“The thrill is to feel that my skills, however limited, are being used and appreciated and to be encouraged by what God is doing through his people...”

The Crosslinks NEXT programme for volunteers over 30 provides a rich circle of blessings: for the volunteers themselves, their local church, their hosts and those they come alongside. For some, it may be their first experience of cross-cultural life, perhaps providing a significant pointer to what’s next in their own life: whether commitment to long–term mission, or regular returns as short-termers. 

Age and experience are often greatly valued. In many cultures a mature visitor is respected for their wisdom, especially in relationship building, which is as much appreciated as their skills. Bishop Hilkiah Omindo says of David and Gill Shaw from All Saints, Risely: “We welcome the Shaws to visit us. The doors of Mara Diocese are open for people from Crosslinks to come and share their Christian life and experiences.” 

The NEXT programme offers many different opportunities from working with the disabled or children to Bible teaching, TEFL teaching, administration and DIY. Programme co-ordinator Marlene Gidharry feels that adaptability, commitment and a willingness to ‘get stuck in’ are useful qualities in volunteers. She also stresses that people have fun, as well as learning a lot! 

NEXT volunteers always bring encouragement and fellowship to both Christian nationals and long-term mission partners, like Jenny Merritt in Ethiopia who’s recently had retired teacher Margaret Clow living with her and helping in the Nekempte school for the deaf. Volunteers also build bridges across cultures between churches to produce an enriching partnership for the Gospel; something Rev. David Green has discovered teaching English to Bible School students in Tanzania. 

Often the impact stretches far beyond the original invitation to help. Over several visits to Rushere Hospital, Uganda, where he’s helped with rewiring the hospital and learned about bore holes and pumps to help get the water supply working, retired vicar Geoff Barter has discovered: “The thrill is to feel that my skills, however limited, are being used and appreciated and to be encouraged by what God is doing through his people...”

Above all, NEXT volunteers experience afresh God’s purpose for their lives, seeing him at work in simple ministry that brings his love and hope into hard places. Moira Johnson, a retired church administrator, testifies: “I had no doubt God was with me and that his hand was on the whole enterprise, and that’s a very precious experience.”

Are you being challenged to consider more practical involvement with God’s mission to his world? To find out about the many different opportunities with Crosslinks for short-term service abroad, contact Marlene Gidharry on 020 8691 6111 or email mgidharry@crosslinks.org. She’d be delighted to send you a copy of the latest NEXT brochure (click here to see it on-line) and also chat through what sort of placement would suit you best.

Crosslinks magazine April 2005 index