OM Ships Florence STEP
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Journey Overview
During this 2-3 month program participants will:
- Serve in our Ministry Center sorting & packing books. Other service opportunities are available on an individual basis depending on the person's expertise.
- Participate in the OM Ships Florence team life and interact with our international OM missionary staff
- Experience the American culture and have the opportunity to visit one or two nearby cities (Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte)
- The missions and mobilization awareness weekly class provide provides fundamental knowledge that will help the participant to better understand missions and to engage better with different cultures.
- Improve their English (if appropriate)
- Visit local churches and/or participate in a local church The Florence STEP (Short Term Exposure Program) is a unique opportunity for individuals to serve God in Florence, SC, USA at the OM Ships International campus. It is ideal for those with little, or no, missions experience and those looking to improve their English. Our desire is that participants learn and grow in their Christian walk and have their eyes and hearts opened to what God is doing through OM Ships. It also provides an environment to increase the participant's cultural intelligence and to gain a better understanding about missions and church mobilization. We hope that each participant will leave with a better understanding of ministry and the part they can play on it.
We can take participants at any time, for any length of time, depending on their individual situation.
Cost – US$500/month/person.
Couples are welcome if both spouses are planning to engage with the ministry.
We are unable to have families unless the children are either home-schooled or on vacation. There would need to be a willingness for the whole family to engage with the ministry to some extent. Price excludes non-refundable deposit of £50, flights, insurance, visa or ESTA & any possible vaccinations and is subject to change according to the exchange rate.
It is highly recommended you attend OMUK's Getting into Gear weekend (GiG) in Shropshire either in the May or October before your placement. This is a time of training and preparation and costs an additional £75. Please enquire for details.
Individuals applying must be 18 or over.
If you live in the UK, and are 18+, you can use this link to apply now https://www.uk.om.org/beacon-sto-application
As part of our Safeguarding policy, you may require a valid enhanced DBS certificate, which may cost an additional £20.
What To Expect
Participants will serve daily at the OM Ships Ministry Center. The team receive, sort, pack and ship Bibles and other Christian literature that will be sold in the Logos Hope Book fair, via the internet or to book stores around the world.
Participants will be involved in practical service from Mondays – Fridays from 8:00am – 4pm. They will also be fully involved in OM team life including weekly team devotions, prayer meetings and other occasional team events.
Participants will join the Thursday Missions & Mobilization Awareness class where they will learn to be more effective in multicultural environments.
Participants have opportunities for growth through shared cross-cultural living arrangements, they should expect to share a house or apartment, bedroom (not a bed) and bathroom with others of the same gender. Houses and apartments are fully equipped . Evenings and weekends are usually free but there are many opportunities for church involvement and social activities.
Participant Profile
Age Range: 18-99
Participants should come with a love for Jesus and a desire to serve Him in a practical way. They need to be sufficiently fit to be on their feet all day every day and, preferably, able to lift boxes of books. They should be able to take care of themselves without supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be accommodation provided?
We will provide onsite accommodation in one of our guesthouses and apartments. Single men and women are accommodated in separate houses. Couples and Families will be accommodated together.
Will there be food provided?
Participants will be responsible to purchase and prepare their own meals. Each guesthouse has a fully equipped kitchen. They will be given a monthly allowance to cover their food and fuel costs. Lunches during the week will be provided.
Do I need to make my own travel arrangements?
Participants need to arrange their travel to and from Florence, SC. The best airport for arrival is Florence, SC or Columbia, SC. Participants will be met on arrival at the airport. Participants should bring their national driver's license with them if they have one. An international Driver's license is only needed if their license is not in English. Approved drivers will be given shared access to one of the OM team vehicles for local use.
What should my health condition be like?
Participants need to be in good health and able to be on their feet all day every day in order to serve in our Ministry Center (Literature). If that is an issue we will work to determine another more suitable role prior to their acceptance.
Do I need a visa?
We are unable to sponsor visas for participants so the program is open to Americans, Canadians and nationals of US Visa Waiver Countries https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-… , or people who already have a US visa. The program is limited to a max of 90 days for those entering the US under the Visa Waiver program. On arrival in the USA participants must not say they are coming to work as we will not be paying them. They are coming to volunteer with us and experience the USA.