"Work with us": Church Army Ambassadors

News Release: 11 June 2010

What do Davina McCall, Jimmy Carter, Angelina Jolie and David Beckham have in common? They are all volunteers!

Church Army is piloting a volunteer project in four Dioceses, which it hopes will begin to revolutionise the way in which it evangelises. Starting this month, the Church Army Ambassadors scheme aims to recruit hundreds of parish volunteers to participate in the work of Church Army in their parishes and local communities.

The role of Church Army Ambassador is formally recognised as a specific ministry and is backed by the President of Church Army, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Chief Executive, Mark Russell, who says:

"The role of a Church Army Ambassador is essential in encouraging awareness and support for our work and in ensuring that parishes make Jesus known to those outside the reach of most churches. This is a key ministry and will encourage Ambassadors on their own journeys of faith, inspire mission in their parishes, and will also be vital to Church Army because they will relate to the people in their parish on a personal level, providing effective communication about the amazing work of our evangelists."

There are several ways for an Ambassador to get involved and it is entirely up to them what they choose to do:

1. Resource Distributors will provide their parishes with relevant Church Army materials.
2. Prayer Intercessors will pray and encourage prayer support for Church Army.
3. Promoters will encourage interest in specific areas of Church Army’s work, eg homelessness.
4. Fundraisers will organise events and collections on Church Army's behalf
5. Speakers will present work of Church Army in their communities.

Church Army will provide Ambassadors with full support, including, training, a comprehensive information pack with DVD, resources, updates, online forum, local network groups, invitations to Church Army events and more. Other items provided include a unique Ambassadors badge and personalised certificate of recognition, which further affirms their vital place within the Church Army family.

The Church Army Ambassadors scheme will be piloted in Sheffield, Chichester, Birmingham and Canterbury dioceses.

Go to www.churcharmy.org.uk/caa to find out more, or register to become an Ambassador. You can also call on 0300 123 2113.