All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.
- Be well-grounded in the Anabaptist faith tradition or willingness to rigorously engage Anabaptist theology and teachings.
- Ability to articulate the primary reasons why MCC embraces peace making.
- Experience creating learning experiences to guide students.
- Strong spoken and written English skills.
- International experience or proven ability to function effectively in a cross-cultural setting.
- Basic computer literacy.
- Previous youth ministry experience is desirable.
Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).
Job SynopsisThe International Facilitator will provide leadership for MCC Cambodia’s 2024 Seek cohort, alongside a Cambodian Co-Facilitator, while ensuring that the Anabaptist faith perspective is integrated into the discipleship program.
Seek is an intentional discipleship cohort program that focuses on exposing young adults between the ages of 18-20 in what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ in an international context, from an Anabaptist faith perspective. The 2024 Seek cohort will be comprised of 6-10 international participants and will take place in Cambodia, exploring themes such as:
• What does belonging to the Christian minority in a Buddhist context look like?
• How has the Church promoted healing and hope after the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge?
• How has the young Cambodian Church – Christianity was only legalized in 1990 – flourished?
• How have international Christian missions helped and hindered the young Cambodian Church?
The Facilitator will ideally conduct a planning trip to Cambodia in Fall 2023 before relocating to Cambodia from January 2024 to June 2024. The Facilitator would also participate in interviewing Seek applicants and meeting to review applicants online prior to the program start. While the official term is January to June 2024, there is a need for a small amount of pre-assignment support.
Challenges
Extreme Heat; Fish and seafood local diet; Heavy use of peanuts in local diet; High levels of pollution; Limited mental health services available; Occasional overnights; Occasional evening and weekend work; Occasional long days; Use of public transit required; Local church not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons; Local area not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons
Key ResponsibilitiesThe Connecting Peoples Coordinator and MCC Representatives to Cambodia will provide ongoing supports, framing, contextualization, logistics, and participate in planning for the program.
The Seek program will provide structured service and learning opportunities which round out the discipleship training experience. The program will include guided Bible study, meaningful interaction with Cambodian Christians of various faiths, service opportunities, and ongoing language/cultural learning. The Seek cohort participants will live in a Christian dormitory, alongside Cambodian Christians, with safeguards and supervision in place. MCC will rent an apartment for the Seek facilitator nearby.
The desired outcome of Seek is for the participants to have an increased self-awareness about their Christian identity within the Global Church and how it influences their perceptions, values, and beliefs. Seek participants will be prepared for a life of discipleship and to a greater sense of purpose, which can be the basis for further education and a ministry in the church and the world including future service with Mennonite Central Committee.
a. Working closely with the Local Facilitator, CPC and Reps, plan and coordinate the Seek Discipleship program in Cambodia from January – June 2024
b. Provide the Anabaptist faith perspective as part of the overall Seek program experience.
c. Provide ongoing support to the Seek participants professionally, spiritually, and emotionally via regular formal and informal check ins.
d. Plan regular sessions or lectures for Seek participants on Anabaptism and/or topical issues vis-à-vis an Anabaptist worldview.
d. Lead the Seek participants through the established curriculum to provide spiritual mentorship to the participants.
e. Lead the Seek participants in exploring themes identified for the Cambodian context, such as what does belonging to the Christian minority in a Buddhist context look like? How has the Church promoted healing and hope after the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge?
e. Utilize additional resources to supplement the curriculum as needed.
f. Plan for activities and guest lecturers and other learning opportunities for the program, in collaboration with the Local Facilitator, CPC and Reps.
g. Help with the selection of 6-10 participants for the Seek program.