Short-term Missions Trip
Lifehope Community Encounter - Spring Option (United Kingdom)
During these four months, you will have the opportunity to grow in your faith and develop your relationship with God, as you receive training, take new steps of faith and see God using you to reach out to others. You will also be given the tools and confidence to share the Gospel in many different ways. You will go away with new skills and a desire to reach out to others in your own situation. You will also experience team life and be able to impact others through your outreach. The local church will be encouraged and new community projects will be developed.
Starting with our "Toolkit" course, you will learn the essential skills to be able to share the Gospel confidently, work on a multi-cultural team and develop in your prayer life and personal walk with God. An outdoor adventure week is part of the team building and leadership development training. Having learnt the basics, you will then join an international team working in close partnership with a church. You will impact adults, youth and children's lives through your outreach. As you reach out to the community, you will establish friendships and have many opportunities to share your faith in many different ways. You will carry on receiving training as you develop in your ministry.
Each team will have its own specific programme, depending on the needs of the church and the community. Most teams have regular children and youth work, through established midweek clubs and Sunday activities. Every team will also aim to reach out to adults through friendship evangelism, community projects and visitation. You may also get the opportunity to develop special skills such as mime or Gospel illustrations. Some teams can also offer exposure to Asians and other faiths. You will work on practical projects and you will have assignments to complete.
Matthias from Switzerland who joined this programme in 2009 recommends it to others. He says: “It is varied and gives you a broad overview of many different types of ministries. Team life is interesting and you get to work with people from many different cultures. It's a good place to learn, get challenged and discover your gifts”
A good level of conversational English is needed. No previous experience is required, as you will be given all the training you need.
Your first few weeks will be spent at our Lifehope Training Centre in dormitory style bunk beds as you go through our "Toolkit" course. You will then move to a team house as you join your church team. Most team houses have between 4 and 8 people. You will return back to the Training Centre once a month for further training.
Food will be provided at our Training Centre. As you move to a team house, you will take turns in cooking and each team member will be involved. Special dietary needs have to be communicated in advance.
If possible, participants should fly into Birmingham International Airport and we will arrange for them to be met at the airport. Those flying into London or Manchester should take a coach (bus) to Birmingham Digbeth coach station and we will arrange for them to be collected from the coach station. To find details of coaches, please check out www.nationalexpress.com
At the start of the programme, all participants will come to the OM Lifehope Training Centre near Birmingham, England. Directions will be provided to any making their own way to the centre. Anyone arriving at Birmingham Airport or Birmingham Digbeth coach station will be collected and brought to the training centre.
Participants should be in average good health and able to walk a reasonable distance without difficulty. Each participant is responsible to obtain appropriate emergency health and medical insurance.
Nationals from the EU and EEA do not require a visa for the UK. For all other nationalities you will either require an acceptance letter in order to apply for a visa or just a course acceptance letter to present at the airport on arrival in the UK. In both cases you will enter the UK as a Student Visitor.
