GC2 Internship aka Youth Worker Programme

The Youth Worker Programme is a partnership between the local church and J-Life to disciple and train young people to live out GC² (Great Commandment and Great Commission). The Church recruits young people as interns and J-Life comes alongside the church to provide training and coaching for ministry.

The aim of the Youth Worker Programme is to:

• build young leaders who live out the values of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:6)
• equip young leaders to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
• empower young leaders to raise other young leaders (2 Timothy 2:2)

How the training works:

Team Building

Our training is divided into three training intensives that are spread out throughout the year. These intensives make up a total of 11 training weeks during the year. Currently, these training intensives take place at the J-Life training centre in Mpumalanga (approximately 90 km’s south east of JHB).

Between each training intensive, trainees return to work in their local churches, and are required to fulfill certain outcomes during these practical blocks.

Each training intensive deals with three areas throughout the intensive: Character, Content and Competency.

Character: During each intensive we have various training modules and practical experiences that help trainees better understand themselves and how God has uniquely designed them for impact in His Kingdom. These modules look at aspects such as: Personality Style, Calling, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, Abilities etc.

Content: These modules focus on giving trainees a deeper understanding of how Jesus lived and ministered. We also look at how we can apply how Jesus did disciplemaking in our 21^st century context.

Competency: This focuses on giving trainees the practical skills they need to implement a disciplemaking ministry. For example, trainees receive schools ministry training. They are then given the opportunity to grow these skills by running life skills classes in a nearby school.

Each intensive builds on the previous one. On completion of each intensive, youth workers are given certain outcomes to fulfill during each practical period. These outcomes are linked to the training they have received.

Some of what interns will be trained in includes:

·         Jesus’ strategy for Making Disciples

·         Foundations for a Healthy ministry

·         Leadership Development

·         Kids Ministry

·         Schools Ministry

·         Organising and running camps

·         Running small groups

·         Short Term Mission Trip

Dates for 2018

Intensive 1:        6 weeks               10^th Jan – 20^th Feb               Camp Eden

Practical 1:                                          18^th Feb – 30^th May              Work in local church

Intensive 2:        3 weeks               1^th Jun – 22^nd Jun                Camp Eden

Practical 2:                                          23^rd Jun – 23^rd Sept               Work in local church  

Intensive 3:        2 weeks               24^th Sept – 6^th Oct                Camp Eden

Practical 3:                                          7^th Oct – 1^st Dec                      Work in local church

Debrief:               3 days                  2^nd Dec – 5^th Dec                  Camp Eden 

The dates of the intensives and practical blocks do change slightly depending on school calendar dates. We have structured the 2^nd training intensive to take place during exam time (which is often a low-intensity ministry time because of exams). However, trainees will return to their churches in time to run an HBC if the church so wishes. The 3^rd training intensive takes place during the school holidays, and provides trainees with an opportunity to do a short term mission trip with J-Life during this time. The aim is for trainees to bring some of the young people they have been working with for the year on this trip, adding to the disciplemaking that has already been taking place throughout the year.

The Intensives

The intensives are designed with the holistic development needs of all young leaders in mind. Although referred to as training intensives we cater for more than just the formal training aspect. During each intensive, trainees have regular opportunity to grow in their walk with God, develop interpersonal skills with peers and staff as well as participate in sports/exercise. A good work ethic is nurtured through doing odd jobs and general housekeeping during their stay at the training centre.

Practical Block

J-Life Trainees get trained for Schools Ministry by Scripture Union Trainers

During the Practical block the Youth Worker will be based at their home church and community. Most serve as interns in the youth or children’s ministry for the duration of the year.

A list of outcomes, related to the training received at each intensive, needs to be worked towards during each practical block. The desire is that both the church AND the community is impacted. Each trainee is encouraged to discuss these outcomes with their pastor on return to tailor it to their specific ministry.

On-going Support

This is crucial to help ensure the intern remains healthy and continues to grow through the whole year. Support should come from both the home church and J-Life.

The church is responsible to provide:

• A support system to help them grow
• Ministry coaching and oversight from church leadership
• A mentor from the congregation
• A weekly small group bible study to attend

J-Life staff will provide:

• Regular phone calls and visits
• Mentoring and coaching for implementation

Prices for 2018

The cost for the Youth Worker Programme in 2018 is R 20, 400. 00. This can be paid as a lump sum or monthly instalments of R 1, 700.00 per month x 12 months.

What the fees include/exclude:

J-Life Camp Eden

 The cost for the youth worker training includes the following:

·         Accommodation and meals at the J-Life site, Camp Eden for the duration of the training intensives

·         Training and training material

·         Practical ministry excursions during the training intensives

This does not include the following:

·         Transport costs to and from each training intensive

·         Medical expenses

•     Personal expenses such as toiletries, tuck shop purchases etc.

Support raising

We encourage interns to raise money to cover the cost of the programme. This can be done by approaching the church, family members, friends to commit to a monthly contribution towards the cost. Once accepted, J-Life will provide a letter confirming acceptance for the purpose of support raising.

For more info or application forms please email: office.jlife@gmail.com

Please note that this information is hosted on our personal blog while the J-Life South Africa website (www.jlifesa.co.za) is under construction. We hope the website will be up and running at the beginning of December.