Promises in the Dark

Dublin, Ireland

Serge has multiple teams in Ireland (Cork and Dublin) and one team in Northern Ireland (Belfast) working to empower, equip and encourage Irish pastors and leaders in their ministry efforts.

Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have a long history with the Christian religion. While traces of religious traditionalism remain, whole-hearted Christian faith has been widely forgotten. Nevertheless, due to the weakening of the institutional church combined with encroaching secularism, many individuals are considering the relevancy of faith and experiencing an intimate relationship with Jesus.

Rather than plant churches directly, the Serge team helps to facilitate the work of Irish ministry leaders in their own context whether in church planting or revitalization. 

As an apprentice in Ireland, you will…

• Work in a local church or non-profit ministry, with potential assignments in children’s/youth ministry, church-planting support, the creative arts, tutoring/mentoring, and more. And support the Serge summer intern program. 
• Join weekly Serge team meetings with classes and prayer
• Be focused primarily on your community found through local ministry placement

Overall, the Ireland Apprenticeship prepares and propels someone towards a life of ministry. 

Stories of Grace in Your Inbox

Bundibugyo, Uganda Internship

In the local language, Bundibugyo literally means “the end of the road”.  And it is just that.  Nestled on the western edge of Uganda, past the Rwenzori Mountains, it sits just 5km from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  For the many people living in extreme poverty here, hope for more than a few dollars a day is difficult to come by.

Interns in Uganda contribute to the team’s purpose of testifying–by word and deed—to the gospel of God’s grace to Ugandans in the Bundibugyo district of Western Uganda. We do this through discipleship and training in the local church and community. We are engaged in health outreach, medical care, clean water initiatives, nutrition programs, education, and mobilizing laborers for the harvest.

We look for interns who are flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to be uncomfortable. Interns that thrive in our context have a team mentality, relational focus, heart to share Jesus in word and deed, sense of humor, adventurous spirit, and don’t mind a few creepy crawlies and outside bathrooms!

All interns in Uganda will experience…

• Relational ministry through interaction with Ugandans and long-term missionaries
• Fellowship with Jesus as you serve Him among the poor
• Sharing the love of Jesus in story and action
• “Real” football with students
• Learning to greet in Lubwisi
• Praying with the team, the sick, and the struggling
• Discipling youth
• Long church services filled with dancing and singing
• Learning about Ugandan health and nutritional needs
• Growing and being discipled through the “Gospel-Centered Life” curriculum
• A new level of growth in your relationship with the Lord
• Going on safari for a time of reflection and fun

And serve in one or more of the following areas…

• Youth discipleship, environmental education, sports outreach, and Bible clubs with community children
• Serving long term missionary families with pre-school and childcare activities
• Medicine/healthcare professions

Dublin, Ireland Internship

Serge has multiple teams in Ireland (Cork and Dublin) and one team in Northern Ireland (Belfast) working to empower, equip and encourage Irish pastors and leaders in their ministry efforts.

Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have a long history with the Christian religion. While traces of religious traditionalism remain, whole-hearted Christian faith has been widely forgotten. Nevertheless, due to the weakening of the institutional church combined with encroaching secularism, views on faith among the Irish are becoming less cultural and more authentic and explicit as individuals either move away from the church completely or desire a deeper experience with God.

The Serge teams in Ireland act as catalytic encouragers to see the Irish Church grow in the grace-filled gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through facilitating church plants, encouraging Irish leaders, and bringing renewal through the truth of the gospel.

All interns in Ireland will experience…

• Cross-cultural training and cultural immersion among Irish university students and Irish church congregations
• Working side-by-side as a team with Irish interns, pastors, and ministry leaders
• Serving in an Irish church or mission context in the Republic of Ireland and/or Northern Ireland
• A guided retreat where you will learn and practice several spiritual disciplines of the Christian life
• Living in community with an emphasis on:
  • Exploring the Word of God through a manuscript Bible study in the book of Galatians
  • The transforming power of the gospel in the believer’s ongoing journey with Christ through the Serge Ireland Free to Love: Beloved Sent One’s Sonship course
  • One-on-one spiritual mentoring
  • Great food, great fun, and great friendships in one of the most beautiful settings on earth

London, UK Internship

Serve alongside Serge teams in one of four communities in London:

Harrow: Serge partners with British South Asian leadership in Harrow to establish a service-orientated, culturally-understandable group of Jesus-followers in the British South Asian context of North West London. Immerse yourself in the Hindu and Jain culture while seeing and being part of the shifting dynamic of first- and second-generation South Asian immigrants create a home in London.

