Benefits and Details

Contract of agreement: Those invited to join the Incarnate Word Missionary Program will be asked to reflect upon and subsequently agree to both an IWM Covenant and an IWM Contract. The Covenant lays out the both the theoretical and practical expectations for the missionaries as they related to the lived experience of the IWM values. This Covenant focuses on the missionary’s lifestyle and commitment to community. The Contract includes more detail-oriented agreements, such as insurance, stipends, vacation time, etc. Both must be willingly accepted and embraced if the IWM Program/Missionary relationship is to be healthy and beneficial. Both the Covenant and the Contract is signed on a yearly basis; those wishing to extend their time beyond a year with IWM may do so after a mutual evaluation with the missionary and IWM program.

Travel: Per agreement, IWM will pay for transportation costs to and from the mission site, retreats and IWM events. The missionary is responsible for travel to language school (if necessary), orientation and any personal travel.

Finances: Missionaries are given a small stipend to cover personal costs at the site of the mission. Housing and living expenses are covered.

Insurance: Missionaries are covered by basic health insurance providing they remain in the program.

Retreat: An annual retreat is provided for missionaries.

Vacation: There is a 2 week vacation time allotted between the missionaries first and second year.

Loan deferment: Missionaries who have student loans are generally eligible for economic hardship forbearance while they are in the program. Details are available from the IWM office and one’s lender(s).

Visa: Missionaries are responsible for applying for their own visa and its cost before orientation with help and support from the IWM office.

Language: The applicant must have a certain level of fluency in the language of the country where they will serve; some ministries require a higher level of fluency than others. A language assessment will be conducted by a member of the IWM office.

Orientation: Missionaries entering IWM program will gather for orientation at the beginning of their commitment in Mexico City or San Antonio, Texas. Following this, the missionaries will be sent to their respective places of missions. There will be a corresponding orientation upon arrival to the mission country organized by sisters, missionaries and friends in the specific mission sites.

Re-entry: Renewal for extended time is available, if the missionary wishes to prolong their commitment with IWM. IWM will provide a re-entry program for returning missionaries when they complete their commitment.