In all honesty, I never planned to do a gap year after college, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Within four weeks my life changed. After finishing my third year studying Fine Art, I imagined a comfortable life at home, working in the local café and volunteering at church. The idea of a gap year was familiar but not something I was pursuing. God’s intervention came through a medical procedure that happened sooner than expected, pushing me into a space where I could hear His call clearly. I felt God leading me to youth ministry. After a quick Google search, Youth for Christ appeared, which was the first time I’d heard of them. Four weeks after applying to the Year Out programme, I had moved 175 miles from Weymouth to Kenilworth. Praise God that His plan isn’t always comfortable.
So, what have I been up to this year? I’ve joined our centre director and volunteers, a team passionate about reaching more young people with the gospel. Practically, that means going into school four days a week to run lunch clubs. We’ve seen young people shift from “there is no God” to “yes, there is a God but…”. I’ve led a ‘Girl Talk’ lunch club, discovering how craft helps young girls open up.
Kenilworth Youth for Christ is committed to empowering young Christians to share their faith, so alongside the local church I’ve led youth sessions focused on discipleship and had many conversations about living as a Christian in a secular world. Amazingly, two young people have started a Bible study, and it’s exciting to see what God is doing through them. Another highlight was our youth weekend away, bringing unchurched young people into a space where they felt comfortable asking questions and experiencing worship for the first time.
This year has been truly transformative. I began with zero expectations and was terrified of going back into a school environment. Although I’d helped with youth groups before, I wanted to grow in planning and delivering sessions, lunch clubs and talks. I was especially timid about speaking to large groups. This year I’ve grown in confidence, helping and leading assemblies for year groups of around 330 students, leading youth groups, hosting outreach events and speaking at the youth weekend away. These things still scare me, but I now know I can push through the nerves. My faith has deepened; I’ve learnt to rely on God’s leading when speaking to young people and to trust the Holy Spirit in new situations. The power of prayer in young people’s lives is so encouraging, their openness to spirituality, their search for honesty and truth, and the many answered prayers.
If you’re considering the Year Out, my advice is to go for it.
The people at Youth for Christ are passionate about seeing young people’s lives changed by Jesus, and equally passionate about seeing you grow into the person God envisions. Enter the year with faith and confidence that God will use you, and be open to His prompting as you grow into what it means to be a child of God on a much larger mission.
Aimee-Grace
Kenilworth Youth for Christ
Click here to find out more about The Year Out.