Teams - Host a Team

An Exodus team is a 6 month journey beginning with regular small group meetings, a residential along the way and finishing with a ministry placement.

• Team Meetings
  Groups prepare by meeting weekly from February - June.
  
  They complete 16 small group sessions focusing on fun, discipleship, team building and ministry preparation. Team meetings follow one of our four courses and usually last around 2 hours.
  
  
• Ministry Placements
  Teams serve alongside a local or international host for a 10-14 day summer ministry placement.
  
  Most placements begin with a 48 hour residential 'launch' run by Exodus full of fun, ministry preparation and Bible engagement alongside other Exodus teams.
  
  Groups then move to their host to serve most often in kids and youth ministry, community outreach, church services and practical work.

Timetable

• Sep - Oct - Initial discussions then create a proposal for ministry, accommodation & transport using team request form online form.
• Mid Nov - Agree details and costs with Exodus before team is advertised
• Feb - Teams form and start weekly meeting.
• Early Mar - Exodus confirms the team has been recruited and summer prep commences.
• May - Jun  - Finalise the necessary logistics inc. food, accommodation, transport, ministry.
• Jul/Aug - Host the team by providing ministry opportunities, food, accommodation & support.
• Sep - Provide feedback for Exodus on the process
  
  

Partnership

Exodus will stay in touch through the process and answer questions. As the summer approaches the host and team leader are connected to help with preparation and planning.

Your Time with the Team

The summer experience is called the placement. The host is responsible for planning and organising it and should combine a range of activities to offer adventure, discovery, service and growth. Important aspects include:

• The opportunity to serve and make a difference.
• Connection to the local Christian community.
• Challenge such as new environments or experiences.
• Fun
• Time for Daily Team Meetings (led by the team leader)

Service Opportunities

The service opportunities should connect to your existing ministry but may include things such as:

• Bible Club for Children (2-3 hours per day - Exodus will have a programme linked to our theme for the year)
• Visiting Families & Homes
• Basic Practical Work e.g. painting or gardening
• Involvement in a Church Service
• Youth Programme
• Sports Ministry
• Evangelism
• Others to suit your own context

Safeguarding

We believe that every individual is made in the image of God and is of unique and significant value; worthy of the highest standards of care.

As staff and volunteers, it is both our delight and our duty to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all children and young people we serve. 

All hosts must be committed to practice that promotes their welfare & wellbeing, and protects them from harm and take special care in the area of:

• Accommodation
• Leaders and individuals with the team
• Safely Organising Activities

Costs

We want our teams to be accessible to as many young people as possible and so ask our hosts to help us keep costs as low as possible. We agree the budget before the team is advertised to keep expectations clear for everyone.

• Teams going to Ireland & UK will raise £60pp (€66pp) as a gift to help with basic food and ministry costs and we ask our hosts to see this as supporting their hospitality with the team.
• Teams going to other locations will be allocated a specific budget based on their needs & similar teams in the region.

Exodus Hosts are a vital partner in ministering to the young people on our teams. Therefore, all hosts are asked to confirm that:

• They are committed to the Disciple Making vision of helping young people grow in faith through serving in their community.
• They can subscribe to the EA Basis of Faith
• They support and will uphold the Exodus Ethos & Practice
• They are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all young people and will organise activities in line with the Exodus Safeguarding Protocols.