Friends on Mission Learning Community (sub-Saharan Africa)
Could God be inviting you to take part in his mission in a new way?
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What if you could help others discover their part in it too?
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Perhaps God has given you a heart for a particular nation or people group in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Perhaps you’re discerning what that calling looks like or you have been pursuing it for years and you are ready to explore a new way of making a lasting difference.
Friends on Mission is a 10-month learning community for people who want to respond to this call and discern their next steps alongside others.
Many excellent programmes can equip you for practical mission at home or overseas. Friends on Mission offers something different; we want to help you discern your calling and develop a strategy for mission that creates lasting impact far beyond what you could achieve alone. We want to help you answer the question: What is God calling you to do where you are?
"Friends on Mission was a place where my faith was built, I felt part of a community and we shared the same heart. It was encouraging to be around others who were living their lives to build mission and that I wasn’t the only one doing it. I feel less fearful and overwhelmed about the future, I am peaceful that He is using my present moment to prepare for the future."
About Friends on Mission
We know that meeting others who are following Jesus in a similar way can be hugely encouraging and valuable. There’s something powerful about being with people who understand your journey, celebrate what God is doing and inspire you to keep going.
At the heart of the Friends on Mission learning community is friendship. It's a place to share stories of what God has done, learn from one another, learn from Dignity’s 20 years of experience in mission and dream together about what might be next.
Through the learning community, you’ll:
• Gain a clearer sense of your calling and your next steps.
• Learn from Dignity’s experience of equipping everyone, everywhere to create everyday community that brings others to Jesus.
• Develop a vision and strategy for a particular place or people group.
• Discover how to help others take part in God’s mission by making disciples, establishing new communities of faith and releasing others to have an impact wider that you could achieve alone.
• Take practical steps to share Jesus, serve your community and begin gathering people together.
• Learn how to live as a missionary, stay connected to God and embrace a life of faith.
• Explore how to develop financial support and build a team of partners who share the vision.
Friends on Mission involves
Online teaching and discussion sessions
Learn, discuss and pray together each month as we explore topics such as God’s call, developing vision and strategy, and building support for the mission.
Group mentoring sessions
An opportunity to process what you are learning, what God is saying and what your next steps are, alongside others and the team. We will meet in small groups online three times over the 10 months.
Retreat
We believe that spending time together in person is an important part of the learning community. These gatherings provide space to learn, pray, encourage one another, and dream together with those in your own country/region.
Mission opportunities
There may be opportunities to take part in mission experiences alongside the learning community. These are optional and designed to complement the programme rather than replace the mission God has already called you to where you are.
"Friends on Mission has allowed me to connect with people from many different places doing mission. It has helped me realise that I don't need to copy someone else's way of doing ministry. My calling is unique, whatever I have I can be used by God and I can embrace the simple things because they really work."
Cost
The cost to take part is US $175, which includes joining the teaching and mentoring calls. We've kept this intentionally low so that as many people as possible can join. Please consider involving your church and others in assisting you in covering this cost.
There is an additional cost of US $100 for the retreat, plus your travel. You will have the option to join a retreat in Zambia, Kenya or Uganda, these will be held sometime between April -October.
We know that even this small amount may be genuinely out of reach for some. If that's true for you, please don't let it stop you from applying, please get in touch and we'll work it out together.
Email Becky to find out more: becky@dignityonline.org.uk
Whether you’re thinking of joining a learning community yourself or know someone else who would benefit, you might also consider sponsoring someone else’s place. If so, please get in touch.
