Church Army to launch new gap year programme

4 April 2007

Mark Russell, Church Army’s new, young Chief Executive will be speaking to young people about making a difference at the Easter Monday Youth Pilgrimage taking place at Canterbury Cathedral next week where he will also launch Church Army’s new global gap year initiative. The annual event organised by Canterbury diocese will see young people coming together over the Easter break to consider how they can be useful for God’s kingdom and their generation.

Up to 1,000 young people will take part in the pilgrimage on Monday 9 April 2007; a time when they can recharge their batteries in terms of their walk with God, to explore the many opportunities they have to do something positive in their generation. Russell, a member of Archbishops’ council has been personally invited by the Canterbury Diocese to speak to young people about how they can make a difference in their walk with God, at home, school, church or in the society. Russell will remind young people during his talk that anyone can be used by God; he explains, "Throughout the Bible, we see God uses people who are far from perfect, whether David, Noah, Moses, Peter, Paul, or Solomon....and that means he can use us too.

"Ordinary men and women at Church Army have been making a difference since 1882 and we’re about communicating the unchanging message of an unchanging God to a fast-changing culture and new generation of young people. Seeing young people give up their Easter bank holiday to make a difference is really encouraging and it brings to life what we’re trying to achieve with our new gap year program which focuses on how important it is for young people to commit to mission."

Church Army’s new global gap year initiative Xplore, will be launched by Mark Russell at the event. Xplore aims to give young people the opportunity to serve God and their community both at home and abroad for a year. Headed by Phil Clark, Xplore is for young adults aged 18-25 who want to be motivated, trained and equipped for relevant 21^st century mission, and are prepared to set aside personal ambition, career success and financial security for the sake of the gospel.

Mark Russell added, "I am very excited about Xplore, and see this project as central to our aim to get more younger people interested in Church Army's work. As a youth leader I was always looking for exciting gap year programmes that would transform young people for mission. Xplore is one such programme, and I can't wait to see how it grows under Phil's leadership".

A display on the work of Church Army will also be on show at the Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Church Army’s 125th anniversary from 9 -23 April.

More information about the Global Gap Year can be found at: Xplore Global Gap Year