Reach young people in your church and community.  Take on an ICY-UK trainee youth minister and you can not only play a part in forming the next generation of Christian leaders but start reaching young people.

Trainees across the country are pioneering and developing ministry to young people in the church and through the church.  Our unique combination of formal training and practical experience makes it effective and affordable for you.

Its Missional

We are looking to partner with mission-minded churches who have a heart to reach young people, less than 1% of whom attend church today, and raise up the next generation of Christian leaders.  Our training and support will assist your trainee youth minister to reach teenagers, help them grow in their faith, and equip them to minister to their peers.

Its Affordable

Many churches cannot start implementing a vision to reach young people by hiring a full-salaried, experienced youth minister.  That is why for just around £1200 per year, a church can identify an emerging leader from their own ministry and envision them to serve in the church and start training with ICY-UK.  Churches who have not yet identified such a person from their own congregation have found accepting an ICY-UK applicant is a realistic way to start.  Trainees typically live with a host family from the church.  (See “cost” link in sidebar for more details)

Its Professional and Committed

Whilst the ICY-UK experience is intensely practical, it is also professional.  Trainees have the opportunity to earn a Bachelors in Theology validated by Middlesex University.  Our leaders and trainers are committed practitioners in youth ministry who serve in their own local churches.  Trainees are also supported and coached weekly by a qualified cluster leader in their region.

Its Realistic

The structure by which we deliver the training means trainee youth ministers can have their heart and feet in their placement ministry on a daily basis. Ministry hours go towards the earning of the degree.  Trainees attend 6 one-week long residential conferences throughout the year to sit their lectures.  Weekly cluster groups with their coach and other students on the course help ensure each trainee gets ongoing support and input.

Its Christ-Centred

Effective ministry flows from the heart.  ICY-UK focuses first on  helping trainee youth ministers in their own relationship with God and growing in the character and priorities of Jesus. Our training is unashamedly Biblical and local-church focused.  We are intentional about raising up youth ministers rather than general youth workers.

Its Dynamic

ICY-UK trainees and churches from across the UK are instantly connected with each other, enabling them to share life, best practice and stories of what God is doing.  ICY-UK also has a real international flavour as we have teammates from across Europe, the States and many places in between. 

Opportunities for cross-cultural mission are also built into the training, allowing trainees and young people from your church to see and play a part in what God is doing in other places of the world.

Explore the Possibilities

If you are interested in learning more about hosting a youth ministry apprentice and how ICY-UK can help promote youth ministry in your church, contact Kyle at kyleamckinnon@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: 01869 242 560 to learn more. We also recommend you come visit us for a day at an upcoming ICY-UK conference to see the program in action, meet our staff, and meet students.

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