Missional Partner - Program Details

Program Description:

Initial focus on language acquisition and developing skills in church development specific to region (i.e. house church model), evangelism, church planting, and coaching. Remainder of term will focus on partnering in local church development and regional church multiplication movement efforts. Your purpose will be: to partner with local church in holistic outreach to make disciples of Christ, develop leaders, and churches; to learn from seasoned missionaries and Japanese partners to actively grow and develop during first term of service.

Duties:

Specific to Initial Period of Equipping/Foundation Building

• Completes part-time language study.  Acquires a minimum of level four on the JLPT (Japan Language Proficiency Test) and any other standards set based on outcomes specific to work context.
• Acquires thorough knowledge of history and culture related to region, local setting and partnering church.
• Establishes trust relationship with partnering church leadership and members.
• Exhibits thorough understanding of partnering church vision and personal contribution toward accomplishing that vision.

Focus on Church Development/Church Multiplication Movement

• Participates with Japanese partners in holistic outreach and training resulting in successful outcomes established by team.
• Utilizes personal gifting, talent, skills, experience, etc. to build bridges between community and church for relationship building and outreach.  This could include teaching conversational English, cooking, music, or a host of other possibilities, depending on the individual’s abilities and local needs.
• Contributes to deepening trust relationships with assigned pastor and church.
• Contributes to regional Church Multiplication Network as requested by CMN leader and in collaboration with partnering church.
• Catalyzes innovation for reaching Japan for Christ in partnership with Japanese Christians.
• Demonstrates ongoing commitment and skills toward language acquisition and relating cross-culturally.

Mission related

• Contributes to vibrant community life of area team.
• Participates in Asian Access regional and mission-wide gatherings and regular online updates.
• Participates in a mentoring relationship with assigned seasoned missionary/missionaries.
• Participates in ongoing missionary training program.
• Maintains donor base adequate to supply personal and ministry needs.
• Maintains all documentation necessary for legal presence in Japan using six-month check up form.

Profile of Skills:

As an individual:

• Dynamic love relationship with Christ;
• Passion to reach Japan for Christ;
• Spiritually and personally mature;
• Manifesting humility;
• Commitment to transformation;
• Life-long learner;
• Cross-cultural skills;
• Team player;
• Respect for Japanese culture;
• Manages donor relationships with integrity and faithfulness.

As a couple/family:

• Committed to the needs of their spouse and children;
• Honoring God in family relationships.

Qualifications for Missional Partners

1. Love Jesus Christ & have been a Christian for at least 1 year by time of application.
2. Native or fluent English speaker.
3. At least 21 years old and/or completed B.A./B.S. by departure.
4. Active member of a local church.
5. Your local church must endorse your participation and agree with our statement of faith.
6. Self-starter, flexible, with previous ministry and cross-cultural experience.
7. Actively shares faith.
8. Commits to raise funds for assignment and complete all training materials.
9. Baptized prior to departure.

Note: Couples with kids must commit to 3-year terms.