WHAT IS THE KERITH ACADEMY?The Kerith Academy is a unique opportunity to grow in your relationship with God, learn more about the Bible during classroom based teaching, and to be part of the team at Kerith Community Church.

Through the training and serving, this can be a year for you to nurture your relationship with Jesus and to take hold of the plans He has for you. As we take time to build strong foundations in our lives, we open ourselves to the opportunity of being used by God in huge ways.

SIMON BENHAMSenior Pastor at Kerith Community Church

Through the Academy we want to provide an opportunity for Christians locally, nationally and from other nations to give a year of their lives to receive both practical and theological training in an area of ministry, and be equipped for the rest of their lives to be more effective in serving God. So, no matter where you’re from, age or background, the Academy is open to you.

If you are able to give a year of your life to the Academy, then we will commit to doing everything we can to make it a life changing year which could change the trajectory of your life.

BEN POCOCKKerith Academy Co-ordinator

I am so excited that you are considering the Kerith Academy for 2013. By giving a year to be part of the Kerith Academy you are making a step that says to God you are open and willing to learn, grow and hear from Him. I know that you can grow hugely in a year, and this could be a year that you will remember for the rest of your life.

TRAINING DAYSThere are two Training Days each week: Wednesday and Thursday. The training will take the form of lectures, seminars, discussion groups, debates and activities. There will also be times of ministry, worship and prayer together. As part of the training, there will be a mixture of spoken and written assignments to help in your learning.

You will be taught by a range of leaders from the Kerith Community, external speakers and other leaders from Kerith Community Church. All of whom have their individual gifts, passions and professions, but are united in working to advance God’s Kingdom through the local church.

:A SAMPLE OF THE TRAINING MODULES INCLUDE

�Old & New Testament Survey�Church Vision & Mission�Jesus�The Nature & Character of God�The Person and work of t}}he Holy Spirit�Personality Profiling�Leadership Development�Handling Personal Finances

‘Faculty’A diverse and experienced teaching team from within Kerith Community Church include

SIMON BENHAMSimon is the Senior Pastor of Kerith Community Church, and has led the church since 2007. Simon is the author of the ‘Peach and Coconut’, a book describing the ‘come as you are’ culture being created at the church. He also preaches at various Christian events and conferences across the country.

REV. BEN DAVIESBen Davies was the Senior Pastor of Kerith Community Church for 43 years and is still on the eldership team at the church. As the Kerith Ambassador, he now preaches globally and helps develop pastors and leaders across the globe.

MICHAEL ROSS-WATSONMichael has been a missionary with WEC, a pastor, a preacher and an excellent Bible teacher for nearly fifty years. With his wife Esther, he has ministered in various parts of the world but focused mainly on Indonesia and Singapore.

IRENEKerith Academy student

“I have always thought that the Academy was for young people on Gap Years and not for the “Oldies” in the church. I am definitely one of the “Oldies“ at 57 years old and already a Granny. I sometimes blog about it calling it Granny’s Gap Year!”

CONFERENCES

As part of the Kerith Academy, the students will attend at least one external conference. This is likely to be the HTB Leadership Conference in May 2015. Throughout the year, other opportunities may arise to attend other conferences, either based on leadership,

or your specific serving area. As an Academy student, you will also be involved in the various conferences that Kerith hosts (including the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit) by serving in one of the volunteer teams.

SERVING

The Kerith Academy aims to help you in all areas of your life. Not only do we learn through hearing, but we learn through doing. You will spend 14 hours during the week serving at Kerith Community Church. Each student is assigned a ‘Primary Ministry’ area, which is decided by the leadership team at Kerith according to your passions, gifts and skill set, as well as the availability and need of the ministry. The serving time is usually spread over Monday, Tuesday or Friday.

As well as your Primary Ministry, you will be involved in serving other ministries, including the Facilities and Building team and Sunday’s volunteer team.

PRIMARY MINISTRY AREAS

Young PeopleChildren (0-5yrs and 5-11yrs)

Youth (11-18yrs)

Creative Arts Music, media, production, communication and more

Social Justice TeamCAP (Christians Against Poverty) Debt Counselling

Foodbank - distributing food and befriending those in needKonnections - supporting disabled children and their families

Social Outreach Team

Operations Team Various areas (for example event management,

courses, catering, finance)

Site Services & Buildings team

MARTAKerith Academy student

‘'Church life is so exciting! God has taught me, changed me and has used me every day. Honestly, the best year of my life so far. Prepare for adventure with God, because there is no boredom in Kerith!''

WHAT ELSE?The Kerith Academy runs from Wednesday 10th September 2014 to Saturday 18th July 2015, with holidays around Christmas and Easter, as well as 3 reading weeks throughout the year.

FEESThe cost for the Kerith Academy will be £1100 (this includes a £20 application fee). This will pay for the external conference(s) attended, teaching materials you will receive throughout the year and all administration costs.

This can be paid in one lump sum (£1100), or paid in instalments after an initial payment of £230 on the 10th September 2014. If you wish to pay in instalments, please discuss this with the Kerith Academy Co-ordinator. Please do not let finances be a factor to stop you applying for the Academy-speak to the Kerith Academy Co-ordinator and we will do what we can to help.

EMPLOYMENTThe Kerith Academy is a volunteer arrangement with Kerith Community Church, and we recommend that you have a part-time job throughout the year to help yourself financially. Part of the application process will require you to say how you plan to fund your year.

ACCOMMODATIONKerith Academy does not provide accommodation for students. However, if you require help finding accommodation, please let us know so we can do what we can to help.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTSA commitment to Jesus Christ as your Personal Saviour. You will need to give a pastoral referee from your current church, who has known you for over a year.

You must be able to give a plan for how you intend to fund your year on Kerith Academy.

An assessment made by the interviewers who agree that you will be able to complete the course.

A competent grasp of the English language spoken and written.

APPLYINGPlease call, email, or send us a letter (contact details are on the last page) and we will send to you the application form to fill in or you candownload it from the church websitewww.kerith.co.uk/kerithacademy. Once we have received your application forms we will arrange for an interview likely to be held at Kerith Community Church. If a face-to-face interview is not possible, then a skype/phone interview can be arranged.

There is a non-refundable application fee of £20 that each student must pay. This is taken off the total £1100 fee for the year.

The closing date for applications is Monday 18th August 2014, however we suggest applying as early as possible.

Once you have sent back your application along with your £20 application fee, we will be in contact to discuss your application and further action. Kerith Community Church reserves the right to refuse your entry to the Academy.

CHURCH LIFEThe Kerith Academy is not just about the teaching and serving. Throughout the year, you can throw yourself into the life of the church and invest in some great, deep friendships. We have small groups that meet throughout the week, courses that run through the year, and interest specific groups that meet to build relationships and have fun together. The Academy is an ideal time to meet new people from all walks of life and from all around the world.

To help support you through your year, each student has a mentor; someone you can talk to, receive help from, and share how things are going.

MORE INFO

www.kerith.co.uk/kerithacademy

info@kerith.co.uk

+ 44 (0) 1344 862699

The Kerith CentreChurch Road

BracknellBerkshire

RG12 1EHUK

KERITH ACADEMY2014/2015