Short-Term Team Member Application

Who should apply?
Our STM volunteers are a precious resource for our organization because they are an integral part in helping us further our mission to train pastors and leaders around the world. If you have a heart for the global church and want to bless others with your theological training or pastoral experience, we would love for you to apply to become one of our valued STM volunteers.

We also encourage those who are less experienced to consider going on one of our STM training trips as an apprentice. Whether you are considering a vocational role in global missions, entering into ministry, or taking a more academic position, the STM training trips can help sharpen your skill and heart for global theological education.

The Gospel Coalition's Confession of Faith can be found here.  

Saved Form Access Code: OPEN »
* : required
NOTE: This application is for potential teachers who have not already gone through our approval process.
If you are already approved or have traveled with us before, please do not apply again.

Email kevin.spence@trainingleaders.org about your next trip.:*
Which trip(s) are you interested in learning more about? (please include country, month, year. If multiple, use separate lines):
How were you introduced to TLI?*
If you heard about us through a TLI Staff Member, please list their name.:
Please confirm that you have read the Gospel Coalition Statement of Faith (see link at the top of this application)?*

Personal Information

Full Legal Name

First:*Middle:Last:*
Preferred Name:
Date of Birth:*Place of Birth (city, state):*Country of Citizenship:*
Main Phone:*Secondary Phone:
Email Address:*Confirm Email Address:*
Address line 1:*Address line 2:
City:*State:*Zip Code:*
Permanent Address (if different - street, city, state, zip):
Marital Status:*
Years Married:*Yrs
Applicant's Ethnic Group:*
Please Specify Ethnic Group:*
Spouse and Children (names and ages):
What is the highest degree that you have completed or are currently working towards? Please include degree, institution and date earned/anticipated date of graduation.:*

Medical Information

Your current medical information will remain confidential, and only be used by the team leader in a health-related emergency.

We trust that there is no reason for you or your doctor to be concerned about you going on this journey.

Please describe your conditions in the following areas. Also provide descriptions for your spouse if this is a joint application.

Please describe any physical disability, any medical conditions, any allergies (food or otherwise) and all current prescription medications.:*

Church Information

Name of present church membership or attendance:*Specific denominational affiliation of church:*
Name of pastor:*
Email of pastor:Phone number of pastor:
Church address line 1:Church address line 2:
City:State:Zip Code:
Church Website:
Your relationship to this church:*
Attending since (mm/yyyy):*
If you have been attending for less than a year, which church did you attend prior:
Provide details if you are licensed or ordained:

Conversion, Doctrine and Call to Ministry

Describe your conversion:*
Please describe your ministry aspirations.:*
How do you perceive your involvement in Training Leaders International to be strategic for the ministry God has called you to?*
Please highlight current ministry roles. How have your current and past roles prepared you to teach in an international context?*

Theological Questions

Training Leaders International takes doctrine seriously. Teachers who are sent by us are training pastors and church leaders in doctrinal matters. Therefore, we expect all applicants to take these questions with utmost seriousness.

At this point in your theological journey, can you say you wholeheartedly embrace the Gospel Coalition Confessional Statement?(https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/about/foundation-documents/#confessional-statement):*
If you don't fully agree, which aspects are you unsure about?
This does not disqualify you from teaching with us. Please be honest and we can talk it through in the interview, if necessary.:

Are there any doctrines of historical orthodox Christianity that you have reservations about?*
What is your understanding of Reformed Theology?*
Do you think that expository preaching should be the method used to preach most sermons? Why or why not?*
Can we "preach Christ" from an Old Testament passage? If so, how would you do that (e.g. Genesis 38; Ruth; 1 Samuel 25; Psalm 1 or another text)?

Note: We just want a summary idea of how you would do it. We aren't looking for a fully formed answer, just your principles or approach.:*

Questions Regarding Placement

Do you speak any languages other than English? If so, how would you describe your proficiency:
Have you ever taught outside of the country you are from? If so, describe your experience:

Character questions

Have you ever been convicted of any crime?
1. What steps are you taking to maintain sexual purity. 
2. Are you currently or have you engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage? If so, explain how you are fighting or what repentance has looked like.
3. In the last six months have you intentionally viewed sexually oriented content?

Character Reference #1

This should be a pastor/elder of your local church.

Name:*Vocation:*
Email:*Phone (W):*

Character Reference #2

This should be a non-family member and someone who has been in close relationship with you recently (in the past 24 months).

Name:*Vocation:
Email:*Phone:*

TLI Team Member Covenant

As a member of a Training Leaders International team, I agree to:

1. Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.

2. Be on time and at all team meetings via video chat.

3. Adopt an attitude that I am on this team to try to understand the host culture, not to convince them of my personal viewpoint or style. I agree that there are many different ways to accomplish the same objective, and know that my way is not necessarily the best.

4. Abstain from making derogatory comments or engaging in arguments regarding people, politics, sports, religion, race, or traditions. I realize that sarcasm isn't helpful cross-culturally and can be offensive to others on the team or on the field.

