Christian Education Development Volunteer - Nigeria

HIV/AIDS Ministry Volunteer - Nigeria

Medical Ministry Volunteer - Nigeria

Therapy Assistant/Special Needs Classroom Assistant/Vocational Trainer - Nicaragua

Short-term Prayer Missions with Prayer Missions International

Special Education Volunteer - Nigeria

Volunteer Library Consultant - Nigeria

Volunteer Librarians/Library Technicians – Worldwide

Volunteer Visiting Lecturer – Uganda

Volunteer Visiting Lecturer – Zambia

  

If you are interested in additional opportunities to serve with Christian Reformed World Missions on a short-term/volunteer basis, please e-mail your resume and a brief statement of interest to lwoodward@crcna.org.

You can also visit the ServiceLink website to check out other volunteer opportunities with the CRCNA and its partner organizations.  

Christian Education Development Volunteer - Nigeria

PURPOSE

To work with CRWM’s West Africa Christian Education Consultant to strengthen education through providing workshops for Christian school teachers/administrators or assisting with curriculum development.

FIELD RESPONSIBILITIES

Background on ministry:  CRWM has identified the strengthening of Christian education as a key priority.  Through the West Africa Christian Education Consultant, CRWM seeks to:

a) focus on the development of Christian education throughout West Africa

b) focus on the development of the leadership of Christian schools

c) develop a strategic vision for CRWM’s role for Christian higher education in West Africa

d) provide adequate American curriculum education for the children of missionaries

This volunteer position is flexible.  Below are some possible ministry opportunities for you to become involved in: 

1. Christian School Teacher or Administrator Workshops:

Assist the West African Christian Education Consultant in developing and presenting workshops on the foundations of Christian education and education of the child or the running of Christian schools to Christian school teachers or administrators:

a) Assist in the coordination and planning of workshops with Nigerian schools

b) Assist in leading education workshops for Christian school teachers or administrators

c) Edit and refine presentation materials for Christian education workshops for school teachers or administrators

d) Mentor and learn from Nigerian Christian school teachers or administrators in their school setting

 2. Christian School Curriculum Development:

Assist the West African Christian Education Consultant in developing and presenting workshops on the foundations of Christian education and the development and review of curriculum.

a) Assist in the coordination and planning of workshops with Nigerian educators

b) Assist in leading education workshops for curriculum development and the foundations of Christian education

c) Edit and refine presentation materials for curriculum development and Christian education workshops

d) Mentor and learn from Nigerian Christian school staff as they develop Christian curriculum

 
NORTH AMERICAN RESPONSIBILITIES

· Educate the CRCNA and others about the nature of the global church and its mission.

· Encourage CRC churches to develop a deeper passion and involvement in international missions.

· Communicate the nature and value of CRWM's ministries to the CRCNA and beyond and participate in support-raising for those ministries by developing and maintaining a network of supporting churches and individuals which will provide prayer, care and financial support for the ministry.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Mature Christian committed to Christ
· Flexible and adaptable
· Compassionate and respectful of other cultures

The specific qualifications and interests necessary for this volunteer opportunity will vary greatly.  It is recommended that the interested individual have some of the below qualifications and/or interests:

· communications – studies and/or experience in teaching, English, public speaking, communications

· education – studies and/or experience in education, administration, curriculum development, etc.

· leadership development – studies and/or experience in the development of leaders, mentoring, coaching, etc.

· learning/team work approach – interested in listening to and learning from and with local educators, willingness to work as a team to develop and add value to Christian education

FIELD STRUCTURE

Reports to West Africa Christian Education Consultant

LENGTH OF SERVICE
At least one month; however, the length of your time in Nigeria would vary greatly depending on your interests, the time of year you are in Nigeria, and your availability. 
 

 If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to lwoodward@crcna.org.  

Volunteer Librarians or Library Technicians – Worldwide 

PURPOSE

To support the development of libraries in evangelical Christian educational institutions in developing countries through the Strengthening Christian Libraries Internationally (SCLI) project.   
 

Background on SCLI project:  In 2007, this joint project of the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America was started to advance the educational endeavor of our international partner institutions by providing resources to their theological libraries/information centers.  Our vision is that our partner educational institutions receive the assistance and support of a network of Christian professional librarians and services so that their libraries are accessible, organized, and an information-based component of their educational program.  Read more about this project and connect with other librarians here. 

POSSIBLE LOCATIONS

Nigeria--Professional librarians or library technicians needed at three seminaries and a Bible school to help them develop their libraries

Russia--Professional librarian needed at Russian American Christian University (Russian/English bilingual volunteer preferred)

Future possibilities: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, India, Uganda, and more! Please let us know if you would be interested in volunteering in any of these countries in the future. 
 

FIELD AND NORTH AMERICAN RESPONSIBILITIES

Vary by assignment 
 

START DATE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE

This is very fluid and is based on the volunteer’s availability and on the specific opportunity.  There is flexibility for the time of year and length of time that you can serve in one of these roles. 

FIELD STRUCTURE

Reports to SCLI Project Coordinators 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Mature Christian committed to Christ
• Compassionate and respectful of other cultures
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to view life with a sense of humor
• Professional librarian or library technician

The specific qualifications necessary for these volunteer opportunities will vary by assignment.  

