How do we make a regular gift as a church? Expand You can set up a Direct Debit on behalf of a church if you wish. In the ‘title’ in the ‘about you’ section, simply select church or organisation rather than Mr or Mrs etc, and then enter the name of the church in the first and last name. When you then go to a Direct Debit mandate, you can choose to use a company name (this can be a church name). Generally in the case of one off gifts you need to use the name of the cardholder, so it is more complex to give a one off gift as a church through the website.
How do online Direct Debits work? Expand Operation Mobilisation processes online Direct Debits through our partner GoCardless, an industry recognised leader in handling Direct Debit payment and donations. If you chose to set up a regular payment through our website, the process is securely integrated with GoCardless where you will be able to set up your bank details etc.
Can I stop my Direct Debit payments? Expand Yes, you can end your direct debit at any time. The mandate is set up between you and GoCardless, and they will be sending you information in regards to ending the payments at the time you set it up. You can also cancel this by contacting the OM finance office.
How do I change Direct Debit amounts or dates? Expand It is possible for us to arrange to change the amount of a Direct Debit if you email us, but this can take two weeks to process. Unfortunately, we cannot change the date of the payment. However, we suggest that the easiest option is for you to either set up an additional Direct Debit (if you are increasing your gift) or simply cancel your Direct Debit and set up a new one. Please contact [email protected] if you need to discuss this further.
What if the person I am supporting leaves OM? Expand Once we are notified that someone is leaving OM, we will send out a letter to you to let you know and you can choose to cancel the Direct Debit or redirect it to another person or area of OM’s work. Until we hear from you, any further gifts after the person has left will simply be allocated to the OM work that the person has been involved in.
Do you send receipts? Expand You should receive email confirmation on any gifts. We will not normally send a postal receipt unless you specifically request one.
I'm interested in fundraising Expand For general enquiries relating to fundraising please contact the Fundraising Team Fundraising Enquiry Or Call our Fundraising Team on 01691 773388 Can I fundraise towards my own or somebody else’s mission trip expenses? Yes, you can fundraise towards mission trip expenses by going here. Please note that Gift Aid cannot be claimed on these types of gifts, even if you tick the Gift Aid box Can I fundraise towards an appeal? Yes, you can fundraise towards any of the appeals that we are involved in. There is a Fundraise button on each appeal which will direct you to setting up your fundraiser. More information about fundraising here Can I fundraise towards the financial support of a longterm worker in OM? Yes, you can fundraise towards the support of a longterm worker, and Gift Aid can be applied if you so wish. More information about fundraising here
What is Gift Aid? Expand Gift Aid increases the value of your donations and means OM can benefit even more at no extra cost to you. If you're a UK taxpayer, add Gift Aid whenever you make a donation and we can reclaim the basic rate of tax on your gift - that's 25p for every £1 you give! If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code. Gift Aid can be added through a simple tick box as you make your donation. Please note, that we cannot claim Gift Aid on payments for Short term mission trips, even if you tick the box. What will you do with information you collect about me, such as my address?As per GDPR regulations, we will only use any information you give us for that purpose for which you provided it. For a donation, we will simply keep your details for our financial records, and nothing else will be sent to you without your express permission.
Other types of giving Expand If you prefer not to give online, there are plenty of other ways to give: Regular paper Direct Debit online – please just contact the finance office on 01691 773388 or email us at [email protected] Bank transfer – again, please contact the finance office. We can then give you a unique reference to use so that your gift is allocated correctly for you. Cheques or cash – please make cheques payable to “Operation Mobilisation” and send this to:Operation Mobilisation, The Quinta, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7LTPlease remember to include a covering letter to indicate where you would like the gift to go By Credit/Debit card via telephone – the office is open Monday to Friday 9:30 to 5:00. Please feel free to ring us on 01691 773388 Other giving platforms – you can give through Stewardship Services or Charities Aid Foundation if you wish. OM is a recognised charity and able to accept donations through these organisations if you wish to use them. If you have any questions, please contact us in the finance office on 01691 773388 or [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
Where does OM work Expand From Albania to Zambia - in fact, there are OM teams in over 110 countries and OM's ship, Logos Hope, reaches into many more. Some teams are long-established while others are still in the pioneer stage. You can search our many team options here
What does OM do? Expand Many teams engage in evangelism and church-planting, especially in regions where there are few Christians. Encouraging and equipping local churches is an integral part of our work; one way we do this is by providing quality Christian literature through the educational book fairs on our ships. Some teams serve people in need by sharing the love of Jesus through development projects, work among the poor, ministry to refugees, teaching English, etc. Our desire is the transformation of communities - materially, socially and spiritually. Find out more about OM here People can also serve in "home office" resource bases or on-field support teams, using their skills in administration, IT, media, recruiting and pastoral care, accountancy, etc. Others, such as professional seamen on the ships or maintenance staff bring essential technical skills and help keep the whole OM ministry functioning effectively.
