META Youth (16-19s)

A year like no other… Imagine you could accelerate your Christian life while you work/study. Imagine META.

[meta]

1) Old meaning of meta = to go beyond (greek) - change/transformation - metamorphosis. 

2) Digital word that describes your comment on your own story. 

This is a programme that links ancient wisdom with today’s life. For young people selected to attend the programme, it will: 

  • Multiply your impact in the Kingdom of God

  • Build your self-confidence as you get to know yourself better through cutting edge leadership tools 

  • Help transform your character through encounters with the Holy Spirit

  • Accelerate your life journey. There’s  a lot pumped into this year and you will grow significantly through the programme. 

The 2nd pilot programme will operate on Zoom, and will culminate in a SOMA Mission in the Summer of 2024. META Youth requires watching a weekly 15 minute video of content, and attending a one-hour online coaching clinic to process our learning together. There are optional in-person gatherings twice in the year, a celebration BBQ at the end of the year and a week/10-day long mission trip abroad. There is optional homework to enhance learning. You will receive a certificate at the end of the year for your CV.

Some of the team on the 2023 Lebanon Mission Trip serving and learning with the local youth

“Participating in META has been one of the most beneficial decisions I have made for my faith and leadership. By gathering 4 leaders and 15 young people from across the world to discuss topics such as the Holy Spirit, spiritual disciplines, and the resurrection, my understanding of God has developed, and my relationship with Jesus has grown deeper and deeper.

I have massively enjoyed hearing from the other young people about the contrasting ways in which we evangelise and give around the world, despite our consistent beliefs, and this has inspired me to focus on how I practice my faith to best portray Jesus to those around me, in the unique situations God places me in.

The leadership teaching from Stu, Lydia, Tim and Rohama has also been brilliant. Often, the weekly video focuses on a leadership model such as ‘the spheres of influence’ or ‘the five gears’ and in the Zoom meeting we have taken time to discuss how the model applies to our lives individually. This structure has allowed me to identify many of my own strengths and weaknesses in a safe and encouraging environment, so that we can then pray for God’s guidance on how I can improve on my weaknesses, and discuss practical fixes to make us better leaders. A recent example was identifying how little I actively rest, showing me the importance of a weekly Sabbath, which I now protect and prioritise.”

Jack, 17. Year One META Youth Graduate.

META Youth team blessed and being a blessing in Lebanon with Syrian and Lebanese Children and Youth People

META Youth team enjoying downtime, site seeing in Lebanon at the end of the mission.

Commitment:
META Youth is designed to run alongside your GCSEs/A levels/Uni/Job/course of study.

META Youth requires watching a weekly 20 minute video of content and attending a 1 hour online coaching clinic to process our learning together. There are optional in-person gatherings twice in the year, a celebration BBQ at the end of the year and a week/10 day long mission trip abroad. There is optional homework to enhance learning. You will receive a certificate at the end of the year for your CV.

Cost:

The termly cost for META Youth is £120. For the full year it is £360 (not including Summer mission trip). If these costs are too much for you, please let us

know as we don't want money to ever be a barrier to young people attending the program.

How to Apply:

Please email stu@somauk.org to express an interest. An application form will be sent to you. You will then be invited to a 30 minute interview with members of the META Youth team.