Asia/Pacific: Create Income-Generating Farming Opportunities

The successful applicant(s) will use their agricultural experience to establish a farm business—with an orchard, goat farm, and possible fish farm—where pastors and church members can work part-time to earn a steady income. This vision began with a local partner who desires to see new house churches have a sustainable means of supporting bi-vocational ministry. The successful applicant(s) will train locals in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fish farming. This position will also create food security for a populous nation facing increased natural disasters.

Position Type:

• CAMA worker
• Creative-access country (CAC)
• Partially funded (requested to raise partial support)
• Single or couple

Responsibilities:

• Live among local people to learn the language and culture while building meaningful and purposeful relationships
• Establish a working farm from scratch in a developing country
• Train local producers in best practices for agriculture, animal husbandry, and fish farming
• Act as a consultant to already established fish farms around the country
• Seek out opportunities for training and events to further holistic development goals

Required Qualifications:

• A recognized bachelor’s degree
• Completion of the World Perspectives Mission Course (minimum of certificate level) or equivalent
• Completion of Alliance Polity course
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 60
• A background in agriculture, whether by academic qualification or practical experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Willingness to attend a three-month south Asian cultural immersion experience in Atlanta, Georgia, prior to deployment
• Willingness to spend one to three months in training at ECHO Asia in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Biblical Characteristics Desired:

• 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:

This is a developing country with a high population density, which is prone to cyclones and flooding. About 90 percent of the population follows the majority religion with an extremely small Christian minority (0.3 percent). Many unreached and unengaged people groups are found within this country. The successful applicant(s) would be able to have fellowship with a CAMA couple in another area within an hour’s drive. They will also work directly with a Bangladeshi couple who have started a church and a vocational school. Infrastructure in this country is lacking with inconsistent electrical supply and an overloaded transportation system. There are few Western comforts.

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend a language study program. There are no language schools for expatriates, but tutors are available. 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:

The country’s medical system is not up to international standards. Medicines are easily available, but advanced medical procedures should be sought outside the country. There is, however, a mission hospital within a 15-minute drive that has American doctors and a high reputation for medical care, including emergencies.

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:

Homeschooling is the only option for younger children. For high school students, international boarding schools are located in Thailand or Malaysia.

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.

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.

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.