eXperience (Year Out)

eXperience is an exciting, dynamic and radical training course run by XLP, working with London’s churches, secondary schools and communities. If you are 18 or over, it is a great opportunity to serve and make a difference to the lives of young people in London. The course runs for an academic year, with an option for students to undertake a second year of training and specialise in one area of youthwork.

The course provides training in Youthwork and Theology, which the students then apply, working in schools, communities and churches across London. In addition to in-house staff such as Patrick Regan, teaching is also provided by external speakers associated with XLP such as Mike Pilavachi, Tim Hughes, and Ali MacInness.

Students work as members of the XLP borough teams as well as taking part in running placement church youth groups. There is also a overseas mission element, with first-year students visiting Ghana during the year, where they work with local schools including a school which XLP has set up in association with the Ashanti-Akim Community Organisation.

eXperience gives young adults a chance to grow in their faith and be challenged; to do something beneficial by serving diverse urban communities; and to consider whether youthwork may be a calling on their lives. Career paths of some former students have included: full-time church/youth ministry, teaching, community support work, and even becoming borough leaders for XLP!