Who joins Encounter Worldwide?
We are looking for people who are...
- committed to exploring and deepening their faith
- willing to learn and share as equals
- open to others’ perspectives, ideas and cultures
- independent, resourceful and able to cope with unfamiliar situations
- committed to enriching mission by sharing their encounter with others upon return.
The programme is open to anyone connected to MCB who feels called to spend a longer time in the world using their skills to partner with a church and its community.
Past volunteers have been:
- gap-year travellers
- university elective students
- people on career breaks
- people with an ‘empty nest’ after family have moved on
- recently retired people.
The Placement
You could be placed anywhere in the world for 3–12 months!
We take time to match you with a partner church who has expressed an interest in receiving a volunteer. You will be placed where your skills and interests can be used best to serve that church and its community. We believe this is the best way to ensure that the partnership is equal and built upon mutuality.
The partner church will be your host, supporting you with day-to-day life in that place. Hosts will often contribute to your in-country costs (eg accommodation) and are the go-to people for your needs while on placement. You will also have a dedicated mentor whose role will be to support you in your volunteering activities and to help you to process the new cultures and traditions you will experience.
Support
The Global Relationships team will be here to support you all the way from application through to returning home from your placement.
Our Global Encounter Programmes team will be on hand before, during and after the encounter to guide you through the different stages of the programme. They will advise you on travel logistics, how to keep healthy and how to keep safe – among many other things! We partner with Cliff College to ensure that volunteers are trained effectively to travel well during their Encounter Worldwide placement.
Our Partnership Coordinator for the region you will be placed in will provide an in-depth cultural briefing where you will learn about the country and the work of our church partners there.
Costs
Each Encounter Worldwide placement is unique. This means the cost of each encounter is different depending upon where you are placed in the world.
There is no organisational charge for participating in the programme. Volunteers should budget for flights, accommodation, food, visas, vaccinations, insurance and personal expenses. The cost of participating in the programme varies between placements but, for a 12-month placement, an approximate figure of £7,000 should act as the guide. We can assist you with the necessary budgeting and fundraising advice where needed.
We also have bursaries available to assist with costs. Email gr.admin@methodistchurch.org.uk to find out more.
Why Encounter with MCB?
- Be part of the bigger mission! Worldwide encounters are crucial to growing and strengthening our global relationships, seeing you join in the mission of God happening all over the world.
- Travel in mutuality. We organise these encounters jointly with the partner church and allocate resources equitably so that you and the host can contribute to the ongoing mission of God together.
- Receive high-quality training and preparation. Our highly skilled and experienced team, in collaboration with Cliff College, will provide in-depth briefing, training and debriefing so that you feel fully prepared and supported before, during and after your encounter.
- Act on injustice. Our global church partners are tackling injustices every day. You’ll encounter what they are doing in their context and how this might connect to the work of MCB (the Methodist Church in Britain).
- The journey doesn’t end when you get home. We’ll support you to reflect well and to put your Encounter Worldwide experience into action – sharing with your church, circuit and beyond!
What's next?
If you have any questions, or decide you would like to apply, email Vicky, our Programmes Delivery Officer.
