International worker
An international worker is a person who moves outside their home country to live among, and minister in any variety of ways to, the people of another country. Long-term international workers engage with and witness to new groups of people, equip those people to disciple others, and mobilize partners for the mission of spreading God’s kingdom. An individual or couple preparing for this assignment will gather a supportive group called a Missionary Support Team (MST), and together they will raise the funds and prayer support needed to send the worker(s).

At EMM, a long-term assignment means two years or longer. Applicants must be at least 20 years old. Discern the right mission opportunity for you based on country or ministry — mission work has almost endless possibilities!

Long-term workers prepare for service by engaging in Launch, a guided discipleship training course with an emphasis on building cross-cultural skills. This three-phase course includes personal study, group learning, and, finally, online support as workers travel to their countries of service and delve into language, culture, and relationship-building.

EMM walks alongside long-term workers throughout their assignments and during the transition points of their service. Each summer, workers on home leave are invited to process, relax, and be refreshed at Oasis, an annual summer retreat. During regional retreats, long-term workers spend time and share life with the other missionaries in their geographical area.

Non-resident worker
A non-resident worker is a person who resides in the U.S. while working with a specific people group, country, or focus that is located outside or extends beyond the U.S. Non-resident workers will be appointed as individuals, not couples. Unless they serve in a volunteer capacity, non-resident workers raise funds alongside a Missionary Support Team (MST).

Associated worker
An associated worker is a person appointed with a mission agency other than EMM, and who also desires to engage in an authentic relationship with EMM. EMM has minimal oversight in these relationships, but invites the worker to participate in trainings and retreats and remains available for consultation, counsel, and supplementary member care.

Joint appointments
Joint appointments are reserved for situations in which it is advantageous for another mission agency and EMM to work together closely to appoint a worker. This most frequently occurs when a worker’s main relational networks are in the constituency of one mission agency, whereas the program in which they want to serve is within another mission agency. In such cases, a Memo of Understanding (MOU) is developed between the two mission agencies and the worker, in which details such as supervision, pastoral care, crisis planning, and financial packages are defined.

Marketplace workers 
Marketplace workers are people who sense a call to serve as a professional in a country or assignment that fits EMM’s vision. Compensation and benefits are provided from employment or elsewhere outside EMM. Workers negotiate with EMM to create a covenant of understanding that includes required expenses and optional relational support or resourcing services. Finally, marketplace workers will form a Missionary Support Team (MST) that provides spiritual, relational, and (as needed) financial support.

Why serve with EMM?