Who is Power to Change?
What is a Statement of Faith?
Key characteristics of a Missionary
How can I discern God's will for me?
Do I need a Bible Degree?
What training will I receive?
How does Power to Change develop leaders?
What is the application process?
How will I get paid?
What is my Budget?
How do you discover Ministry Partners?
Who is Power to Change?
Power to Change is an international, faith-based mission organisation that seeks to build spiritual movements by connecting people to Jesus and each other. Internationally, we are known as Cru or Campus Crusade for Christ and have approximately 17,000 missionaries serving in over 190 countries. Launched in Australia in 1967, we have 150 people serving throughout the country. Read more on our About pages.
What is a Statement of Faith?
Our Statement of Faith is an explanation of what we believe. The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God’s infallible written Word, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians. Because of the specialised calling of our movement, we desire to allow for freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone and that no such interpretation shall become an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us. If you would like to read our Statement in detail please look here.
Key characteristics of a Missionary
The basic spiritual qualifications essential for every potential missionary are a heart for God and a teachable attitude. These two qualifications are essential to the following qualities in a missionary.
Spiritual Maturity. The applicant must have been a Christian for at least one year and be in full agreement with the Statement of Faith and with our ministry objectives. The applicant must have a basic knowledge of Scripture and demonstrate a concern for others. Willing to learn how to introduce others to Christ is essential.
Personality and Character. The applicant must have leadership qualities and demonstrate an ability to relate well to a variety of people. The demands of ministry partner development and an initiative-oriented ministry necessitate emotional stability and maturity.
Availability for Training. In the first two years of service, missionaries are required to attend Core Missionary Training (two week-long intensives). Different strategies also may have other training requirements.
Tenure. There are several types of roles available in the organisation. Some people join full-time and develop a team of Ministry Partners to provide financially for them. Usually, these people are asked to make a minimum commitment of one year (STINT)or for three years. Part-time roles are also available depending on the location. Power to Change is open to a number of funding sources and so being self-funded or having part-time employment are possibilities. One key principle is stability. To be a vital member of a team needs consistency and availability and finances play a major part in a sustainable viable career.
How can I discern God's will for me?
Grant Bickerton, a psychologist and Power to Change missionary talks about practical, biblical ways to know.
You can also download and use this handout to help you weigh your options.
Do I need a Bible Degree?
Missionaries are not required to have a Bible college degree to serve with Power to Change as the organisation provides opportunities for missionaries to do formal theological training.
What training will I receive?
Once you're accepted as a new missionary, we provide 5 days of New Missionary Orientation. Then, new missionaries go through two, 1-week blocks of Core Missionary Training once they have started their assignment. Training is tailored depending on the final placement. In addition, Power to Change holds various conferences throughout the year that include training.
How does Power to Change develop leaders?
In Power to Change, we seek to provide a work environment that allows you to grow personally, professionally and spiritually. To this end, we provide extensive training and encouragement at all levels of the organisation. Some of this is done through reviews, feedback from peers and job descriptions (which include both personal and professional goals). Considerable energy is directed towards helping new missionaries understand the organisation and develop competence so they can be effective wherever their ministry assignment.
What is the application process?
After requesting and submitting an application, an approved applicant will sit for an interview. A decision will be made to accept the applicant as a new missionary with Power to Change. Acceptance will start the process of raising financial support (coach and training provided). Upon being fully-funded, the missionary will begin full-time ministry. You can request an application pack by filling out an interest survey.
How will I get paid?
All Power to Change missionaries raises their own financial support. This allows each investor to personalise their giving by investing in the ministry of an individual. The goal of our salary structure is to provide an income that will allow missionaries to sufficiently meet their needs or the needs of their families over the long term. We believe this is a biblically-sound model that allows for quick movement expansion, provides a team of people who partner with missionaries through prayer and financial support, and is an encouraging confirmation of the Lord’s call to mission. The process can be challenging but has many blessings too. Our missionaries serving in Australia (singles, married without children, and married with children) have found this to be a reliable and stable way to finance their mission work over many years. Depending on location and stage of life, most singles raise above $3,500 per month and most married couples above $4,500 per month. Power to Change provides you with training and a financial support raising coach to help you build a ministry partner team.
What is my Budget?
Your budget is the goal set for your Ministry Partner Development. Power to Change has no special fund for paying people. You must raise every dollar you expect to spend to live or do ministry. A standard budget includes
- Housing cost (rent, mortgage repayments)
- Salary (to cover food, clothes, entertainment, car expenses, savings, holiday etc)
- Superannuation,
- Insurance
- Ministry expenses (such as a computer, some of your car expenses, conferences)
- Fringe Benefits
- Buffer
- Tax
- 10% Power to Change administrative levy
How do you discover Ministry Partners?
If the average ministry partner gives somewhere between $50 and $100 per month, you will need to find 45 to 100 people to partner with you financially on a regular basis. This may seem really huge, yet this is where your MPD coach helps you. First, you make a list of everyone you know. Then you begin to approach them using one of the strategies outlined in the Ministry Partner Development manual. In this approach, you share the vision that God has given you for serving him. Some people really resonate with the vision and decide immediately to join your team. Others are less certain, or they are not in a position to give financially. We just keep initiating with people until we find the people who are ready. Your list may include people in your city, at church, people who have been involved with Power to Change, and family. It could include people all over Australia and internationally. Developing a team of ministry partners can take from 6 to 12 months. You are not doing ministry during this time, because the effort to develop a team of ministry partners requires strong focus. While all of us are overjoyed when we reach our goal, Ministry Partner Development is a tremendous time. Lessons are often learnt about yourself, others and especially God.