North London: Serve the North London community of Muswell Hill in a friendly, independent evangelical church. The church seeks to serve its neighbors through job clubs, free legal advice, children’s programs, and regular worship and Bible study.

Southall: Southall is the heart and soul of the immigrant community of London, a global city made up of peoples from around the world and in particular from South Asia. Our desire is to plant churches in London and to see these birth churches beyond London.

South West London: Serve at a small, multi-cultural church in a large government housing project. Join in door-to-door outreach, children’s activity outreaches, discipleship, Bible studies, and serving on Sunday with cooking, setting up and tearing down, drinking lots of tea, and chatting with people.

All interns in London will…

• Develop cross-cultural skills and receive personal mentoring and discipleship
• Support the work of a local church
• Gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and how that is expressed in church life
• Take part in Bible studies/small groups
• Visit local families
• Hear amazing stories of how God draws people to Himself out of the most unlikely situations.

Depending on the community of service, London interns may also:

• Assist with the week-long London Evangelism and Prayer Conference (LEAP)
• Work in a local thrift store (Asha Shop) that seeks to share the gospel in word and deed
• Be involved with community-based youth work
• Share the love of Jesus through street outreach
• Helping to run Kid’s Clubs in the local community
• Help with church worship music

North Africa Internship

North Africa remains one of the world’s least-reached regions, with less than one-tenth of one percent of the population following Jesus. Despite an environment of spiritual oppression, Christian workers have entered into local communities through entrepreneurial activities, teaching English as a second language, and teaching children in a variety of contexts.

Within the urban context of the capital city, the Serge team in North Africa is committed to mentoring and developing future Christian workers for North Africa. Interns will walk alongside two-year apprentices and long-term team members as they serve the community in a variety of ways. Interns will develop cross-cultural relationships through homestays, camps, teaching English to university students, and meeting in cafes with friends in this warm North African context.

As an intern in North Africa, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be mentored in the gospel and cross-cultural work by staff with deep and varied experience
• Learn Arabic in a classroom setting as well as through local relationships
• Grow in their knowledge and understanding of the region’s dominant religion
• Join other interns to run English conversation clubs for local university students
• Help the team to run a week of English camp for local children in Grades 3-6
• Observe and participate in the development of local transformational businesses
• Engage with other local North Africa interns in the computer science field with the opportunity of assisting with programming if qualified
• Have a homestay with a local family
• Join the team in building relationships with people in the community
• Worship with fellow believers in the area
• Gain a deeper understanding of God’s work in the Arabic-speaking world

Málaga, Spain

Tapas, laughter, siestas, fiestas, and a “go-with-the flow” outlook on life – all trademarks of the culture in Málaga, Spain.

Since 2016, the Serge team in Málaga has worked to bring about a movement of grace in their local church, their community and the surrounding cities. Through preaching, Bible studies, seminars, discipleship of pastors and leaders, and hospitality, a Christ-focused community is taking root. The team is also serving the local community in tangible ways through opportunities to learn English.

Watch this video of the Serge Málaga team to learn more!

As an intern in Málaga, you will have the opportunity to:

• Serve and demonstrate love to children, teens, and families in Málaga through our summer English camps. Help the teams prepare crafts, skits, etc for the camps.
• Get to know and befriend Spanish locals and leaders through acts of service, time, and volunteering.
• Worship together and get to know the members of a multi-cultural church plant.
• Participate in prayer ministry.
• Engage in Spanish language classes in the city (1-2 weeks) alongside a group of people from all over the world.
• Possibly travel to another city in Spain and visit one of our teams and learn more about how the Lord is working there.
• Study the “Gospel-Centered Life” curriculum in a small group setting.

