"We are looking for a new breed of missionaries (short or long term) who have a passion for service alongside indigenous leaders, shared life as a ministry model, deep cultural immersion as a lifestyle, and a willingness to serve in the hinterlands between Old and New.”  

-Matt Edminster, serving in Rapla, Estonia

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Is God calling you to serve in cross-cultural ministry? We invite you to prayerfully explore opportunities to serve through Alongside Ministries International and other organizations by visiting the website of our Mission Next at:  https://missionnext.org

We also welcome direct inquires.  Please leave us a Voicemail at 360-331-7047 or send an email to office@alongside.org

 

Most Alongsiders begin their work with a two-year period of serving in Europe, a big part of which is spent learning the local language. This approach focuses on entering another culture to serve and learn with humility, rather than plunging into action. In other words, serving first as a learner rather than an expert. We emphasize language studies, which earns respect from those with whom we serve and opens door to new relationships and further ministry. Jesus himself said “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27).

 

Current Opportunities



Christian International School of Prague — Multiple Opportunities

Located in one of the most atheistic countries in the world, the Christian International School of Prague (CISP), is an English-speaking school for students from 1st-12th grade. CISP’s mission is to provide an academically excellent and practically oriented education within a loving community from a biblical perspective. They currently have several teaching and leadership positions open for the 2023-24 academic year, which can be found here.

 

Parish Assistant, Nantes, France — MArch 2023

Parish assistant in the French United Reformed church in Nantes.

Below are primary activities in which a parish assistant will be involved, working alongside the two pastors (Pierrot Munch and Rafaële Gondran:

  • Revitalise (dynamize) the young adults’ group

  • Co-lead the youth worship services

  • Oversee and lead after-worship times 

  • Participate in the planning process for the construction of a roof-top ‘youth space’ at the church

  • Help with IT/internet development (church YouTube channel, activate and use new media and social media) in order to make the life of the church known and share the Good News of Jesus Christ

Further notes:

  • Possibility of housing provided by the church

  • Local ministry expenses reimbursable

  • Some knowledge of French helpful; possibility of signing up for French classes locally





Rural Re-evangelization Internship — Estonia — Summer 2024

The purpose of this internship is to provide a mentored, immersive, cross-cultural ministry experience for young people discerning the shape of their contribution to the re-evangelization of the post-Christian West.

Growth focuses include:

  • Skills for immersive cross-cultural ministry, applicable in any setting

  • Familiarization with a functional language learning model

  • Developing tools for asset-based community development

  • Interpersonal skills for partnered and team-based mission

  • Dependence upon the leading and equipping of the Holy Spirit

  • Application of Bible teaching and theological reflection to practical ministry

  • Guided vocational discernment for service in either the church or the world

A full description of the internship can be found on the Edminster blog . For more information, contact Matt Edminster at matthewedminster@gmail.com



Summer Youth Ministry Internship - Albania

An opportunity for a student or college-aged young adult with a demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ and a love for youth ministry who desires to understand and explore a call to ministry in a cross-cultural setting. This opportunity involves joining the ministry team of an Albanian church, staying with a host (Albanian) family, and carrying out a ministry assignment tailored to his/her specific gifts and calling. This intern will be mentored and nurtured by the local leadership, including Albanian believers. Must raise financial support.

 

VARIOUS POSITIONS - FRANCE

France has a long and distinguished Christian history but is today a very secular nation. Church attendance is low but there are signs of life in a number of areas. Alongside has the privilege of working with some of these—developing creative partnerships and helping to launch new and growing congregations. Opportunities for service exist in a number of areas of the country. Various positions are available and will be matched with the gifts and interest of the candidate:

PASTORAL ASSISTANT - this person will work alongside a Pastor in a local church. He/she will take on pastoral responsibilities as requested and according to their gifting. This might include leading small groups, teaching children and/or youth, leading outreach initiatives, visitation and leading in worship.

URBAN MINISTRY - working with congregations based in urban settings, coming alongside very diverse populations with significant economic and social needs. For example, one Alongside couple, James & Cheryl Cloyd, is already working in such a neighbourhood. James is the Pastor of an inner-city church and his wife, Cheryl, is helping to meet the area’s significant social needs through ‘Les Disciples’, a ministry which provides multiple services (clothing, food, after-school support) to the wider community.

For all positions in France, a working knowledge of French is extremely helpful; in all cases, language training will be required and built into the schedule. Some form of experience in ministry and theological and pastoral training is also preferred. Opportunities for ongoing in-country ministry training also exist. For all positions, there is an initial minimum commitment of two years.

 

various positions - scotland

Scotland also has a proud and noble Christian heritage, with a strong commitment to Christian mission around the world. However today, the churches are weak and face decline. Alongside has a more than 30 year history of service in Scotland. Over the years we have partnered with a number of congregations and new initiatives for growth and outreach, particularly with the Church of Scotland. Opportunities for ministry exist in several locations, in both urban and rural areas.

For all positions, there is an initial minimum commitment of two years. and theological and pastoral training is also preferred. Opportunities for ongoing in-country ministry training also exist.

 

L’Escale, Paris et Rennes

L’Escale (meaning: ‘stop-over, lay-over’) is a welcome center and place of prayer found in two locations in the center of Paris and in the city of Rennes (Brittany). It is not a church as such but a community of believers from different churches who want to provide a resource for people who are looking for hope, truth and meaning.

L’Escale is looking for a missionary volunteer with the heart of an evangelist to serve alongside teams working in Paris and Rennes and possibly elsewhere.

The missionary volunteer will be ready to:

  • Share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people who visit the Escale

  • work with a team and build relationships with new visitors and outside contacts

  • apply the principles and methods which have already proven their value in the experience of the Escale:

    • Prayer

    • Active listening

    • Sharing of Scripture

We ask for a minimum commitment of three years including the equivalent of one year of language study. The volunteer/missionary will work closely with the Escale Project Director and under the authority of Christian Tanon (President and Founder). A related mission opportunity may be added to this: leading a group of English-speaking students in partnership with the GBU (InterVarsity Fellowship) meeting at either Escale 1 or Escale 2, in Paris. Some fluency in French is required.