FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
What sort of placements does iServe Africa work with?
iServe Africa usually works with churches, Christian organizations and businesses run on christian values with a passion to raise gospel workers and to reach and serve their local community in the name of Jesus Christ. Apprentices are placed with churches and Christian organizations and projects in towns and rural areas.
Can I apply directly to be an apprentice?
iServe Africa welcomes both recommendations from churches, sister organisations as well as direct applications from prospective apprentices. Once we receive your application, we will conduct a shortlisting and invite the successful applicants for an interview.
Do you only have placements based at churches?
No! iServe Africa also works with Christian organizations and Businesses founded on christian values where there is a ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. This includes mission agencies, Bible translation projects, Christian charities working with the vulnerable in the society such as the homeless, HIV/AIDS programmes, the elderly, and physical disability as well as ministry in informal settlements.
What sort of things do iServe Africa Apprentices do?
Our placements involve their apprentices in a wide variety of Christian ministry including work with children and youth of all ages; local schools – clubs, outreach, assemblies; local community action and church pastoral work; engaging in cross cultural ministries, Compassionate ministry among the elderly and other vulnerable groups, evangelistic Bible study, practical work in the church, administrative support etc.
Are all iServe Africa placements in the Kenya?
Yes, we presently only place apprentices in Kenya but we are currently exploring opportunities in other parts of Africa and beyond.
When does a normal iServe Africa placement begin?
Apprentices usually begin their assignments in late August or early September each year and agree to spend 12 months on the placement. From 2011, we shall have a January intake.
Can apprentices do a second year with iServe Africa?
Yes. Arrangements can be made either for an apprentice to stay on in the same placement or move on to another placement.
Is the Placement expected to provide training for our apprentice?
You will want to give your apprentice any training essential to fulfilling their job. Such training is ideally provided within your locality. Some apprentices are keen to do a distance learning course during their year and we can suggest a few options. However, the hallmark of iServe Africa is that it enables apprentices to have a hands-on experience of Christian ministry and service.
What contact will we have with staff during the year?
iServe Africa maintains links with both supervisor and apprentice throughout the year as we are very keen to exercise a relevant pastoral and training role with both parties. We will visit all placements at least thrice during the year to ensure everything is going well between the supervisor and the apprentice.
What charges do iServe Africa make to placements?
There is a contractual relationship between iServe Africa and both the apprentice and the placement. This is clearly defined in the Apprenticeship handbook. We sign a contract with both parties before the start of apprenticeship.
How much should Placements give to support the apprentice?
Out of the total stipend payable to an apprentice, the church should give at least KShs. 8000 per month and the apprentice raises the rest from mission partners and friends. The church might decide to fully support the apprentice and this is also possible. The money is paid to iServe Africa which operates a hybrid fundraising system for the apprentices. The apprentices are required to do some fundraising as a training on partnership in ministry.
So, what happens when a placement applies for an apprentice?
A member of iServe Africa staff will contact you to arrange a time to visit you to talk through your application in detail. A decision as to whether we can include you on our vacancy list will be made as soon as possible. We will then recruit an apprentice for you.
How do you screen possible apprentices?
We carefully screen all applications from those wishing to be apprentices, taking up references including one from their home church. Applicants have an initial interview with us and then we commend a potential apprentice to a particular placement, and send on copies of all of their papers. The final choice is then made by the placement who may even invite the applicant to spend time with them. We do not put our apprentices into competitive interview situations and we do not expect placements to do so either.
Does iServe Africa run any courses during the year?
Yes. We’ll expect you to release all apprentices to attend the Nairobi Ministry Training Course which will be happening in for a week every quarter. There will also be two key seminars during the year – an induction workshop in early June and an end of year retreat in early August towards the end of the apprenticeship.
Got further questions? Please e mail us using the contact us panel in this website.