What are Step Teams?

Step teams work on a basic building project alongside a Latin American church community. Teams also help churches with evangelism, working with young people, music, drama and even preaching.

Destinations include Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, as well as our newest and nearest - Spain and Portugal.

Teams are selected with care. An orientation and leadership-training weekend before departure ensures all Steppers are well prepared.

As well as building our own teams, Latin Link also welcomes established groups of Christians from Christian Unions, churches and other organisations, who want to serve in mission. We provide the project, training, supervision and debriefing.

Step gives you
- the security of a package
- the support of a team
- a unique opportunity to develop your faith

For an idea of what a typical day on Step might involve, have a read of 'A day in the life of a Step team'

A day in the life of a Step team

How long are the projects?

Projects last from 3 weeks to 6 months:

3 Week Summer Teams leave late July/early August and return late August.

7 Week Summer Teams leave in mid July and return at the end of August

4 Month Spring Teams leave in mid-March and return in July. There is also the option to stay on and join a summer team.

Mixed Age Teams for those aged 35 and above, lasts for three to four weeks during August.

What about language?

Don't worry. Being able to speak Spanish or Portuguese isn't essential - but it is a great help, particularly on Spring Teams. The more you can communicate with local people, the more you will get out of the project. Why not start some evening classes now in preparation, Portuguese for Brazil and Spanish for Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Central America and Peru?

Who can go?

Any committed Christian over the age of 17 can take part in a Step Team. We will ask for references from a church leader and an older Christian friend.

We also welcome applications from Church and Christian Union teams. Please contact us for more details. Location and timing of these teams can be flexible.

To have a look at what being a Step team member involves and to see if you've got what it takes, take a look at the Step Job Description:


Step Job Description

What about the money?

To join a Step Team we ask that you make the following contributions:

Latin Link will pay for your travel to and from the project (not including travel within the UK), your food and accommodation, insurance, orientation and debriefing, health checks, first aid kits and other specialist equipment, and some money towards your team's building project.

You will also need to take some pocket money with you. We recommend £450 (675€) for a Spring Project, an extra £150 (225€) if you are staying on for a Summer Project and £350 (525€) if you are only doing a Summer Project. You should take into account the cost of inoculations, which are not covered by Latin Link, and any extra equipment that you may want to buy.

The total contribution can look daunting, but many people have raised this, and more, in the past. Advice on fund-raising will be given at your selection day.

How do I apply?

Go to the where we ask you to fill in a box with your details before you download so that we can see how many people have registered interest.

FAQs

Got more questions? Our Frequently Answered Questions page is a great place to start.