The Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM) is a Christian mission organisation specialising in evangelising, equipping, and encouraging the Chinese diaspora in the U.K. and Europe with the gospel of Christ. Much of COCM’s work involves supporting local Chinese churches in the U.K. and Europe in their various areas of ministry. In more recent decades, we have witnessed a growth in English ministries in many Chinese churches with churches increasingly developing English-speaking youth, student, and young adult ministries. However, though there has been growth in these ministries, many still lack stable leadership. Indeed, many churches lack a full-time English worker; in many cases, lay-leaders are having to lead their ministries with limited experience and training. In light of this, we see that the key to developing English ministries is in empowering and equipping a new generation of leaders — to fill full-time or lay positions — to serve in these areas.
 
Following on from the above, the English Department of COCM has launched a new ‘English Ministry Internship Program’. The aim of this program is to offer suitable young men and women a platform to receive ministry training and exposure to various local and national English ministry projects. As well as equipping interns with the necessary skills, the program also emphasises the importance of spiritual development and cultivation of Christian character through discipleship with mentors. Through the program, we hope to equip and mobilise more faithful workers for the service of English ministries in Chinese churches. The program might also offer certain interns a period of exploration and confirmation if they are seriously considering the possibility of vocational ministry.