EXTERNAL LINKS

Steps to Long-Term Service with Iris Ministries

Note: Long-term service is defined as 2 years or more. Preference will be given to Iris Mission School graduates.

In addition to the 9 steps listed below, please carefully read the document that we have posted at the bottom of the page. These guidelines have evolved from several years of experience. Because we are constantly seeking to better support those desiring to come, there will occasionally be changes made to these guidelines. Please understand that it is not our desire to discourage anyone from serving. We do take seriously the responsibility of sparing any from returning home disillusioned by the experience, due to lack of information and preparation. As this information is subject to change or updates as needed, please be sure to read this page again before making final plans for your departure.

1. Secure and read at least two books relating to the uniqueness of Iris Ministries, especially There Is Always Enough, by Rolland and Heidi Baker, and Visions Beyond the Veil, by H. A. Baker, Rolland's grandfather. Viewing the videos “The Face of Revival, Stopping for the One,” or “Mama Heidi” would be very helpful. These books and videos may be ordered through the US administrative site, www.irismin.com.

2. Register and attend a Holy Given International School of Missions in Pemba, Mozambique (see irismin.com for information on the school). Read carefully and use the visitor section of irismin.com. (An exception to attending the mission school would be an applicant who has served on the mission field or a person who has critical skills such as those of a doctor or a registered nurse).

3. After reading and attending the Holy Given School of Missions in Pemba, seek the Lord for a definitive confirmation of your call to service with Iris Ministries. Be aware that Iris now serves in several countries. The Pemba Centre has been designated as the launching service location for future missionary assignments in several other countries as you will read of below.

4. Seek the counsel of mature Christians who have experienced the difficulties of severe cultural changes and language needs. Language study will be critical for long-term service in the country assigned.

5. Plan thoroughly for your financial and prayer support. All international Iris missionaries make provision for their own financial and prayer support from home. In addition to your basic needs, you must have medical insurance coverage. Airlifting an ill missionary to the hospital from some areas of service could cost $10,000 or more.

6. Initiate the process by contacting a member of the long-term application committee at .

7. Thoroughly complete the requirements forwarded to you by one of the following members of the long-term application committee:

Elizabeth Kantel:
Ryan Scott:
Musy Hart:

A member of the committee will then contact Heidi Baker and other centre directors for their final approval, and you will be sent a “Letter of Invitation.”

8. Once you have received your letter of invitation, contact Iris Ministries Canada to receive information on how we will be a support to you on the field (). We will send you a package of information on the services we are able to offer to you, and then be available to discuss it all with you.

9. Secure the appropriate visa, and plan for departure from home.

Long-Term Applicants for Iris Ministries

The size and diversity of Iris Ministries has created opportunities for qualified believers with many different skill sets to serve the Lord at our various bases in Africa, which currently include Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa. Lead pastor Joseph, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, also overseeing Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya is also asking for help. Iris Africa's work in the Sudan needs additional missionaries, especially men, since the culture is so oriented toward male leadership.

Iris Africa's presence in India is now limited but expected to expand in the next year. Indonesia is asking for help with starting a Bible school in Borneo. Iris Africa currently supports two Indonesian children's centres in Bali and on Nias Island.

Many other African countries, where we have churches, and those where we don't have churches are asking for children's centres, Bible schools and more help with their established churches.

Iris is a Spirit-directed Kingdom ministry. All applicants should familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Iris mission and spiritual ethos. Long-term applications should normally follow a visit to one or more Iris bases and successful completion of the Holy Given Mission School currently held in Pemba, Mozambique. This is to help ensure that we know you and you know us before committing to a longer-term association. Limited opportunities will be extended to younger HG Mission School graduates to return for up to six months of full-time service. In most cases, it will be expected that younger missionaries would give priority to furthering their own formal education and training after HG Mission School.

