UCO Missionary Form

UCO Missionary Application

Applications are due January 15, 2027
Application Process
1. Let us know you’re interested by completing our “Initial Questionnaire.” January 1 is the deadline to register your interest for the coming school year.
2. UCO Missions will contact your local mission director (if applicable) to confirm your interest. We’ll then send you an application, due back to us no later than January 15.
3. We will review your completed application, and set up an interview.
4. By February 15, we will inform you about our decision to accept you as a UCO Missionary.
5. If we extend an offer, you will have until March 1 to formally accept or reject this offer. Accepting means you understand you will need to do Ministry Partner Development (MPD) and that you are willing to serve in the chapter in which UCO Missions places you.
6. Location placements will be finalized and announced to all new and returning staff on April 15.
Program Dates

Employment begins on the first day of May Staff Training. The end date will be determined by your local supervisor depending on the academic schedule of the colleges and universities served by your local chapter. The UCO missionary commitment is a two-year commitment. Normally, staff are asked to discern continuing with or leaving UCO staff work during the winter of their second year.

All missionaries are required to participate in three weeks of staff training over the summer. This includes Fundraising Training which takes place during the Ministry Partner Development (MPD) Bootcamp. Our dates for summer staff training this year are Monday, May 10th - Friday, May 14th, and Monday, July 26th - Friday, July 30th. Bootcamp for Ministry Partner Development will be Tuesday, May 25th - Friday, May 28th.

All missionaries are expected to be moved into housing and start work in their assigned chapter by August 1.

Your Walk With The Lord
Describe what it means to you to be a Christian.
Tell us about one experience or point in time that has been particularly significant for your walk with the Lord during your time in college.
Tell us about any experience with mission and/or evangelism that you have had in college.
Describe the role your family has played in your Christian walk. Are they supportive of you being a missionary with UCO?
Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
If yes, how would you describe your experience with charismatic worship and gifts? (Choose one option and add any comments.)
Comments
Describe your experience with your current Christian tradition. Why do you consider this tradition or denomination your church home?
How comfortable do you feel in an ecumenical environment? What challenges do you foresee?
Do you have any other comments or information about your walk with the Lord that we would find helpful?

Working For UCO
Why are you interested in being a missionary with UCO?
What are your three greatest strengths or gifts as they relate to UCO work?
What are your three greatest opportunities for growth as they relate to UCO work?
What is something that you expect the Lord to do in or with you while you are a missionary?
What fears or concerns do you have about becoming a missionary?
As part of the application process, we will share our current staffing needs as you consider where God may be calling you. Our missionaries are usually assigned to the chapter they prefer. Please take a moment to give us your thoughts on where you would like to serve with UCO and why. Our locations are Ann Arbor (MI) Lansing (MI), Grand Rapids (MI), Huntington (IN), Pittsburgh (PA), and Lexington (KY).
What type of living situation are you most interested in next year? Consider options such as living with a family, in a UCO household, with peers, or with the Servants of the Word. Please briefly explain why.
Are you aware that the UCO missionary commitment is for two years?
Do you have any known conflicts that would preclude you from a two-year commitment?
Do you have any other comments or information about working for UCO that we would find helpful?

Ministry Partner Development (Support Raising) And Finances
In general, what is your financial situation? Do you have any loans or debts that you need to pay? Do you have any concerns about meeting your financial obligations while serving as a missionary?
Have you ever done any fundraising for yourself or for a group/event?
All missionaries are asked to participate in Ministry Partner Development as part of their work for UCO. We will provide all the training, support, and materials you need to meet your goal. Are you willing to do this?
Do you have any conflicts that prevent you from building your support team full time this summer? (e.g. Summer Classes/Seminars, Job/Internship, Certifications/Testing, Kairos Trips, Existing Travel Plans)
Do you have any other comments or information about finances that we would find helpful?
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you already have some people in mind that you would like to ask to be a financial partner, please check with a UCO staffer before you do so. Some people are already giving to other missionaries or to UCO regionally in significant ways and we want to be mindful of that. Further details on this process will be given at the MPD bootcamp training.

Health And Behavior Assessment
Do you have any physical needs we should know about? Allergies, disabilities, etc.
Are you receiving ongoing medical treatment and/or professional counseling? If yes, please explain.
Have you ever struggled with or are you currently receiving care for any mental health issues (anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc.)? If yes, please clarify.
Have you ever used illegal drugs or other substances?
Have you ever struggled with any kind of substance abuse (alcohol, opioids, marijuana, etc.)?
Do you have any other comments or information that we would find helpful?

