About Stride Placements

Who is Stride for?

Stride is designed for committed Christians who feel drawn to put their faith into practice in a Latin American culture. You’ll spend at 6-24 months working alongside a church or Christian-run project, responding to local needs and getting involved in the local community.

If you don’t yet speak Spanish or Portuguese, you’ll spend an additional few months doing language study at the start of your placement.

Stride is suitable for individuals, couples and families. And if you want to explore whether mission in Latin America longer-term is the right option for you, the Stride programme can support you through that process.

Where can I go?

During your Stride placement, you’ll work alongside Latin Link’s longer-term members, who set up and supervise your placement. We have Latin Link teams in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. You will be matched to a country and type of work that suit your gifts, background and skills.

What do placements involve?

Placements are bespoke, tailored to your gifts, skills and sense of God’s calling. So we’ll place you in a project or ministry where you can best serve. Latin Link members work in many different areas of ministry, so placements could involve any of the following areas:

• Prison work/working with ex-offenders
• Drug and alcohol rehabilitation
• Work with vulnerable women
• Evangelism and discipleship
• Work with children and families at risk
• Feeding programmes
• Educational support
• Craft and art
• Work in shanty towns
• Work with students
• Teaching (English, Theology)
• Creation care
• Community development (health, sanitation)
• Working with people with disabilities
• Publications

When is the application deadline?

We don’t have specific application deadlines because we process Stride applications as we receive them. However, we strongly recommend that you apply five to six months before you hope to go on Stride. This gives you plenty of time to raise support for your Stride placement, to practise your Spanish/Portuguese, and gives us enough time to organise your placement.

What’s the accommodation

Single people are often placed with a Latin American host family, which is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Latin Americans are very hospitable so you’ll most likely become a real part of the family! You will have everything you need, but expect fairly basic and cosy accommodation as placements are often in areas/communities of need.

Couples and families usually rent a modest apartment or house in the community where they are working.

Latin Link’s in-country Short Term Coordinators will help source appropriate accommodation for you.

How much does it cost?

All placements are self-funded, but don’t worry, Latin Link will advise and support you through the support-raising process. We’ll provide fundraising resources and tips to help you reach the total cost of your placement.

The cost of your placement will depend on a number of factors (where you’re going and how long for etc.) but the table below gives an overview of how costs are calculated.

Latin Link Orientation

All Striders attend an Orientation weekend. This takes place at the end of June every year, and is held just outside Reading. It’s residential and the cost is included in your Launch Costs.

Missiological Training

Before you go, you’ll also attend the All Nations Express Course to give you further cross-cultural missions training. This course is a 5-day residential and is also included in your Launch Costs.

In-placement support

You’ll receive a local Orientation when you arrive to the country of your placement. You’ll be supervised by the Latin Link Short-Term Coordinator, who will set up and Risk Assess your placement, and you’ll be assigned a Mentor for the duration of your time in Latin America.

You will also have a review every 6 months, as part of the training and development process during your Stride placement. Your Short Term Coordinator, Mentor and Project Supervisor will work with you to review your progress and agree plans for the next phase of your placement.

Debrief

On return, you’ll be invited to have an individual debrief of your time on Stride. You’ll also be invited to our annual Debrief Conference. This is a residential weekend included in the price of your Launch Costs.

What if I want to serve longer than 2 years?

That’s great! Latin Link doesn’t accept anyone directly into longer-term service. Everyone wanting to join Latin Link as a long-term Stay member initially needs to complete a 24-month Stride placement. This is considered part of your selection, preparation and training to become a Stay member. To get started, complete the Stride application form and state that you are interested in a 24-month placement with a view to serving longer-term.