“Without the work you do – the education and care of our children – we could not do our ministry.”
This is a common sentiment shared from parents to teachers at schools for mission kids (MKs) across the world. “Support” ministries often get put in a “second-class” file. On one hand, one might see why; teachers and administrators aren’t planting churches or giving clean water to remote villages or sheltering orphans. But people who work in support ministries don’t see it as second class, rather they are a critical and essential part of a team – without this part, the team can’t succeed.
Clik here to view.
“Teaching at an MK school is essential for long-term missions to occur,” says Josh, who works at an MK school in SE Asia. “Kids’ education is a major reason why families leave the field. My role allows years of experience and passion to remain working in foreign missions.”
Every teacher, administrator, dorm parent, support staff, or board member at MK schools share this concept – MK education enables the ministry around the world.
MKs as Mission Field
However, this is just one element of the ministry. Mission kids happen to be a mission field all on their own. Eric, who works at Black Forest Academy in Germany, says, “Third Culture Kids are our people group.” Just because a child is exposed to Christ at an early age, it does not mean they choose to follow Him.
Clik here to view.
Although MKs aren’t an unreached people group, they can often be unchurched, which means they have access to Christ, they have the opportunity to follow Him, but aren’t in a meaningful, growing relationship with their Savior. MK schools try to provide meaningful fellowship and discipleship of students alongside education.
Clik here to view.
Tom, who is head of school at Faith Academy in the Philippines, says: “We chose to serve as MK educators for two reasons. We see this work as essential to supporting the spread of the gospel throughout Asia, enabling other missionaries to focus on raising up the local church, etc. while we care for the education of their children. Also, both of us are MKs who loved growing up in this environment and wanted to pass along that blessing to the next generation.”
Clik here to view.
Staffing Needs
The reality MK schools face is a shortage of qualified teachers with that heart-connection for MK ministry. Schools like Faith and BFA, along with many other examples in the world, rely on teachers who raise support, making it a God-thing every year whether or not schools are fully staffed.
Clik here to view.
Supporting teachers, administrators, dorm parents, etc. isn’t just about supporting their personal ministry to MKs, it truly is about supporting global ministry.
Clik here to view.
The 13 schools the OC Global Alliance serves all need staff. Contact ocmobilization@oci.org for information about the schools we serve and the areas where you could serve or give.
Clik here to view.
Pray with One Challenge
For now, will you pray with One Challenge for the specific needs at some of our schools.
- Pray for high school and middle school English teachers, Elementary teachers, and ELL teachers at Faith Academy in the Philippines.
- Pray for HS and MS teachers for foreign languages, maths, sciences, and arts at Black Forest Academy.
- Pray for dorm parents and resident advisors at both schools.
- Pray for Elementary teachers for another school in SE Asia.
- Pray for people to come alongside MK schools to partner in prayer and finances.
Schools like these rely heavily on your prayers, thank you for taking the time to pray today.
Contact Info
Below are the websites for Faith Academy and Black Forest Academy. Please contact them directly for more information.
Due to security, we can’t post information about the other MK schools. Contact the OC Mobilization team to discuss working in one of the 13 schools that the OC Global Alliance serves.
Education One Challenge is an international mission sending agency empowering local church ministry in more than 100 countries around the world. One Challenge seeks to educate on all levels in order to equip the next generation of leaders … English as a second language, global workers’ children in international schools, university and seminary students.