Part Time/Full Time CMM
Long-Term Missionary
NAIM missionaries live and serve in a Native community. Ministry happens in a variety of creative ways to build relationships with the local people, to help with community needs and to share about Jesus Christ. Missionaries are faith supported, meaning they raise their own salary through the giving of churches, family and friends. When starting out, field directors will work to create a job description to match new candidates’ gifts and skills with community needs. NAIM has both part time and full time missionaries.
Opportunities for Missionaries:
Evangelism & Discipleship
NAIM desires to see a healthy body of believers in every Aboriginal community in North America. Come and participate in this eternal work! Less than 5% of Aboriginal peoples know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. A painful history has created distrust — yet our hope lies in knowing that once they meet Jesus for who He truly is, their lives will be full, as He promised (John 10:10).
Your first task will be to learn about the First Nations culture, history and even some of their local language. The learning will never end, but eventually you will understand your neighbors well enough to share the Gospel.
You will work alongside local believers to evangelize, disciple, train and nurture new Christ-followers, building the Body. First Nations ministry requires unceasing prayer, relentless faith and strong commitment. The task is great, and no one can say how long it will take. There are challenges, but it is also a very exciting ministry — because God is at work!
Youth Workers
Over fifty percent of the Aboriginal population in Canada is under the age of 30. Which means there is a huge need for youth workers — men and women who want to share life alongside the kids, teens, and young adults of many communities.
We are seeking passionate, dedicated, and spiritually mature believers who feel God’s call to step into youth ministry as servant-leaders. A love for Jesus and youth are musts! You should also desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed, and have a solid grasp of the Scriptures.
Retreats, hiking, canoeing, fishing, youth nights, summer camps, cookouts, wilderness treks, one-on-one discipleship… NAIM missionaries spend time building relationships with First Nations youth so that ultimately they may know and love their Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Outdoor Ministry Leaders
Aboriginal peoples are tied to their land — it holds the landscape, sustenance, traditions and stories that shape their culture. Historically, most of Aboriginal life involved living off the land. Unfortunately, when the European settlers entered their land, it reshaped their way of life and many traditions tied to the land died off.
Today, there is heightened interest for Aboriginal youth to learn the traditional skills and technology from their past. This opens doors for tremendous ministry opportunities.
Outdoor ministry takes First Nations kids and youth on adventures—to witness God’s creation in a new way, to learn about valuable outdoor life skills, and to bring them closer to a relationship with their Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Hiking up mountains, canoeing across lakes, fishing through the ice, practicing archery skills, cooking outside by the fire, and reading God’s Word under the stars: these are the places where discipleship happens, and lives are changed for God’s glory.
Community Member Missionary
Community Member Missionaries (CMMs) are professionals who desire to intentionally live in First Nations communities, work in their field, and build relationships with their coworkers and neighbors to share about the Greatest News ever told: God’s Son. Maybe you are a carpenter, a nurse, a teacher, or a tradesperson. Perhaps you know something about landscaping, making coffee, or working a cash register. You may have years of experience or you might like to enter something new.
We also think you might love your profession, yet have a heart for Native ministry—well, this option combines both!
We are looking for believers who want to serve God through their work — so that they can model the Christian life in word and deed. This is creative ministry at its best and we find it to be effective.
Community member missionaries earn a living through a “regular” job, yet attend NAIM conferences and retreats, receive supervision and training, have access to resources and support tools, and belong to the NAIM team with a shared vision for reaching First Nations people for Christ.
Long Term Application Process
First, get in touch with us.
We would enjoy getting to know you and helping you learn more about who we are and what we do.
Cross-cultural Experience
Anyone interested in joining NAIM should have some cross-cultural experience. This is an important first step in preparing you to serve alongside the Native American/ First Nations peoples. We highly recommend joining NAIM’s Summer Ministry Initiative (SMI) program. As a summer program, SMI places families or teams in a reserve or urban setting for hands-on ministry. You will begin to build relationships with Native people and NAIM staff.
Formal Application
In most cases formal application for full-time staff is completed after one has met the cross-cultural requirement. The application includes references, criminal record check and signed agreement with NAIM’s Statement of Faith. The Recruitment Director reviews applications and if qualifications are met and references are in good order, you will be approved as an Applicant. The actual application will be emailed by the Recruitment Director after an initial conversation.
Formal Interview and Bible Exam
A formal interview and an oral Bible Exam are usually completed on the same day and in person. Each interview takes 1.5 hours in length. The other three parts of the Bible Exam are:
- General Knowledge Fill in the Blank (Closed Bible)
- Application Section (Open Bible)
- An Explanation of NAIM’s Statement of Faith
After successfully completing the formal interview and Bible exam, you will now be an Accepted Candidate.
Sustainable Income
The Accepted Candidate’s first job is to raise prayer support and sustainable income for their ministry position with NAIM. If you are going the regular missionary route, this will include financial support raising. If you are coming on as a Community Member Missionary, you will need a job in the community where you will be placed. Working with the Recruitment Director and the Finance Director, you will set a budget.
Training Missionary Development Program (MDP)
MDP is the required NAIM training which can be started during the application process. There are three 5-day Modules held over a 1.5 year cycle of spring, fall and spring.
Field Assignment
Once an Accepted Candidate reaches their full sustainable income, they assume their field assignment. A tentative field assignment, including location and ministry focus, is agreed upon between the Accepted Candidate and the Operations Council early in the sustainable income phase. This decision is confirmed when the Accepted Candidate reaches full support.