October), and a cool, windy period early in the year. Towns in the Upper Guinea region are mildly developed with part-time electricity and cell phone coverage. Dirt roads can be quite rutted and secondary routes are difficult to traverse.
World Factbook – Guinea
Joshua Project – Guinea
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.
CAMA workers will have one year of French language study followed by local language and culture acquisition.
Health Considerations:
Basic health services and medications are available, but Guinea lacks quality, comprehensive health care. Advanced diagnosis and treatment need to be obtained outside the country. Medical conditions requiring constant monitoring and control are difficult to maintain here. Use of malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
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:
Children’s formal educational opportunities are limited. There are no local French or English language schools that provide an acceptable level of education for workers’ children. A boarding option is available in a neighboring country for older children. Homeschooling is recommended for younger children.
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
CAMA Services is the relief and development specialized structure of Alliance Missions. 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.
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 Lisa Ramsey at [email protected].