Position: Merge Ministries Area Director to Alaska
Summary: Must work with Merge Ministries in leading groups of various kinds for ministry purposes to Alaska with an emphasis on Western Bush Alaska. Must apply as a short-term missionary with ECC.
Responsible to: Dale Lusk, Merge Ministries
Qualifications:
• Good communication skills (written and oral) and good interpersonal skills
• At least 21 years of age
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required
• Familiarity with the latest technology, especially in areas of Internet access, email and cell telephone communications
• Good administrative and organizational skills
• Some travel is required
• Must have a good understanding of Alaskan and Native culture
Responsibilities: Organize mission trips for Covenant Mission Connection to various ministry sites within the Alaskan geographical area, including:
Before a mission trip:
• Communication with the mission team leader concerning transportation and ministry options
• Make transportation reservations for team upon arrival to ministry area
• Organizing housing for team
• Send photos of ministry site to team
• Send training manuals to team
• Answer all questions – secure needed information to answer questions
• Train the team at their home church
• Create mission trip schedule with team
• Organize special cultural events for teams
During a mission trip:
• Accompany team or send trained/qualified staff
• Facilitate opening and closing meetings for team
• Instruct teams about cultural sensitivity
• Evaluate team ministries and provide input on how to improve
Working with host churches:
• Facilitate ideas exchange with host pastors
• Create mission trip schedule with host
• Brainstorm with pastors what ministry ideas would be helpful for church and community
• Work with host to organize food for teams
• Help create relationship-building events for locals and teams
• Maintain relationships with pastors and church leaders in area including visits, phone calls, emails
• Develop and maintain relationships with community leaders in villages
Administrative
• Keep in communication with executive director concerning mission trip planning
• Create and maintain training manuals for mission teams and hosts
• Recruit staff as needed for mission trip; supervision and training for all staff
• Supervise finances for mission trips; work with executive director to develop budget and fees for teams; report all expenses
• Attend three annual staff meetings with all Merge staff
• Assist other Merge area directors if needed during the year when not involved in own mission trips
• Promote Merge at various events (for example Midwinter, conference annual meetings, CHIC)
• Maintain assigned area on Merge website
• Work on an assigned area improving Merge Ministries in general using gifts and experience
• Communicate, coordinate, and involve Alaska Field Director in all decision-making and scheduling
• Meet three times annually with executive director to discuss ministry and for relationship building
