Every summer, hundreds of young people go out on Exodus teams. However, for many of the teens, their time away doesn’t start right off with ministry. Their time away starts with a launch.
But what exactly is an Exodus launch? Several Exodus staffers took some time recently to share about launches. Helen (operations manager), defines launches like this: “A launch is the 2-3 days at the start of a team placement as a kind of orientation for the teams. It helps them acclimatise, and gives them a chance to practically and spiritually prepare for their service in the following week. It involves fun, team building, training and focused Scripture time!”
Jose (UK & Ireland director) further expounds on that idea by saying, “A launch helps young people's heads and hearts get in the right place. The key elements are fun, team building, cultural awareness, and experiential engagement with the Bible.”
A launch incorporates many different elements. But a successful launch is more than just the trainings and games. Bea (finance & support officer) shares this: “It's so key to get to know the teens and to make sure that they know that they are loved, that they are important, and to help them know their identity as children of God. It's not about what they do. It’s not the kids club, or serving in ministry; that's all great, that's all kingdom work. But their identity is what really matters.”
Launches happened last year in places from the United States to France, from Hungary to Spain. And in each place, the launch was a space for teens to step away, learn more about God, and engage with a new culture. Abigail (communications officer) and her husband Peter co-led a launch and this is what they said: “We believe a young person or leader who is cared for is in the best position to then step out in faith in their next part of the placement journey!”
Every launch leaves an impression on the people who participated in it, as well as the people who helped lead it. Bea recalls one of her favourite launch moments from the summer. It was at a Hungary launch, and the teens were all sitting around a campfire, eating s’mores. Then, “a few young people shared about their journeys and what they have already discovered about God and themselves in the past six months,” she recalls. This simple moment made an impact.
Claire (seasonal communications volunteer) helped at launches in three different countries. But her highlight came at a launch in Northern Ireland. She shares, “I was given the opportunity to teach a short session to the teens about what to expect from their Irish placements. The conversations were so good, and it was exciting to hear from the students afterwards about how the session helped them better understand the placements that they were going to.”
Helen shares her favourite launch moment: “It was a joy to have [our] kids with us, singing grace for meals, and seeing young people in love with Jesus all around them. But I was personally so blessed to hear the team leaders' passion to see their team members reach their potential in Christ.”
Abigail and Peter shared their favourite moment from their launch: “We had three brilliant teams join us in Moldova. The times we spent around the table having meals together was always full of energy, conversations and finding connections. When saying goodbye to one of our teams, a team member said ‘I have loved getting to know you guys this week,’ and for us that summed it up.. it had only been 36 hours but deep connections had been formed!”
Every launch is full of moments like these, moments of discipleship, sharing, worship, teaching, and spontaneous fun. Claire sums up launches like this: “Launches prepare the hearts and minds of the teens for the place where they are going.”
We are now accepting applications for Launch Team Members!This year we have options in Ireland (3 teams), Hungary (2 teams) and Romania (2 teams).
Apply here by 23rd March - places offered on first come first served basis.