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You will have the opportunity to explore your calling and learn more about yourself, whilst gaining experience of Christian ministry and developing your leadership skills. It is free to do, with accommodation and living expenses provided.
Local schemes are based in different dioceses across the Church of England. Please visit the scheme map page to see where you could go and what you could be doing.
Below you can read personal stories of previous MES participants, you can also find stories, past and present, across the Church of England's social media channels. Please follow #MESyear.
At the bottom of this page is a form you can use to contact a local scheme to find out more.
Read our participant's stories below of how the Ministry Experience Scheme helped them discern their vocations
My MES year gave me the opportunity to continue growing with God.
I was able to just join in, watching and learning so much from the church communities, their leaders, worship and ministry. The breadth of experience, and being able to have a go at things for the first time with great encouragement and guidance was so valuable. It has been a real privilege to work alongside so many different people. It also gave me the space and focus to continuing discerning what God is calling me to and that has been such a gift.
A highlight of my MES year was hosting Alpha small groups.
At the first group I helped with a friend of mine gave his life to Christ and this was the first time I had witnessed this happen. I was so happy for him and I also learned a lot, it increased my faith and encouraged me to keep sharing the good news with people.
Others became Christians at later Alphas as well, God was working in people's lives through our ministry, it was a joy to be a part of it all.
My MES year has been so great for exploring my calling into youth ministry.
I've loved being part of a church where I've worked alongside an established team, been mentored and released to try out new ventures like running Bible studies and youth socials. I've been stretched to get out of my comfort zone in broader church ministries as well.
I would definitely recommend MES!
My year doing the MES was a great time of getting to know people from various backgrounds through which I learned so much about various ways in which worship is expressed.
The various classes that we had during the week exposed me to many perspectives, encouraging my walk with God. The projects and assignments that I took part in acted as ‘time capsules’; showing where I was with God at the time and they caused me to reflect, acting as catalysts for my growth.
I have loved my MES year!
It has been great having opportunity to be creative in evangelism. Offering doorstep prayers and blessings to students was an exciting but scary initiative that we began. It was encouraging to pray with some of the people we encountered. Over the year I think God revealed to me the things that I am passionate about and the areas that he wants me to invest in. I have absolutely loved walking alongside people who are newer to faith and watching them grow. Equipping people for mission is also something I have come to realise that I am passionate about, and it has been such a joy to do more of that this year.
If you would like to hear further stories from current MES participants then please sign-up to the MES newsletter.
I hope and pray that you will be part of God's answer to this great challenge of trying to help the Church of England represent, and look like, and serve the great diversity of people in our nation; and to become a younger church.
Below you can listen to Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York presenting a short video message, to MES participants at the online National Gathering event in January 2022, about how important MES is to the wider vision of the Church of England. You can read more about the 10-year vision here.
How do I get involved?
The Ministry Experience Scheme is locally-led and every diocese will have their own distinctive flavour. You can enquire about any scheme that interests you using the form below. Visit our scheme map page to find out more about each scheme.
(Your data will be held by the Archbishops' Council. Before sharing your data with any diocese your consent will be sought. Data will not be shared with third parties.)
You can use this webform to make enquiries with several schemes if you so wish but please avoid simply contacting all schemes listed.
Diocese (whose scheme you are interested in) - Select -BlackburnCanterburyCarlisleChichesterDurhamEuropeGloucesterLeedsLeicesterLincolnLichfieldLiverpoolLondon - Edmonton London - KensingtonLondon - StepneyLondon - WillesdenNorwichNewcastlePeterboroughPortsmouthSt. AlbansSodor and ManSouthwell and NottinghamWinchesterMy preferred diocese is not listed
How did you hear about the Ministry Experience Scheme?
Through other website or advert
Via a family member or friend
Via someone in church leadership
Please indicate the main way you heard about the scheme.
"The Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord."
The Ministry Experience Scheme is supported by Allchurches Trust.
Find your vocation with these prayers and reflections. Explore Biblical stories of ordinary people called to extraordinary ministries.