If you are interested in one of these opportunities, please email your resume to lwoodward@crcna.org

Therapy Assistant
Special Needs Classroom Assistant
Vocational Trainer - Nicaragua
 

PURPOSE

To help strengthen the work and program of Tesoros De Dios,  especially in the area of serving the children's physical needs.

Background on ministry partner:
Tesoros de Dios (FES) is a ministry for children with developmental disabilities in Managua, Nicaragua.  Their vision is that children with developmental disabilities and their families will use the skills they have learned at Tesoros de Dios to reach their fullest physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential.

Tesoros de Dios exists to provide children with developmental disabilities (from infancy to young adulthood) and their families the basic tools for life-long holistic growth through programs of personal health, special needs education, economic empowerment, social networking and Christ-centered spiritual growth which are sustainable in a Nicaraguan familial and social context.

The ministry in its totality is more than a center of therapy or classes; it is a place where a team of teachers, therapists, trained staff, parents, physicians, and volunteers work together to pass on to children with developmental disabilities and their families the love of Christ, prioritizing above anything else a spiritual development in the kids and their families.  The ministry intends to make itself accessible to families with children ages 1-21 who have developmental disabilities.
 

FIELD RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in the areas assigned by the director and physical therapist. The position is flexible. Possible ministry opportunities include:

Therapy Assistant 
Provide assistance to one of the Tesoros de Dios (FES) staff members with the physical strengthening and development of children with developmental disabilities.  Areas may include:

• Physical Therapy.  Assist in evaluating and treating children who receive physical therapy.  (A volunteer with experience in in making braces would also be welcome.)
• Equine Therapy.  Assist in all activities involved with horses, from keeping the horses clean to walking with the kids who ride and helping with their therapeutic activities. 

Special Needs Classroom Assistant
Provide assistance to one of the Tesoros de Dios (FES) teachers as they provide basic life training, educational reinforcement, and early intervention for the children.  Areas can include:

• Early Intervention - assist in intervention strategies for young children with disabilities.
• Special Education - assist in teaching and training children.
• Speech Therapy - assist in language development of all children with language delays.
• Occupational Therapy - assist in positioning and life skills training.
• Music - provide music classes/therapy for all children in the program.

Vocational Training 
Provide vocational training classes for older children in the program and/or for family members of all children in the program.  Areas may include:

• Computer Training - train students the basics of computers.
• Beautician Training - train women how to cut hair, do nails, etc.
• Sewing Class - train women how to sew.
• Art Skills - train students in areas of candle-making, paper-making, piñata-making, etc.

NORTH AMERICAN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Educate the CRCNA and others about the nature of the global church and its mission.
• Encourage CRC churches to develop a deeper passion and involvement in international missions. 
• Communicate the nature and value of CRWM's ministries to the CRCNA and beyond and participate in support-raising for those ministries by developing and maintaining a network of supporting churches and individuals which will provide prayer, care and financial support for the ministry.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Mature Christian committed to Christ
• Flexible and adaptable
• Compassionate and respectful of other cultures
• Knowledge of/heart for working with kids with developmental disabilities
• The specific qualifications and interests for this volunteer opportunity will vary greatly.  It is recommended that the interested individual have some studies and/or experience in the area of interest.  It is also recommended that the volunteer takes a Spanish course before entering this position. 

FIELD STRUCTURE
Reports to Tesoros de Dios Physical Therapist and to the Director of Tesoros de Dios.

START DATE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE
Flexible; one month or more. 

BUDGET
Please note that costs are approximate and are listed in US funds.

Transportation to and from the field: $500.00 to $1,000.00, depending on city of departure
Transportation on the field: $80.00/month
Housing and utilities: $250.00-$500.00/month
Ministry expenses: donations to the program are welcome; details will be provided
Other expenses: $270-$420/month 
 
Total cost: $600 to $1000/month plus cost of airfare

If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to lwoodward@crcna.org. 

Volunteer Library Consultant - Nigeria

FIELD RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consult with church, school, and library leadership of Nigerian partner churches (CRCN, RCCN, NKST) to develop library resources in denominational Bible schools and seminaries.  This may include the following:
  • Assist with converting libraries to the Library of Congress classification system to help them achieve accreditation.
  • Train seminary librarians.

NORTH AMERICAN RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Educate the CRCNA and others about the nature of the global church and its mission.

·         Encourage CRC churches to develop a deeper passion and involvement in international missions.

·         Communicate the nature and value of CRWM's ministries to the CRCNA and beyond and participate in support-raising for those ministries by developing and maintaining a network of supporting churches and individuals which will provide prayer, care and financial support for the ministry

      START DATE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE
This position is available as early as January 2010, for a length of time spanning from three weeks to two months.

FIELD STRUCTURE
Reports to CRWM's Liason for National Church Partnerships; work in conjunction with our partner denominations in Nigeria.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Mature Christian committed to Christ
• MLS or equivalent
• Experience with Library of Congress classification system and experience in a university or seminary library preferred
• Experience with online resources helpful
• Compassionate and respectful of other cultures
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to view life with a sense of humor
  
  If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to lwoodward@crcna.org.

Prayer Missions

Through a partnership with Prayer Missions International, Christian Reformed World Missions is offering the opportunity to support the mission of God through short-term mission trips centered on prayer. 

For more information, contact Steve Van Zanen (svanzanen@crcna.org) or read more here.