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At Reliant we love to see our missionaries employees called into greater opportunities.  On On a regular basis our missionaries employees sense God is calling them from the US U.S. to an international ministry. This page is intended to help you understand the steps along the way and the timeline needed.  . The transfer process includes an assessment and a Hiring Decision between Reliant and the leadership of the international ministry. That decision may result in identifying areas in which the employee needs to develop before being invited to this new role. The employee is only free to announce a change and officially raise funds for the new ministry after the hiring decision has resulted in a New Ministry Offer. For these reasons, we encourage current employees to communicate wisely to friends, family and ministry partners. Helpful language includes comments like: "I believe God is calling me, and I've started a discernment process with my leadership"; "I hope to be released to an international assignment"; "Our hope and dream is to minister internationally, and we are preparing ourselves for that"; and "We hope you will continue supporting us if we are released to our new ministry." 


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Steps in the Transfer Process

The process for a current U.S. missionary employee with Reliant to transfer to an International role includes the following main stages:

UI Expand
titleEstablish the Ministry Partnership (if needed)


Multiexcerpt
MultiExcerptNamenew partnership
All
missionary
employee roles at Reliant result from a partnership between Reliant and the ministry where our
missionaries
employees serve.
 Usually
Usually, a move overseas indicates a need for a new partnership.
 Even
Even if the ministry is being managed by a large church, there are usually supervisors for the particular location who will want to understand how we partner together. 
The process for establishing a partnership with Reliant includes the following:
 
  • Partnership Call is completed with Reliant's International Team and the new supervisors
.  It takes 30-45 minutes
  • .
  Partnership Affirmation form is completed
  • Reliant MOU signed by new partner ministry
  • New
Supervisor
  • supervisor is oriented to need for a budget & international support goal
  • MTD coach identified, if needed

 

Info

For an international

missionary

employee, the partner church/ministry is most often the receiving church (located internationally). However, there are scenarios where Reliant partners with the sending church (located in the U.S.). It is important to determine whether the receiving or sending church is the appropriate partner for Reliant and continue the rest of the process with leadership from that church/ministry involved.




Reliant Interview

The missionary will also talk with a Reliant interviewer, which will include discussing some of the information reported from the international testing packet
UI Expand
titleRefresh Assessment Process (8-10 weeks)


Multiexcerpt
MultiExcerptNameassessment

When someone is already

a missionary

an employee with us, we know they have been effectively assessed for their current ministry.

 An

An international move triggers new levels of stress and the need for greater preparation.

 Also

Also, at Reliant we make sure that a new ministry's supervisor has had the opportunity to interview our

missionaries

employees for the roles they will carry. This is valuable to each party in the discernment process. 

Therefore, an abbreviated "refresh" assessment process will be completed at go.reliant.org. Missionaries can feel free to start a new application now and reach out to our Assessment Coordinator at go@reliant.org to abbreviate the application. A Refresh application will include: 


Application


Documentation (application)

Multiexcerpt
MultiExcerptNameassessment
  • International
testing in
  • Testing in partnership with International
Personnel Consultants & Mission Training International
  • Missionary Personnel Consultants (IMPC)
  • Ministry/Health Assessment (completed through Breezy, our application Hub)
  • References from
Spouse and current Supervisor
  • Job Description/Ministry Skills - for new ministry
  • Calling - for new ministry
  • Emotional and Moral Questionnaire
  • MTD readiness (financial updates)
    • spouse and current supervisor


    Interview Process

    Supervisor Interview


    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameassessment

    After submitting an application, an interview will be held with the anticipated future supervisor for the international role.

    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameassessment

    A potential international candidate will go through up to 3 interviews.

    1. IMPC Interview - The candidate will have the opportunity to debrief their International testing results with a licensed counselor, who will provide a summary report to the candidate, Reliant, and the new local supervisor.
    2. Local Supervisor - The person who will be the new supervisor of the worker in the international location will have the opportunity to hold an interview after receiving the Ministry/Health Assessment and IMPC report.
    3. Reliant - The candidate will be interviewed when needed by a member of the International team or a trained Reliant Assessor.


    Decision


    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameassessment

    The

    anticipated future

    local supervisor and Reliant will make a decision in regards to the transfer.

