International (MNN) ― MissionTeach.com was designed to end the "disconnect" between churches and the mission field.
Wycliffe Bible Translators' Jamie Farr explains that the website matches ability with need. Specifically, it matches teachers and other support candidates to the international schools that need their services.
These positions could be in mission-sponsored schools, secular international schools that serve the mission community, or international Christian schools. They could also involve non-traditional settings such as homeschools or one-room school houses.
As globalization continues to affect every discipline, the divide between need, agency and people has stretched into a chasm. MissionTeach.com is a courting process that streamlines effort. Farr says, "It's the first time that the public around the world can see the true number of needs across mission agencies. And they can find a meaningful way to use their gifts and qualifications to find the place that would be perfect for them to serve and find the organization and school in which to do so."
After posting their profiles on MissionTeach, candidates receive a "shopping cart" of schools that meet their preferences. The schools receive a shopping cart of candidates who meet their qualifications.
MissionTeach.com is a safe place to explore, and there is no cost to submit a personal profile. People can indicate the criteria they're interested in--perhaps it's a length of time, or a place, or even a specific focus they're feeling drawn toward.
Right now, Farr says, there are a couple hundred postings. That's likely to go up as more agencies catch on to the concept. Wycliffe also recently began to lay the foundation for cultivating young people. They've begun working with universities, where college students have already shown a passion for Gospel impact.
Wycliffe's investment in MissionTeach.com is ultimately for Bible translation, says Farr. How do these two connect? "The biggest reason families leave is because of the lack of educational support and options for their children. Today, less than half of the positions that are posted worldwide in missions are filled. We need to bring understanding to the worldwide church about how they can better support missionaries."
