posted on September 1, 2021
CAMA: Serve at an Immigrant/Refugee Ministry Center in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Work alongside Alliance Missions aXcess workers serving immigrants and refugees in the cosmopolitan city of Sarajevo. Some areas of expertise preferred for this position are English as a Second Language (ESL), mental health counseling, and small business management/development services.
Position Type
- CAMA worker
- Partially funded
- Couple
Responsibilities:
- Learn the local language and adjust to the local culture
- Work alongside aXcess colleagues, helping with ESL training, small business training, or mental health counseling—dependent upon the applicants’ expertise/experience
- Develop and implement new programs based on the community’s needs
Required Qualifications:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Completion of World Perspectives Mission Course or another comparable mission course
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 45 or higher
Preferred Qualifications:
- TEFL/TESOL certification or recognized degree
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in mental health counseling
- Experience working with immigrants/refugees
- Experience teaching ESL to children and adults
- Experience training small business owners
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 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:
Sarajevo is a cultural blend of the East and West. About 25 percent of Bosnia’s population lives within a half-hour of Sarajevo. Bosnia is similar to most European countries but has a strong Eastern influence and a bureaucratic system left over from the Socialist era.
World Factbook—Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Joshua Project—Bosnia-Herzegovina
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. For those who do not know the language, two years of intensive Bosnian language study is required. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the local majority language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.
Health Considerations:
Hospitals, pharmacies, and public and private clinics are available for most health-care needs. However, those with ongoing health conditions may need to consider medical services outside of the country.
Expectations for Spouse:
Spousal roles vary based on the spouse’s giftings, 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’s needs, etc.
Children’s Educational Plan and Options:
Sarajevo has local, international, and English-speaking schools. Bosnian law does not permit homeschooling. Black Forest Academy in Germany is a great educational option for high school-age 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].