The mission department of the Baptist Union of Great Britain has teamed up with four organisations to offer individuals of any age the opportunity of a gap year or time out.

 

The initiative is called 12:1, based on the passage from Romans. ‘So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering.

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.’
Its aim is to help develop future leaders and radical disciples, explained the Revd Ian Bunce, BUGB head of mission.

‘The Baptist Union wants to develop and serve not only its young emerging leaders but also the baby boomer generation.

‘It has been a desire of the Baptist Union for many years to grow future leaders and radical disciples within the Baptist family. We therefore wanted to offer an opportunity for Baptist people to experience a time out scheme within a Baptist setting.’

The organisations involved in the scheme are BMS World Mission, which has many years’ experience of placing volunteers in overseas situations.
DNA, which offers the opportunity to serve in a local church, while being developed in character, skills and theology, is the second organisation. (The Baptist Times has been running a series of posts by Rachael Kettle, with reflections on her DNA gap year at Gerrard Street Baptist Church in Aberdeen.)

The third organisation is the Light Project, which is based in Chester and was founded by the Revd Chris Duffett, president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. The year features a blend of church placement, mission and evangelism projects, and training sessions. There is also an opportunity for someone to begin an academic journey by studying for a foundation degree in evangelism

The fourth is Viz-a-Viz Ministries. This provides an opportunity for young musicians and technicians who have a desire to use their gifts for God with training in schools work, faith-sharing and discipleship.

‘There is something for all,’ added Mr Bunce. ‘This is an exciting new partnership that offers excellent time out opportunities both in the UK and abroad for people of all ages, whether it be students looking for a gap year or baby boomers in retirement.’