Record number of young adults join ministry experience year

A record number of young adults have joined a year-long placement scheme to experience ministry in the Church of England.
The Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) intake this year is 121, the largest the scheme has had since it was founded more than a decade ago, and an increase on the last record intake in 2019/2020 when 109 young adults joined.
The new figures mean that more than 100 young adults have joined the scheme for the third year running, with this year’s intake including 28 who are taking part in a specialist children and youth ministry scheme called Future Youth.  
This year’s total means that more than 1,000 young adults, including this year’s intake, have been part of the Scheme since it was set up in 2013.
The placement allows 18 to 29-year-olds to gain a range of experience in areas such as preaching and Sunday services, chaplaincy, social justice ministry, digital media, pastoral visiting, event organisation, evangelism and children and youth work.
The record figures have been revealed after 150 participants and leaders gathered last week at St Mark’s, Regent’s Park in London for a day of fellowship, sharing their insights and hearing from speakers including the Bishop of Barking, Lynne Cullens (pictured, below) and Work and Pensions Minister Sir Stephen Timms MP.

Rachel, who has spent part of her year in Brussels, said serving including at the local foodbank has “been such a joy”. She  recently moved to work in an estate in Guildford where she is ‘seeing God at work through the people.’

Joe, who is part of the Derby Future Youth Scheme said he had been inspired by his younger brother to serve. With his church he recently launched a youth drop in session which saw 50 people come in the first week.

The acting Bishop of Durham, Sarah Clark, who is Chair of the Ministry Experience Scheme, said: “It was a joy to see so many young people gathered at the conference, and to hear their testimonies of serving the church and exploring their God-given vocations. I thank all those taking part, and those who support and pray for them in our dioceses and parishes. May we continue to pray for those who participate in the scheme, and for its continued success.”

The Rev Charlotte Cook, Interim Head of Vocations for the Ministry Development Team said: “There is a real sense of energy and enthusiasm amongst young people who want to serve the Lord through this ministry. I pray that their call transforms their lives and those they serve this year and in the years to come.”

  • More information about the Ministry Experience Scheme can be found here.
  • Future Youth, a strand of the Ministry Experience Scheme, began in 2023, and offers an opportunity for young people aged between 18 and 29 to spend a year exploring young people and children’s ministry through ministry placements, training and mentoring. Participants test God’s calling on their lives by pursuing ministry in a safe and supportive environment and receiving training through a nationally run course.

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