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Tailor-Made trips
CMS can facilitate a short-term experience designed especially for your church, university or youth group to share in the lives, hopes, worship and struggles of Christians in Africa, Asia, and Europe (including the UK)
With over 18 years experience in providing short-term mission programmes, we seek to provide opportunities for your group (aged 16+) to be hosted by a partner church or partner organisation and to share in the lives of local Christians.
What happens?
Your group coordinator is invited to meet with a member of our Crossing Cultures team to talk through the many aspects involved in preparing a team visit, and we will work with you to tailor a programme that meets your needs. It is our hope that an Encounter will be an exciting opportunity for your group to share in the lives of people in another culture, to experience Christians’ engagement in local mission, to reflect on all that you encounter, and to consider how you might apply what is learnt in your own mission context and ongoing discipleship.
How long do we go for?
Usually two to four weeks, depending on location.
How do I apply?
Your group coordinator or church leader needs to complete an enquiry form on behalf of your church/group. We recommend that an enquiry form be submitted 9 to 12 months before the time you wish the visit to take place.
A member of our Crossing Cultures team will then be in contact with you to talk things through in more detail. Once the Encounter is agreed, your church or university body has responsibility for recruiting your team. CMS can advise on and are involved in approving the selection of team members, and provides application forms and health questionnaires to be completed. Information about our selection procedure will be given in a consultation with your group coordinator, and at the Encounter leaders' training day.
What support does CMS provide for team leaders?
Your team leader – and assistant leader – has a vital role to play throughout the Encounter experience. CMS will provide you with information and advice regarding the selection of your group leader, and can assist in the selection and provision of leaders where your group does not already have a leader with suitable experience. All team leaders are asked to attend an
Encounter Leaders’ Training Day
at our Oxford Office in
March,
which will address many practical, organisational, logistical and pastoral matters relating to leading your team. Leaders will also be issued with a pack detailing the many roles and responsibilities of being a team leader.
What preparation and debriefing is provided?
It is important that your group receive cross-cultural preparation and are briefed with regards to all aspects of the visit. It is equally important that your group receive a debriefing, enabling them to reflect further on the experience and consider how to apply what has been learnt. Groups whose visits take place during the summer are invited to attend our Preparation Weekend for all summer team visits, and the debriefing weekend. For visits taking place at other times of the year, and for circumstances that don’t allow for attendance at these weekends, CMS will work with your group coordinator to facilitate a briefing day and a debriefing day at suitable times for your group.
For more questions please call Sarah Truby on 01865 787494 OR download a form from this page and return it by post or email to Sarah Truby, CMS, Watlington Road, Oxford, OX4 6BZ.
Email enquiries using the form on this page or to teams@cms-uk.org
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