ID placements: We need you in...Helsinki
Risen Light Church is in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It’s the world’s most northern city of over one million inhabitants and is a vibrant city where design and architecture are exemplified and nature is cherished. The stark contrasts between the four seasons open up an array of exhilarating opportunities. In different seasons you could be by a lake under the bright midnight summer sun, or skiing or ice swimming during the arctic winter!
Our church plant is made up of families, couples and single people who live and work in the city. Around thirty of us from many nations gather each Sunday. One of our key values is being family together. We intentionally seek to be in one another's lives, as an authentic community of believers who love, honour and spur one another on in Jesus. Doing life together is something we prize.
We are a people who enjoy God’s presence in our individual lives and when we meet together as a group. During our times of worship people are encouraged to come as they are, with different people’s gifting and contributions being celebrated and valued. We believe God has gathered us here for a significant purpose in the city, the dark arctic winters take their toll on all here in Finland and we want to share with others the beauty and wonder of knowing Jesus, the Light of the World.
Here are some of the possible roles for an ID intern at Risen Light, but do note these can be adapted and combined as we take into account your different skills and gifting:
- Communications: keeping the church’s social media updated, communicating and organising church events and building community throughout the week through one-to-one coffee catch-ups.
- Kids' Work: We love the kids in our church family. Having vision for and being actively part of the kids and youth work would bless our community hugely!
- Students: Over the past year we have grown a network of international students at Risen Light. We are passionate about continuing this in the autumn term. Your role could involve developing this group through organising events and building relationships.
Other roles could include discipleship, worship team or admin.
ID interns are loved and valued at Risen Light. There may be opportunity for you to live with a host family from church who can offer affordable accommodation and ensure you feel welcomed here. We could help by paying for your travel in Helsinki as well as contributing to travel costs of flying back to the UK for training.
Feeling up for joining a big pioneering adventure? We’d love to have you here in Helsinki with us!
MORE ABOUT ID:
Why be an ID intern?
ID is a year-long church internship program designed to help you walk with Jesus into the adventures that he has for you. Over the course of the year you'll be immersed in the life and mission of a local church, where you can serve in a wide variety of exciting ministries and be lovingly discipled. We also expose you to exciting missional opportunities with Relational Mission churches in the UK and Europe.
We want to intentionally disciple you. To help you grow in knowledge and passion for God, to learn you are you, and how you can live and speak for Jesus in every area of life.
Why host or send an ID intern?
Our hope is that ID not only blesses the individual interns but also the churches that host and send them. Having an ‘IDer’ in your church who is well invested in and given opportunities to serve and step out demonstrates a commitment to investing in individuals.
Likewise, sending folks on ID shows that as a church you are committed to Christ’s commission and value the apostolic as much as the local.
So, who could you send onto the course? Could your church offer someone a placement?
Who is it for?
Anyone aged 18+ who is able to take a year out and who wants to grow in their faith.
ID can be a wonderful opportunity for college/school leavers to get a solid foundation of theology and character before heading to the work place or off to university. Likewise for those finishing university considering what to do next. We have also had a good number of men and women in their twenties and thirties take career breaks in order to do the course. We haven't yet had anyone in retirement come onto the course, but we’re open to that!
I'm in! How do I apply?
The application process can be found on the ID webpage. Applicants complete an online form which comes through to the ID team who then contact the sending church to discuss the applicant and the placement options available.
Or you can contact Matt Fell directly to ask any questions and to find out more.