This opportunity involves starting a vibrant community of faith among the professional class in or near Montevideo, a highly atheistic and agnostic population that tends to be suspicious of religious institutions and outsiders. Consequently, the work requires being a positive presence in the community by meeting societal needs and building relational bridges as essential foundations for presenting the gospel.

This person/couple will be expected to contribute by meeting the community’s needs and engaging in creative relational outreach, hospitality, discipleship, and Bible studies while working alongside IWs and/or Uruguayan church leaders to establish a vibrant community of faith, contextualized to Uruguayan professionals.

Responsibilities

• Gain advanced proficiency in the Spanish language
• Develop fruitful relationships and meaningful, impactful inroads into Uruguayan society
• Establish, host, and lead small group Bible studies and/or other discipleship and outreach events
• Help lead the church planting effort and related ministries as the church grows
• Be willing to work on a ministry team and/or alongside a national pastor

Required Qualifications

• A recognized bachelor’s degree
• Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
  • Note: If serving as a couple, one spouse must meet this requirement. It is preferable that the other spouse holds a recognized bachelor’s degree, has practical ministry experience, has completed the C&MA Polity course, as well as at least 18 hours of Bible/theology course work and 12 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of 6 hours in cross-cultural or missions studies).
• A minimum of two years of successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
• Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration (all single applicants or one member per couple)
• A clear call to church planting in a post-Christian context
• Experience developing relationships with non-believers, leading people to Christ, and discipling them to spiritual maturity

Preferred Qualifications

• A self-starter
• Training and ministry experience in church planting
• Cross-cultural experience
• Certification, degree, and/or experience in TESOL 

Biblical Characteristics Desired

• Kingdom-minded
• Biblically grounded
• Spirit-dependent
• Competently skilled
• Self-aware
• Self-disciplined

Timeline for Deployment

Summer/Fall 2022. All appointees are required to attend a cross-cultural and language acquisition program and Pre-Field Orientation prior to deploying.

General Information

The work and living environments take place within a modern city of 1.4 million people along the southern Uruguayan coastline, with all the advantages of an urban setting. Education, athletics, and the arts are highly valued. Public transportation is safe and inexpensive. Comfortable housing is readily available. Montevideo and most cities in Uruguay have potable water and a modern sanitation system, as well as essential utilities, cable, and high-speed internet. The possibility exists of this position being located in another least-reached coastal city near Montevideo. While most of the above services would remain equally available, cultural events, educational opportunities, and medical services could be more limited.

CIA World Factbook – Uruguay

Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project – Uruguay

Language Expectations

Language is an essential part of ministry. The successful applicant(s) will receive one year of intense language study followed by ongoing linguistic and cultural acquisition. The expected outcome will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.

Language learning is accomplished by attending a one-year, onsite program at the Spanish Language Institute in San Josè, Costa Rica. Second year language study requirements are fulfilled on the field through formal tutoring, reading requirements, videos, cultural events, and constant interaction with Uruguayans in the city of Montevideo.

Health Considerations

Quality health and dental care are readily available. There are no major health risks. In other coastal cities, the quality of health and dental care may be lower than in the capital city. 

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

Within Montevideo, there are many quality bilingual options readily available for all age groups. In most coastal cities there are good educational options for children grades K-5. Middle and high school options are more limited in other coastal and interior cities.