Long-Term Applicant Information

Note: Long-term Service is defined as two (2) years or more. For the Zimpeto Children's Center, shorter terms are available.

Preference will be given to Iris Mission School graduates. Applicants serving critical areas of need may be the exception. For Zimpeto applicants, a planned visit of two to three weeks is required before consideration.

Only applicants for long-term service at the Zimpeto Children's Center should contact Zimpeto@irismin.org directly. All other long-term service applicants must follow the process detailed below.

Please read thoroughly the Long-term Applicant's Document posted at the bottom of the page after the following 8 steps. We regret that changes may be required from time to time. Be sure to read the entire document again before planning for your departure. The document has evolved from several years of experience. It is not our desire to discourage anyone from serving. At the same time, it is our responsibility to spare any from returning home disillusioned by the experience due to lack of information and preparation.

1. Secure and read at least two books relating to the uniqueness of Iris Ministries, especially There Is Always Enough, by Rolland and Heidi Baker, and Visions Beyond the Veil, by H. A. Baker, Rolland's grandfather. Viewing the videos “The Face of Revival, Stopping for the One,” or “Mama Heidi” would be very helpful. The "Links" page on this site contains hundreds of pictures.

2. Register and attend a Iris Harvest School of Missions in Pemba, Mozambique. (See the web pages on the school). Read carefully and use our visitor section. (An exception to attending the mission school would be an applicant who has served long-term on the mission field with a similar culture and ministry emphasis or a person who has critical skills such as those of a doctor or a registered nurse).

3. After reading  and attending the Iris Harvest School of Missions in Pemba, seek the Lord for a definitive confirmation of your call to service with Iris Ministries. Be aware that Iris now serves in several countries. In the order of current concentration of service, following are the countries: Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa and Sudan. The Pemba Center has been designated as the launching service location for future missionary assignments in several other countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ruwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, India and Indonesia.

4. Seek the counsel of mature Christians who have experienced the difficulties of severe cultural changes and language needs. Language study will be critical for long-term service in the country assigned.

5. Plan thoroughly for your financial and prayer support. All international Iris missionaries make provision for their financial and prayer support. In addition to your basic needs, you must have medical insurance coverage. Airlifting an ill missionary to the hospital from some areas of service may cost $10,000 or more.

6. Initiate the process by contacting Elizabeth Kantel of the long-term application committee.

7. Thoroughly complete the requirements forwarded to you by one of the following

members of the long-term application committee:

Elizabeth Kantel: harvestinafrica@gmail.com

Pam Cox: pamcox@cyberone.com.au

A member of the committee will contact Heidi Baker and other center directors for their final approval and send you a "Letter of Invitation."

8. Secure a visa, plan for departure from home and be sure your financial and spiritual covering is operational.

Marilyn and I will be available for counsel or questions not answered by www.irismin.org, or the application process on this website.

Darrel and Marilyn Eldridge, Executive Directors
Iris Ministries, Inc.
PMB 124, 7723 Tylers Place
West Chester, OH 45069
Email: or
513-777-5008

Document: Long-Term Applicants for Iris Ministries

The size and diversity of Iris Ministries has created opportunities for qualified believers with many different skill sets to serve the Lord at our various bases in Africa that currently include Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa. Lead pastor Joseph in the Democratic Republic of Congo, also overseeing Rwanda, Burundi, Ugandi and Kenya is asking for help. Our work in the Sudan needs additional missionaries, especially men, since the culture is so oriented toward male leadership.

Our presence in India is now limited but expected to expand in the next year. We currently support two Indonesian children's centers in Bali and on Nias Island.

Many other African countries, where we have churches, and those where we don't have churches are asking for children's centers, Bible schools and more help with their established churches.

Iris is a Spirit-directed Kingdom ministry. All applicants should familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Iris mission and spiritual ethos.  Long-term applications should normally follow a visit to one or more Iris bases and successful completion of the Iris Harvest School of Missions currently held in Pemba, Mozambique.  This is to help ensure that we know you and you know us before committing to a longer-term association.  Limited opportunities will be extended to younger HG Mission School graduates to return for up to six months of full-time service.  In most cases, it will be expected that younger missionaries would give priority to furthering their own formal education and training after the Iris Harvest School of Missions.

