posted on January 13, 2022
aXcess: Assist the Local Church in Developing a Ministry for Single Mothers and At-Risk Women in the Republic of Congo
Due to extreme poverty and traditional cultural practice, widows have been treated unjustly after the death of their husbands. They are often left with little or no family support. Younger widows with children face tremendous challenges in providing for the family and raising their children alone. Seeing the needs of widows, as well as single mothers and other at-risk women, Hagar House (La Maison d’Agar) is being created. You will partner with local Alliance women’s ministries to create a holistic discipleship ministry in a safe living environment where older women can mentor younger, single widows, single mothers, and at-risk women.
Position Type
- aXcess worker
- Partially funded
- Single or couple
Responsibilities:
- Develop partnerships with local Alliance women’s ministries to establish safe housing for women without family support
- Oversee the building project of the Hagar Center
- Develop relationships with women who qualified for the Hagar project
- Develop partnerships with local Alliance women’s ministries to initiate/develop a holistic discipleship ministry for women living in the Hagar House as well as those living with family members
- Build a support network for the women living in Hagar House
Required Qualifications:
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- Completion of the World Perspectives Mission course (minimum of certificate level) or equivalent
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 45
- Experience or training in community health or development
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in women’s ministries and/or youth ministries
- Experience in construction project management
- Experience in mentoring
- Experience in or willingness to learn and promote orality, a strategy that will be used in the Hagar House
- Functional French and commitment to ongoing local culture and language study
Biblical Characteristics Desired:
- Kingdom-minded
- Biblically grounded
- Spirit-dependent
- Competently skilled
- Self-aware
- Self-disciplined
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:
Housing accommodations will be in Pointe Noire where La Maison d’Agar (Hagar House) will be located. The project will address the needs of not only women who have lost their husbands, but single mothers and at-risk women. All, especially the younger ones, need help learning how to care for their children well, manage their homes, and eventually, support themselves. Not all the beneficiaries of Hagar House will live there. You will live in proximity to the rest of the team and work with the churches of the city.
CIA World Factbook – Republic of the Congo
The Joshua Project—The Republic of Congo
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. The successful applicant(s) will receive one year of intense French language study in Albertville, France followed by ongoing language and cultural acquisition, possibly in a local language. 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:
The worker(s) would need to be healthy enough to maintain their health in this country where health care and food choices are limited.
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:
There are a variety of educational options including homeschooling, French language school, French language Christian primary school, and boarding school for grades 8-12.
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.
Questions?
Please email the IPO office at [email protected]
Whole-Life Health
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.