5. Accept and submit to the authority of the trip leader and his mentoring of me. I promise to abide by his decisions and leadership of my team.

6. Refrain from giving my contact information out, and, gifts, such as food, money, clothes, jewelry, electronics, etc. If I feel compelled to give a gift to someone I have met, I will consult first with the team leader before I promise or give the gift, and I promise to let him make the final decision on this matter.

7. Act as a servant-disciple of the local ministry. I will respect the advice I am given concerning attire, eating, and drinking, and other such traditions that will help me to assimilate into the local community.

8. In the event my conduct is considered so unsatisfactory that it jeopardizes the success of the trip and that mediation during the trip has failed to correct my behavior, that my services in connection with this mission shall end and I shall return home immediately at my own expense.

9. Be responsible to pay the total financial sum TLI has assigned to me and, if applicable, my spouse, for this trip (whether by fundraising or self-funding). If the plane tickets have been purchased, I am responsible to pay TLI the full sum for them even if for some reason I am unable to go on the trip: I am still responsible to pay TLI.

10. I understand that if I opt to stay on location or in the country past the duration of the TLI trip, TLI is not responsible for helping me and I am on my own.

11. If I am a seminary student or pastoral intern, I agree to have a pastor or elder keep me accountable and involve my local church in my preparation.

I recognize and accept these conditions in order to further the purpose and safety of the mission trip for which I am applying.

Please sign your name below to indicate you have read, understand, and agree to the above.

E-SIGNATURE:*DATE:*

Legal Release

I am asking to be permitted to participate in the international project of Training Leaders International and activities incidental or related thereto (the “Activity”). In consideration for and as a condition required to participation in the Activity, I, for myself and on behalf of my personal representatives, executors, heirs, and next of kin agree to the following:

1. I understand that I will be solely responsible for the actions, conduct, and safety of myself during the Activity, including following all rules, regulations, and instructions.

2. I acknowledge that Releasees make no representation, warranty, or guarantee about the safety of the Activity or the safety of my participation in the Activity, including, but not limited to, the safety of any facility, transportation, restaurant, food, accommodation, event, or any person related to the Activity.

3. Waiver, Release, and Covenant Not to Sue: I hereby release, discharge, covenant not to sue, indemnify, hold harmless, and absolve Training Leaders International, and any of its respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees, members, volunteers, independent contractors, agents, representatives, attorneys, successors, affiliates, subsidiaries, franchisees and assigns (collectively referenced hereinafter as the “Releasees”), from and against any and all claims, injuries, damages, actions, rights, causes of action, demands, expenses, costs or liability of any other kind whatsoever by or on behalf of myself which I have or may have, including those arising from the partial or sole negligence of Releasees, arising from or in any manner related to my participation in the Activity, to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Waiver, Release, and Covenant Not to Sue includes, but is not limited to, any claim that may arise or in any manner be related to Releasees’ partial or sole negligence, including negligence in performing or failing to perform any duty or responsibility Releasees have or may have in connection with the Activity.

4. Assumption of Risk: I hereby expressly, knowingly, and voluntarily assume the risk of any injury, illness, or any other harm, including those arising from the partial or sole negligence of Releasees, arising from or in any manner relating to my participation in the Activity.

5. I understand that the Activity may involve travel overseas to countries where medical relief is unavailable or more limited and where the risk of injury or disease is greater than in the United States. TLI urges each of its participants to consult with their doctors, health insurance providers and other medical sources, including the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, regarding their individual fitness for participation in the Activity, the risks associated with travel to a foreign country, their health insurance coverage when traveling overseas, and recommended or required vaccinations. You agree that TLI has no responsibility for providing you medical coverage or care, informing you of the risks associated with overseas travel, or informing or ensuring that you obtain the recommended or required vaccinations. While TLI may provide some information to you regarding these items, this is solely your responsibility, and you agree that the foregoing Waiver, Release and Covenant and Assumption of Risk specifically includes any injury arising from (1) TLI’s actions associated with informing or not informing you of the risks associated with overseas travel, (2) lack of health insurance coverage, (3) lack of medical relief, or (4) failure to obtain recommended or required vaccinations.

I agree that a facsimile or photocopy or digital version of this form is valid just like the original form. I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY, AND I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

What does all that mean? Basically that TLI isn't liable for any misfortunes that happen to you. We do our due diligence and we ask you to do yours.

E-SIGNATURE:*

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION COMPLETED ON THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE TO THE BEST OF
MY KNOWLEDGE

E-SIGNATURE:*DATE:*

Spouse Information (if applicable)

Spouse Full Legal Name:Spouse Nickname:
Spouse name as it appears on passport:
Spouse Home Phone:Spouse Mobile:
Spouse Email:

We are excited that you are considering traveling with your spouse. We would like to get to know you better and understand why you would like to travel with a team from TLI. Please answer the questions below.

Describe Your Conversion:
Why would you like to come with your spouse? How would you hope to serve on this trip?

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION COMPLETED ON THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE

Spouse E-SIGNATURE:DATE:

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