Last week I spent some time in America.
I was meeting with Pais Movement leaders from 8 nations, (2 more were unfortunately unable to make it) across 6 continents. It was wonderful to hear all the stories of what God is doing in communities all over the world via committed Jesus centred apprentice missionaries who are spending at least a year of their lives training with us as a movement.
Throughout the week, from the front and during conversations I heard stories of young people inviting Jesus to be part of their lives, stories of young people making public declarations of faith through baptism and stories of young people sharing their faith with their worlds through our Because You’re Loved initiative. It really is always encouraging to hear what God is doing all over the world through church partnerships just like ours here in Northern Ireland.
For the week myself and the pioneering Pais Australia leader were hosted by a incredibly hospitable and generous couple who are friends of the Pais Movement global team (the central team who work to resource the teams working all over the world). They had obviously gone to a lot of effort to make us welcome, stocking up the fridge with breakfast options, soda options and snacks. Stocking up the tea chest and making sure our stay was as comfortable as possible. They also made time to get to know us and befriend us, even inviting us to their country club and introducing us to their friends. I really appreciated their generosity, care and time, it was really nice to be far from home but so well looked after.
Ultimately Pais exists to engage with our communities, help our communities engage with Jesus and link our communities into environments where they can develop a relationship with Jesus. Many join with us to train as apprentice missionaries and facilitate this happening. Many churches also partner with us to provide places of community where those who engage can grow and develop but there are many other ways through which people can join with the movement.
We offer all of our apprenticeships for free (which includes training, food and accommodation) because we value it being accessible to everyone and anyone. Whilst it is free for our apprentices, it of course costs us to provide it, usually approximately £7,500 per person. So joining with us financially is hugely valuable to us.
When Jesus sent out the disciples, He instructed them to take very little with them and instead trust the hospitality of the towns and villages wherever they traveled preaching the good news (Luke 10). I love this model. Every year people from all over the world join with Pais as apprentices, this year we have Americans, Brazilians and Germans working with us here in Northern Ireland. They travel from their homes and families, everything that is familiar, to engage young people in our communities with Jesus. In the same way Jesus outlined joining, with us to welcome these young disciples into our homes and host them is also hugely valuable to us.
Over the last two years we have seen our partnership on the North Coast thrive, we have been able to facilitate the Causeway Coast Vineyard reaching twelve times as many young people as they did before. We have engaged with at least 6,500 students across 26 schools in 3 towns and thousands more on the streets and many have connected into environments where they are coming alive as they develop a relationship with Jesus. We are incredibly happy about all that is happening but compelled by a great big dream to widen the net. We would love to resource churches in communities all over Northern Ireland and the Republic to provide every young person living in our communities with the opportunity to discover and engage with Jesus. So joining with us by giving any time or experience available is also hugely valuable to us.
God is very much still in pursuit of humanity and we have the privilege of being part of a story that has been unfolding over thousands of years. We would love to invite you to be part of this story with us. If you would like to join with us financially, host one of our apprentices or have some time you would like to help our teams in some way we would love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us on markriley@paisproject.com
Alternatively if you are interested in finding out how you could train with us to shape you’re world then please check out http://www.paisproject.com/life-shape-personality
Long may our generosity, hospitality and care bring life to our communities!