Missionary Approaches And Policies
UCO Staff Policies 2025-2026

Please click on this link to read the full version of the UCO Staff Policies before continuing this application.
Beliefs: UCO is established on a commitment to the historic Christian faith as laid out in the Bible and expressed through the Nicene Creed. We teach and uphold traditional Christian beliefs about the identity of God, about the identity of human beings, and about the necessity of and goodness of salvation through Jesus Christ. We also uphold historic Christian moral teaching on the Ten Commandments, as has been understood over the centuries by most Christian traditions.
Do you have any concerns or questions about UCO's core values? Are you willing to work within this framework during your time as a UCO missionary?
Staff Training: All missionaries are required to participate in three weeks of staff training over the summer. This includes Fundraising Bootcamp for Ministry Partner Development. Our dates for summer staff training this year are Monday, May 10th - Friday, May 14th, and Monday, July 26th - Friday, July 30th. Bootcamp for Ministry Partner Development will be Tuesday, May 25th - Friday, May 28th.
Do you have any questions or concerns about staff training, or about these dates?
Starting Employment: All Missionaries begin employment with UCO on the first day of staff training. The summer is dedicated to Ministry Partner Development (fundraising) so that we can be fully present on campus by August 1. As such, we ask all staff to treat Ministry Partner Development as their primary full-time job and to not pursue other employment opportunities unless discussed and approved by the local supervisor.
Do you have any questions or concerns about this requirement?
Starting on Campus: All Missionaries are required to be on-site in their assigned location by August 1.
Do you have any questions or concerns about the on-site start date?
Ecumenism: UCO is an ecumenical organization and takes great concern for the health of its ecumenical environment among both its staff and its students. As such, we ask that all staff remain committed to their current Christian tradition or denomination during their first two years as UCO missionaries.
Do you have any questions or concerns about this policy?
Romantic Relationships: The first semester of missionary work is very demanding and happens while missionaries are going through a major life transition. It is also a time when we most rely on our first-year missionaries to make a large impact on campus. Romantic relationships, even good and salutary ones, generally make it difficult for missionaries to manage their responsibilities and fully engage with our work.

As such, our expectation is that first-year missionaries not currently in a relationship refrain from beginning one from the time they accept their job offer until the start of their second semester of service.
Are you currently in a dating relationship? If yes: would you be willing to work with a supervisor to develop a plan to ensure that your relationship does not interfere with your priorities as a missionary? If no: we ask that you put the first semester as a UCO missionary ahead of any romantic interests or opportunities. Would you be willing to put serving UCO ahead of any romantic interests or opportunities leading up to and during your first semester on staff? Do you have any questions or concerns about this?
Community: Part of being on staff with UCO involves participating in the local Sword of the Spirit community that shares our mission and vision. All missionaries participate in a small group and have a mentor for their personal support. We also expect our staff to regularly attend community prayer meetings and other events.
Do you have any questions or concerns about this?
Do you have any other comments or information about your experience of UCO’s values and approaches that we would find helpful?

References
Please submit the name and email address of one person that will serve as your reference.

This person should be someone who knows you well personally and spiritually. This is a discernment tool, not a recommendation. This person cannot be a family member or peer.

If you are currently a participant in UCO or the Sword of the Spirit, this person should be your mentor or pastoral leader.

Please make sure the email address is correct, as we will send them a reference form to complete.
Name of Reference

First NameLast Name
Email of Reference
example@example.com
Resume
Please submit your resume in PDF format.

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Background Check
I give UCO my permission to run a background check and for this information to be used in the selection and interview process, and I understand that it will be limited in distribution to the people conducting this process.
Acknowledgement
I have read the UCO Missionary Application Process and UCO Policies, and I understand the requirements. I give my permission for this information to be used in the selection and interview process, and I understand that it will be limited in distribution to the people conducting this process.
Signature
Date

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2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
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UCO Missionary Application

Applicant Information

Your Walk With The Lord

Working For UCO

Ministry Partner Development (Support Raising) And Finances

Health And Behavior Assessment

Missionary Approaches And Policies

References

Resume

Background Check

Acknowledgement