Relay is a 10 month scheme run by UCCF: The Christian Unions where recent graduates are trained and discipled while working alongside a Christian Union Staff Worker.

What is grace and how does it make a difference to
my life?

“this year has taught me to grip hope with both hands and live in grace”
Jonny Hannan 05-06

What Relay workers do, where they are placed and who they work with varies across the country – we can tailor what you do to your experience and gifts, as well as needs in various Christian Unions – but we hope that there will be one feature at the heart of everyone’s Relay experience: understanding more of what the grace given to us in Jesus is, and how it radically changes the way we live.

Relay Homestart is a two year programme, involving a year of training and discipleship in this country, and a year working with CUs in another country.

How can I live for Jesus and speak for Jesus for
the rest of my life?

The idea for the Relay scheme came from a verse in 2 Timothy, where Paul instructs Timothy, the young Christian leader, to find reliable people to pass on the Gospel to, so they can then pass it on to others.

“Things I have previously acknowledged in theory have become realities that I enjoy”
Chris Oldfield 05-06

While you are on Relay we will seek to train you in ministry skills so that you can pass on the Gospel to others – but even more foundationally than that we will try to help you understand, enjoy and revel in more of the Gospel and what Jesus has done for us, so that you can hold on to the truth and pass it on for the rest of your life.

Relay workers spend 8 hours per week in personal study – 4 hours covering Christian doctrine, and 4 hours covering an elective area; theology, ministry skills or another area in which you are interested. 

How can I spend a year where I will learn through experience, and have time invested in my growth?

Each Relay worker is based with a Christian Union Staff Worker or Team Leader gaining ministry experience by working with one or more CUs. What this involves will vary from place to place – it could involve setting up a new CU, doing one-to-one work with students, cold contact evangelism, giving talks, training small group leaders or helping a CU run a mission.

“I have felt like part of a family, and I thank God for each of my team”
Katie Vivyan 05-06

Your staff worker will also spend time helping you grow as a Christian, by studying the Bible and praying with you, developing a relationship of accountability with you, helping you apply what you have been learning to your life, and giving you help and feedback on the ministry that you do.

Relay workers are also part of a Regional Team of Staff and Relay workers – which meet up regularly for support and training. 

Can I get more stuck into the Bible and involved
in evangelism?

Yes! Relay workers attend three week long training conferences during the year where we look at the Bible in depth, train you handle it well, apply it, and use it in your ministry and for the rest of your life. One of the core values at the heart of UCCF and Relay is a commitment to Biblical truth, and we want to help all Relay workers understand the truth and live it out in whatever they go on to do.

“I have started to see that commitment to truth is not measured by depth of correct theological knowledge, but is seen in a person’s life.”
Jules Port 05-06

All Relay workers will be involved in using the Bible in their work with CUs – training people to lead small groups, studying the Bible in one to ones, and we’ll also encourage and train you to use the Bible in evangelism in lots of different and creative ways.

Relay workers are also involved in some of the most pioneering, creative and exciting evangelism going on in the UK today – helping and enabling students to grow missional communities in the multi-cultural campuses of the nation. Every Relay worker will be involved in a university or college mission during their year, many will help to lead follow up groups; but more than that, Relay will help you build convictions and patterns of evangelism into your life for the future
 

Who pays for it?

“I am amazed how generous God has been this year in supplying all of my needs”
Dave Hooper

Relay workers give a contribution £600 for their training conferences and materials, and must raise their living and ministry costs themselves. The exact figure depends on where you are in the country, but it is usually between £4000 and £6000. That sounds like a huge amount – but no Relay worker has ever had to leave the scheme through lack of funds, and it is a huge challenge in your Christian growth to have to live by faith in the area of finances; it will even teach you about how to use your money when you do start earning.