CAREER AS MISSION
Why Go With A Network Like GoLiveServe?
Common reasons for not wanting to join any organization:
- I do not want to pay thousands of dollars to join an organization.
- I do not plan to raise financial support.
- I do not want to jeopardize my job.
- I have good language proficiency and considerable cultural understanding.
Our answers for you:
Our low association fee at USD1,000 per year for an adult covers:
- costs for two semi-annual retreats and a total of three pastoral visits
- up to 6 hours of pastoral counseling per year with a seasoned psychologist
- logistical support services from our office in East Asia
A minimal amount of fundraising will help your friends see you as a “real” missionary – “Where your heart is, there your treasures are also.” Add to that whatever international health insurance you need, the total fund-raising target per year is about the cost of most short term projects.
Our associates do not get their work visas through GoLiveServe. They are directly employed by their companies, schools, etc. even when we help them find their jobs through friends or friends of friends. Being a part of this network is like joining a professional association or Christian fellowship. You need not put this on your resume.
Having language proficiency and cultural understanding is a good start. But you will need a lot more to be fruitful in China. There are further considerations:
Spiritual Warfare
Anyone who goes to serve in China must not underestimate the reality of spiritual warfare. In John 10, Jesus says that his mission is to offer life in all its fullness, but the enemy’s agenda in the world is to steal and kill, to destroy individuals, marriages, families and communities. If you go to China just for career reasons or cultural interest, the enemy may leave you alone. But if you mean business, being light and salt and bearer of the Good News, you are challenging the forces of darkness. You will come under fire. And no soldier should go into a battlefield without company.
Prayer Coverage
Before you go, we will coach you to raise a prayer team among your friends. While on the field, our pastoral staff will stay in touch with you regularly to be updated of your current needs. Monday through Friday, a short email describing the needs of an associate or family goes out to an intercessors network. You will be mentioned by first name or initials only, and people will be praying for you in real time. We have seen many amazing answers to prayer over the years.
Support & Accountability
As a missional professional, you are called to do your work well and minister to people, while adjusting to life in a new environment. The support of a like-minded group on the ground that understands the demands of your bi-vocational calling will help you to stay on course.
Pastoral Care
Mentoring by our pastoral staff through semi-annual retreats, personal visits, prayer and monthly email communications (Skype and phone calls when necessary) will be helpful for your fruitfulness. A seasoned clinical psychologist offers up to 6 hours of free counseling to each associate every year as needed.
Ministry Network
Upon landing in China, instead of exploring for weeks or months before you can find suitable opportunities for service, you could join or at least begin with the existing ministries of others in the GoLiveServe network.
Professional & Business Resources
Seasoned professionals in our network who have been on the field for years will offer you practical advice as you face the challenges of working in a different culture, often with ethical dilemmas that are new to you. We also have several senior executives who serve as business advisors to our associates when special needs arise. GoLiveServe associates also help each other in professional networking.
Health Advice & Referral
As health problems are common attacks for workers on the field, timely advice and referrals by several well-trained doctors in our network have proven extremely helpful to our associates over the years.
Contribution to the Body
Finally, joining the network is certainly not just about what you can gain from the group. It is also what you can give and how you can contribute to the Body. Mutual help and peer mentoring is what many of our associates like about the network. In time, you can be mentoring others, sharing your wisdom and connections with those who come after you. In so doing, you will be contributing to God’s movement, and growing workers for the harvest.
Low Cost
Our annual association fee of $1,000 per person covers the cost of retreats, pastoral visits, prayer support, health advice and referral, and other administrative services. We encourage you to raise support among your friends for these support services. This way, they will remember that you are no less a missionary, and pray for you.
If GoLiveServe is not the right sending organization for you, please be sure to find one that suits you. Do not go into a battlefield alone!
