Overview
Standing
in the Gap involves giving a year of missionary service in a Kairos outreach or
Sword of the Spirit community.
US
Locations:
- Michigan
- St. Paul or Columbus
Note: Michigan communities are ecumenical, while St. Paul and Columbus are Catholic communities.
Service Opportunities
These vary by location, but in most GAP programs the following opportunities are available:
- Children's programs.
- Community youth programs.
- Outreach youth programs.
- Administrative positions.
- Financial administration.
- Serving as a personal assistant.
- Secretarial service.
- Publicity and promotions
- Web, video, and brochure design.
- Worship team
Your
level of skill and maturity will be a factor in determining your
service, but most everyone will service in several of the listed
capacities.
Gappers of yore dutifully searching the Scriptures, or is that a yellow pages?
Finances
Because GAP is a volunteer program, you must cover your own expenses. However, we can help you raise funds for your GAP year and work with you to come up with a plan to finance your internship. In some cases there are part-time positions available in the local community that are reserved for Gappers. Your total costs will probably be between $650-$750 per month, but don't forget the cost of "getting there."
Suzanne serving at a youth retreat.
Visas
Where
you go for your GAP year will determine what visa options exist.
We will help you obtain the appropriate visa for the country in which
you will serve.
Living arrangements
Gappers
can live in a university outreach household for single men or single
women, with a family, or in in a household of men or women living
Single for the Lord. You can tell us your preference, and we will
do our best to accomodate it. In any case, you will live in a good
situation with people who know what they are doing and receive
oversight for this role.
Starting dates
Each
GAP program has its own key start-up events. A GAP year normally
begins with the Campus Outreach Academy (COA) or Youth Leaders
Development program (YLD) in early August. Typically you are
expected to serve between nine and twelve months. There are also
two-year placements for the serious Gapper!
Gap girls unite!
Commitments
The
GAP program is a time set apart for your growth in holiness. You will
be expected to give as much of your life to the Lord and His service as
possible. This involves-
1) Participating fully and eagerly in the GAP program.
2) Foregoing any romantic relationships.
3) Participating in the local branch of the Sword of the Spirit.
4)
Serving for a set period of time unless you and your supervisor agree
to shorten or lengthen your time of service.
Overall, many former Gappers can testify that a GAP year is a year well spent!