Trained to Serve in Central Thailand.

Central Thailand has an estimated student population of around 250,000 people. These students are predominantly Buddhist and most have never met a Christian or heard the Gospel clearly explained to them.

OMF is currently developing a new Student Ministry Team for the region, bringing together Thai apprentices, English teachers and missionaries to take the gospel onto the campuses.

There is an opportunity for a limited number of people to join the Central Thailand Student Ministry Team as Trained to Serve Apprentices. They will receive training and experience in Thai language, culture and student ministry alongside Thai Trained to Serve Apprentices and missionary mentors.

Trained to Serve is a two year Thai apprenticeship programme which aims to raise up national Christian workers from the amongst the graduates of TCS (IFES) student groups. It is a new initiative started by OMF in 2005 which seeks to encourage:

Christian discipleship by serving, praying and working as a team with other Christian workers and participating regularly in evangelism and world mission.

Understanding and using the Bible. Participants are expected to read the whole bible and will be given time and support for personal systematic bible study. Regional training days and mentors provide training and opportunities for practical experience in using Scripture to teach others.

Understanding Christian leadership. Participants are expected to both study and practice godly Christian leadership, showing humility, love and a willingness to live sacrificially for the sake of those they serve.

Training others. They are also given the opportunity to pass on to others what they are learning. They are expected to participate fully in the work of building the kingdom of God through organized events and friendship with the students they meet.

All T2S apprentices are assigned a mentor to work with them and there will be structured training given through study modules, first hand experience of ministry in a CU context, regular meetings with the mentor and regional training days.

Suitable Applicants should have some experience in youth or student work and a desire to consider the possibility of long-term ministry in a cross-cultural setting. The applicant must be committed to living amongst and sharing their whole life with the students and be willing to build friendships by investing time and energy into people’s lives. Skills in one-to-one discipleship and friendship evangelism are vital. The applicant should also be sympathetic with both OMF and IFES philosophies of ministry and willing to work both alongside and under national leadership.

We are also actively seeking new missionaries who are already trained in leading small-groups, disicpling students, reaching out in evangelism to those with no concept of the Gospel and who are willing to commit themselves to long-term language and culture adaptation. These people would need to be willing to commit to joining OMF as a full-member and have a strong sense of call to Thailand’s students.

For those qualified in teaching English as a foreign language there are numerous opportunities to work in universities and high-schools and play a strategic role within the student ministry team.

Find some more information here on our blog .