Catalyst - fully funded training in ministry and mission with children and young people

Learn from experts in the fields of children and youth ministry in this course which is fully funded by the Church of England, so you won’t need to pay a thing.

Who is it for?

The course will benefit you if you are new to children and youth ministry by providing a solid foundation on which you can build. It will also benefit those who have been around a little longer, to renew, refresh and revitalise their existing knowledge and experience. For some, it will also provide a pathway into further training. So, whether you are a volunteer or an existing paid church worker, we encourage you to prayerfully discern whether Catalyst is right for you.

What will I learn?

At its heart, Catalyst will help you develop approaches with children and young people that fosters a holistic and lively relationship with Jesus. Weaved through the sessions and the conference are the core topics of: safeguarding, cultural awareness, working in groups, discipleship, self-knowledge, self-refletion, theology, biblical studies, play, informal learning, mission and evangelism.

What is involved?

Induction: You will be invited to an induction day on either Saturday 11th October in the North East, or Saturday 18th October in Ridley Hall, Cambridge or the South West. (North East and South West venues to be confirmed shortly).

Five Group Sessions: There are five monthly group sessions where you will meet, for about 2 hours, with other Catalyst participants from your Diocese. Prior to each group session, you will engage with topic content through the Catalyst platform from the comfort of your own home. This means that you will be familiar with the topic before you meet as a group, then you will be able to engage with the topic themes by drawing on your own experience.

Conference: At the end of January (Friday 30th to Sunday 1st Feb.), you and all Catalyst participants from other Dioceses are invited to the three-day Catalyst conference at the Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire.

All meals and accommodation will be provided, and during the day you will hear from experts in the fields of children and youth ministry.

Graduation: You are invited to celebrate the completion of the course and all that you have achieved with your new Catalyst friends at Ridley Hall in Cambridge (Saturday, 16th May).

For more information, check out the Catalyst website https://catalyst30k.org or talk to Abby Cooper, Families, Children and Youth Adviser. Email: abby.cooper@chester.anglican.org 

Telephone: 07522 990756