By inviting long-term applicants to join the Iris family, the leadership is seeking people whose calling and qualifications will help advance the Iris mission and strategic priorities. The leadership and the long-term committee will be working to match prospective missionaries with the current needs and opportunities at the various bases as the Holy Spirit leads.

Since long-term missionaries are responsible for their own financial support, they come to Iris as volunteers in many respects.  Nonetheless, it is important that all Iris workers, whether self-supporting missionaries or paid indiginous staff, see themselves as accountable to the leadership.  This includes scheduling of travel, holidays and breaks. 

Due to the demanding physical circumstances and conditions of the areas where we minister, applicants should be able-bodied and in good health. We see many healed and also suffer sickness, especially malaria. Your medical insurance coverage will be verified before your acceptance.

NEW:  Long-term service is defined as a commitment of two years or more. Short-terms deplete our staff time, resources and our ability to maintain continuity of operations. Exceptions may be made for critically needed personnel.

Application Process: The process begins with the completion of the Iris Harvest School of Missions in Pemba, Mozambique.  References from the Iris Harvest School of Missions leadership, student application, pastoral reference, visitation to the base requested, last employer reference, resume or CV, and recent police report, together with a vision statement, evidence of financial support, medical insurance, and understanding of the Iris vision and values are all parts of the process coordinated by the consultation of the long-term applicant committee based in Pemba, Mozambique.

For bases other than Pemba, we may request a minimum two to three week visit/service under the leadership of the local base director.  The input of the local base director or leader is a critical part of the process. If you are visiting a base or location, with the possibility of a long-term commitment, be sure the director or leader of that location is on site when you visit.

In all settings, we will be looking for the following characteristics:

• teachability
• cultural adaptability
• appropriateness/wisdom
• positive attitude working with national leadership
• evidence of willingness to work under the Iris vision and values
• willingness to be accountable
• willingness to work under leadership direction vs. "lone-ranger" attitude
• demonstration of a servant heart which shares the day to day responsibilities of community living...walks in God's love...gives out of overflow

Exception to attending the mission school would be an applicant who has previous mission field service or has critically needed skills such as a doctor or registered nurse or has completed a mission/leadership school equivalent acceptable to the Bakers.

Completion of the Application

We plan to upload an online long-term application. Until that is completed, you may email Elizabeth Kantel at harvestinafrica@hotmail.com for instructions. The mission school application will not be accepted in lieu of the long-term application.  The application will include basic personal information and contact detail; a CV or resume; last employer reference; gifting/ministry experience; pastoral and other references; current police report; understanding and indication of your financial support in relation to your application area; proof of adequate medical coverage before arrival and a statement of your vision for service.

When the application process has been completed, acceptance and invitations will be given when the skills/gifting, etc. match openings available at the various bases or the establishment of new bases.  Approved applicants will be offered openings as base leaders or the Bakers indicate the availability of openings and their acceptance.  Applicants can request to be placed on a waiting list for the position/base which would be their first choice.

Review Process

Base appointed leadership or long-term committee members will meet with missionaries prior to the end of three months for a preliminary review with suggestions and/or re-assignments.

Prior to the end of six months, a more structured review will assess ministry/base "fit."  This will be the time to initiate further change, e.g., base location, ministry direction, pursuing other options or to be "released" from Iris.

After this six month review, before a departure for a break/furlough, there will be an interview in which leadership will either give permission to return for another year's service or advise that closure be brought to the service of the volunteer missionary.

Change in the Application for a DIRE (D.I.R.E.)

A DIRE will be approved for those who have been accepted under the process and approved for two years or more of service.  The process will generally not be initiated until the end of the one-year trial period and completed review.  The government has limited the number issued. We must be sure the DIRE is available to those serving in long-term leadership positions, e.g., the equipping of African leadership and/or critically needed skills, medical personnel, experienced building construction surpervisor or Portuguese speaking Bible School personnel, etc.

The DIRE process for Iris Mozambique has been centralized with staff in Maputo who will require authorization from the long-term placement committee in consultation with Iris leadership.

Every effort will be made to assist long-term missionaries serving in the northern or isolated areas of Mozambique to obtain visas which minimize renewal  requirements that would necessitate costly travel.

This long-term document is subject to changes or updates as needed.

Be sure to check it again before making final plans for your departure.