Southeast Asia: Invest in Local Teachers and Students in Vulnerable Communities

CAMA has been in this Southeast Asian country for 23 years. A non-governmental organization (NGO) established by CAMA has built a trusted relationship with the government’s Women’s Union. The NGO provides educational support to preschools and has an orphan or single-parent home-based program that reaches over 200 children.

You will help lead and raise the capacity of existing staff and provide new opportunities for preschool teachers and students of all ages. Through meaningful relationships, you will share the love of Jesus in a variety of ways through word and deed.

Position Type:

• CAMA worker
• CAC
• Partially funded
• Single or couple

Responsibilities:

• Live among local people to learn the language, culture, and current needs of the community while building friendships that lead to regularly demonstrating and proclaiming the gospel
• Learn about existing projects and how the CAMA NGO operates in the local context during 12 months of language study
• After the first year, work closely with existing CAMA NGO staff and teammates while exploring new opportunities for improving or expanding the scope of current projects, such as computer-skills training
• Promote and advocate for healthy lifestyles for youth and families in the community
• Network with international and local NGOs, local churches, and like-minded groups to enhance outreach through cooperation

Required Qualifications:

• A recognized bachelor’s degree
• Two years of community development/NGO experience or social outreach of some kind
• Completion of World Perspectives Mission Course or other comparable mission course
• Completion of Alliance Polity course
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 60 or higher
• Ability to work on a cross-cultural team
• Computer skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching and/or social work background
• Some background in administration and/or education
• Clear understanding of CAMA’s community development values and principles
• Current ministry involvement

Biblical Characteristics:

• Ability to articulate personal conversion and call to 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
• Ability to learn and recover from failure
• Vibrant spiritual life
• Consistent practice of spiritual disciplines

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 bustling country is rich with culture, opportunities, and growth. The city, crowded and polluted like most urban centers in Asia, has grown economically in the past decade. There are malls, shopping centers, modern grocery stores, and local markets. It is a land of vast wealth and extreme poverty that is constantly changing. The weather is usually hot and humid except for the three winter months when it gets cold and damp.

Minority people groups are more open to the gospel than the majority population. Overt proclamation of the good news is permitted only in registered churches. Caution and a discerning spirit are needed when engaging in such activities elsewhere.

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry. For those who do not know the language, one year of intensive language study, followed by six months of language and cultural acquisition studies during work with the NGO, is required. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the local language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.

Health Considerations:

Health-care facilities are available for minor issues, and many medications are readily available. 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 team objectives, depending on the nature of family roles, children’s needs, etc.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options:

Several local schools, a few international schools in the city, and homeschooling are viable options. For high school–age children, there are also international boarding schools 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.