Equip Gap Year Programme

The Equip Programme is designed for people who want to give a year of their life to be challenged, with a view to exploring what God might want for them in the future. We passionately believe in investing in the next generation of leaders and our ethos is that we want something for you rather than something from you.

How is Equip different to other gap years?

Through meeting with our assigned staff members, we will create a bespoke timetable, which will give you opportunities to experience and grow within your chosen interests. We work with each individual, alongside coaches, to create a year that has a balance of opportunities, responsibility, growth, development and input.

NEW FOR 2022/23: Short Term Placement with North Point Church, Atlanta, USA – Through our involvement with Further Faster UK network we are developing a partnership with North Point to allow Equip students to go on a 1-3 month placement to go and be part of one the largest churches in the USA. This will involve additional costs.

What are the core components of the gap year programme?

Opportunity

We will look to develop you in your primary area of interest and passion. If you don’t have a primary interest we can give you opportunities across the life of the church to gather experience in a wide variety of areas to help you gain clarity on your gifting and passions.

Each student will have the opportunity to experience consistent weekly church life activity as well as some major one off events and conferences. Our staff work with multiple organisations such as Limitless, Spring Harvest, Further Faster Network and Youth For Christ, all of which can provide some different experiences throughout the year.

Training

Training will take place during Equip Development Times (EDT), the regularity of which will vary as the year progresses. EDT will contain sessions that cover our 4 key areas of training:

  • Character Development
  • Leadership
  • Theology
  • Practical

Throughout the year we will be encouraging the students to journal and document their experience so that they can accurately reflect on what God is doing and how they’re growing.

Support

Each Equip student will have a line manager, a key area coach (KAC) and a mentor. A Key Area Coach will be someone who sets tasks and helps students develop in their chosen field of interest.

As part of the year Equip are expected to be fully part of their Connect Group as a way of ensuring that they are plugged into the life of the church and are having the opportunity to attend and receive ministry. Your connect group leader or co-leader will meet with you regularly as a mentor.

What can I do?

You can choose from a combination of (or a focus on) any of the following areas:
  • Children’s Work (Toddlers/Schools/Outreach/Discipleship)
  • Youth work (Discipleship/Schools/Outreach/Detached/Chaplaincy)
  • Young Adults
  • Worship
  • Overseas Mission (working with our partner church in Albania or other partner ministries)
  • Pastoral Care
  • Media (Video Production/Social Media/Live Video)
  • Tech/Production (Sound/Light/Camera)
  • Design (Graphic Design/Social Media Content Creation)
  • Older Adults Ministry
  • Evangelism (Alpha/Invitational Events)
  • Community Events (Foodbank/Furniture Distribution)
  • Building Management and Operations
  • Communication (Preaching and Presenting)
  • Launch new youth ministries in churches without young people (in partnership with Limitless Pioneers)

How will it work practically?

The gap year can be either part time or full time.

We look for a minimum of 11 months, starting in September running through to July.

We can adapt the programme to include placements with other organisations/churches in the UK and overseas. (We already have students from Regents Theological College who are pursuing context based study with us, as well as students from Youth For Christ’s gap year programme placed with us.)

We can provide a host home for accommodation and meals (additional costs may apply).

We will provide a personal mentor/coach for you during your gap year.

We will provide monthly reviews with an appointed line manager who will seek to develop you throughout the year.

In addition to the usual EDT sessions we will have a mid-year retreat in February/March time to reflect on the year so far and look ahead.

What do I need to do?

Our course fees are £500 which is for every student who wishes to join Equip. This covers your training, expenses, resources and the mid year retreat. If you need us to provide you with accommodation then the cost is £1000 for the year which covers food and accommodation. The accommodation may be shared or in a host home with a family from the church.

We also recommend that you raise £35-50 per week sponsorship from friends and family towards pocket money for social activities etc throughout your time with us.

In summary you will need:

  • £500 – Course Fees
  • £1000 – Accommodation & Food
  • £35-50 per week – general living costs.