CURRENT OPTIONS

Church Planting Associates

Church Multiplication Teams

2003: 5 teams, 19 workers

7 full-time missionaries in Japan (not including other short-termers)

4 pre-field candidates in deputation

15 full-time missionaries planting churches in Japan (not including other long-term staff)

Number of positions available

2004:   15 teams (3-5 per team)

25 positions between 2004 ~ 2007

10 positions between 2004 ~ 2007

Placement locations

All over Japan

2004:   Japan – Kyushu, Osaka, E. Tokyo, Kobe

2005:   Japan - two more regions

2004:   Japan – Kyushu, Osaka, E. Tokyo, Kobe

2005:   Japan - two more regions

Length of terms

4-wks (6 wks also in 2004)

1 year / 2 years / 3 year

4 years

Minimum term length

4-wks

1 year (singles, couples)

3 years (couples with kids)

4 years

Maximum term length

6-wks

3 years (renewable terms)

4 years (renewable terms)

QUALIFICATIONS

Summer Teams

Church Planting Associates

Church Multiplication Teams

Applicant Qualifications

Team Leader:

love Jesus Christ and have been a Christian for at least one year

U.S. or Canadian citizen

at least 19 years old or completed 1 year of college

native or fluent English speaker

member of an evangelical organization (i.e., church or school) in agreement with Asian Access' statement of faith

your sponsoring organization fully endorses your team's participation

active member of a local church

Commits to find team members from sending organization and lead members through all of Asian Access' training materials

Your team must have a staff sponsor at your sending organization

Attends Team Leader retreat

Baptized before departure to Japan

love Jesus Christ and have been a Christian for at least one year

at least 21 years old

U.S. or Canadian citizen

completed 2 years of college

native or fluent English speaker

your local church fully endorses your participation

self-starter, flexible, previous cross-cultural experience

evangelism experience

small group experience

subscribe to Asian Access' statement of faith

active in a local church

love Jesus Christ and have been a Christian for at least two years

U.S. or Canadian citizen

college degree

30 credit hours of Bible (equivalent of 1 year)

previous cross-cultural experience

relational ministry style

evangelism experience

small group experience

your local church fully endorses your call

subscribe to Asian Access' statement of faith

active in a local church

Age restrictions

20+ (leaders), 18+ members

21+

21+

Children allowed

No

Yes (couples with kids must commit to 3-year terms)

Yes

Divorced persons allowed

Yes

Yes

Yes

Debt restrictions

No restrictions, but cannot raise money to cover debt payments

No restrictions, and can raise up to $200 per month for student loan payments above minimum support requirements.

Restricted to little or no debt (i.e., whatever you can pay monthly without hurting yourself/family and without raising those funds).

Application requirements

Application form

Self-reference form

4 references

Questionnaire for:

Team Leaders
(7 questions)

Team Members
(4 questions)

Application form

Self-reference form

6 references

attitudinal questionnaire

doctrinal questions

phone interview

psychological assessment

personal interview in L.A. office

Application form

Self-reference form

9 references

attitudinal questionnaire

doctrinal questions

phone interview (if applicable)

psychological assessment

personal interview in L.A. office

Psychological assessment requirements

None

life history questionnaire

MMPI

Myers-Briggs

plus a few other inventories

life history questionnaire

MMPI

Myers-Briggs

plus a few other inventories

personal interview with Christian psychologist

SUPPORT RAISING

Summer Teams

Church Planting Associates

Church Multiplication Teams

Support amount required

(in US$; call for CN$)

4-wk team = $2,900 per team member

6-wk team = $3,150 per team member

Singles

$2,100 (monthly pledges)

$5,800 (initial expenses)

Couples

$3,300 (monthly pledges)

$9,700 (initial expenses)

Couples with Children

Varies considerably, based upon family size, location, amount of language school required, etc...

Average:

$5,000 in monthly pledges

$30,000 initial expenses

Varies considerably, based upon family size, location, amount of language school required, etc...

Average:

$5,500 in monthly pledges

$40,000 initial expenses

Avg. = 4-8 months (must complete 10 team sessions)

Avg. = 9-12 months

Max. = 24 months to reach 100% support before departure

Avg. = 12-24 months

Max. = 24 months to reach 100% support before departure

Percentage of raised funds kept by Asian Access for administration

0%

12% of each gift

Asian Access will issue a tax-deductible receipt for every gift.

12% of each gift

Asian Access will issue a tax-deductible receipt for every gift.

BENEFITS

Summer Teams

Church Planting Associates

Church Multiplication Teams

When first salary is given

Per diem is handed out upon arrival to the field

Upon arrival to the field

Upon arrival to the field, though a stipend can be drawn from your ministry support account during deputation. This usually delays departure for the field.

Salary raises

N/A

Raises are scheduled every three years (from official start date).

Raises are scheduled every three years (from official start date).

Health benefits

Overseas travelers insurance is included in the program.

Medical

Dental

Vision

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement benefits

None

403b TSA plan (similar to 401k) can be initiated after 2 years of service.

Asian Access contributes 4% of your salary, and you can contribute 0-15%.

Variable annuities are used to invest in a variety of mutual fund options.

403b TSA plan (similar to 401k) can be initiated after 2 years of service.

Asian Access contributes 4% of your salary, and you can contribute 0-15%.

Variable annuities are used to invest in a variety of mutual fund options.

Life Insurance

None

$10,000 policy

$100,000 (primary employee)

$10,000 policy

Does Asian Access provide a vehicle on the field?

No, driving in Japan is prohibited for summer workers.

Yes, Asian Access provides a car depending on region of ministry assignment.  Insurance, maintenance and license fees are covered by funds raised by missionary.

Purchase, insurance, maintenance and license fees are covered by funds raised by missionary.