This is a great opportunity for the highly motivated, hard-working, flexible, visionary couple who have a strong calling to work among people of the majority religion in the Middle East and to plant churches in close partnership with national believers. Applicants will possess a willingness to minister in a challenging region and serve cross-culturally in church planting, partnering with local and international team members. They will have experience and gifting in church planting, teaching, mentoring/discipleship, leadership development, and relational evangelism, as well as good organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Learn the local language to a high level of proficiency
• Make a healthy and positive adjustment to local culture
• Make new contacts and develop relationships
• Mentor and coach national believers
• Work closely with national church leaders to develop and implement a church-planting strategy

Required Qualifications

• A recognized bachelor’s degree
• Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
  • Note: The spouse must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree, have strong ministry experience, and have completed the C&MA Polity course and at least 18 hours of Bible/theology and 15 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of six hours in cross-cultural or missions studies).
• Minimum of two years of successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
• Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration (one partner per couple)
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 80

Preferred Qualifications

• Training and experience in organizational development
• Experience in mentoring and coaching
• Experience in church planting

Biblical Characteristics Desired

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

Timeline for Deployment

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

General Information

The successful applicant(s) will live in one of the larger cities in this area, depending on ministry assignments and work in cities and villages nearby. Living conditions in cities offer a host of amenities and are rich with history, culture, and recreational resources. Villages tend to be developing and are less modern. The people, in general, are warm, friendly, and hospitable. The vast majority of the population follows the region’s majority religion, but large cities are home to small, but influential, Christian minorities. Women in this society enjoy greater freedom than many of their counterparts in other Middle Eastern nations. Foreign women are never compelled to conform to the regional standards of dress, but a high standard of modesty should be adhered to. Because of the political situation, Israel is more militarized than most societies, but there is relative peace and security.

Language Expectations

Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend language study. IWs in this context receive two years of intensive full-time language study and cultural orientation, followed by an additional two years of part-time study. 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

Healthcare inside of Israel is considered very good; doctors are generally well trained.  Emergency services are readily available. However, healthcare in the area of service is considered generally poor. Emergency services are available, but it is highly advisable to be treated in Israel—if at all possible. Little provision is made for people with disabilities, especially in the Arab sector. Most medications are readily available.

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’s needs, etc. This society is frequently divided along gender lines. Female team members will have the opportunity for significant ministry and unique pastoral roles among women, both within the church and in the broader society.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options

There are a number of good educational options covering preschool years through high school in both English and Arabic, with several bilingual schools available. Many of the best schools are private Christian institutions. Black Forest Academy in Germany is another option, which has been used by some staff as an alternative to local high school education.