Quillota, Chile

Chile is a predominantly Christian nation, however, the vast majority of people would consider themselves agnostic or “non-religious.” At the same time, a coldness has settled in evangelical churches where keeping the law has supplanted a deep and genuine love for God and others. It is in this context that God has opened doors of ministry where we can come alongside believers and non-believers to share the life-giving message of God’s grace.

The Serge team in Chile seeks to serve as a catalyst for growth, healing, and Gospel-understanding through word and deed ministries, among the people and churches in Chile and beyond.

As an intern in Chile, you will experience:

• Cross-cultural training to prepare for working within a Latin American culture
• Life in a Chilean host home where you are certain to become a part of their family
• Team building as well as exploring gifting and passions in ministry
• Working along-side other missionaries and Chilean ministry leaders.
• Serving the people of Chile through practical service, friendship, and mentoring.
• Times of retreat and rest.
• Adventure and brisk weather – it will be their fall/winter
• Love, friendship, great food, and spectacular scenery

Thailand Internship

A very common idea in Thailand is, “To be Thai is to be Buddhist.” In this worldview, Christianity is the religion of foreigners and to follow the foreigner’s Jesus is to disown your own people. The Serge team in Thailand seeks to help Thai people see that Jesus is the Savior and King of every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.

The heart of the Serge Thailand team’s ministry is empowering Thai pastors to plant Thai churches that reach Thai people. By doing so, they are helping Thai people see that they can be Thai and be followers of Jesus.

One of the ways this is done is by building an online Business for Transformation (B4T) that will be used to provide opportunities for Thai pastors to support their families and ministries.

As an intern in Thailand, you will have the opportunity to:

• Learn what it’s like to be a missionary by interacting and working with long-term missionaries.
• Grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus by being mentored one-on-one by a missionary.
• Develop your technical skills creating, publishing, and marketing information products necessary to grow our B4T.
• Maximize your skills by learning to work in a hybrid virtual/in-person team environment.
• Learn some basic Thai language by studying with a local language tutor.
• Connect with Thai brothers and sisters by worshipping at a local Thai church.
• Expand your horizons by diving into the wonderful-mysterious world of Thai culture and cuisine!
• Pray more deeply by visiting the ministries you are helping firsthand.

We Need People Who…

• Have training/skills in one or more of the following areas:
• Graphic/Website Design (can make a site look good!)
• Videography/Video Editing
• Social Media/YouTube/Email Marketing
• Sales Copywriting
• Have your own laptop capable of doing the work you will be doing (eg. If you’re coming to do video)
  editing, you need to have a computer and software powerful enough to edit video.)
• Be flexible, adaptable, and work well on a team with a heart for learning and growth

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is an international city, drawing people from around the world with its beauty, history, culture, and economic opportunities. It is also the capital of one of the most atheistic countries in the world: approximately three-quarters of the population identify as atheists. Planting churches in this city brings together people of diverse national and spiritual backgrounds, offering them the opportunity to see and experience the gospel lived out in the context of a believing community.

The Serge teams in Prague focus on reaching both the Czech and international communities with the gospel. Faith Community Church was planted in 2007 as an international church. In 2017, the church sent out a group to start a bilingual church plant, DoSlova. Both churches also partner with other local groups for outreach through mercy ministry.  

As an apprentice in Prague, you will…

• Enter the context of a church planting team and serve as a support to the work
• Join weekly Serge Apprenticeship classes for equipping and prayer
• Get a taste for language learning as you tackle survival Czech
• Explore ways mercy ministry can further the outreach of the local church

Overall, the Prague Apprenticeship prepares and propels someone toward Christ-dependent ministry with skills that help you cross cultures both at home and abroad. 

London, UK

London is perhaps the most diverse city on the planet. Having such an array of languages, beliefs, and ethnicities makes it a strategic focus for missionaries desiring to reach post-modern Europeans as well as the hundreds of thousands of immigrants from countries with little or no gospel witness.

