UNITED KINGDOM | NEXT Internship
Areas of Interest: Youth Work - church based and community based, Young Adult Ministry, Community Food Programs, Church Planting, Community Outreach/Street Pastors, Socializing.
Next Available Dates:
January - April 2026
June - July 2026
Spring 2027
June - July 2027
General Description:
The Wesleyan Church in the UK is in an exciting and transitional period where we are seeking to be a church that is built upon discipleship. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in our new initiatives engaging with and reaching out to our diverse communities. They will be fully immersed in both the wider community and church community, experiencing firsthand what a national church district looks like going through a transition. Interns will minister and be ministered to within a church planting network of Christians across different denominations, and at times working on the front line with those most in need in our communities.
Join local outreach efforts in and around Birmingham, England. Interns will partner with 2 Wesleyan churches, one in Moseley and one in Handsworth that have a focus on engaging and supporting their local communities. The church in Handsworth, in particular, has a larger congregation and community which has a heart and desire for outreach, especially for people who are disenfranchised. Handsworth hosts a regular youth club that interns will partner with consisting of mainly unchurched 11-16 year olds. This allows for regular outreach opportunities with youth representing diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. We have built partnerships with our local secondary (high) school located next door to us. In addition, 10–15 miles away is our Wolverhampton Wesleyan Church that also is developing more ways to engage with the local community.
Interns participate in a food bank program that occurs every Thursday where people in need visit and collect food parcels and a weekly "soup kitchen" outreach each Tuesday. Moseley Church offer a 'Food Share' program that essentially serves a meal and a time of discussion and conversation around the Bible. Most of the people who attend are from the local community and do not typically attend Sunday worship but do enjoy the time spent together on the Wednesdays they meet.
Past interns have worked with a local charity supporting community children and youth as well as had opportunities to meet to lead Bible studies with young adults who attend not only a Wesleyan Church but a number of other local churches. All three churches will offer interns the opportunity to take part in the Sunday services using their gifts and talents to bless the congregation.
Cost: $1700 (USD) per month + airfare
We offer extensive resources for fundraising, a scholarship, and 1-on-1 coaching for all NEXT interns.
Note from Site Leader:
“Welcome to the UK! I was born and raised in the UK, and I am grateful for my experience with diverse cultures as I am a descendant of Caribbean parents, dad from Jamaica and mum from Barbados. My background is in education, and I have worked as a vocational guidance counsellor for over 30 years as well as raising a family and overseeing a range of youth work initiatives in church. I enjoy the growth that comes from learning, and I am passionate about developing and helping others grow in their calling. I thrive on engaging and connecting with people to help them fulfill their passions. I am privileged to be part of NEXT, and to help you explore who you are in God’s mission.”
- Sandra Jones
View other NEXT sites and more info at GPonline.org/NEXT
