CREW is an opportunity for Christian young adults (aged 19-21*) to serve over the summer. Our aim for CREW members is for them to be better equipped to serve as leaders at Contagious in the future, alongside being better equipped to serve God within their local church.
Contagious is committed to help train and develop leaders for service, both now and in the future; this is the vision that lies behind our CREW programme.
The CREW programme is led by mature men and women (often in full time ministry), who dig deep into God’s Word as they teach and share a wealth of experience and life skills.
*Adults aged 21 years are encouraged to join CREW if they haven’t previously been on CREW. If they have then they are encouraged to join our TEAM. Want to know more about Contagious conferences? Check out our YouTube and Instagram pages.
What it looks like to serve on CREW
Serve in Teams
“It was a lovely group of people to serve alongside.” – Suzanne, 2023
CREW teams are responsible for a range of practical tasks to make the conferences run smoothly; skills of cooperation and teamwork are refined here.
You will get to know each other well over the course of the week and lifetime friendships have been made serving on CREW together.
CREW are led by godly leaders who are there to support, encourage and train you!
Develop Teaching Skills
“The seminars on bible handling were incredibly useful, especially for knowing how to prepare and lead a bible study in the future.” – Jacob, 2024
Every CREW member will lead at least one small group Bible study; they will be supported and debriefed by a CREW leader.
CREW members are asked to prepare the SUS Bible study before the start of the conference and be ready to lead their other CREW peers through the study. Your CREW Teaching Leader will contact you to inform you which study you are leading.
receive Focused Teaching
“CREW seminars were a highlight for me … I enjoyed doing a presentation in small groups based on a bible passage in John as it was really interesting hearing other people’s thoughts and perspectives on a passage that I may not have thought of before.” – Rachael, 2023
CREW has its own teaching programme: Biblical leadership, working through a Christian book together, and considering an important contemporary issue are all typical of the elements of the programme.
A CREW programme will operate at each of our conferences.
Organise Activities
CREW members also get to organise and participate in daily outdoor, indoor activities and After-dark activities.
These often include helping the MAX, GO and ADVENTURE Conferences with water games, colour fights, quizzes and many other activities. Our activities at Contagious are wide ranging, and we always encourage CREW to use their particular gifts to serve the young people well.
What you need
A personal Faith
We ask all our CREW to have a personal walk with Jesus. You need to be dependent on God’s grace alone for salvation through the person and work of Jesus and showing a deep trust and confidence in the Bible. We require all CREW to be a regular attendee and committed to the ministries of a gospel believing local church where you are known to the leadership. We will seek evidence of your faith, witness and commitment to the local church by asking one of your church leaders in a reference.
Knowledge
CREW need to have a basic understanding of the Christian gospel and be keen to learn and grow in bible knowledge. You need to affirm the Contagious statement of faith (FIEC statement used) without compromise, and demonstrate an understanding of Christian service and ministry.
Experience
We would like (but not required) our CREW to have some experience of Christian service in their local church, either within youth and children’s ministry, welcome, practical tasks, UCCF or schools work that demonstrates a willingness to give of yourself in practical tasks. It would be helpful to have some previous experience of Contagious or other Christian camp.
Checks and References
We require a clear and acceptable DBS/PVG disclosure check as well as two positive references, including one from your local church leader.
Personal Commitment
Contagious conferences require a lot of energy, enthusiasm and some physical ability – it is hugely rewarding and tiring!
what we expect
⇒ You need to be in a place where you can physically, emotionally and spiritually give their time, energy and focus to practical tasks and be keen to stretch yourselves to face new challenges.
⇒ We will train and encourage you to run some activities for the young people. You will be given opportunities to use your gifts in sport, creative arts, administration or music.
⇒ You need to be willing to listen to instructions, get prepared, be organised and manage your time.
⇒ We will also teach you Bible handling skills, lessons in Christian service and some Christian doctrine, so you need to be willing to work hard, engage with the Bible and allow God’s word to impact your life.
⇒ You will meet with one of the leaders during the week to talk about your Christian walk and encourage you to keep growing in your faith.
year one
CREW are assigned a leader who will mentor and support them throughout the week.
⇒ The young people are in small group called SUS groups (“students under scripture”) and will have Bible studies each morning. Each CREW member will be allocated one of the studies to prepare and lead with CREW. We do not expect perfection, but just want you to have a go and use it to learn how to lead studies more effectively. Your mentor will be close at hand to give advice or guidance and they will also meet with afterwards to give you some encouragement and suggestions to improve.
⇒ We will also divide the group into practical teams to complete the many tasks that we do throughout the week, such as: moving chairs, setting up rooms, tuck shop, bookstall, refreshments, waking up the young people in the morning, running the SUS group Tournament, moving equipment, helping with activities, clearing litter, playing in the band, and many many other small but important tasks.
year two
Many of the practical tasks in CREW year two remain the same, but you will be expected to take on more responsibility to show the year one’s what is required.
⇒ SUS in year two is likely to be different also as we expect year two’s to have learned from their year one experience. You may be asked to observe more experienced SUS leaders by watching them teach the young people in SUS or Seminars. You may be asked to lead one of those SUS groups to young people.