International Development
Our aims
- To do no harm
- To facilitate an understanding between people of different cultures and beliefs
- To facilitate practical help in the name of Jesus to people in need
- To take the message of the Gospel to people overseas
Who are we
The International Development Team (IDT) is small team of people who lead and support the Church's overseas activities. We are a diverse team each member with a heart for different cultures and places in the world. All have experience and specialist knowledge of working overseas. We have been involved in acute things like providing medical aid due to wars, distribution of aid and longer-term projects like providing electricity, water sanitation and financial assistance.
What do we do
Each year we put forward a plan for the focus of the churches overseas activities.
We send members out on short-term missions overseas to establish relationships, find out the needs of the people and arrange practical and / or financial support to those communities.
In resent times Church members have undertaken projects in countries in Africa and the Middle East. We provide financial and practical support for our own field workers and field workers of other organisations in Africa, The Middle East, and South America.
As a Church we raise and distribute approximately £10,000 each year. As a church, in addition to short- and medium-term projects, we are committed to our own long-term relationship with the people of Chipili in Zambia, which is part of a dioceses-wide initiative.
Overseas Disaster Fund
When disaster strikes people need help quickly so, the Overseas Disaster Fund started in 2009. The IDT raises money throughout the year so that the Church has a fund in reserve which can be deployed immediately anywhere in the world. This money is channeled through Christian Non-Government Organisations that are working at the site of the emergency, so the people who need help get the right kind of help.
Overseas Field Support Fund
Set up in 2009 this fund is in place to give financial assistance to anyone undertaking short- to medium-term projects overseas. Whilst each case is taken on its own merit preference is given to people local to the Shepton Mallet area.
What you can do
First and foremost anyone from any background or age can pray.
If you are on the electoral roll of Shepton Mallet Church you can join the team and become part of its activities.
Anyone is welcome to assist by giving financial help. You can say where you would like the money used, The Emergency Fund, Field Support Fund, any of the overseas projects or to Chipili. Every penny goes direct to the project. If you pay Tax in the UK why not gift aid it, it costs you no more, but for every £1 you give £1.28 goes to your chosen project.
You can use the yellow envelopes in the church, send a cheque or if you would like to give on a regular basis set up a monthly, quarterly or annual standing order. Contact the Parish Office for further details.
You may feel there are other ways that you would like to offer help; we would like to hear about it - please come and talk to us.