i:Witness Ministry Training Scheme

Description

This new ministry training scheme enables UFM to serve churches - offering reliable training placements with like-minded missionaries, where church members with cross-cultural gifting can test gifting and gain experience. Our prayer is that in time, some would be called by God to commit themselves to serving cross-culturally long term at home or abroad. This one to two year programme follows the model of the 9:38 style church apprenticeship schemes in the UK: practical service, ministry experience, training, and cross-cultural living: Practical Service -  each short-termer will be allocated practical tasks relating to cross-cultural ministry. Ministry Experience - we will look to provide experience that fits with the ongoing ministry of the receiving missionaries. This will be tailored to the short-term worker’s hopes, gifting and experience and in consultation with the sending church. Training - there will be a tailored programme of personal study. This will include material on a biblical view of mission, laying the foundation for further training in cross–cultural ministry. Cross-cultural living - working alongside an experienced missionary, and national believers, will enable the short termer to experience the joys and challenges of following Jesus in a different culture. Each short termer will have a regular 1-2-1 discipleship meeting with the receiving missionary. Short term workers on the scheme will also be encouraged to communicate regularly with supporters at home, both to share news of their work for prayer and to receive further support. We are open to receiving people at different stages of life for this scheme, including Bible College students, gap year students, those working and those retired. Placement length is flexible, but will normally be for 1-2 academic years.