1. Local Leadership and Collaboration

Pastors, members and young people of local churches must be fully committed - it’s a whole community event. Leadership, direction, promotion and follow-up need to come from local believers. The team brings energy, extra hands, even some money, but the vision needs to be from the local church.

2. Prepared for Success

We partner with Exodus from Northern Ireland annually and the thing I love most is the preparation phase - the teams have already met for 5 months for a weekly Bible study before they arrive. On the first day, we ‘Launch’ which is a day of training and prayer together. This breaks the ice and sets the vision and expectations for the week ahead.

3. Discipleship is the Goal

Every team has a time protected each day to have a team meeting with the purpose of the members growing in their knowledge and experience of God. Protect that time and keep the discipleship of the young people a cornerstone of the experience.

4. Get the Team Busy

I’ve seen teams serve in a kid’s club for a couple of hours and the rest of the day becomes a holiday. If the team has prepared well and paid to come, then it’s essential that there are plenty of service opportunities for them which are suitable for their ages, abilities and maturity. Young people will surprise you with how much they want to serve if you facilitate the right opportunities.

5. A Simple Budget and Timetable

Local churches set a price for hosting the team per person per night. They organise food, transport and accommodation with the budget they’ve been given. The teams are together for ‘Launch’, a day off and three outreach events, other than that they are with the local church.

To find out more about David and Samantha Gilkinson click here

Their full article and other exciting stories can be read here

Ready for a short or long-term missions adventure? Explore the options at ecmbritain.org/short-term and ecmbritain.org/long-term