Preperation to go:

Charleston, South Carolina

Before being sent to Africa you will come to Charleston, South Carolina and work as an intern with AFM staff at our ministry center in Summerville, SC. While there, you will receive discipleship and equipping and have opportunities for hands on ministry as well, as we host various ministry events and outreaches. It’s a great opportunity to learn the behind the scenes work that goes into sending the next generation into the Nations.. We believe that this time of preparation is key before being sent to Africa to lead others.

Growing in COmmunity:

Shannah - Lions Den, Zimbabwe (March 13 - Apr 24)

The first 6 weeks of AFM’s gap year assignment will be at Shannah. This is a base camp that was developed by our ministry partners and friends (Bruce and Sue Douglas) in Lions Den, Zimbabwe. Here, your team will live together in community, cooking meals, worshiping, praying, and training together. The property is also surrounded by many different villages which serve as a great opportunity to preach and demonstrate the ministry of Jesus. If there are two words to describe the first two months of your gap with with AFM and what to expect at Shannah, they are community and equipping.

Going Deeper through serving:

Lusaka, Zambia (Apr 24 - May 15)

After spending 2 months at Shannah, it will be time to put some of the things you’ve learned into practice as you head to Lusaka, Zambia. There, you will join our Laban Mwelwa and begin work with some of our amazing partners in Lusaka and beyond. While there, you will continue in your discipleship experience as you learn from individuals in their ministry and serve in both urban and rural communities. You can expect to be involved in leadership training and discipleship, village outreach and much more.

Preparing for the Long Haul:

Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe (May 15 - May 28)

After 2&1/2 months of equipping and ministry, your team will travel back to Zimbabwe and board a houseboat with the rest of AFM’s staff and summer leadership for an 8 day trip of worship, prayer, freedom and preparation for summer teams. Here, you will go to sleep underneath the African sky and wake up to the sound of hippos in the morning. You will also go deeper in your knowledge and love for Jesus!. This part of your time is specifically designed to help prepare you for your summer of serving with AFM.

Summer of serving:

Lusaka, Livingstone or Lions Den (May 28 - July 31)

After your time on the boat, your team will join another small group to form an 8-week team. At times you will be asked to go and assist our ministry partners in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ngangula, and Chipata. Here, you will start the process of multiplication - taking what has been imparted to you and imparting to others. Gap year team members will work underneath AFM Staff and summer leadership to love and serve.

Rest and Debrief:

Location: Tanzania (Aug 1 - Aug 8)

We believe that it’s important to debrief and unpack from your time with AFM. It can be really difficult heading back into your own culture after being immersed for so long. Because of this, AFM is planning to host a debrief at a separate location on the coast of Tanzania. It will be at a place where we can enjoy the beach and some rest, but also have time for staff to prepare you for your return to the States. AFM Gap year, summer leaders and staff will all attend this debriefing!