- General Qualifications for Field Staff Positions -
In order to assist us in screening potential field staff candidates who are qualified to minister capably to international students on university and college campuses, following are the general criteria for employment:
Education
- College graduate (minimum of a Bachelor's degree is preferred), equivalent secular experience relevant to position, or equivalent experience in international student ministry required
- Although not a requirement, International Students, Inc. highly recommends participating in the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course at a church near you. Perspectives provides a great foundation for any ministry you might consider.
Experience
- Cross-cultural experience with internationals—either abroad or in the United States
- Evangelism and discipleship, Bible teaching, and a history of ministry in the local church.
Skills
- Good oral communication and writing skills
- Ability to handle the Word of God with competence
- Ability to meet the public—including professionals and academics and communicate the International Students, Inc. ministry well.
Commitment and Attitude
- Commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
- Sense of call to Christian service—and especially to international ministry
- Willingness to raise personal financial support
- Flexibility on non-essential doctrinal issues
- Cross-cultural sensitivity
- Acceptance of and agreement with our Statement of Faith
- Willingness to be taught and to accept direction
- Good self-concept
- Willingness to consider a location and assignment preferred by International Students, Inc.
- Adherence to all policies and procedures in our team manuals
- Desire to be a part of the International Students, Inc.'s evangelistic team
- A cooperative spirit.
Medical Insurance Coverage
- As a matter of conscience and practicality for both our field staff and their donors, it is necessary for all new field staff to hold at least major medical coverage through their own means. This might be through a personal policy, coverage provided by their current employer, or under their spouse's coverage. It would be irresponsible to not take this into consideration for one who is undergoing the initial support-raising phase, not having immediate income from International Students, Inc. Once a field team member (hired for a minimum 24 hour commitment) has built consistent support, he/she may join our group medical plan. In the meantime, we ask for new staff to provide a Summary Plan Description or some other brief documentation of the level of insurance they hold currently.
- The Positions -
Campus Staff
Are you eager to work directly with students from around the world on college and university campuses in your community? Has God gifted you with the skills to impact the Kingdom cross-culturally?
The Campus Staff member is someone who loves international students and has a desire to see them know Christ and be discipled for His service. This is the most fundamental ministry position within International Students, Inc. It may also be the most challenging, because our Campus Staff experience many of the joys and risks common to missionaries the world over.
Consider the wide array of skills and talents needed, ranging from being a serious student of the Word of God and having a strong knowledge of world religions, to having the ability to win friends, influence, and lead volunteers, and to cultivate the loyalty of university officials. The great privilege of winning souls for Christ on U.S. campuses—along with its challenges—requires that the Campus Staff member be, above all, a person of deep and consistent prayer. Campus Staff also must have excellent organizational skills and a willingness to seek out and involve U.S. volunteers.
Consider the wide array of skills and talents needed, ranging from being a serious student of the Word of God and having a strong knowledge of world religions, to having the ability to win friends, influence, and lead volunteers, and to cultivate the loyalty of university officials. The great privilege of winning souls for Christ on U.S. campuses—along with its challenges—requires that the Campus Staff member be, above all, a person of deep and consistent prayer. Campus Staff also must have excellent organizational skills and a willingness to seek out and involve U.S. volunteers.
A profile of the duties includes:
Ministry to International Students:
Campus Staff work with a local team to locate international students on campuses and to develop and implement a strategy to reach and disciple those students with the Gospel of Jesus.
Mobilizing American Volunteers:
Campus Staff also work with campus ministry team members to train and equip volunteers of local churches and to promote and coordinate the International Students, Inc. ministry through churches and other ministry partnership organizations.
Diplomat and Relationship Builder:
The Campus Staff member is the leader in establishing critical relationships with International Student Advisors and university/college authorities, who are often the gatekeepers to the international student body. Without winning the trust and loyalty of these all-important officials, access to international students on campus is often limited. Therefore, outstanding people skills, diplomacy, and an overriding servant attitude must be prevalent in Campus Staff for this critical duty.
Ministry to International Students:
Campus Staff work with a local team to locate international students on campuses and to develop and implement a strategy to reach and disciple those students with the Gospel of Jesus.
