Community, technical, vocational colleges and adult learning institutions throughout our region are full of local students who haven't excelled academically. Are you interested in making a difference in their lives?
Job Description
We are able to place workers in these local institutions where they can contribute to tutoring or teaching subjects such as car/bike mechanics, woodwork, IT, agriculture. It is most likely that visas for such placements would be provided by local foundations that we partner with, and that invitations to teach English language courses should be expected.
Most students from our focus group have never met a follower of Jesus and they are interested when they meet such people. As their teacher or tutor you have a great influence on their lives and will spend many hours with them each week. Many opportunities will arise to break down barriers and to share with students.
You will contribute to the vision and mission of the team by living and working incarnationally among our focus people. With this foundation you will 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 focus people.
The region is known for its plurality with multiple ethnic groups, cultures, religions and languages co-existing in the region. There is also a significant Muslim population, which distinguishes this area from other regions of the country.
Responsibilities
With each placement language and culture learning is of great importance as language is a priority and need for our work. New workers (esp long term) would initially engage in full time language studies for up to 1 year (3-12 months) depending on length of placement. This would be followed by part time language study while working in the second year. We want our workers to be skilled in the language and culture of the people before beginning full-time working roles. Therefore, full time work can begin after passing Thai language level 2, which normally takes about 2 years or so.
This would obviously be different for short term Serve Asia (SA) and mid term placements, with a SA worker one would study language throughout their placement. Mid term workers would follow a similar pattern to long term workers, but this would tailored to the nature and length of their placement.
Qualifications
Most importantly come willing to learn from others, able to adapt to a new culture and be flexible and have a servant heart.
Experience and qualification in the practical subject is needed (e.g. IT, auto/bike mechnics, wood work, agriculture) in order to teach on these subjects in local institutions.
Living Situations
The applicant should be prepared to live an appropriate lifestyle within the community in which they will live. Among other things, this relates to dressing modestly, and being sensitive to the dietary restrictions of our neighbors, is very helpful as this would build bridges with your neighbours and friends. It also means contextualizing the language we use to share about Jesus. In the local culture it is important that the men relate to the men and the women relate to the women.
1. Committed to direct ministry among our focus people.
2. Able to maintain good spiritual health, even in the face of practical and spiritual challenges.
3. Willing to work together on diverse team of people from different cultures with mutual accountability, but also self-reliance.
*Australian citizens and/or residents only