Christian Educational Specialist

Job Title        Christian Educational Specialist

Department    Europe

Status        Full-time, Exempt

PURPOSE

Facilitate the training of educators and national Christian Education trainers and the implementation of an independent self-sustaining system for distribution of materials and training in various countries throughout the Russian-speaking world. Utilize the experience of the CRCNA in Christian education, creating a link between North America and Eastern Europe in order to achieve the region’s ministry priorities for Christian education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

1. Christian Education Support & Development:
   a. Encourage the implementation of Educational Care materials throughout  the Russian-speaking area.
   b. Support Christian school administrators in using Educational Care resources.
   c. Participate in the training of teachers to integrate a Biblical worldview into their teaching using Educational Care resources.
   d. Mentor and encourage key leaders in the Christian school movement in the Russian-speaking area.
   e. Promote Christian Education resources in Eastern Europe.
   f. Mentor new Education Care Master Trainer(s).
   g. Collect create and transmit reports.
   h. Provide stories for prayer letters to donors and supporters.
   i. Regularly visit teachers in their school to observe and provide encouragement.
   j. Network and establish Christian education training throughout the region.
   k. Build up leaders annually in order to produce 10th Generation Master Trainers
2. Mobilize resources of the CRCNA in support of the ministry
   a. Identify and develop strategic ministry opportunities for short-term missionaries that utilize the skills and strengths of the CRCNA in the development of Christian education.
   b. Work with country team leaders in the orientation, mentoring and supervision of volunteers while they are in Eastern Europe.
   c. Develop a network of supporting churches and individuals to pray for the ministry and provide support at the level of 90% of the individualized budget.
   d. Maintain regular correspondence with CRCNA churches and members about ministry activities and highlights, special projects and giving opportunities, ensuring that  notes of thanks are sent to donors in a timely manner.
    

None

1. Mature and growing Christian faith marked by personal integrity and Christian discipline; professing membership in a Christian Reformed congregation or a congregation of a denomination in ecclesiastical fellowship with the Christian Reformed Church, and willing to sign the Covenant of Office-bearers.
2. Passion for Christian education.
3. Demonstrated ability to work with others from different cultures and religious traditions.
4. Flexible and adaptable to East European travel, communication, and living conditions.
5. Demonstrated intercultural experience and competence.
6. Self-motivated and proven quality administrative and organizational skills.
7. Training and experience in cross-cultural ministry, preferably in a European context or in global missions.
8. Fluency in English. Capacity to learn Russian.

*****INTERMEDIATE STEPSThe successful candidate for this position will pass through two intermediate steps before taking up the tasks outlined in this position description; the rate range for each step is included.

Step #1

Missionary Candidate: The purpose of this position is to prepare for international service by building a network of prayer, care and financial support in North America that will enable future ministry. Ordinarily, this will progress from part-time to full-time as the support network grows through the work of the candidate and the missionary support team that is designed for this purpose. One can expect to be in this role for 6 to 12 months, depending on how quickly the support network comes together. The pay range for this step is $19.82 - $23.31 US or $23.23 – $27.33 on the CRCNA Domestic scale.

Step #2

Missionary in Training: The purpose of this role is to develop language and culture skills, ministry skills and relationships that will enable future ministry, and begin to use those in ministry. Ordinarily, one can expect to be in this role for 6 to 18 months, depending on prior background and experience. The pay range for this step is $35,546 - $41,819 US or $38,004 - $44,711 Canada on the CRCNA International scale.

1. Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field; Master’s degree in Education, or related field, preferred (completed or in progress).
2. At least 3 years of experience in Christian Education (preferably in both classroom teaching and administration).
    

CERTIFICATION

Educational Care Master Trainer certification required or needs to be obtained.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Working with occasional electricity outages, cold winter climate, limited Internet in rural areas.
• Rough travel conditions in many parts of the country, but the situation is gradually improving.