A ministry training programme in a cross-cultural context

 

i:Witness is a one to two year ministry training programme that follows the model of many church apprenticeships, but with the benefit of living in a cross-cultural context.

What is involved?

Trainees will experience practical service in a local church, varied ministry opportunities, and a mentored study and training programme.

We pray that God will use this ministry training programme to raise up many who will commit themselves to serving cross-culturally long term, whether at home or abroad.

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.

 

Cross-cultural living

Working alongside national believers and experienced mission partners enables the i:Witness trainee to experience the joys and challenges of following Jesus in a different culture

Practical Service

Each i:Witness trainee will be given the opportunity to serve the local church in practical ways

Ministry Experience

We aim to provide experience that fits with the ongoing ministry of the receiving mission partners. This will be tailored to the hopes and gifting of each i:Witness trainee, in consultation with the sending church.

Mentored Study

There will be a tailored programme of personal study. This will include material on a biblical view of mission and cultural awareness, laying the foundation for long-term cross-cultural ministry. i:Witness trainees will receive regular 1-2-1 discipleship as part of their ongoing pastoral care.

 

i:Witness trainees 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.

 

“Being in a team of mission workers, experiencing church life overseas, seeing family life for mission workers and getting to know local people were just some of the highlights. The training has been useful in my personal bible reading but also in my involvement in ministries at university and in my church.”

Aled, i:Witness in Indonesia

 

For church leaders

We believe it is the responsibility and privilege of the local church to send cross-cultural mission workers. It is local church leaders who are best placed to identify gifting and encourage people to consider cross-cultural service. We’re here to support churches and mission workers in these things. This ministry training scheme offers another way for UFM to serve churches – offering reliable training placements with like-minded missionaries, where church members with cross-cultural gifting can test their gifting and gain experience.

 

“I’m delighted to see this programme!
We saw the participant from our church deepen in their appreciation of God’s mission to reach the nations, grow in his love and knowledge of Christ and test out future ministry gifts.”

George, Senior Minister
Beeston Free Church, Nottingham

 

Current opportunities

Our i:Witness opportunities for this year include placements with mission partners in churches in: France, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Nicaragua and Thailand.

How to apply

If you’re thinking about applying, the very best place to start is to speak with one of your church leaders. We’ll then be delighted to talk to you and your church, helping to suggest placements that best fit your gifts and current situation.

UFM provides all i:Witness trainees with orientation, help with support raising and budget, and ongoing pastoral care to complement that from the sending church.

Contact us at go@ufm.org.uk to start the conversation

Want to know more?

Catrin, a participant in the i:Witness scheme, shares her experiences: