Being a full-time missionary looks different in every context. God has made you uniquely with a special set of skills, passions and abilities. Explore how you can steward your gifts in new ways as you pursue a call into full-time missions. We take time to hear your story and find the best fit based on where God is calling you. Long-term opportunities range from a year to a lifetime, and we make sure our missionaries get the support that they need relationally, practically and spiritually.
 

What’s Needed

What is needed to become a long term missionary with Pioneers:

• A dedicated Christian life.

• Good knowledge of the Bible.

• A passionate heart for the unreached who are spiritually lost.

• Agreeing with our mission statement, core values, statement of faith.

• Approval and support from your own church.

• A group of supporters who pray and donate.

• Willingness to work together in a team with different nationalities and church backgrounds.

• Perseverance to work in hard places.

• Flexibility to adapt to the local culture.

• Willingness to learn the language of your ministry.

• If possible, professional diplomas and some work experience.

• Sufficient mission training.

• Good physical and psychological health.

• Being at least 18 years old, but usually 21 years old.

• After the application process, receiving approval from Pioneers Europe.

If you see this long list, who is still competent? Remember however, that we do not go because we ourselves are capable, but because God qualifies us for the work. He is in charge.
 

Pioneers

Pioneers will guide  you in the best way possible before, during, and after your service:

• Tailor-made guidance during your sending process by helping with visa, placement, team, home front committee and everything else that is needed to migrate temporarily, so to speak.

• Becoming a member of Pioneers and your team, supported and cared for as if you were our own family.

• Being given all the coaching, support and membercare that a team can offer.

• Staying in contact and being given member care by your mobilisation office.

• Ensure accountability and evaluation.

• Provide crisis management, completely and as long as it takes.

• Possibility of handling donations in compliance with ANBI (Dutch tax deductibility).

• Partnering with your church and supporters.

Pioneers is a facilitator, which means that the organization has the possibilities and the expertise for your sending, helping to ensure that you are sent properly by your church. Our role is to help you discern God’s calling for your life and to ensure the right match with the field and the team where you will serve. To this end, you will need to fill out an extensive application form and we will check the necessary references. As part of the prefield preparation process, you will make a field visit to your future team for mutual agreement on becoming a team member.
Your home church is ultimately responsible to send you. We strongly recommend this biblical model of Romans 13. In order to send you, we partner with your home church and sign an agreement that outlines the responsibilities assoicated with your sending.
 

Sending

Your sending process may look like the following:

• You contact Pioneers by email, phone or letter.

• The mobilisation office conducts an interview to explore your interest in mission.

• The support of your home church is agreed upon.

• You complete an application form. References are checked. Medical and psychological examinations are held. Provisional placement in a team is discussed. You will be accepted as an appointee (candidate).

• Pioneers wants mutual consent from you and the team. Therefore you visit the team prior to being sent.

• Your home front committee is established.

• After your sending budget has been determined, you start your fundraising.

• You follow the training and orientation for appointees.

• You prepare for “emigration” with all authorities.

• Your home church sends you in a commissioning service.

• Departure from your homeland and arrival in your new home. Your team will receive you and help you with all aspects of life in your new country and your new culture. While on the field, your field leader will take care of you, but your mobilisation office, home front committee and church will keep in touch with you and support you when and where necessary. Staying on the field, working on your project, carry out your missionary work, having timely furlough.

• Ending your sending term and returning to your home country. Your home front committee and church will help you practically. The mobilisation office supervises your re-entry.

 
To be effective you must at least sign for a couple of years. Three months’ leave can be taken each calendar year. At least the first year is typically spent on language and culture study, after which you work in your humanitarian project or business and you devote sufficient time to friendship evangelism, because that is your main focus.
 
Before you depart, all your donations need to be pledged and medical and emergency reparation insurances and pension scheme need to be in order.
 

Sending

Missions is not a project for one individual. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church of Antioch. This congregation sent and prayed for them. In turn, Paul and Barnabas reported back about their experiences (Acts 13 and 14). Without support, missionary work is doomed to fail. It is therefore important that you are an active member of your church, and that they actively involved in sending you. We have seen that in general it is a very positive experience when one’s own church is activley involved in sending. Missions becomes much more tangible to the church and its members when they are involved in praying, donating, and encouraging the missionary whom they’ve sent.
 

Home Front Committe

Some missionaries establish a home front committee. This is very common in countries such as the Netherlands, but not so common in others. Nevertheless, we encourage every missionary to establish and maintain a home front committee. The main tasks of a home front committee are:

• Maintaining contact with you, your family and Pioneers in your home country.

• Keeping in touch with the church mission committee and your church.

• Provide spiritual and moral support, both in preparation time and on the field.

• Stimulate intercession.

• Help with raising financial support and, if necessary, manage the financial administration.

• Providing practical support, including providing living space during furlough.

• Informing the church and your supporters by spreading your regular newsletter.

Your home front committee receives guidance from Pioneers in order it carries out its tasks as well as possible.
 
There is much more is to be told about long term service, however let’s first get acquainted. Give us a call or send an email to get the conversation started!