Asia/Pacific: Engage Youth in English and Leadership Development

The successful applicant(s) will create an after-school supplementary English instruction program for 60 underprivileged high school students between 16–18 years old. The program will include six hours of English instruction, field trips, special events, and thematic activities. This would ideally become part of a U.S. Embassy-sponsored program.

This program will provide a natural context to form friendships with youth that offers opportunities to share a spiritual perspective.

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
• Prepare students who have a minimal knowledge of English with effective communication and critical thinking skills through meaningful interaction, cooperative learning strategies, and real-life contexts
• Teach English for six hours per week
• Plan field trips, special events, and thematic activities
• Assist in grant writing to secure an access program grant

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 certification with Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in TESOL

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 limited access to Christian witness. Most people are Buddhist and/or animist. There are government-sanctioned churches in the capital as well as informal fellowships. While workers should use caution when openly discussing their faith, private opportunities in relationship are frequent. The successful applicant(s) will join a team in the capital city and make occasional trips into rural areas. The city is rapidly modernizing but strong traditional roots permeate this urban culture. A range of housing options is available. There is electricity, running water, and a great variety of local and foreign restaurants. Public transportation is not widely available, so applicants must be prepared to drive, motorbike, or cycle. The people are friendly and have a welcoming posture toward foreigners and children. The weather is hot and humid year-round with temperatures consistently over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in April and May and a monsoon season from May to September.

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend a language study program. Tutoring will be made 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:

Health care is limited in the capital city. Two foreign-operated clinics can care for basic health concerns, but serious health problems are typically handled in Bangkok, Thailand.

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:

There are a growing number of accredited and non-accredited elementary schools in the capital that can adequately prepare children for a continuing Western education. Education for higher grades can be a combination of homeschooling and one week per month as part of a modular study group in the city. Boarding schools in Thailand or Malaysia are also an option for high school students.

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.