Software support on a service basis
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One of many thousands worldwide, dressed to missionary standards and wearing her name tag, Sister Jane Nielsen eagerly begins her service each morning. She is well into her 24-month mission calling — it is a missionary calling well-fitted to the individual who is in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy and is familiar with computers.
Sister Nielsen goes online to answer questions as part of the Worldwide Support System, a network of at-home experts — all of them Church Service Missionaries — who support family history patrons using the growing library of Church software.
"It is just amazing," said Sister Nielsen. "I never thought I would be able to go on a mission. I am real excited the Church and the Lord found a way for me to serve."
When people come to help her with lunch or other things at her home at the independent living center located within the boundaries of the Providence 2nd Ward, Providence Utah South Stake, she shows off her name tag and explains about her mission. Joining Sister Nielsen in this computer and telephone connected system are about 500 other missionaries in their own homes around the world. It is a group expected to soon grow to 1,000.
As the Church's software improved, its use increased and so did the need for technical support. Now, missionaries somewhere in the world answer questions around the clock, every day.
Candidates for this type of mission should be those unable to serve a full-time mission because of health or family or other concerns, said Don Anderson, director of Worldwide Support Services. Temple worthy young men and women who are unable to serve in the mission field are ideal for this service. As far as expenses are concerned, missionaries provide a high-speed Internet connection and a fairly new computer, and the costs stop there. It helps if they have an understanding of family history, and are familiar with computers. They are trained in self-paced sessions at home, serve at home and can even hold a calling in their own ward. They generally work 12-20 hours a week. Applications are made through the local bishop, and some full-time positions are also available. Some serve before or after away-from-home full-time missions.
"Missionaries are truly a necessary part of this remarkable work with worldwide implications," said Brother Anderson. "I truly believe we have one of the largest groups of Church Service missionaries serving in the Church."
Art Johnson, area manager of the service, explained that many of these missionaries are about 70 years of age.
"It is a very unusual support organization," he said. "In this case, it is made up of all missionaries, for everything. We are thrilled by the spirit of consecration that attends their wonderful service. It brings something extra and wonderful to the Lord's work."
They provide support for the Church's genealogy management software (PAF), the new FamilySearch being introduced temple by temple for names submission, for family history center operations and policies, and the fast-growing online indexing and extraction work.
As new software is introduced, the missionaries are on the cutting edge of the work and have access to databases the general public does not, he said.
Brother Johnson explained, "We have a wonderful training program that our missionaries can follow along. We have several sessions daily."
New technology simplifies the learning curve, with Web conferences and interactive lines. Much of the communication uses instant messaging where missionaries can escalate questions they can't answer. Or they can go to a site with thousands of answers to questions. The more experienced missionaries often serve as the front line of support.
With the new FamilySearch and indexing coming out concurrently, "we expect a great deal of volume. We expect a groundswell of interest. We want to make sure when our patrons call, they are able to have their questions answered quickly, accurately and professionally."
In answering the questions, missionaries become acquainted with other missionaries around the world, said Sister Nielsen.
"I am a little shy," she said. "I am not shy after I have gotten to know a person, and I have gotten to know quite a few people doing this.
"All the missionaries have to strive to keep the Spirit with them. Sometimes you read something, and you think they are saying one thing when actually they are asking something different. Luckily, I have a good team who, if I have questions, they can look at it. They use the Spirit, too.
"I have been very blessed. I signed up for two years and now I am thinking about asking for an extension because I love it."
E-mail to: jhart@desnews.com
