BMS World Mission Action Teams set for UK church tour

Thirty-four high-energy young people on BMS World Mission Action Teams have returned from their six-month overseas mission experience and are set to begin a two-month tour around the UK churches.

For many of the young people (aged 18 to 25), they have a year gap before university, for others it's time out before or between employment, and for some it was the first occasion that they had been so far away from family and friends.

The nine Action Teams have been going on mission trip to Uganda, Trinidad, Italy, Thailand, Brazil and India.

Next week they will set off in their teams again as they begin to tour around the UK, stretching from Aberdeen in Scotland to Penarth in Wales and Falmouth in south west England.

As they travel, congregations will have the opportunity to hear what it's like to live in a different country and culture, to be hundreds of miles from the comforts of home and what it's like to work with BMS mission personnel. They will describe the work they have been involved in and challenge others to get involved in mission.

The Action Teams will visit a total of 72 churches to tell their inspiring and challenging stories, talk about their highs and lows and share their experiences of God throughout their time doing mission over the last six months.

Here are the reports from each team:
Uganda team: they work with the Baptist Union of Uganda, getting involved in evangelism, youth ministry, supporting people with HIV/Aids and encouraging church work and building projects.

Trinidad team: they work in primary and secondary schools, helping to run Christian camps and retreats and their work with the Baptist Union of Trinidad encouraging other young Christians in mission.

Italy team: they work alongside BMS mission workers Mark and Claire Ord at a multi-cultural Baptist church in Genoa, becoming involved in working with immigrants, homeless people, teaching and church work.

Thailand team: they work with the Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship and BMS mission worker Jacqui Wells, being involved in teaching English and working at a drugs rehabilitation centre and befriending girls rescued from prostitution.

Brazil North team: they work with the Rio Grande do Norte Baptist Convention in Natal with children and teenagers, teaching English, drama and art workshops and also doing evangelism and sports ministry with local churches.

Two Brazil South teams: they work in teaching at pre-school and church work, supporting BMS mission staff in their work amongst the children and families living in favelas in San Paulo.

Two India teams: they work on long-term social action and education projects, ministering and helping street children and drug addicts.