Join the Team

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of The Oakes team. Joining the team is a training opportunity — preparing you for Gospel ministry in the future. The three main training aims are:

  • To equip you with the skills and experience to share the Gospel, particularly with children and young people, through every aspect of your life.
  • To help you learn how to handle the Bible in order to prepare for ministry at three levels: personal, small group, and large group.
  • To encourage you to develop a servant spirit where you genuinely desire to serve God above all else, put the needs of others before your own, and give 100 percent in everything you do to God’s glory.

Oakes information

The following information will give you a fuller picture of life at The Oakes and the role of a team member.

Expenses

Room and board are free. It costs The Oakes approximately £2,000 per year to keep a Team member. A donation to The Oakes for part or the entire amount would be gratefully received. It is not a condition for acceptance. Below is some information about how to raise money for support.

Team Application Process

If after prayerful consideration you think that God may be directing you to The Oakes, simply complete the team application form here on our website.

Approval Process

Once we have approved your application we will contact you to make arrangements for you to participate in two camps:*

  1. On your first visit you will be part of the Support Team. Their main role is to work behind the scenes doing washing up, cleaning, setting up, etc.
  2. On your second visit you will be shadowing a dorm leader and/or leading groups and activities. These are the jobs you will do most often throughout the year, so it is important to know what this entails.

On one of your visits, we will also arrange for you to meet with Dan (Director) and Andy (Team Manager) to answer questions and discuss whether or not The Oakes is the right place for you to spend a year.

Since child protection is very important to us, please bring with you an original Enhanced CRB Report showing your full name and dated within the last three years. If you do not have one of these, please contact us in advance. For foreign visitors, you will need to have an equivalent background check completed before coming to The Oakes.

*For those of you who are not from the UK, visiting us ahead of time may not be feasible. We will work with you depending on your situation.