Volunteers in Mission


Volunteers in Mission (VIM) are individuals or families serving short term (1 week to 12 months) as a volunteer to an international location, helping meet the needs of the field and, for some, contribute toward the discernment of where God may be leading them vocationally.

VIMs are open to anyone over the age of 18 who wish to serve in an NAB field where there is a current need, as determined by the field host. (You can find current opportunties on our Job Openings page.)

Process

  1. Contact NAB Gateway with interest and questions.
    • Email Randy and Kristi
    • Tell which opportunities interest you – where, when, and how long
    • Who have you discussed this potential trip with?
    • How did you find out about VIMs with the NAB?
  2. Read the policies and guidelines for NAB short-term missions.
  3. Apply, providing:
    • Basic personal info
    • Short essay responses
    • References
      • Pastor at your home church
      • Someone who has known you for at least five years
    • Write a life sketch
  4. Interview with potential host receiver and NAB International Missions Department / Gateway.
    • Schedule within one month of references received
    • At least two people – one from the NAB and one from the field
    • What are your hopes for this potential trip?
  5. Approval contingent upon clean background check
    • Response from interview team within two weeks after interview
    • Once approved, then assigned to trip in Managed Missions
      • Can start required pre-field training
      • Can start fundraising
      • Additional tasks assigned, most noted in additional steps below
    • Undergo background check.
      • Typically only takes one to two weeks for it to be returned to the NAB
      • Responsibility of VIM to cover cost: $32.50 (USD) / $64.50 (CAD), with some countries costing $20 extra
        • Confirm dates and mission details (typically within one month of approval).
        • Determine budget, who purchases what, how/where funds will be handled, etc.
          • Typically concurrent with confirming dates and mission details
          • Includes: airfare, in-country lodging and transportation, meals, short-term mission insurance, project fund
        • Complete and sign registration paperwork in Managed Missions: medical information, physician’s exam/approval, emergency contacts, publicity release, verification of medical insurance, release of liability, policies and guidelines.
        • Undergo pre-field training on Managed Missions, with some info/training coming from the host.
          • Done asynchronously
          • 10 hours or less
          • Typically have two to three months to complete
        • Purchase flights
          • About two months prior to start date
          • Adequate funds must be received prior to purchase
        • On-field completely directed by host receiver – who is the supervisor and authority.
        • Email check-in while on field.
        • Debrief by host receiver.
        • Debrief material upon return.
        • Debrief conversation with NAB International Missions Department staff member.

Timeline

  • Once application submitted – about one month to potential approval; dependent upon:
    • References received
    • Interview being scheduled
  • Two to three months of fundraising and pre-field training
    • Fundraising can start as soon as approved – even with budget/dates/mission details needing to be firmed up
    • Required pre-field training done asynchronously through online platform
  • Buy tickets about two months out from start date, contingent upon appropriate funds raised.

 

Notes

  • It is about six months from when you reach out to NAB Gateway with interest until being on-field. It may be longer depending on date constraints, or could be a little shorter. This also allows for:
    • Pre-field training
    • Fundraising
    • Field to prepare for arrival
  • You can be sent home if policies are not followed or you compromise the ministries in your country of service – at your cost.