Employment

Uruguay – Montevideo

December 11, 2013

Position Type:

• International Worker-Clergy Track
• Church planting among the professional class
• Fully Funded
• Ordination required
• Couple

Summary of Ministry Position:

This opportunity involves joining the Rambla church planting team in developing a vibrant community of faith among the professional class in the most secular and unreached city in Latin America. Consequently, we have sought to be a positive presence in our community by meeting felt needs. This has resulted in deep friendships and the beginning of a church plant.

This couple would be involved in meeting societal needs in practical ways, relational outreach, discipleship, leading Bible studies, establishing a vibrant community of faith among the Uruguayan professionals, and strengthening our relationship with the National Church.

Important Clarification: Applicants should be aware that serving in the international world typically requires a higher-than-normal degree of grace and flexibility. Overseas cross-cultural positions can be a bit of a moving target. 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. This redefining can take place before, during, or even after the application/interview process has begun or is completed.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Academic qualifications:
   • A recognized Bachelor’s degree
   • Completed a minimum of 30 hours of Bible/Theology/Ministry, 15 hours of Intercultural Studies (ICS).
   • The wife must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree and have completed a minimum of 18 hours of Bible/Theology, 15 hours of missions/ministry studies. Of the 15 hours of missions/ministry studies, at least 6 hours must be in cross-cultural or missions fields.
   • MLAT Score of 40 or higher
2. Ministry qualifications:
   • Two years of successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience (ALME)
   • Alliance ordination completed.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ministry experience and training in church planting
2. Professional degree or certification and/or experience in TESOL, business, or another marketable skill
3. Overseas experience

Responsibilities:

1. Learn the local language to a full professional proficiency.
2. Make a healthy and positive adjustment to local culture.
3. Make new contacts and develop relationships.
4. Contribute to meeting felt needs
5. Develop, host and lead a small group
6. Fulfill other church plant duties as the team and church grow

Timeline for deployment:

Late summer 2015

General Information:

General information for Uruguay is available on The World Factbook website

Work and Living Environment:

The work and living environment is in an urban city of 1.6 million.  It is a very modern city with all the advantages of an urban setting. The Arts are highly valued and there are frequent cultural events. Public transportation is safe and inexpensive. Modern comfortable housing is available. Utilities, internet and cable are readily available.

Status of Christian Witness:

Our target area is comprised of a highly atheist and agnostic population that tend to be suspicious of religious institutions and resistant to the Gospel. The area is comprised of 5 adjoining neighborhoods of professional people.  One of these neighborhoods has 0.1% believers. The remaining four are 1.5% – 2% believers. Visit the Joshua Project website to find out more about the people of Uruguay.

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry.  International workers (IW’s) receive two years of intensive language and cultural study. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level, in order to share the good news of Jesus. IW’s will be expected to be disciplined and intentionally persevering in the first season of language learning. The process for language acquisition is one year in language school in Costa Rica followed by a second year of language study requirements to be carried out on site in Montevideo.

Health Considerations:

Quality health care service is readily available. There are no major health care risks.

Expectations for Spouse:

Spousal roles vary based on the husband’s and wife’s giftings, training, and 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 multiple options for childhood education in English or Spanish.

Compensation Package:

This is designated a fully GCF-funded role. Please visit our Compensation page for details on how U.S. C&MA international workers are compensated. You will see there a comprehensive package that would be offered with this role covering all costs related to a monthly living allowance, housing, travel, children’s education and full benefits.  GCF-funded workers share corporate responsibility for raising of GCF dollars from among Alliance churches and other possible sources.

Questions?

Please write Amy Roedding at  [email protected] or contact your Candidate Developer.

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