Qualifications for a team leader

A team leader has a critical role in the development of Student Team Ministry. Each team leader will have specific responsibilities that will enhance a team’s ability to be effective in preparation for ministry during an overseas project. Listed below are the qualifications and responsibilities of a team leader. Read through the information carefully and prayerfully to consider whether you are willing to take up the task.

Qualifications

Skills

• A solid, growing relationship with Jesus Christ
• Has completed the junior year of college
• Ability and experience in leading small groups
• Ability to lead team to godly resolution when conflict occurs
• Willingness to be open and vulnerable with the team
• Flexible in all situations.

Character

• Committed, growing disciple of Jesus Christ
• Have a desire to share the gospel
• Resourceful, able to think on your feet
• Servant attitude, thinking of others and team first
• Ability to give authority to field supervisor
• Ability to lead the team to function as a “team”
• Ability to delegate responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Stateside

• Pray daily for your team’s spiritual, emotional and physical preparation.
• Make initial contact with your team members. (By the end of March, your team members should be in place. The IMB Student Mobilization Team will give names and contact information. You can also recruit individuals for your team.)
• Contact your team members at least twice a month, if not more often. Encourage them in their fundraising, getting their immunizations, passports, obtaining visas for their country and filling out insurance forms and travel itineraies.
• Communicate with your team about any project details that are shared from the field or IMB Student Mobilization Team.
• Research the people group/country in which you will serve.
• Keep up–to–date on your country’s news by reading newspapers, watching news reports and looking up information on the Internet.

On the Field

• Lead team to follow all commitments and follow instructions from the field supervisor.
• Maintain team unity.
  1. Spiritually—watch for conflict within your team and lead in godly resolution.
  2. Security—use the buddy system, and know where your team is at all times.
  3. Emotionally—check with team members to see how they are adjusting, and counsel with any who need encouragement.
• Make sure each team member has a local phone number and address in case of emergency.
• Handle finances while on the field. Each situation will be different, and you will be the point person for the team. (More information will be provided in orientation materials.)
• Things to check with field supervisor:
  1. Should team members keep passports with them or secure them with field supervisor?
  2. PRIORITY—reconfirm your flight home a couple days before departure.
• Maintain support structure and procedures for your team while on the field.
  1. Location and time for corporate worship
  2. Water—make sure pure water is available.
  3. Help your team to guard against physical, emotional or spiritual exhaustion. Work with field supervisor about taking one day a week off.
  4. Help your team to guard against dating, pairing off or any other activity that may be viewed as culturally inappropriate.
  5. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY … with anybody, anywhere about anything and everything!

If you are a student and wish to apply for a team leader position, please complete the individual student application form. On the application, please write a note to us that you are interested in a team leader position.

Once you submit the application, references and a copy of the identification page of your passport or a copy of your completed passport application, a member of the IMB Student Mobilization Team will contact you for a personal interview.