Who can join? Expand Acceptance onto a Placement depends on the following: Being aged between 18 - 65+ (age range can vary according to the outreach). Knowing the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour. Having a desire to serve Him and reach people with the Gospel. Having the support of your local church. Raising the necessary finance. Being given a suitable reference. Being of suitable health appropriate to the outreach. Successfully completing a DBS (formerly CRB) check (either with us or by having a transferable one) Having appropriate travel insurance.
Steps to join Expand Don’t forget to pray through everything! Step 1 PREPARATION Please read all the information. If you are unsure about the details do ask us at [email protected]. Step 2 PLANNING Talk to those who will be supporting your application. This will include the leaders in your church, maybe your parents and some close friends. Think and pray about where the money will come from for the outreach, travel, insurance and other expenses. Step 3 APPLYING Complete the online application. There is usually a link on the outreach page. If not, we'd like to chat first so complete the "I've got a question" form. Please let us know your first and second choice of outreach/dates. Places fill up very quickly and we cannot always guarantee your first choice. We ask for the address of two referees (but may only contact one of them). One person should be your pastor or another church leader who has known you for at least two years. We cannot process your application until we have heard back from them. If you’re a student it would be helpful to have contact with your home and student church if you have both. Try to pick someone who not only knows you well but will support you through the whole process including after you get back. Confirm whether you’re paying the £50 non-refundable deposit online, sending in a cheque or phoning to pay by card. (this is your first payment and is included in the prices quoted on the information sheets). [We’ll acknowledge receipt of your application and payment and contact your referee.] Step 4 PROCESSING We will receive your reference and then process your application. We might want to chat through something you've mentioned on your form, so we will contact you to set up a time. If you have been accepted to join, we will send you confirmation of your acceptance, together with further information on travel, finance, etc. You book your own travel but we can provide advice on flights and will put you in touch with other applicants from the UK if there are any. If you need to get a DBS check through us we’ll send you details of how to apply online and what ID we need to see. If you are registered on the DBS Update Service, we’ll ask you for further details. Step 5 PRAYING, AND MORE PREPARING Regularly pray for your upcoming outreach, and gather a Prayer Team of those who will pray for you. Prepare to go - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Your Acceptance Email will detail everything you need to do. Step 6 GO, and COME BACK! We will call you a couple of days before you leave to chat and pray with you. Come back and tell everyone about it! We will send you an evaluation to fill in, and then plan a time to call and debrief you. We want to know the highlights and challenges you experienced, as well as what God did - in you and through you! Step 7 PONDER Just as Mary pondered things in her heart, keep reflecting on how this experience has changed you and inspired you, and how God wants you to apply it.
What costs are involved? Expand A £50 non-refundable deposit is required when you apply. There is a discount for groups, families and those applying for more than one outreach in a year. The remaining outreach fee will be due one month before the start date. Please note prices are subject to change according to the exchange rate. The costs cover: Food Basic accommodation Orientation and training upon arrival Travel during your placement For those going on outreaches over 8 weeks we recommend you come to one of our orientation weekends held in Shropshire. The cost is included in the quoted price. Click here for more info What costs are not included? Travel to and from your placement Passports or visas Travel insurance (including medical and cancellation) Travel insurance is important and a requirement to acceptance for all outreaches outside the UK. A DBS check (£15), unless you're registered on the Update Service. How do I pay? You can pay in full or in instalments by either cash, cheque, debit or credit cards or online via our website. Full costs need to be paid prior to travelling. When you apply, we will send you details for making online payments.
How do I raise the money? Expand Here are some ideas on how to raise the money you need: Get informed and pass it on via your local newspaper, online social media and of course word-of-mouth! Let your church know your plans in plenty of time, especially the mission committee if there is one. (If there isn’t, maybe you could start one?!) Ask for a time to present your mission either during a service or by planning an event. Individuals in the church may want to partner with you through prayer and/or finance. Start fundraising early – do car-boot sales, car washes, sponsored events – and ask others to get involved. We can provide an online fund-raising page for you.
How do I book my flight? Expand While your application is being processed you can search for flights but please do not book anything until you have received our Acceptance email. This will include details on where to travel to, what times are best for arriving/departing and where you will be met by the OM person. If the outreach dates are 6th – 18th, you ideally arrive on the 6th and depart on the 18th. For some outreaches, arriving one day early or staying one day later is an option, for a fee. Let us know your details as soon as you have them and we will endeavour to inform other participants of your travel plans so that they can get the same flight.
Do I need insurance? Expand For all applicants going on an outreach outside the UK, full medical and emergency insurance cover is a requirement. You don’t have to use the company OM personnel use but if using a tourist travel insurance company check the small print for exclusions such as manual labour or volunteering with children. For dependents travelling on their parent's insurance, it may not be valid if the parent doesn't accompany them, so check the small print! Book your insurance when you book your flight in case there are problems with your airline. (Don't do either until after you're accepted!)