Initial Interest Form

The Missionary Mobilization Team of the North American Mission Board appreciates your willingness to explore opportunities for North American missionary service. By completing the information below, you help us get to know you and your sense of calling.

NOTE: This Initial Interest Form is not an application nor does it begin the application process. Submission of this form indicates your desire to explore the possibility of missionary service through the North American Mission Board.

Please complete the following information and submit as soon as possible.

How has your previous education and work history prepared you to serve as a missionary:*

If you could write your own job description and serve in any location, what would it look like and where would that be:*

Before investing in a lengthy application process, please answer the following questions which include a description of important NAMB personnel policies.*

*1. Theological Integrity: The North American Mission Board along with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has adopted the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message Statement as a framework for its work and the approval of missionaries. If you have not read the Baptist Faith and Message please link to www.sbc.net and follow the links to the Baptist Faith and Message.

Have you read and are you in agreement with the 2000 edition of the Baptist Faith and Message:

Guideline: Missions personnel are to maintain theological convictions consistent with the most current edition of The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the SBC. Missions personnel are expected to sign the theological agreement statement which states: "In accountability to the North American Mission Board and Southern Baptists, I covenant to carry out my responsibilities in accordance with and not contrary to the current edition of The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention."

Guideline: Missions personnel are expected to be committed to and consistent in presenting the gospel. Personal evangelism is considered to be a foundational expectation for all missionaries and missionary candidates.

*3. Churchmanship: Have you and your spouse (if married or engaged) been members of a Southern Baptist Church for the last two years:

Guideline: Missions personnel are to be an active member, in good standing, of a cooperating Southern Baptist Church. Missionary candidates are to be an active member of a Southern Baptist church for two years immediately prior to approval.

*4. Glossolalia: Do you or your spouse speak in an unknown tongue (glossolalia) or have a private prayer language:

Guideline: No person who is actively participating in or promoting glossolalia shall be appointed, approved or endorsed by NAMB. This includes having a private prayer language. A representative of NAMB shall counsel any missions personnel serving under NAMB appointment, approval or endorsement, who becomes involved in glossolia. Continued participation will result in termination.

*5. Lifestyle Expectations: Missions Personnel are expected to conduct themselves in a Christian manner. All missions personnel should be aware that their personal lifestyles may be more subject to scrutiny than if they were employed in a secular organization.

*A. Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Have you used alcohol as a beverage or used illegal drugs within the last 12 months:

Guideline: Missions personnel are expected to abstain from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. They will neither advocate nor condone the use of alcohol as a beverage or the illegal use of drugs, marijuana, or other controlled substances. When candidates are considered for appointment there must be at least 12 months abstinence prior to appointment.

*B. Purity: Is there anything in your life, which if known would hinder your witness or reflect negatively on NAMB:

Guideline: Missions personnel who practice sexual immorality or deviance, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, pornography, pedophilia, etc. will be terminated.

Guideline: The North American Mission Board desires that Missions Personnel receiving NAMB support who are appointed or approved, or those endorsed as Chaplains, set the finest possible example in terms of marriage and family in keeping with biblical teachings. Therefore, divorced people will rarely, and only under unusual circumstances, be appointed, approved or endorsed for mission service. The biblical rationale for divorce is recognized as:

A. For cause of sexual unfaithfulness. (Matthew 5:32; 19:1-12)
B. For cause of desertion on the part of the unbelieving spouse. (1 Corinthians 7;10-17)

Pastoral Role:
No one will be considered for appointment, approval, or endorsement for service in a pastoral role, unless the divorce is biblically-based and the person has not remarried. In the same manner, the wife cannot be divorced and remarried.

Other Roles:
Divorced people may be considered for missions personnel appointment, approval or endorsement to other types of service if the divorce is determined to be biblically based.

*7. Sanctity of human life: What is your and your spouse's attitude toward abortion:

Guideline: Missions personnel must embrace the sanctity of human life, both of the born and the unborn.

Thank you for completing the Initial Interest Form for Potential Missionary. You will be contacted by a member of the Sending Missionaries Team for additional information, clarification or next steps.

First Name:*
Last Name:*
Email:*
Phone:
Cell Phone:
Address Line 1:*
Address Line 2:
City:*
State:*
Province:
ZIP/Postal Code:*
Country:*
Marital Status:*