Aim
A mission experience of <9 months provides you with an opportunity to experience the realities of living in another country where language, culture and religion are interwoven. Learning how to represent Christ appropriately in this new culture will help you gain an understanding of the realities of mission work.

Placement
It can be helpful to consider two general types of service when ministering for <9 months overseas.

a) A professional covering a short term need: (e.g. surgeon for 3 months, professor at theological seminary for 2 months to teach a specific course, nurse in a rural clinic)

OR

b) A developmental placement: The emphasis is on development into ministry in a new context with a mentor to facilitate and encourage your process. (e.g. urban ministry placement, placement in a local church as a children’s worker etc.)

The main emphasis is that you are joining an existing ministry (programme or project) and contributing with skills that you’ve already developed in New Zealand. Flexibility and a desire to learn how to contribute appropriately in the host country is essential, and you will be offered guidelines for this.

Structure
During preparation you will be mentored on areas like cross-cultural adaptation skills, attitudes to ministry/service, how to work in multicultural teams, as well as being given information about life in your country of placement. Accommodation varies and may be anything from living in an SIM guesthouse, with a mission family, with a local family, living alone or sharing a house with others. Linguistically most placements will be in English unless a second language has already been learnt.

Support
Costs of mission experience are your personal responsibility. SIM encourages involvement of your sending church and friends (faith community) to support you in prayer and to assist in any shortfall in funds saved.

If this sounds like you, please phone 0508 474669 or fill out our Register Interest Form. We will make contact with you.