People matter and the value of sharing resources and expertise through the exchanges of people in mission is at the heart of USPG's work dating back three centuries. USPG's Exchanging Places programme is a scheme that promotes this ethos and encourages partner churches to share their resources and expertise with each other through the sending and receiving of personnel in mission. USPG offers its vast experience in the movement of people to support partner churches.
USPG’s role is setting up introductions between the prospective sending and receiving partner churches, managing the recruitment and preparation of personnel, providing logistic support, and when it is necessary, making a financial contribution to enable the appointment to take place. Partner churches taking part in this unique collaboration agree to share resources and contribute financially towards the budget for the appointment. Appointments are also made jointly between USPG partner churches and other ecumenical partners and mission agencies.
There have been 25 appointments between 45 Dioceses and partner churches so far. Appointments involved both lay and clergy covering a wide range of professional backgrounds including health and development workers, trainers, theological tutors, youth workers, administrators, Information technology specialists and priests. Appointments are usually for a term of 3 years.
Each appointment is unique and USPG responds to requests according to the needs expressed in the applications by partner churches. For further information, partner churches are encouraged to contact their relevant Regional Manager.
The Noketshe Family
In early 2021, the Noketshe family moved from the Diocese of Port Elizabeth in South Africa to serve in St Kitts & Nevis as part of the Exchanging Places Programme. Read the full story here.
Other exchanges include:
- Fr Obed Baiden from the Diocese of Cape Coast, Ghana to Banjul, The Gambia
- Fr Dennis Obidiegwu, Diocese of Ho, Ghana, to Tangiers, Morocco
- Canon James Juhari, the Diocese of Kuching to the Diocese of Egypt, Province of Alexandria
- Fr Justice Apo Tetteh, the Diocese of Accra, Ghana to the Diocese of the Windward Islands, West Indies