Soccer/football coach among urban poor in Thailand

Coaching can give you an opportunity to develop life-changing relationships in underprivileged neighborhoods where Christ is not known.

Job Description

Most of our neighbors have never met a follower of Jesus. They are influenced by works and rituals with an absence of power and no promise of salvation. The area includes a significant population of those who claim to be Muslims or Buddhists. Although technology and modern conveniences are common, our focus people group continues to be involved with the supernatural world by seeking help and protection through rituals and various beliefs. Most neighborhoods struggle with dysfunctional families, substance abuse, and low paying jobs. This unreached people group is a minority group that is looked down upon by the majority, but they are proud of their own culture and stick together.

You will contribute to the vision and mission of the team by living and working incarnationally among the Unreached People Group. Although working as a professional under a foundation, you will also be involved in sharing the good news of life in Jesus, making disciples and praying in order to kindle movements of Jesus-followers among our Unreached People Group.

What is it like to live here? This tropical climate megacity is crawling with cars, motorbikes, street vendors, and most modern conveniences. Urban sprawl has created areas of suburban/urban mix that has engulfed formerly agricultural areas with expensive housing developments. Many people lack the education and opportunities to keep up with the developing economy, so they live in simple or cramped living conditions.

Responsibilities

Futsal is the short-field version of football (soccer). You will serve poor neighborhoods in the role of a volunteer futsal coach and event manager, who helps small neighborhoods organize positive and productive activities for boys age 8-15. You will contribute to the setup and planning of the project with community leaders. Once started, each week you may lead several two-hour Futsal practices for about 15 kids. Practices are typical, and include sets of skill-building drills, scrimmages, pep talks, and games. You may also participate in other futsal-related activities such as leagues, tournaments, and youth leadership day camps. Finally, celebrate the conclusion of the futsal season by leading an exciting 1-day tournament for the team(s) you helped coach, and neighboring teams as well.

Please note that we cannot receive you to come between dates June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017. 

Qualifications

-Experience and skills working with kids and/or teenagers age 8-15 years old. Communication skills that challenge young people to do their best.

-Experience and skills with football/soccer and coaching. Know how to lead basic drills/activities that develop ball-handling skills, passing, shooting, and strategy, while also developing strength and endurance. 

-You will also need basic skills to organize events along with local people such as tournaments, one day camps, and other events involving kids, food, and games.

Living Situations

- Strong desire to learn another language well, and understand their culture. You will not be able to work in English.

- Love: evident love and respect for God, others, and particularly for those in our Unreached People Group. Show respect toward local leaders and anyone older than you.

- Humility and flexibility: it can be overwhelming to come to a place where everything is new and unknown, where plans change at the last minute.

- Perseverance: it’s challenging to hold on to values of incarnational living and adapting to a lifestyle that the minority group can relate to, especially in a large urban environment where the materialistic values of the West are easily accessible. Language learning can also be a long journey.

- Physical health: among other things, the ability to deal with a hot, humid climate

We have a language and culture learning system in place.

We have an initial 2-week orientation program on first arrival.

There is a year-long syllabus for basic exposure to key ideas, skills, and experiences.

Candidate will participate in field-level training events including the annual field conference.

Weekly meeting with mentor

Weekly worship/fellowship time

Weekly meal with a team family

Previous 1-year interns have established a group of local friends to hang out with when you arrive

Needs to be very mature and responsible with his/her time, behavior, daily habits, interaction with opposite sex.