Action Abroad

The question is, are you ready to submerge yourself in another culture for six months and take part in an exciting adventure, learning to be dependent on God's strength, rather than your own? If you're between 18 and 25 and are thinking of taking some time out between A-levels and further education or between college and your job, read on...

Scripture Union operates in more than 130 countries, so there's plenty of opportunity to work cross-culturally with children and young people.

You could be teaching life skills in South Africa to help people choose the right values, sharing your faith with young campers in Southern India, or organising football games for street children in Peru.

All our Action Abroad teams differ, so there's bound to be something for you. One aim they all have in common – to introduce children and young people to Jesus Christ in a way that's relevant to their needs and their community.

• Living and working in another culture
• Breaking out of your home comfort zones
• Responding to God's call to work overseas
• Developing new friendships
• Travelling and seeing the world
• Getting a fresh perspective on life
• Having some fun

Whatever your motivation, God will use your desires to glorify him. God will use this opportunity to:

• Deepen your relationship with him
• Teach you to rely on him
• Help you to appreciate the needs of others
• Show you what he's doing in reaching out in love to a needy world.

The great thing about Scripture Union's Action Abroad placement scheme is that you work under the leadership of the local Scripture Union movement where you are placed. So there's no worrying about loose ends when you arrive for your assignment.

And because we follow the Global Connections Code of Best Practice in Short-Term Mission, all participants in the programme can be sure they'll receive the best possible level of care. We aim to give the participant excellent preparation and training. Through following the code we are able to provide:

• A mission objective with clear aims and objectives and commitment to develop all participants through the experience, with specific attention to spiritual growth.
• A thorough application process, with timescales and costs made clear.
• Advice on health care, visas, insurance, and so on, when an applicant is selected.
• A weekend of orientation prior to departure. This will cover a variety of topics from culture shock, beliefs and values of the host country, how to get the most out of your quiet time, and much more.

Decide which Action Abroad placement most interests you (all the details are online – click on the links above)
Pray about it – seek God's guidance! Believe he will make it clear.

Talk it through with your church leader, who will give you wise counsel.

For more of an idea as to the process involved when applying to join an Action Abroad team read the download "How can I join a Scripture Union Action Abroad team?" 

If you want to find out more about Scripture Union’s Action Abroad placements please write, phone or e-mail.

Scripture Union Action Abroad
207-209 Queensway
Bletchley
Milton Keynes
MK2 2EB

Phone: 01908 856193

Email: actionabroad@scriptureunion.org.uk

‘I think I really needed God to take me out of my cosy environment in order for me to hear him. I’ve definitely grown closer to Him. I have loved my time out here and would recommend it with all my heart – I will certainly be a different person to the one that left 7 months ago.’ Natalie, Cape Town, South Africa

See the downloads for the application forms

Application Form for Voluntary Ministry

Referee Form - please print two copies and hand to your chosen referees if completing the Application Form for Voluntary Ministry

Please see also our section on CRB checks, which will also be carried out as part of registration for Action Abroad volunteers.

Team Member Update Form

Ministry with Scripture Union – must be read along with Application Form for Voluntary Ministry or Team Member Update Form

You should use the Team Member Update form if you were over 18 and served as a volunteer on a Scripture Union England & Wales holiday/mission during 2006. Otherwise please use the full Application Form for Voluntary Ministry, in which case you will also need to print two copies of the Referee Form and ask your referees to complete these and send them back to Scripture Union.