    If the transfer application is approved, the missionary will be notified of the new ministry offer.

     

    Info
    The standard time for this process, once a transfer
    application
    is
    submitted
    initiated, is
    8
    4-
    10
    6 weeks.



    New Ministry Offer


    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameassessment

    A new ministry offer is an affirmation that the

    missionary

    employee is well-suited for the new role

    ,

    and that Reliant and the new ministry leadership believe God's blessing is on the transition.

      

    At this point, the

    missionary

    employee will be released to work

    -

    out their plans for release and transition from their current ministry. In most cases, the

    missionary

    employee is carrying responsibilities that need to be transitioned to other people, and we expect our

    missionaries

    employees to leave well by making the space for a healthy transition.

     

    In best-case scenarios, Reliant hopes that the current ministry views themselves as "senders."

    .  One

    One aspect of that is that the current ministry continues to supervise the transitioning

    missionary

    employee during their

    fund-raising

    fundraising and international preparation season.

     Not

    Not every ministry situation can allow for that.

     If

    If the current ministry is not able or willing to provide oversight, Reliant will look to the receiving ministry to provide this oversight. 



    UI Expand
    titleInternational Orientation & Support Goal Development

    International Orientation 


    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameIntl Orientation

    Once

    a new ministry offer

    an employee has been

    extended

    approved for the

    transfer to an International role, the missionary will need to connect with the International Department of the Missionary Resources team for an international orientation. During this orientation, we will explain the aspects of employment that are unique to international missionaries, discuss your anticipated timeline and review the following:
      1. International Support Goal Worksheet
      2. International Check-list
      3. Cross-Cultural Training plans and requirements 

     

    International Support Goal and Bonuses

    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameIntl Support Goal & Bonuses

    International Missionary salaries are set on a needs-based system.  This is very different from the US structure which uses market-based salaries.  The supervisor of the missionary is highly involved in the process by providing budget and expectations regarding the local standard of living. 

     A new needs-based support goal will be calculated using the International Support Goal Worksheet (SGW). This support goal will be added to StaffNet to help track progress towards 100% but will not be used for payroll initially.

    international team, they will need to be oriented to many of the unique distinctives of the international program. Usually they will attend an International DNA held directly after virtual trainings. In cases when this is not possible, they will need to schedule a call with the International Liaison. During an orientation, we will cover topics such as:

      1. International Support Goals
      2. Pre-Launch International Checklist
      3. Administrative functions
      4. International Health Insurance
      5. International Member Care
      6. Crisis Management



    UI Expand
    titleSupport Goals and MTD

    Typically, US-based employees will need to raise additional funds for their international assignment, both monthly and one-time expenses. Once International Transfers have determined thier new support goal, they

    UI Expand
    titleMTD - Active Fund Raising for the New Ministry (typically 3-6 months)
    Missionaries

    will be required to raise:

    • 100% of monthly recurring gifts

    • 100% of one-time gifts OR a 3

      • months'

    • -month buffer of expenses in MTD account

      • (whichever is greater)

    The amount of time needed for this

    fund-raising

    fundraising varies greatly depending on things like the amount of funding currently developed

    ,

    and the amount of time the

    missionary

    employee can give to the process. 

    Once you reach your goal, you will be approved to buy plane tickets and leave!


    Since this transfer involves a new ministry assignment and new international support goal, a new release to your international assignment will be required. A few key things happen after the Release to Assignment has been approved:

    • Plane tickets may be purchased
    • Salary will change to the international needs-based salary calculated in the SGW
    • Insurance will change to international coverage
    The Round-Table Call is a simple, yet important time when Reliant, the missionary and the new supervisor meet one last time before the missionary's departure.  We review plans for the arrival, the first few months of ministry, first furlough and safety issues together. We also formally commit the missionary to their new role at this juncture.  The call is usually scheduled by the missionary and held 1-2 weeks before departure.  It takes 30-45 minutes. plan to attend 1-2 months prior to launch.

