Apprenticeship Scheme 2022-23

The Opportunity
Our strapline at Hope Church is Sharing Life in Jesus. Apprenticeships here are a proven model for sharing life, through learning, serving, being discipled and enjoying the love of Christ in the church family. 

We have experience of providing apprenticeships, and are offering the opportunity for young adults to spend one year with us as apprentices, with the possibility of an extension to two years.

The Church
Hope Church is a Reformed Baptist Church in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and is a member church of the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches). We began life in 2011, and are seeking to reach out with the Gospel in a vibrant and diverse town. We are a served church of four Elders (including two Pastors), eight Deacons and an Apprentice. All at Hope are encouraged to discover and share their ministry gifts.

The Person
Our preferred applicant is a Christian who already has a level of spiritual maturity, and an enthusiasm to grow in understanding and Christian character. Our apprentices will explore and develop their gifts for ministry, and need to have a heart to serve in the life of the church. 

What the apprenticeship involves

Growth in Grace
We want to help you to grow in grace, and you will be mentored so that you can grow in your faith, understanding of the Gospel, commitment to the Lord’s work, and development of Christian character. 

Growth in Understanding
We partner with a local ministry training course, providing teaching on the Bible and Theology. Mentoring for study is provided, and written work is set and marked. In addition, apprentices will read and study books with the church’s Pastors, and will be members of our theology reading group.

Growth in Ministry Gifting
We will give you opportunities to serve which match your gifts, be they in town centre outreach, internationals, youth and children, or student work.

Growth for the Future
Not all Apprentices will be called by God into full-time Christian ministry, but all believers are called to grow and serve. Whatever their future avenue of service, we want those who serve as Apprentices here at Hope to count their training with us as a real investment for a fruitful life of service. 

Growing as a member of a loving, growing church family
We believe that the local church us at the centre of God’s plans for the world. Hope is a community where people belong, learn and serve together. We want to give our Apprentices the very best involvement with us as part of a diverse and enthusiastic church.

Where will you live?
We will seek to accommodate you with a church family, or will endeavour to provide accommodation at a reduced cost.

How will you cope financially?
We will offer you a grant of £4k per year, and will give appropriate ministry expenses. Your accommodation does not cost you, though you will be responsible for all of your food and living expenses.

The associate scheme is a voluntary trainee position, not an employee position. Alongside the grant from Hope, we encourage Apprentices to seek donations from friends, family and home church in order to bring their resources up to an adequate level. 

Application process
Please download and complete the application pack below, sending it to the address at the bottom of the document. If the elders think you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to visit the church and be given an opportunity to meet the team and elders, at which point there will be an informal interview. Subsequent to the interview a decision will be made.

Church Apprenticiship application