By inviting long-term applicants to join the Iris family, the leadership is seeking people whose calling and qualifications will help advance the Iris mission and strategic priorities. The leadership and the long-term committee will be working to match prospective missionaries with the current needs and opportunities at the various bases, as the Holy Spirit leads.

Since long-term missionaries are responsible for their own financial support, they come to Iris as volunteers in many respects. Nonetheless, it is important that all Iris workers, whether self-supporting missionaries or paid indigenous staff, see themselves as accountable to the leadership. This includes scheduling of travel, holidays and breaks.

Due to the demanding physical circumstances and conditions of the areas where we minister, applicants should be able-bodied and in good health. We see many healed and also many suffer sickness, especially malaria. Your medical insurance coverage will be verified before your acceptance.

Long-term service is defined as a commitment of two years or more. Shorter terms deplete our staff time, resources and our ability to maintain continuity of operations. Exceptions may be made for critically needed personnel.

Application Process:

The process begins with the completion of the Holy Given School of Missions in Pemba, Mozambique. You will then need to provide the following information:

references from HG School of Missions School leadership
student application (including basic personal information and contact details)
gifting/ministry experience
pastoral and other references
last employer reference
resume or CV
current police report
vision statement
evidence of understanding and indication of your financial support in relation to your application area
proof of adequate medical insurance
visitation to the base requested

Understanding of the Iris vision and values are all parts of the process coordinated by the consultation of the long-term applicant committee, based in Pemba, Mozambique.

For bases other than Pemba, we may request a minimum two to three week visit/service under the leadership of the local base director. The input of the local base director or leader is a critical part of the process. If you are visiting a base or location with the possibility of a long-term commitment, be sure the director or leader of that location is on site when you visit.

In all settings, we will be looking for the following characteristics:

teachability
cultural adaptability
appropriateness/wisdom
positive attitude working with national leadership
evidence of willingness to work under the Iris vision and values
willingness to be accountable
willingness to work under leadership direction vs. "lone-ranger" attitude
demonstration of a servant heart which shares the day to day responsibilities of community living...walks in God's love...gives out of overflow

Exception to attending the mission school would be an applicant who has previous mission field service or has critically needed skills such as a doctor or registered nurse or has completed a mission/leadership school equivalent acceptable to the Bakers.

Completion of the Application:

We are planning on uploading an online long-term application. Until that is completed, please email for instructions. The mission school application will not be accepted in lieu of the long-term application.

When the application process has been completed, acceptance and invitations will be given when the skills/gifting, etc. match openings available at the various bases or the establishment of new bases. Approved applicants will be offered openings as base leaders or the Bakers indicate the availability of openings, and their acceptance. Applicants can request to be placed on a waiting list for the position/base which would be their first choice.

Review Process:

Base-appointed leadership or long-term committee members will meet with missionaries prior to the end of three months for a preliminary review with suggestions and/or re-assignments.

Prior to the end of six months, a more structured review will assess ministry/base “fit”. This will be the time to initiate further change, ie., base location, ministry direction, pursuing other options or to be “released” from Iris.

After this six month review, before a departure for a break/furlough, there will be an interview in which leadership will either give permission to return for another year's service or advise that closure be brought to the service of the volunteer missionary.

Change in the Application for a DIRE (D.I.R.E.):

A DIRE will be approved for those who have been accepted under the process and approved for two years or more of service. The process will generally not be initiated until the end of the one-year trial period and completed review. The government has limited the number issued. We must be sure the DIRE is available to those serving in long-term leadership positions, ie., the equipping of African leadership and/or critically needed skills, medical personnel, experienced building construction supervisor or Portuguese speaking Bible school personnel, etc.

The DIRE process for Iris Mozambique has been centralized with staff in Maputo who will require authorization from the long-term placement committee in consultation with Iris leadership.

Every effort will be made to assist long-term missionaries serving in the northern or isolated areas of Mozambique to obtain visas which minimize renewal requirements that would necessitate costly travel.