Option One--Bivocational Missions
"A bivocational missionary is a Christian who has two vocations: a profession which will allow admission to a country that denies missionary visas, and a ministry of evangelism to non-Christian neighbors in that country. Over 70% of the world's unreached people live in countries that do not approve resident visas for missionaries. These countries do want and need people qualified in many professions which benefit their citizens. A bivocational missionary will receive income from the official vocational job but, also, will be dependent upon churches and individuals to support his or her ministry through prayer and finance" (CMF International).
Lincoln Christian College offers a bachelor's degree in Cross-Cultural Ministry: Bivocational Missions. This 130-hour degree provides a solid Biblical foundation along with twenty-eight (28) credit hours in a "passport" skill. This second requirement may be met in TESOL by taking all seven TESOL courses (21 credit hours), the five-credit-hour/150 clock hour TESOL Practicum, and two (2) other related course hours.
TESOL is one of the most sought after skills in many countries around the world. Students enrolling in this track receive a bachelor's degree in Cross-Cultural Ministry: Bivocational Missions, as well as an Academic Certificate in TESOL.
Practicum opportunities will be provided in and/or outside of the U.S. The program coordinator will work in conjunction with the director of student internships in order to provide the best possible experience in an area of interest to the student. We are currently working cooperatively with a number of stateside and overseas missions agencies.
"The universities, institutes and secondary schools of the world are looking for teachers. The Christian teacher arrives in a well-established secular setting with no need to struggle for a ministry because opportunities are everywhere. . . . Teaching provides immediate access to people. Relationships develop quickly and one-on-one contacts come easily. A typical English teacher instructs a country's elite students -- or even faculty, business people and public officials. The teacher has access to future leaders in formative stages, and sometimes to current leaders of nations. People who otherwise may never hear the gospel now have the opportunity to experience God's grace through the lives of their teachers" (1995 Great Commission Handbook).