The Serge team in East London seeks to spur a movement of new churches consisting of and committed to the alternative, marginalized, and urban poor populations in this part of the city. They engage in – 

• Equipping young leaders from many national, ethnic, and cultural contexts.
• Supplying like-minded church plants with short-term help.
• Healing cultural breaches by practicing the love of Christ amongst ourselves.
• Teaching apprentices to search the scripture and preach the gospel to themselves and others daily.

As an apprentice in London, you will…

• Live among urban, immigrant, possibly marginalized or poor communities
• Engage in the life and ministry of a Serge church plant   
• Assist short-term teams in evangelistic outreach
• Support the youth outreach/kid’s club of a local church
• Volunteer in a charity shop or other mercy ministry
• Go on prayer and exploratory trips with other apprentices across the UK and in other Serge fields in Europe or South Asia
• Help lead summer internship

London Apprentices have high ministry contact, a big change in culture, independence, lots of people to lean on, lots of areas to grow, a strong church network, stable structures to work inside, and lots of fun.

Southern Spain

Spain is a beautiful country with a complicated history that has deeply impacted the current culture’s view of the church.  After centuries of religious oppression,  the younger generation has been left with a deep cynicism toward the church and religion.

Today, Spain has a growing immigrant population. In the midst of significant unemployment and societal struggle, there are many opportunities for deep relational connection in this very social, engaging culture.

In this context, the Serge team in Southern Spain seeks to be a blessing to immigrants, university students, and Spanish nationals. Their church plant has grown over the past ten years and beyond serving this growing grace-empowered community of believers, the team seeks to serve the community in tangible ways, and resource and serve pastors and ministries in the region.   

As an Apprentice in Southern Spain, you will…

Study Spanish language and serve together with our teams in blessing the church and community in one or more of the following ways:

• Teaching English, helping to facilitate English camps
• University Ministry
• Youth Ministry
• Using gifts to serve the church
• Loving the immigrant population in tangible ways

Bundibugyo, Uganda

In the local language, Bundibugyo literally means “the end of the road”.  And it is just that.  Nestled on the western edge of Uganda, past the Rwenzori Mountains, it sits just 5km from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  For the many people living in extreme poverty here, hope for more than a few dollars a day is difficult to come by.  

For more than three decades Serge missionaries have served in Bundibugyo, in partnership with the local community through the following efforts – 

• Christ School Bundibugyo – a boarding secondary school for Ugandans, founded by Serge missionaries, with over 400 students.
• The Kwejuna Project, a gravity-fed clean water initiative that provides safe water for hundreds of thousands of residents in the district.
• Local healthcare – both in the national clinics and through the Bundi Nutrition program for mothers and children.  
• Bundimulinga Presbytery – equipping and ongoing pastoral training at the Semiliki Institute for Theological Education.

As an apprentice in Uganda, you will experience…

• Learning the local language Lubwisi
• Relational ministry through interaction with Ugandans and team members
• Long church services filled with dancing and singing
• Discipling youth
• Learning about Ugandan health and nutritional needs
• A new level of growth in your relationship with the Lord

We look for apprentices who are flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to be uncomfortable. Apprentices that thrive in our context have a team mentality, relational focus, heart to share Jesus in word and deed, sense of humor, adventurous spirit, and don’t mind a few creepy crawlies and outside bathrooms!

North Africa

The Serge teams in North Africa exist to see the gospel of God’s grace move forward in a region where less than .5% of the population have faith in Jesus. 

The teams share the good news to Arabic-speaking populations in the context of relationships, particularly through Business for Transformation, with the desire is to see new believers and new churches raised up in areas where so little of the Lord’s light is recognized. 

About the Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship is ideal for those wishing to work in the Muslim world and with unengaged people groups.  You will gain frontline experience by taking risks, building friendships, and proclaiming the good news.

You will begin in the capital city with a wide range of training and experiences in ministry from studying Arabic, to teaching English, to working with children, to hosting summer interns, to discipling local believers, to developing marketing and media content.

With growing fluency in the language and significant cultural literacy, you will be a part of pioneering work with unengaged people groups in remote parts of the country.  Those interested in developing and/or exploring business skills will have the opportunity to see how Business for Transformation (B4T) happens in this particular context and will be instrumental in its development.

