How a Missionary Position is Created and Filled

The North American Mission Board jointly approves missions personnel with the convention partner where placement occurs. Three entities are generally involved: the local church or association, a state convention or the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists, and NAMB. All three participate in funding and selection. As a result, NAMB is not a placement agency nor a direct employer.

The Selection Process:

1. A local Baptist church, association and convention identify a work to be accomplished in their area which is in line with their overall mission strategy.
2. A missionary position is created by the convention and a partnership is established with NAMB to resource that position.
3. Association and state/Canadian convention leaders identify and interview candidates to be considered for the new missionary position.
4. The partnering convention recommends an individual they have identified for the missionary position to NAMB for assessment and approval.

Each missionary vacancy will have a local search committee interview and that committee will extend a call to serve. This is usually a committee of a sponsoring church or a search committee from a local association.

NOTE: Individuals interested in serving in a career (jointly funded) missionary capacity should contact conventions they are interested in serving to determine vacancies they are seeking to fill or visit the current vacancy list.

The Assessment Process:

Individuals recommended to NAMB to be considered as a missionary will complete the candidate evaluation process. Missionary applicants should note that, as a general rule, the five-step process below generally takes place in a 90-day period.

1. A convention partner recommends an individual to be processed as a missionary candidate for a specific position.
2. The candidate completes the online application as directed by NAMB's Missionary Personnel.
3. Two assessment interviews are conducted, one by a ministry group representative and another by a Missionary Candidate Consultant.
4. Missionary Personnel reviews the candidate's file and makes recommendation to NAMB's trustees to approve candidates.
5. Upon approval, candidates are offered the ministry position by the referring partner convention and are employed by the convention partner.

For questions or comments please contact us.

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