Media release: The world at their feet

16 volunteers have set off on missions to India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Peru as part of Scripture Union’s Action Abroad placement scheme. The placements, which last between six and 12 months, sees each volunteer assisting the local Scripture Union movements in that county in a variety of ways. The volunteers, all aged 18 to 25, will lead assemblies and lessons in schools, help on children’s and young people’s camps, teach life skills and work in orphanages.

The volunteers have gone out with great passion, excitement and enthusiasm to share the gospel. ‘I hope I will be able to learn lots about myself and grow in my faith, as well as having lots of fun,’ said Sarah Turner, who has gone to Australia. ‘This project enabled me to link my interests with Christian ministry, which is great!’ she said.

Miriam Johnson, who is spending six months in India, said her primary motivation is to make a difference. ‘I have always loved working with children and I wanted to experience non-Western society, so this project seemed perfect for me,’ she said.

To help volunteers prepare themselves emotionally, spiritually and mentally for this challenge, they recently completed a training weekend at the Windmill Conference Centre, Oxford. While there, they took part in cross-cultural studies and team building exercises, and began to build friendships with their teams.

Scripture Union’s International Placements Manager, Elizabeth Fewkes, organiser of Action Abroad placements, says the experience will have a positive impact on the teams. ‘It’s wonderful to see the changes in volunteers when they return. They leave expecting to give so much, but when they come back they realise how much they have been transformed themselves.’

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Notes to Newsdesk:

For more information, images or to arrange an interview with one of the volunteers, please contact Scripture Union’s Communications Manager Adam Petrie on 01908 856030 or email adamp@scriptureunion.org.uk

Scripture Union is an international mission movement working with churches in more than 140 countries to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to children, young people and families, and to encourage them to develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer.