Embracing Hope Ethiopia
Pastoral Recommendation Form
Page 1
Dear Pastor / Church Leader,
A member of your congregation recently applied for a volunteer position with our organization. We
are a Christian organization providing holistic interventions to the poorest of the poor Moms and
Children living in the Kore’ slum of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Could you please take a few minutes to provide a recommendation for this applicant? Our desire is
to choose applicants who would benefit personally from a longer term volunteer position while at
the same time helping to strengthen the organization locally and bringing glory to Christ in all ways.
If you feel that there is another leader within your church (e.g. small group leader, staff pastor,
women’s or men’s ministry head) who is in a better position to answer these questions, because of
their personal involvement with the applicant, please pass this on to them.
You may type directly into the greyed boxes and select from the pull down menus in the document.
Once you are finished, please save the document and email to [email protected].
Thank you for your time!
His and yours….Embracing Hope Ethiopia
Pastor / Church Leader Information
Name(s) of Church
Name of Pastor
Address
Office Phone
Name of Person completing this form, if other than the Pastor.
Email Address
www.EmbracingHopeEthiopia.com
“Partnering with the poor, the child and the orphan to see hope embraced in all of life.”
Embracing Hope Ethiopia
Pastoral Recommendation Form
Page 2
Volunteer Information
Name(s) of Potential Volunteer
Your Relationship to the Potential Volunteer
For how long have you been in relationship with the applicant?
What is your relationship to the applicant?
Have you been able to observe the applicant in ministry? In what capacities? How has the applicant served
within your church?
Please answer the following questions to help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant as well as the
overall potential for this to be a healthy position for the applicant, keeping in mind that missions within a Third World
Context among the poorest of the poor will typically turn a person’s world upside down.
Please use the following scale to choose the appropriate response for the following statements using the Pull Down
Menus. Please also provide any comments that may be helpful for us to get to know this person better. When using
this scale please compare the current readiness of the applicant to others within your congregation whom you would be
recommending to be involved in missions within a Third World Context.

Minimal (no personal hands-on experience or development)

Emerging (emerging potential that needs more attention)

Good (comparable to most others whom you would recommend for missions opportunities)

Above average (above average development and experience)

High (highly developed and mature in this area)
1.
Click here Exercises a clear sense of the call of God.
Comments:
www.EmbracingHopeEthiopia.com
“Partnering with the poor, the child and the orphan to see hope embraced in all of life.”
Embracing Hope Ethiopia
Pastoral Recommendation Form
Page 3
2.
Click here Possesses a healthy view of serving among the poor. Is motivated to minister among the poor in
ways that draw them closer to Jesus, rather than from a personal “need” to race in and rescue the poor.
Comments:
3.
Click here Has served in ways within the congregation that has placed the applicant outside of his or her
comfort zone.
Comments:
4. Click here Has proven to have healthy, effective communication skills .
Comments:
5. Click here Has shown to have healthy relationships – ones which are helping others to draw closer to Jesus.
Comments:
6. Click here Is able to work independently, carry out instructions and make a contribution to the team.
Comments:
7, Click here Demonstrates wise and prudent financial management skills.
Comments:
8. Click here Is a Team player and is able to participate in overall vision, even when not in full agreement with
the way that vision is played out day to day.
Comments:
9.
Click here Has a solid marriage and family. If single, is secure in one’s singleness.
Comments:
10. Click here Has shown emotional maturity and resilience in the face of difficulties and challenges. Appears
to be emotionally stable.
Comments:
www.EmbracingHopeEthiopia.com
“Partnering with the poor, the child and the orphan to see hope embraced in all of life.”
Embracing Hope Ethiopia
Pastoral Recommendation Form
Page 4
11. Click here Possesses a vital spiritual and devotional life.
Comments:
Background and Training
1.
Do you think that this/these person will succeed in a volunteer position in a Third World country?
2.
Describe in detail the applicant you are recommending (include personality observations, strengths, weaknesses,
spiritual gifts, etc.).
3.
Given the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses, what do you think will be his/her/their biggest challenges in
volunteering on the field?
4.
What length of time would you recommend for this applicant to be on the field.
5.
Will your church be actively involved in sending this person? Will you be providing financial support?
Spiritual oversight? Emotional support? Please explain.
6.
Is there any other information you think would be important for us to consider in the applicant?
Please type you name and date in the boxes below to act as signature on this document:
Date:
www.EmbracingHopeEthiopia.com
“Partnering with the poor, the child and the orphan to see hope embraced in all of life.”