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John Brown University
2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
Each year, JBU hosts an active missionary couple who take a year from their usual work on the mission field to serve on our JBU campus! They play a critical role helping Missionary Kids adapt to life in the US and provide support for them individually. They also coordinate World Awareness Week and advocate for international missions at JBU.
Meet the Missionaries in Residence!
2023-2024
Matthew and Christine Rule
We are the Rule family serving as the Missionary in Residence at JBU for 2023-2024! Matthew, Christine, Trenton, Ashton, & Evan Rule. We were trained and sent out as a family with YWAM to the country of Lebanon where we lived/served for 4 years. We are now with Crossover Global a church planting organization that focuses on providing gospel access to the unreached people groups through disciple making & church planting efforts.
About the program
The Missionary in Residence (MIR) program is designed to reinforce and promote the missions orientation of John Brown University. The missionary couple selected for the program will be involved in MK and International student extra-curricular activities of the university. Residence for one academic school year is required. It is expected that the missionaries' financial support will continue through their mission agency.
The university will provide the following limited benefits to the MIR's:
- Furnished housing and up to $1,500.00 annually for city utilities and natural gas, if not covered by the mission agency. Telephone and cable TV are not included.
- Reimbursement of up to $1,000.00 annually provided by the university for receipted expenses of hosting and entertaining MK students in the home.
- Tuition scholarship at JBU during the MIR term for not more than two (2) dependent children.
Purposes
For the university:
- To actively promote missions on campus, expressing the commitment of the university to world missions.
- To enrich JBU academic life by bringing personal perspectives from intercultural and international experiences to the campus.
- To assist the International Programs Director with the annual World Awareness Week.
- To attend and participate in the weekly International Programs Department meetings.
- To host an international orientation event and weekly gatherings throughout the academic year for the MK community.
For the students:
- To provide a model of a global servant.
- To advise students considering intercultural vocations.
- To counsel MK students and third-culture students.
- To assist campus missions' organizations.
For the missionary:
- To provide an opportunity for personal growth in an educational environment.
- To contribute to world evangelization by encouraging students to consider intercultural ministries.
- To enhance the missionaries' effectiveness upon return to the field of service.
Preferred Qualifications
- Evident emotional maturity, spiritual commitment, and healthy family relationships.
- Minimum of two (2) terms of successful intercultural ministry with an established agency and the recommendation of those who have observed the missionaries' field experience.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Recognized capacity to communicate effectively.
- Sensitivity to student needs and a desire to share one's vision and experience.
Responsibilities
- An active involvement in building relationships and counseling with international and third-culture students on campus as well as in the home that is provided by JBU.
- Participation in planning World Awareness Week including coordinating the Missions Fair in Walker Student Center.
- Serve as resource persons and advisors for Mu Kappa
Applications
Applications are received on an open schedule but should be submitted prior to August 1 of the year preceding service. Interested persons should make inquiries well in advance. Applications can be submitted via email to William Stevenson wstevenson@jbu.edu or via post and should be addressed to:
William A. Stevenson III
Senior Director of International Programs
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
2000 West University Street
Siloam Springs, AR 72761