Are you seeking a rewarding experience on your gap year? There are so many unique religious programs around the world, from studying online, internships, paid jobs to travelling and volunteering on short/long term missions in the developing world to help people and communities in need.
If you feel like you would like to improve your learning and knowledge, meet new people and enjoy a cultural exchange like no other, this could be the perfect experience for you. You can join programs with all the major religious groups, including Christians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists.
You can find programs online, probably near where you live and also in various countries around the world.
How You Can Help
There are so many charities which recruit volunteers and staff for gap years and full time careers, including:
Christian/Catholic
• Christian Aid
• Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
• Westminster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust
• Compassion UK
Islam
• Muslim Aid
• Islamic Relief
• Muslim Hands
Hindu
• Selfless Efforts of Welfare of All (SEWA UK)
Jewish
• Jewish Care
• United Jewish Israel Appeal
Buddhist
• The Tzu Chi Foundation
• The Karuna Trust
Types of Roles
From volunteering, teaching to office support work and fundraising, there are so many ways you can help, sometimes even from home. These are some of the most popular things you can do on a gap year.
• Community outreach projects
• Helping the elderly
• Volunteering with children and on educational initiatives
• Religious missions abroad spreading religious messages
• Getting involved with advocacy or at events near where you live
• Volunteering in a charity shop
• Office support
• Fundraising
• Volunteering online
Religious Missions Abroad
Do you like the idea of travelling to volunteer overseas, learning about other cultures whilst making a difference to the lives of others? Apply to join a religious mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. Some UK/international organisations support the missions of churches and religious schools around the world and regularly hire volunteers to participate on short and long term projects. In places like Africa you could build churches, schools, hospitals, help with educational efforts, awareness, provide medical assistance, teach, coach sports or work to spread faith based learning/messages.
Paid Religious Work
If you are a student, graduate or seeking a religious career there are various different options. For youth there are hundreds of religious summer camps hiring staff for summer and all year round. Most are located in the United States. Some religious organisations offer paid gap year jobs, whilst others are voluntary but include benefits like training, accommodation and sometimes stipend salary.
For paid missionary jobs overseas you will usually need to be employed directly with an organisation or have a specific skill e.g. building/construction, IT, teaching and healthcare.
You can find Christian jobs with accommodation as part of paid missionary jobs in Europe and worldwide. International Christian jobs are really popular and there are options in so many countries. Careers and job vacancies with Christian organisations can be found in places like the UK (most major cities like London) and thousands of staff are currently employed.
There are such a wide range of careers available in so many areas/industries, including: administration, arts, business & tentmaking, children & youth, church, creation care, education & training, evangelism & discipleship, events & networking, finance & fundraising, health & medical, hospitality, information technology, language & translation, leadership & management, legal,
marketing, media & communications, practical & technical, prayer & spiritual, relief & development, social action, support ministries, travel and logistics.
Popular Destinations
Are you wondering where you can go? There are placements all over the world. This really depends on the organisation and also your interests. A lot of Christmas and Catholic charities operate in the UK, Europe, USA and Africa.
Some muslim charities aim to help in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Gaza whilst there are lots of Jewish programs in the USA and Israel. Whatever country you would like to go to, you will likely be able to find a religious placement or volunteer opportunities.
Christian Jobs in the UK/abroad
These companies with offices in the UK offer various employment roles, from Christian gap year placements, internships and short/long-term mission opportunities, in the UK and overseas:
Abernethy Trust, Acacia International School, Uganda, ACUK Pioneer Centre, All Nations Christian College, Andrews Charitable Trust, Bethel Baptist Church, Farnham, Camberley Youth For Christ, ChaplaincyPlus, Chile for Christ, Christian Books Melanesia, Christian Residential Network, Christians Abroad, Church Mission Society, Cliff College, Cornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service, CV Europe, Dakar Academy Schools, Edward Connor Solicitors, Embracing Age, Emmanuel International UK, EPIC Education Early Learning Centre, European Christian Mission, Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust, Fleet Methodist Church, Friends International, Grace Foundation, Hope UK, ICN (International Care Network), Interserve GBI, Joint Christian Services, Kingdom Bank, L’Arche and Lee Abbey.
More companies include: Lifeline Harrogate, Lifewords, Manna Publications, Mercy Ships, Min y Don Christian Adventure Centre, Mission Aviation Fellowship, MissionAssist, Oddments Theatre Company, OM’s Ship Ministry, Open Doors UK&I, Operation Mobilisationm, Oxford Presbyterian Church, People Against Poverty, Pioneers UK, Reach Beyond, ReachAcross, Rock UK, Saltmine Trust, Samaritan’s Purse International, Scargill Movement, Skillway, Sports Fan Outreach International, Springwater/Peppard Congregational Church, St George’s House, TeachBeyond UK, The Highbury Centre, The King’s House School Windsor, The Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution, The Othona Community, Throw A Starfish, TIC+, Tilsley Bible College, GLO Europe, Trinity Christian School, Reading, Trinity Wealth Management Ltd, United Christian Broadcasters, USPG, WEC International, West Worthing Baptist Church, Whitefield Christian Trust, Whitman Academy, Windrush Trading Limited and World Outreach UK.
Worldwide these organisations recruit: GDQ International Christian School, Albania, Grace International School, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Home Leone, Hope Filled Horizons, HOPE International School, Cambodia, Asian Hope International School, Cambodia, , Bingham Academy, Ethiopia, TWR Europe (Trans World Radio), and Logos International School, Cambodia.
FAQ
Duration
Some programs are short for a few weeks whilst others require a long term commitment for 12 months or more.
Requirements
Organisations and charities generally look for people who are open minded, adventurous, curious and want to give back to help good causes and also spread hope. All ages are accepted where young or old, but you will usually need to be aged 18+ unless participants as a group e.g. with a church or youth club, or with your family or school.
Cost
Most programs are totally free, and some include flights, accommodation and meals. For some placements you might need to fundraise with money going towards trips and good causes.
Do I Need to be Religious?
Disireable, but some organisations accept non-religious volunteers too.
Visa
Some companies offer religious jobs with visa sponsorship, but this really depends no the role, your experience and also nationality.