    UI Expand
    titleCross-Cultural Training

    Reliant Missionaries employees who are serving internationally for more than 9 months are required to have Cross Cultural cross-cultural training.  Usually Usually Reliant Missionaries employees utilize  EQUIP training through CIT and COMPASS training with MTI.  Reliant is continuing to develop new partnerships for the Cross Cultural training needs of our missionaries.  Reliant's Missionary Resources leadership Reliant's International Program Team needs to approve any alternate Crosscross-Cultural cultural training.  The The request for acceptance of alternate Training training needs to be initiated by the leadership of the Supervising Ministrysupervising ministry.

    Typically, missionaries You should aim to register for their approved Cross Cultural training once they pass 50% of their monthly international support goal.

    UI Expand
    titleRelease to Assignment and Roundtable Call

    International Release to Assignment 

    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameIntl Release


    Getting Started

    When a missionary wishes you wish to move internationally, it helps if you will reach out to Reliant 6-12 months prior to their your desired deployment.    Answering Answering the following questions will help us serve you and begin the transfer process. 

    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameMTD Hopes & Timeline
    • When do you plan to start MTD for your international role, and how much time do you plan to devote to MTD?
    • When do you plan to transition away from current job responsibilities?
    • Do you need to change your employment status while you raise additional support (you have the opportunity to change to Associate or a Part-Time status in order to accrue funds more quickly)? If so, when?
    • When do you hope to attend

    ...

    • cross-cultural training?
    • When do you hope to complete your fundraising? (Fundraising must be completed in order to be released to your new assignment.)

    • When do you hope to move to your international ministry location?

    ...

    The Transfer process includes and assessment and a "Hiring Decision" between Reliant and the leadership of the international ministry.   That decision may result in identifying areas in which the missionary needs to develop before being invited to this new role.   Only after the hiring decision has resulted in a New Ministry Offer is made is the missionary free to announce a change and officially raise funds for the new ministry.  For these reasons, we encourage current missionaries to communicate wisely to friends, family and ministry partners.  Helpful language includes comments like: "I believe God is calling me and I've started a discernment process with my leadership."  "I hope to be released to an international assignment."  "Our hope and dream is to minister internationally and we are preparing ourselves for that."  "We hope you will continue supporting us if we are released to our new ministry." 

    Milestones During MTD

    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptName50%

    At 50% - Plan Training Logistics

      • Register for CrossCultural Training - usually Reliant Missionaries utilize  COMPASS training with MTI – make sure these plans have been approved by Reliant and your current supervisor first.

      • The Missionary registers for MTI when they reach 50% of their goal. The aim is for them to attend when they have 80-95% of their goal.

      • The cost of MTI is covered by funds that are raised by the missionary.  
    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameBetween 50-80%

    Between 50-80% - Get Oriented with Reliant's Financial Processes

    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNameAround 80%

    Around 80% - Attend Cross-Cultural Training

      • Official transfer happens in Reliant's databases. This reflects a transfer of responsibility from the previous U.S. assignment to the future International assignment and updates ministry information on reliant.org profiles (if not already updated).Aim to attend COMPASS training with MTI around this time.
        • Be aware, there will always need to be four weeks between the end of Compass and Departure for the international assignment to finish. 

    ...

    ...

    Report to New Assignment!  

      • Send us your prayer letters (smile)

    Differences between U.S. and International Employment with Reliant


    Multiexcerpt
    MultiExcerptNametable of differences

    As U.S.

    ...

    employees with Reliant consider transitioning to an International role, there are various aspects of employment with Reliant that are similar and others that are different from employment in a U.S. role.

    ...


    		USInternational
    SalaryMarket-based

    ...

    Hybrid Approach
    Support Goal (and tool used)

    ...

    • Offered market-based salary is used to determine support goal
    • Support Goal Calculator tool used to submit

    ...

    • SGW accounts for

    ...

    • job role, cost-of-living in host country, and family dynamics.

    Insurance

    (when benefits eligible)

    • Medical, dental, & vision all bundled together

    ...

    BonusesMinistry Expense Bonus planned into support goalInternational

    ...

    workers are eligible for monthly Ministry Expense bonus, as well as International Bonuses for unique needs related to living internationally.
    TaxesReliant withholds state tax based on where you are residing and working.Reliant does not typically withhold state tax for international workers. We ask all international workers to educate themselves on local tax guidelines for their state of permanent residence and to notify Reliant if they desire for state taxes to continue to be withheld.



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