Ministry Apprentice (Youth Focus)

At a Glance

LocationGoroka, Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea

DepartmentSending & Planting

Ideal ProfileSingle or married man

Commitment1–2 years; may continue into long-term field service through mutual discernment and approval.

PreparationIndividualized with your church and To Every Tribe.

Financial supportSupport-funded salary and approved expenses; initial-stage funding raised before the first field experience.

Reports toPapua New Guinea Field Director

LanguageTok Pisin; additional languages as the assignment requires.

Initial ministryLearn language and culture, assist youth ministry, and meet weekly with a veteran missionary.

AvailabilityStart dates are arranged individually after preparation, funding, and field approval.

HousingStation housing is available subject to space, without a separate housing charge.

The Opportunity

Invest in the next generation of the church.

This role is designed for a new missionary seeking on-field mentorship from veteran workers.

While learning the language and culture, you will focus your ministry efforts on the “next generation” of the church—specifically ages 16–25. This is a one- to two-year supervised learning and service assignment, with the possibility of continuing into long-term field service through mutual discernment and approval.

Youth discipleship strengthens the local church and helps equip the next generation to serve and share the gospel in their communities.

The whole pathway—including onboarding and pre-training, the initial field experience, and preparation period at home—normally fits within one to two years.

What You’ll Do

Youth Engagement: Organize and lead fellowship events, Bible studies, and outreach programs for youth and young adults (16–25).
Mentored Learning: Meet with your supervisor on a regular mentoring schedule agreed before placement for personal development, cultural acquisition, and ministry evaluation.
Leadership Development: Identify potential leaders within the youth group and begin basic discipleship tracks with them.
Support: Assist in general station duties to learn the logistics of missionary life.

Who We’re Looking For

A teachable spirit and a desire to be mentored.
Experience working with youth or young adults (volunteer or vocational).
High energy and relational stamina.

Core Competencies

Adaptable

You thrive in “The Land of the Unexpected.” When plans change due to weather or culture, you remain gracious.

Community Focused

You are willing to live in close proximity to fellow missionaries and nationals, maintaining healthy boundaries while being accessible.

Disciple-Maker

You view every interaction as an opportunity to point people to Jesus.

Resilient

You maintain a strong work ethic even in difficult, resource-limited situations.

Team Player

You are willing to step outside your official role to help the team (e.g., helping with a move, manual labor, or emergency transport).

Lifelong Learner

You approach the culture as a student, not just a teacher.

A group outside a building in Papua New Guinea

Life in Goroka

Make room for everyday ministry.

Life near Goroka combines local church and community relationships with the wider mission station’s ministry.

Station housing is available subject to space, without a separate housing charge.

Families arrange schooling with field-team guidance.

The practical picture

Practical expectations

Start dates are arranged individually after preparation, funding, and field approval.

Raise the approved costs and salary for the initial six-week stage before departure. Extended-service support is raised later. Full approved monthly support and remaining one-time costs must be raised before returning for extended service.

Missionaries obtain healthcare coverage; costs are included in the approved support budget.

To Every Tribe and the field team guide visas, work permits, and residency preparation. Missionaries provide the required documents and raise the associated costs.

Required transportation costs are included in the approved support budget.

Preparation & support

You won’t take the next step alone.

Develop an appropriate training and practical preparation plan. This may include the cohort, an internship, an apprenticeship, or the one-year training.

Career missionary service may be pursued directly; a separate internship or apprenticeship is not a universal prerequisite. Field apprenticeship is a recommended supported first term for new missionaries: learn the language and culture, contribute to ministry, and serve under experienced missionaries with supervision, mentorship, and ongoing training.

Everyone has protected language-learning time tailored to the role.

A regular mentoring schedule is agreed with the supervisor before placement.

Salary

Support-funded salary and approved expenses, with an individualized budget.

Salary begins during the initial six-week field experience at the rate established in the apprentice’s individual support budget.

Salary continues during the preparation and support-raising period at home, provided sufficient support funds are available.

Raise the approved costs and salary for the initial six-week stage before departure. Extended-service support is raised later.

Full approved monthly support and remaining one-time costs must be raised before returning for extended service.