Mobilizing American Volunteers:
Campus Staff also work with campus ministry team members to train and equip volunteers of local churches and to promote and coordinate the International Students, Inc. ministry through churches and other ministry partnership organizations.
Diplomat and Relationship Builder:
The Campus Staff member is the leader in establishing critical relationships with International Student Advisors and university/college authorities, who are often the gatekeepers to the international student body. Without winning the trust and loyalty of these all-important officials, access to international students on campus is often limited. Therefore, outstanding people skills, diplomacy, and an overriding servant attitude must be prevalent in Campus Staff for this critical duty.
Are you challenged by the above? Do you feel these questions describe your passion and abilities? If so, God may be calling you to be Campus Staff with International Students, Inc. and to share in one of the most strategic and replicating forms of world missions available to the U.S. church today!
City/Area Mobilizer
Does your heart yearn to see God’s church reach out in Christ’s love to the strangers in our midst? Has God blessed you with leadership gifts that motivate and move others to action?
The City or Area Mobilizer is the most visible representative of International Students, Inc. in an area and is our advance representative to area churches and volunteers. This vital contact person needs heavy doses of tact, discernment, team development skills, and an outstanding ability to train and organize volunteers into strong evangelistic/discipleship teams.
A profile of duties includes:
Team Mobilizing
The Mobilizer is the point person to church leaders and volunteers in the area. The success of the ministry depends upon the organizational energy and team-building skills of the City or Area Mobilizer. Strong interpersonal and communication
skills are essential for success. The ability to work with all types of people at all levels in a church is also necessary.
Volunteer Coordinating
The City or Area Mobilizer finds, recruits, and develops Church Team Leaders. He or she works closely with the International Students, Inc. campus ministry team to train and equip church volunteers as Friendship Partners™ and volunteers for various key positions. The desire to organize and see others succeed is essential for this position.
Strategic Planning
Mobilizers work with the International Students, Inc. campus ministry team and churches to build the most effective plan possible for reaching international students. The Mobilizer is the networker and plan implementer to city/area churches and volunteers.
Team Mobilizing
The Mobilizer is the point person to church leaders and volunteers in the area. The success of the ministry depends upon the organizational energy and team-building skills of the City or Area Mobilizer. Strong interpersonal and communication
skills are essential for success. The ability to work with all types of people at all levels in a church is also necessary.
Volunteer Coordinating
The City or Area Mobilizer finds, recruits, and develops Church Team Leaders. He or she works closely with the International Students, Inc. campus ministry team to train and equip church volunteers as Friendship Partners™ and volunteers for various key positions. The desire to organize and see others succeed is essential for this position.
Strategic Planning
Mobilizers work with the International Students, Inc. campus ministry team and churches to build the most effective plan possible for reaching international students. The Mobilizer is the networker and plan implementer to city/area churches and volunteers.
How do you know if you would be a successful City or Area Mobilizer? Ask yourself these important questions:
- Do I have an overwhelming desire to see others reached with the Gospel of Jesus?
- Am I a mobilizer of others to do ministry?
- Do I enjoy helping others succeed?
- Do I enjoy meeting strangers and establishing relationships?
- Am I the planner and organizer in a group?
- Do I have wisdom and discernment to understand and work within the organizational structure of churches?
- Do I enjoy teaching others?
- Do I enjoy working within a team structure?
- Am I an initiator and implementer?
MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE
The Ministry Representative is a volunteer who works directly under the supervision of a local staff member. His or her work ranges from direct ministry and evangelism to roles that assist the ministry's efforts to mobilize and train volunteers in local churches.
The term for this role may be limited or open-ended in length. Ministry Representatives are permitted to raise funds for reimbursable ministry expense purposes, but not for a salary. Attendance at International Students, Inc’s NSO (New Staff Orientation) is encouraged, but not required. A written recommendation for this role is required from either a Home Office or a Field Staff member. An application will be sent upon completion of the Inquiry Form.
The benefit to you of this "super volunteer" role is that you will receive all the networking privileges of our staff, excellent ministry training, discounted resources at staff rates, and invitations/reduced rates to all our training and conference events. Your official association with our organization's sterling history of international student ministry may also provide you access to international students on campus which would not be afforded you otherwise. Further, a ministry account may be established for the purpose of tax-deductible donations for your reimbursable ministry expenses, should you desire.
