Could you be a placement church?

An invitation to invest in the next generation of Kingdom leaders.

This guide is here to help you explore what it could look like for your church to host a Discipleship Year (DY) student—and why it’s a strategic opportunity to strengthen your team, grow your leadership pipeline, and invest in the future of the Church.

Whether you’re actively recruiting or just beginning to explore the idea, we hope this pack gives you a clear picture of what’s involved, what the impact could be, and why it’s a journey worth considering.

What is the Discipleship Year?

The New Wine Discipleship Year (DY) is a year-long, church-based programme for 18–29s who want to grow as Jesus-centred, Spirit-filled leaders.

 

 

DY is made up of three strands:

LOCAL TEACHING

One day per week Based in a regional Hub

LOCAL EXPERIENCE

Sunday plus at least one other day Based in a Placement Church

NATIONAL PROGRAMME

x2 Residentials (UK, Spain) NW Leadership Conference NW Festival

THE ROLE OF A PLACEMENT CHURCH

Placement Churches provide the practical ministry environment where students serve, grow and lead. This is where formation takes root through real-life experience.

A student might serve in youth, kids, worship, students, media, outreach—or a mix.

YOU PROVIDE:

  • A line manager and ministry context
  • Accommodation support where possible
  • Discipleship, community, and care
  • A mentor

WE PROVIDE:

  • Training, events, and mentoring through the year
  • Support and resources for you as a Placement Church
  • A clear framework for the year ahead

why host a DY student?

The benefits are significant—for your church and the wider Kingdom:

  • Embeds a younger voice on your team
  • It’s life-giving for your church to invest in emerging leaders
  • Inspires your young people to lead
  • Grows a pipeline of leaders for your church and beyond
  • Creates capacity at a time when other volunteers aren’t around

what it isn’t… Cheap staff!

 

DY students are not cheap staff. They’re not employees, interns or junior pastors. They’re learners—students called to grow in leadership, faith, and confidence. Your church gets to model healthy culture, generous leadership, and servant-hearted mission.

 

Recruiting a Student

Where DY students come from.

Recruitment starts with you: As a local church, you’re best placed to identify and invite potential DY students. We’re here to support you with tools, ideas, and encouragement—but the opportunity begins with your relationships and leadership.

Most students serve in churches they already have a connection with.

Start by looking at:
  • Your youth (Y11–13)
  • Your students (1st/2nd/3rd years)
  • Your wider church network

Top Tip: Our research shows students often hear about DY two years before applying, but decide to join just 3–6 months before it starts. Start conversations early!

Recruitment Essentials

Start Early

Build a pipeline of future students—think 1–3 years ahead.

Reach Widely

Look beyond your own youth group. Tap into church networks, families, and New Wine connections.

Create Security

Secure accommodation, line management, and pastoral care. Consider “pocket money” or a small grant.

Pray Expectantly

This isn’t just a placement—it’s Kingdom seed-sowing. Pray for the right person, not just a person.

 

“Nothing of lasting significance happens without prayer”

Matthew Porter

 

The Costs

STUDENT FEE

This covers all the local training, and the national programme. We frequently hear that this represents significant value for money in comparison with other similar gap years.

PLACEMENT CHURCH FEE

Paid to New Wine, this amount, along with 50% of the student's fees, is then granted to the local Hub to help cover the cost of DY staffing, speakers / teachers, and resources.

ACCOMMODATION

Most placement churches offer housing (e.g. with a family or in a church-owned house). It’s not mandatory, but often essential.

Who can be a placement church?

Even if you don’t have a youth group or student work, you can still host a DY student.

Talk to other New Wine churches in your area—someone else may know a young person ready for DY but lacking a placement.

DY in practice

Lucy finishes sixth form and wants to serve her church. She joins DY.

  • Sundays: Leads worship in the morning, attends youth in the evening
  • Mondays: Travels to her Hub for teaching
  • Wednesdays: Joins the staff team to help run Alpha and socials
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: Works in a café to fund her year
  • Autumn & Spring: Heads to the DY residentials with peers from across the UK

 

 

Who’s behind DY?

The Discipleship Year is led by a team within the New Wine family who are passionate about raising up young, Spirit-filled leaders for the local church.

As a Placement Church, you won’t be on your own. You’ll have a designated local Hub Leader as your direct support throughout the year—alongside input, resources and encouragement from the national DY team.

We’re here to equip, support and cheer you on as you create space for a student to grow, serve and thrive in their calling.

Brogan Hume

Discipleship Year Ministry Lead

Email Brogan

Em Tyler

Leadership Pipeline Network Coordinator

Email Em

What’s next?

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If you’re curious about what this could look like for your church, here are some simple ways to take the next step:

Get in Touch

Email us at dy@new-wine.org to start a conversation. We’re always happy to chat or set up a call.

Come Say Hello

Meet the DY team in person at the New Wine Summer Festival or the New Wine Leadership Conference. We’d love to hear more about your church and answer any questions you have.

Attend a DY Student Recruitment Webinar

Join an online session for practical tips on identifying and inviting students. Find upcoming dates at www.new-wine.org/events

Pray and Discern

Ask God whether this might be the right time—and the right year—for your church to host a student.

Get in touch