Who Can Join? Expand If you: Have known the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour for at least a year Have a desire to serve Him and reach people with the Gospel Are sent by your local church Satisfy the application process Raise the necessary financial support There is probably a place where you could serve somewhere on OM! Some of our teams do have restrictions on who they can take. Your physical health may also limit the opportunities available. Age restrictions vary from team to team, but most teams take people as young as 18 and many will take those aged 65 and above. Most teams, but not all, can accommodate families. In some cases, we can only take single men or single women (often because of limited accommodation). There are some opportunities for those with disabilities, depending on the nature and degree of disability.
How long can I join for? Expand This depends on the field. For some it has to be a minimum two year commitment; on others one year, or in some cases as little as 6-7 months. The sheet of information on minimum age, time and finance requirements has some details – if you need further information or clarification, please ask. All our fields need long-term workers. Some, after completing their initial commitment want to remain, or move to another field. With consultation with your field, OM UK and your church, this is all possible. Others leave to study, getting professional or missionary training before returning to OM. Many people join with a long-term view in mind who already have proven gifts and abilities that fit into a long-term ministry.
Will I be trained? Expand Many of OM's jobs involve "On the Job" training. This includes such elements as language learning, study of other religions, local culture, evangelistic methods and more but will also incorporate Bible teaching and corporate prayer. Some teams have a structured programme which combines discipleship training with hands-on mission experience. Working with OM is an opportunity for God to use experiences - many exciting, some unusual, a few difficult - to develop spiritual maturity and effective Christian service.
When can I join? Expand People join through our Global Orientation 'GO' conference in January or August, although it is possible to join UK-based teams at other times. Applicants are required to attend a three-day preparation seminar 'Getting into Gear' in April, June or October; contact us for more details of this seminar and our application procedure. The application process takes some time so we’d like to receive your application three months prior to the conference through which you wish to join.
What does it cost? Expand Every individual serving in Operation Mobilisation is asked to raise sufficient finances to cover their living costs, travel costs, etc. Typically, an OM worker is financially supported by individuals and churches who donate money to OM towards their support
How do individuals go about raising the finance? Expand Prayer is part of the process - we look to the Lord to supply our needs both as individuals and as a mission. As we pray for our needs the Lord prompts people to give. But we also believe it is right to ask sending churches and other Christians to financially support those going into mission. We will provide some training in raising support at the ‘Getting into Gear’ orientation weekend and can also make literature on the subject available to you. You will need to cover any medical costs associated with preparing to join OM, including the cost of any vaccinations recommended for the field where you will work.
Are there any salaried positions within OM? Expand OM staff and workers are volunteers who raise financial support to cover allowances and other living costs.
Who can join? Expand Acceptance onto a Placement depends on the following: Being aged between 18 - 65+ (age range can vary according to the outreach). Knowing the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour. Having a desire to serve Him and reach people with the Gospel. Having the support of your local church. Raising the necessary finance. Being given a suitable reference. Being of suitable health appropriate to the outreach. Successfully completing a DBS (formerly CRB) check (either with us or by having a transferable one) Having appropriate travel insurance.