The term for this role may be limited or open-ended in length. Ministry Representatives are permitted to raise funds for reimbursable ministry expense purposes, but not for a salary. Attendance at International Students, Inc’s NSO (New Staff Orientation) is encouraged, but not required. A written recommendation for this role is required from either a Home Office or a Field Staff member. An application will be sent upon completion of the Inquiry Form.
The benefit to you of this "super volunteer" role is that you will receive all the networking privileges of our staff, excellent ministry training, discounted resources at staff rates, and invitations/reduced rates to all our training and conference events. Your official association with our organization's sterling history of international student ministry may also provide you access to international students on campus which would not be afforded you otherwise. Further, a ministry account may be established for the purpose of tax-deductible donations for your reimbursable ministry expenses, should you desire.
A profile of duties includes:
Friendship Partner™
The Ministry Representative for International Students, Inc. will include opportunities to serve as a friend to international students. This will expose you to significant opportunities to share the unconditional love of Christ with an international student on a very relational level. Competency in cross-cultural communication will be a key to effectiveness.
Assisting Local Staff
International Students, Inc. utilizes the services of Ministry Representatives where there is already a local staff person or team. Responsibilities may be as varied as the needs of international students and the opportunities included in the local ministry's strategy. Frequently, this includes assisting the weekly ICF (International Christian Fellowship), befriending international students at a welcome table on campus, leading an investigative or discipleship bible study, coordinating the international student ministry programs for a church, or serving as a conversational English partner to a student.
Friendship Partner™
The Ministry Representative for International Students, Inc. will include opportunities to serve as a friend to international students. This will expose you to significant opportunities to share the unconditional love of Christ with an international student on a very relational level. Competency in cross-cultural communication will be a key to effectiveness.
Assisting Local Staff
International Students, Inc. utilizes the services of Ministry Representatives where there is already a local staff person or team. Responsibilities may be as varied as the needs of international students and the opportunities included in the local ministry's strategy. Frequently, this includes assisting the weekly ICF (International Christian Fellowship), befriending international students at a welcome table on campus, leading an investigative or discipleship bible study, coordinating the international student ministry programs for a church, or serving as a conversational English partner to a student.
How do you know if the Ministry Representative role would be a fit for you? Ask yourself these important questions:
- Am I drawn to initiate relationships with visitors from other cultures?
- Am I driven by a desire to see others reached with the Gospel of Jesus?
- Do I know about and respect other cultures and their religious beliefs?
- Would I be energized by serving on a team that befriends international students, leads them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and disciples them for service?
HOME OFFICE STAFF (AS AVAILABLE)
International Students, Inc.’s vision is to see every international student befriended, led to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and discipled for His service.
DIRECTOR OF CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS--This position may be part- or full-time (eligible for benefits if 24 or more hours per week). The objective of this role is to engage, cultivate, build, and strengthen new and existing relationships with churches and denominations to facilitate collaboration with ISI staff and volunteers in expanding the ministry outreach to international students. This includes identifying mission-minded churches and building relationships that bear fruit in collaborative partnership. A minimum of two years of college or 2+ years of equivalent experience is required. Skills needed include Microsoft Office. Must have a strong Christian faith commitment and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
DIRECTOR OF CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS--This position may be part- or full-time (eligible for benefits if 24 or more hours per week). The objective of this role is to engage, cultivate, build, and strengthen new and existing relationships with churches and denominations to facilitate collaboration with ISI staff and volunteers in expanding the ministry outreach to international students. This includes identifying mission-minded churches and building relationships that bear fruit in collaborative partnership. A minimum of two years of college or 2+ years of equivalent experience is required. Skills needed include Microsoft Office. Must have a strong Christian faith commitment and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
| Dir of Church Relationships Job Description |
Click the APPLY HERE button to begin the application process for a Home Office position. Upon completing the application, please fax or email your resume and cover letter to our People Services Department at peopleservices@isionline.org or 719.538.4910 (secure fax).
SITE-SPECIFIC positions
New York City
Send your resume and cover letter to the People Services Department (719.538.4910 secure fax) at our Home Office.
