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Service Options

Volunteer

Each year WEC's USA headquarters in suburban Philadelphia welcomes dozens of volunteers who use their practical skills to help us recruit, train and send workers overseas.

WEC Trek

A program offering short-term, cross-cultural service from one to eighteen months.

> WEC Trek Web Site

Associate

For those who want to give a significant portion of their time to WEC but are unable to apply for full membership, WEC offers associate membership.

Career

Career service presents opportunities for those sensing God's call to long-term service in cross-cultural ministry.

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Steps to Career Service

Qualifications

Becoming a career member is a serious commitment. For a person planning to be a cross-cultural worker, "getting ready" is a process that typically takes a significant amount of time. Becoming a tool God can use in cross-cultural service involves

• establishing a firm foundation in Christian life and character;
• gaining ministerial experience in your local church and community;
• broadening knowledge and exposure to cross-cultural work and peoples of the world through short-term trips, ethnic advocacy groups and intercessory prayer;
• receiving formal education in basic Bible, theology, cross-cultural ministry, and where applicable, professional training and certification in specialized ministries (medicine, teaching, etc.)
• gaining communication skills in English, if this is not an area of proficiency.

We realize this means an investment of time, effort and money, but the result is a person well equipped for cross-cultural  service. In WEC, both husbands and wives are regarded as members and must meet our qualifications.

Application

You may hear about WEC through personal contact with a WEC member or representative, WEC literature or our Web site. You can find out more by sending us a note or phoning. We will send you a preliminary questionnaire and information appropriate to your area of interest.

> Contact Information (Choose "Candidate")

As the Lord leads, you may complete the questionnaire and return it to us, along with your testimony and photo. This does not obligate you in any way to WEC, but it gives us information to help understand your interests and experience. We then contact you regarding what your next steps might be. Visiting our headquarters or meeting with a WEC representative in your area provides an opportunity to get to know WEC better.

If after getting acquainted there is mutual agreement to move forward, we will send you a formal application and doctrinal form to complete. Next come medical and dental exams. We prayerfully consider each applicant and will extend you an invitation to attend our Candidate Orientation (CO) as the Lord directs.

Orientation

Two COs are held at our headquarters in Philadelphia each year, with classes beginning in August and January. The 8-week core of each CO is designed to

• enable you to get to know WEC, and to enable us to get to know you;
• allow us to assess your suitability for cross-cultural service with WEC;
• encourage you to prepare realistically for life and work in a different culture;
• strengthen your devotional life;
• allow you and us to communicate with your intended team and to confirm their approval of your proposed ministry;
• welcome you into our “family” and build relationships with WEC headquarter's staff and other overseas workers.

COs include classes, fellowship with staff and visiting workers, practical work, participation in prayer times and WEC events, interviews and ministry in the city of Philadelphia.

Following the core orientation, you may choose additional training modules in specific areas such as language learning methods, church planting, children in crisis, etc.

Stepping Out

When you successfully complete the CO, we formally accept you as a member of  the WEC family as a new worker. After acceptance, WEC members present their anticipated ministry to churches and individuals and prepare for departure to the country of their calling.

Before you leave, you will need to

• share the vision and burden with your home church and prayer supporters,
• gain adequate prayer and financial support,
• visit family and friends,
• obtain necessary visas and complete other paperwork,
• make travel and shipping arrangements,
• take further training if recommended.

Getting Started On The Field

When you arrive on the field your field leadership will help you find and start appropriate language and cultural studies. Your progress will be monitored regularly.

After two years your field leadership will make a comprehensive review of your progress. If your preparation is satisfactory and you wish to continue in ministry long-term, your status will be changed from "New Worker" to "Worker." If you and your field leadership believe further training is advisable, your status will be changed to "Worker In Training." Further training may take place in your home country, on the field or elsewhere. WEC is committed to life-long learning.

> Financial Support

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