People, and the movement of people in mission, are at the heart of USPG’s calling. Exchanging Places is our cross-regional programme that supports churches in sending out, and receiving, mission personnel from across the Anglican Communion; deepening partnerships, increasing mutual learning, and sharing our Christian witness.
Rooted in our “all places to all places” ethos, Exchanging Places offers a decolonial approach to mission and prioritises South–South exchanges while remaining open to the whole Communion. The programme is focused on long-term, cross-cultural ministry that strengthens local churches, supports leadership and capacity building, and promotes justice in local contexts.
Why is the Exchanging Places programme important?
- It deepens bonds of affection and collaboration between dioceses and provinces as churches learn from one another’s gifts, challenges, and contexts.
- It encourages a shared ownership of mission, with sending and receiving churches discerning together, sharing responsibility, and co-funding each placement.
- It creates space for mutual transformation as mission personnel and local communities grow together in faith, ministry, and service. For example, clergy and families moving between Southern Africa and the Caribbean to share in parish ministry and community outreach.
Who can take part?
- Anglican churches in relationship with USPG (provinces, dioceses, and other recognised church bodies). These partner churches may participate as sending and/or receiving churches.
- Mission personnel can be clergy or lay people, single or with spouse and family, from any nationality, normally serving for 1–3 years, with the possibility to extend for more 2 years.
- Appointments are made between churches (not individuals) and must be approved by the relevant bishop or church authority.
How does the programme work?
- Partner churches identify a need or opportunity and work with USPG to shape a suitable role and context, using our Receiving Church and Sending Church forms.
- USPG facilitates introductions between churches, supports recruitment and discernment, and prepares mission personnel for cross-cultural service.
- A jointly agreed budget outlines financial and non-financial contributions from sending and receiving churches, with USPG able to make a capped annual contribution towards costs where needed.
- Each placement is governed by a Memorandum of Agreement that sets out roles, responsibilities, safeguarding and reporting arrangements for all parties.
Key features of a placement
- An initial term is normally 1-3 years, with the possibility of an extension following a joint review and subject to resources available.
- Mission personnel are employed by the receiving church, become part of the local church community, and serve under the pastoral and legal authority of the local bishop.
- Regular communication, mentoring and formal reviews ensure that learning is shared between sending and receiving churches and with USPG’s Global Mission Team. There will also be staff dedicated to the placement, who will come alongside for monitoring and support.
Are you interested in Exchanging Places?
If your church is discerning a call to send or receive mission personnel, we would be delighted to explore this with you. We are interested in:
- Partner churches wishing to host mission personnel should contact their USPG Regional Manager for a Receiving Church Form.
- Partner churches wishing to offer personnel for service should request a Sending Church Form and begin a conversation with their bishop and Regional Manager.
To find out more or to begin a conversation, please email our Global Mission Team at: globalmission@uspg.org.uk and visit www.uspg.org.uk.
Global Mission Team
Fran Mate
Senior Regional Manager for Africa
The Revd Davidson Solanki
Senior Regional Manager for Asia and the Middle East
Carol Miller
Regional Manager for Britian, Ireland & Europe
Dr Paulo Ueti
Regional Manager for the Americas and the Caribbean
