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At Reliant we love to see our employees called into greater opportunities. On a regular basis our employees sense God is calling them from the 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. employee with Reliant to transfer to an International role includes the following main stages:

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titleEstablish the Ministry Partnership (if needed)


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MultiExcerptNamenew partnership
All employee roles at Reliant result from a partnership between Reliant and the ministry where our employees serve. Usually, a move overseas indicates a need for a new partnership. 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.
  • Reliant MOU signed by new partner ministry
  • New supervisor is oriented to need for a budget & international support goal
  • MTD coach identified, if needed
Info

For an international 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.



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titleRefresh Assessment Process (8-10 weeks)


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MultiExcerptNameassessment

When someone is already an employee with us, we know they have been effectively assessed for their current ministry. An international move triggers new levels of stress and the need for greater preparation. Also, at Reliant we make sure that a new ministry's supervisor has had the opportunity to interview our 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 apply.reliant.org. Employees can feel free to start a new application now and reach out to our Assessment Coordinator at apply@reliant.org to abbreviate the application. A Refresh application will include: 

Documentation (application)


Application


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  • International testing in Testing in partnership with International Personnel Consultants & Mission Training InternationalMissionary 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)
Supervisor Interview


Interview Process


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

Reliant Interview

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
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The employee will also talk with a Reliant interviewer, which will include discussing some of the information reported from the international testing packet
  1. .


Decision


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The anticipated future local supervisor and Reliant will make a decision in regards to the transfer. If the transfer application is approved, the employee will be notified of the new ministry offer. 

Info
The standard time for this process, once a transfer application is submittedinitiated, is 84-10 6 weeks.



New Ministry Offer


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A new ministry offer is an affirmation that the 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 employee will be released to work out their plans for release and transition from their current ministry. In most cases, the employee is carrying responsibilities that need to be transitioned to other people, and we expect our 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 aspect of that is that the current ministry continues to supervise the transitioning employee during their fundraising and international preparation season. Not every ministry situation can allow for that. If the current ministry is not able or willing to provide oversight, Reliant will look to the receiving ministry to provide this oversight. 


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titleInternational Orientation & Support Goal Development

International Orientation 


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MultiExcerptNameIntl Orientation

Once a new ministry offer an employee has been extended approved for the transfer to an International role, the employee will need to connect with the International Program Team for an international orientation. During this orientation, we will explain the aspects of employment that are unique to international employees, discuss your anticipated timeline and review the following:

    1. International Support Goal Worksheet
    2. International Checklist
    3. Cross-Cultural Training plans and requirements 

International Support Goal and International Allowance (formerly Bonuses)

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MultiExcerptNameIntl Support Goal & Bonuses

International employee salaries are set on a needs-based system. This is very different from the U.S. structure, which uses market-based salaries. The supervisor of the employee 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% of the fundraising goal 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



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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

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titleMTD - Active Fundraising for the New Ministry (typically 3-6 months)
Employees

will be required to raise:

  • 100% of monthly recurring gifts

  • 100% of one-time gifts OR a 3-month buffer of expenses in MTD account

    • (whichever is greater)

The amount of time needed for this fundraising varies greatly depending on things like the amount of funding currently developed and the amount of time the employee can give to the process. 

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


The Roundtable Call is a simple, yet important time when Reliant, the employee, and the new supervisor meet one last time before the employee'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 employee to their new role at this juncture. The call is usually scheduled by the employee and held 1-2 weeks before departure. It takes 30-45 minutes. 

plan to attend 1-2 months prior to launch.

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titleCross-Cultural Training

Reliant employees who are serving internationally for more than 9 months are required to have cross-cultural training. Usually Reliant 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 employees. Reliant's International Worker Resources Program Team needs to approve any alternate cross-cultural training. The request for acceptance of alternate training needs to be initiated by the leadership of the supervising ministry.

Typically, employees You should aim to register for their approved cross-cultural training once they pass 50% of their monthly international support goal.

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titleRelease to Assignment & Roundtable Call

International Release to Assignment 

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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

Roundtable Call

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Getting Started

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

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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 MTI 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?

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Milestones During MTD

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MultiExcerptName50%

At 50% - Plan Training Logistics

    • Register for Cross-Cultural Training — usually Reliant employees utilize COMPASS training with MTI. Make sure these plans have been approved by Reliant and your current supervisor first.

    • The employee registers for MTI when they reach 50% of their goal, with the aim of attending training when they have 80-95% of their goal.

    • The cost of MTI is covered by funds that are raised by the employee.
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Between 50-80% - Get Oriented with Reliant's Financial Processes

    • Contact international@reliant.org to register for International Financial Orientation where we discuss international banking plans. and international reimbursements.

...

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 the approved cross-cultural training with MTI around this time.

Note

Be aware, there will always need to be four weeks between the end of cross-cultural training and departure for the international assignment.

At 98-100% - Request Release

...

Finish all International Checklist requirements and submit remaining paperwork to international@reliant.org

Note

Be aware, a minimum of 10 business days is required between Release to Assignment and departure for the international assignment.

Report to New Assignment!

    • Send us your prayer letters (smile)

Differences between U.S. and International Employment with Reliant


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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
Needs-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) used to submit
  • SGW accounts for
needs of the employee to calculate the needs-based salary
  • job role, cost-of-living in host country, and family dynamics.

Insurance

(when benefits eligible)

BonusesMinistry Expense Bonus planned into support goalInternational
Bonuses requested as applicable, instead of a monthly ministry expense bonus
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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FMHOME:International Staff Contact
FMHOME:International Staff Contact