Basics of Global Service

Am I Qualified?
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Ideal candidates for cross-cultural, international mission:

• Can live and work in a cross-cultural and cross-national context
• Are Christians committed to the mission of the church
• Are open to various expressions of Christian faith
• Respect people of other faiths
• Respect the values and customs of church and culture where assigned
• Have well-developed interpersonal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion
• Have appropriate training/education/life experiences for the assignment
• Demonstrate ability to carry out the responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices
• Can work within the framework of a local administration
• Are adaptable and flexible, have a good sense of humor, and good physical and emotional health
• Can learn another language, as necessary and appropriate
• Can live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of ELCA

General qualifications for ELCA mission personnel are the same for all categories of service. Specific job-related qualifications are listed in the full position descriptions. Service is open to active members of the ELCA and other Christian churches. Compatibility with Global Mission guiding principles is an expectation.



How Can I Serve?
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There are four general categories of global mission service that vary in length and support provisions:

• Long-term service: four-year or longer salaried positions
• Global Mission 2-year program: two-year stipend-level positions
• Volunteer service: self-funded positions, two months to two years
• Young Adults in Global Mission: one-year service learning

Global Mission Long-Term Service

• A four-year or longer commitment, with possibility to continue service after review and consultation
• Primary staff positions that provide a fundamental resource within the mission strategy of the companion church or organization
• Usually requires language knowledge or training
• Open to lay or clergy, depending on the specific job description
• Open to single persons and couples, with or without dependent children
• Salary, housing, and benefits provided
• Orientation required

       Learn more about long-term service. Search for long-term service assignments.

Global Mission Two-Year (GM2) Program

• 24-month commitment
• Designed for single persons, often recent college graduates or early retirees
• No provisions for dependent children
• Stipend, housing, and benefits provided
• Orientation required

       Learn more about GM2 service. Search for GM2 service assignments.

Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA

• Two months to two years (depending upon assignment, availability and other conditions)
• Open to single persons and couples, with or without dependent children (depending on local conditions)
• Housing is normally provided by the local church or program
• Basic overseas medical insurance provided; in some instances a local stipend may be provided
• Volunteer pays for airfare and local living costs

       Learn more about self-funded volunteer service. Search for self-funded volunteer service assignments.

Young Adults in Global Mission

• For young adults, ages 19-29, who have demonstrated involvement and leadership in church or campus ministries and who can give a year to an intentional service and learning program
• You apply to the program, but you can list a country preference
• Selected candidates come to Chicago in mid-April (at ELCA’s expense!) for a discernment and interview weekend to determine placement in a country program
• Term of service begins mid-August with an eight-day U.S. orientation
• Volunteers make an 11-12 month commitment, with service concluding mid-July to mid-August of following year
• Volunteers raise at least $4,000 toward participant support
• Travel, lodging, board, and weekly allowance provided
• Work in supervised setting
• Medical insurance provided
• Student loans may be deferred

       Learn more about young adults service. Search for young adults service assignments.


How Do I Apply?
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Applying for global mission service is a mutual process in which you and ELCA Global Mission (GM) staff discern whether your skills could be utilized.

• Search position descriptions. Read the positions that are currently posted on this site to find where your gifts might be of service.
• Begin to discern. When you find a position of interest, reflect on your skills. Do they match the position description?  Give prayful consideration to this discernment and consult with people close to you.
• Download and submit the application if you believe your skills match the position requirements well. After your application is received, you will receive an acknowledgement letter from GM.
• Global Mission conducts its evaluation process. If your skills and background appear to match the position requirements, GM staff will contact you via email and/or by telephone to get to know you better.  GM staff may request personnel and professional references at an appropriate time in the process.
• Candidate interview. If GM discerns a possible match, you may be brought to Chicago for an interview with GM staff (usually for positions of nine months or longer).
• After the interview, if there is mutual agreement to move forward in the process, a background check will be conducted; psychological exams are utilized for long-term and GM2s.
• Second interview. Candidates for long-term positions will participate in a second interview before a final call is issued.
• After a position is offered or a call is issued and accepted, GM will work with you on obtaining necessary visas and work permits.

If you don’t see a possibility with any of the posted global service opportunities, you are still welcome to complete an application. Your application will be kept on file for two years to see if a match may develop in the future, in which case a staff person will contact you. You can also check back regularly on the website and search for new opportunities. You may also look for other opportunities offered by other churches or organizations that may or may not have a relationship with the ELCA.


Search for Global Service Opportunities
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Search for specific opportunities in our database or fill out an application form and it will be kept on file to match against new requests for personnel. If you don’t see a possibility here, then check out opportunities with other organizations.


Contact Us
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