Steps to join Expand Don’t forget to pray through everything! Step 1 PREPARATION Please read all the information. If you are unsure about the details do ask us at [email protected]. Step 2 PLANNING Talk to those who will be supporting your application. This will include the leaders in your church, maybe your parents and some close friends. Think and pray about where the money will come from for the outreach, travel, insurance and other expenses. Step 3 APPLYING Complete the online application. There is usually a link on the outreach page. If not, we'd like to chat first so complete the "I've got a question" form. Please let us know your first and second choice of outreach/dates. Places fill up very quickly and we cannot always guarantee your first choice. We ask for the address of two referees (but may only contact one of them). One person should be your pastor or another church leader who has known you for at least two years. We cannot process your application until we have heard back from them. If you’re a student it would be helpful to have contact with your home and student church if you have both. Try to pick someone who not only knows you well but will support you through the whole process including after you get back. Confirm whether you’re paying the £50 non-refundable deposit online, sending in a cheque or phoning to pay by card. (this is your first payment and is included in the prices quoted on the information sheets). [We’ll acknowledge receipt of your application and payment and contact your referee.] Step 4 PROCESSING We will receive your reference and then process your application. We might want to chat through something you've mentioned on your form, so we will contact you to set up a time. If you have been accepted to join, we will send you confirmation of your acceptance, together with further information on travel, finance, etc. You book your own travel but we can provide advice on flights and will put you in touch with other applicants from the UK if there are any. If you need to get a DBS check through us we’ll send you details of how to apply online and what ID we need to see. If you are registered on the DBS Update Service, we’ll ask you for further details. Step 5 PRAYING, AND MORE PREPARING Regularly pray for your upcoming outreach, and gather a Prayer Team of those who will pray for you. Prepare to go - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Your Acceptance Email will detail everything you need to do. Step 6 GO, and COME BACK! We will call you a couple of days before you leave to chat and pray with you. Come back and tell everyone about it! We will send you an evaluation to fill in, and then plan a time to call and debrief you. We want to know the highlights and challenges you experienced, as well as what God did - in you and through you! Step 7 PONDER Just as Mary pondered things in her heart, keep reflecting on how this experience has changed you and inspired you, and how God wants you to apply it.
What costs are involved? Expand A £50 non-refundable deposit is required when you apply. There is a discount for groups, families and those applying for more than one outreach in a year. The remaining outreach fee will be due one month before the start date. Please note prices are subject to change according to the exchange rate. The costs cover: Food Basic accommodation Orientation and training upon arrival Travel during your placement For those going on outreaches over 8 weeks we recommend you come to one of our orientation weekends held in Shropshire. The cost is included in the quoted price. Click here for more info What costs are not included? Travel to and from your placement Passports or visas Travel insurance (including medical and cancellation) Travel insurance is important and a requirement to acceptance for all outreaches outside the UK. A DBS check (£15), unless you're registered on the Update Service. How do I pay? You can pay in full or in instalments by either cash, cheque, debit or credit cards or online via our website. Full costs need to be paid prior to travelling. When you apply, we will send you details for making online payments.
How do I raise the money? Expand Here are some ideas on how to raise the money you need: Get informed and pass it on via your local newspaper, online social media and of course word-of-mouth! Let your church know your plans in plenty of time, especially the mission committee if there is one. (If there isn’t, maybe you could start one?!) Ask for a time to present your mission either during a service or by planning an event. Individuals in the church may want to partner with you through prayer and/or finance. Start fundraising early – do car-boot sales, car washes, sponsored events – and ask others to get involved. We can provide an online fund-raising page for you.
How do I book my flight? Expand While your application is being processed you can search for flights but please do not book anything until you have received our Acceptance email. This will include details on where to travel to, what times are best for arriving/departing and where you will be met by the OM person. If the outreach dates are 6th – 18th, you ideally arrive on the 6th and depart on the 18th. For some outreaches, arriving one day early or staying one day later is an option, for a fee. Let us know your details as soon as you have them and we will endeavour to inform other participants of your travel plans so that they can get the same flight.
Do I need insurance? Expand For all applicants going on an outreach outside the UK, full medical and emergency insurance cover is a requirement. You don’t have to use the company OM personnel use but if using a tourist travel insurance company check the small print for exclusions such as manual labour or volunteering with children. For dependents travelling on their parent's insurance, it may not be valid if the parent doesn't accompany them, so check the small print! Book your insurance when you book your flight in case there are problems with your airline. (Don't do either until after you're accepted!)