So what would it take to join WEC? A good question. Here's a general outline, of course you can contact us to find out more!
Your journey will start out by getting in touch with a mobiliser - there's one near you! Their role is to help you think about where you're at right now in your missions journey and what it might take to get 'out there' serving as a missionary. They can tell you about opportunities that are on the mission field with WEC, as well as share from their experience of what it 'looks like' to serve, and the things it would be good to prepare for now. It's a great opportunity to sit with someone who's helped many other people just like you. If you want to be more intentional about this, consider our internship option.
The mobiliser will also meet with your church leadership, to help both you and your church understand what it would mean to be sent with WEC, what WEC believes, how we work - so that everyone's comfortable with it. They've also got access to every one of WEC Australia's other teams (see here for an explanation of our teams), who are experts in their fields to help you and your church understand the best way for you and your church to get you out there.
Somewhere along that journey, the time will come when you are ready to join WEC. There are a few criteria you need to meet in order to begin the candidate process:
You are interested in being involved in long-term (more than 18 months) cross-cultural church planting, even if planning to be in a support role
You have a definite leading to WEC International which is endorsed by your church
You and your church leadership accept WEC's objectives and statement of faith
Your church leadership would happily have you on their ministry team
You have read the whole Bible
You have a vital spiritual walk
You have evangelism and discipleship experience
You have demonstrated that you have a God-given ministry which will contribute to WEC International's objectives
If you have not completed a recognised course of Bible training, you will need to commit to completing this required training within five years of your arrival on the field
For non-native English speakers, a level of 5 IELTS (or equivalent) is required
Candidate orientation (CO) to WEC takes place over a 13 week period. As an integral part of CO you will live among unreached peoples in Western Sydney, relating to them and learning from them. This is a great opportunity to share Jesus with people from other cultures - so the first time you 'do missions' overseas isn't the first time you've had serious relationships with people of other cultures and faiths. The Journey team facilitates training in teamwork, vision casting, goal and strategy setting and walks with you through reflective learning.
Your journey to join WEC ends formally once you've finished CO and you, WEC and your church agree that it's right for you to join. But that's just the beginning of the fun journey of cross-cultural missions! See here for ways we help you to keep developing yourself and your cross-cultural skills, and here for a list of opportunities to serve with WEC right now!