Nairobi, Kenya

The Serge team in Nairobi is working to bring the gospel to both unreached people groups and a church saturated culture that is characterized by legalism, division, emotionalism, tribalism, and vulnerability to heretical teachings.

Through sports ministry and Chronological Bible Storying – they are helping church leaders deepen their understanding of the gospel and equipping them to reach their local communities with the gospel.

As an apprentice in Nairobi, you will…

• Travel across a beautiful country connecting and partnering with churches and exciting ministries sharing the gospel in their local community
• Engage in the church in a youth, urban, and dynamic city that is shaping culture across East Africa
• Enter into a grace-centered team that longs to see you grow in your love for Jesus and your understanding of your call to mission.
• Help support the Kingdom work already happening through the church in Kenya.

Eric Brauer

Area Director for Ireland and Europe

God had already called Eric and his wife Karen to overseas ministry when they encountered Serge during Eric’s time in seminary. An ordained minister and evangelist with a background in college ministry, his work with Serge began in Ireland facilitating church planting and then leading in various roles, including now as Area Director for Ireland and Central and Eastern Europe.

Eric and Karen have seven children (and three kids-in-law), and he enjoys cultivating a garden, hiking, reading, and board games…when the kids are in town.

Mark Berry

Area Director for Latin America

Mark is an ordained pastor, church planter, and missionary with a background in college and youth ministry. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Covenant Theological Seminary and has a passion for strengthening others in the grace of Jesus.

Mark and his wife Lori served for 12 years in Lima, Perú, with Mission to the World, where they partnered with national leaders in church planting and ministry among the poor. They also served in various field leadership roles. Mark is excited about the many open doors for gospel ministry in Latin America, and for the opportunity to serve alongside national leaders and missionaries with a heart for the gospel of grace to run throughout the region and beyond.

Mark enjoys sports, gardening, movies, reading, and time with Lori and their five children.

Lori Berry

Area Director for Latin America

On a mission trip to Haiti, Lori sensed for the first time that God was calling her to cross-cultural work.

She graduated from Auburn University, and later worked in college ministry at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Through various mentoring relationships with older women in the church, she came to understand the gospel and its power in deep and personal ways that brought great healing to her life, and gave her a heart for discipling younger women.

Raising a family overseas in Latin America, along with mentoring women during 12 years of church planting ministry in Perú with her husband Mark, gave Lori a love for Latin America and cross-cultural work that she enjoys sharing with others.

Lori likes to read, watch movies, cook and invent new recipes, and spend time at the beach. She also loves being with Mark and their five children.

Josiah Bancroft

Senior Director of Mission

Matt Allison

Senior Director of Operations

Matt points to Serge as a ministry that has helped him know and experience the love of God since his childhood. While he was growing up, his mom and dad were impacted through the Sonship program and he experienced their life transformations in “real-time.” After graduating from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga., Matt joined Serge as part of the mission team in Bundibugyo, Uganda.

In Uganda, Matt sought to share the love of the Father with the marginalized and poor, as a member of a larger Serge team focused on healthcare, education, evangelism, church strengthening, and other community development projects. Upon completing his term in Uganda, Matt returned to the U.S. and eventually pursued graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Rochester. In 2012 Matt returned to Serge to lead the mission’s mobilization effort. Matt and his wife Rachel live in West Philadelphia.

He is a dedicated cyclist, including a regular 15-mile ride to work. His days are filled with travel, reading, hospitality, and membership at City Church, Philadelphia.

Bob Osborne

Executive Director

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Bob’s career began in Africa with relief and development organizations including UNICEF and CARE. It was during his time in Kenya and Mozambique that Bob came to Christ through the influence of missionaries serving there. That not only changed the trajectory of his life, but also his work.

Upon returning to the U.S., Bob served as Executive Director of the Charlottesville, Va., affiliate of Love INC and then as Director of Missions and Ministries at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Bringing together many aspects of his background, Bob joined Serge in 2002 as the U.S. Director and was appointed Executive Director in 2005.

Bob and his wife Nancy have two grown children and in his spare time, he loves to garden and play bocce ball.