Comment: To be accepted, this needs better third-party coverage. SwisterTwister talk 07:49, 9 September 2015 (UTC)

The Pais Movement (pronounced payze) is a global non-denominational organization that creates partnerships between schools, community projects, businesses and churches.

The organization provides free apprenticeships in ministry. It provides worldwide resources and has launched various initiatives to promote what is known as its “three distinctives” in the area of mission, discipleship and study.

Paul Clayton Gibbs founded the Movement in Manchester, Great Britain. Through his work Gibbs created partnerships that lead to the launch of the Pais Project in 1992.

The organization has grown from being one single team pioneering a work in Manchester in 1992 to becoming a global enterprise with teams and headquarters on six continents. Its first team outside of Europe was launched in the U.S.A. in 2002. Over the next several years numerous teams were planted in Ireland, Germany, Canada, Ghana, Thailand, Brazil, Pakistan, Kenya and Australia.

The organization launched “Pais Collective” in 2011 to train, equip and repurpose churches in alignment with their three distinctives. Subsequently the “Pais Venture”, a third extension of Pais was then established to offer training to businesses and organizations on a variety of topics. Finally "Pais Infrastructure" was created to provide organizations with logistical staff.

History

Pais Movement
	Pais Movement
Named after	Pais; παῖς, παιδός, ὁ, ἡ (Greek) Meaning; a child servant of a king
Formation	Established; 1992
Founder	Paul Clayton Gibbs
Founded at	Manchester
Legal status	Non-profit organization
Purpose	Christian missions
Headquarters	Arlington, Texas
Region	Global
Website	paismovement.com

The history of the Pais Movement is told in Paul Gibb's book "The Line and the Dot" ^[1]

Pais:Great Britain

Established 1992. In 1992, as a consequence of connections that were made with various local schools and Sharon Church, Moston where Gibbs was based, the first Pais team was initiated. The team consisted of four apprentices who taught lessons and lead assemblies, primarily to students from 11-16 years old.

As the Pais Project grew it offered a professional training program and as more applications were received from prospective apprentices the Pais Project extended across England until in 2000 it pioneered its first team in Northern Ireland. In 2009 it moved its headquarters from Manchester to Burnley where Pais GB is currently based at Life Church, Burnley. <ref> http://www.christianvolunteering.org/org/pais-project-0.jsp#fq=content_type:opportunity&fq=org_nid:329447/ref>

Pais Project

Pais:Ireland

Established 2000. In 2000 Pais started its first team based in Coleraine. Due to being well received and its non-denominational stance, it enabled the teams to establish a rapport with both Protestant and Roman Catholic schools and youth groups. Their aim was to bring unity within the communities employing a relational approach. In 2010 Pais teams started to work in Cork, Eire. Pais:Ireland currently has its headquarters in Portrush.

Pais:USA

Established 2002. In 2002 the first Pais nation outside of Europe was established. Pais:USA received a special endorsement from Max Lucado, an American best-selling author, writer and preacher. Pais:USA is based in Arlington, Texas with various teams working in schools and youth groups throughout the country.

Pais:Germany

Established 2003. A wide range of opportunities arose for Pais:Germany following the “PISA-shock” when German schools were criticized for their comparatively poor performance in relation to their global counterparts. Pais:Germany has a unique relationship with the German government. The government fully supports the organization and a year spent as a Pais apprentice is considered as a ‘Voluntary Service Year’. Pais:Germany headquarters are based in Neumünster.

Pais:Global

Established 2005. In October 2005, following Gibbs’s relocation to USA, the movement had grown to such an extent that a Global Specialist Team was launched as a resource centre for the worldwide Pais Teams. The Headquarters are based in Arlington, Texas.

Pais:Ghana

Established 2008. In 2008 the Pais Project extended into Africa. Apprentices mainly work in schools in the capital city of Ghana although teams have also partnered with local churches, hospitals and orphanages in the neighbouring rural areas. Pais:Ghana headquarters are based in Accra.

Pais:Brazil

Established 2012.

In 2012 Pais began in South America, working alongside the local church in the schools and heavily populated urban slums known as 'favelas’. Pais:Brazil has its headquarters in Natal.

Pais:India

Established 2013. Pais:India was established in 2013 by an Indian Pais apprentice who had trained for two years with Pais:Great Britain. He returned to India in July 2013 and started Pais:India with various colleagues, reaching schools and campuses surrounding Chennai.

Pais:Pakistan

Established 2013.

The organization has released little information about its work in Pakistan for the security of its staff and apprentices.

Pais:Kenya

Established 2014.

Pais:Kenya was launched in 2014. It was initially established in Nairobi and grew to other cities, such as Zimmerman, where it extended its work in local schools and youth groups.

Pais:Australia

Established 2015. The extension of Pais into Australia takes the Movement into its sixth continent. Pais:Australia is currently based in Brisbane.

Pais:Rest of the World

Pais also works in other nations primarily through specialist trainers and teachers. Europe has been its main focus with Pais establishing an influence in Estonia, Norway and other European countries through training at conferences and event-driven networks. Nations such as Spain have received more comprehensive input via full time specialist teachers that have partnered with the churches and helped them launch Pais style youth ministries.

Pais:Future Nations

The vision of the Pais Movement is to further extend its work globally with plans of launching teams in Canada, Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Founder

Paul Clayton Gibbs is the founder and global director of the Pais Movement. Born in Manchester, Great Britain, he is married to Lynn and has two boys, Joel and Levi.

Gibb’s early career was in retail management but he later decided to commit himself to working full-time at his local church.

He established contacts with local schools which eventually lead to the concept of the Pais Project being launched in 1992. The Pais Project was established as an inter-denominational youth and schools ministry. Gibbs worked as a youth leader within his local church and directed Pais teams in the area.

In the mid 1990’s, Gibbs became a Director with Youth Alive. During this time, he pioneered Youthlink, a national training curriculum, and assisted with other local projects.

In 2000, Gibbs became the Senior Minister at thefaithworks in Failsworth, [Manchester], a church that partnered with The Message Trust and planted the Eden Project, an award-winning community endeavour.

In 2004, Gibbs launched his own Mentoring Academy and in October 2005 moved to the USA, where he served on the Senior Leadership Team of a Texan ‘mega-church'.

In 2009, Gibbs committed himself full-time to the development of Pais, launching various initiatives and resources such as mypais http://www.mypais.com and livewire http://www.mypais.com/livewire training.

Gibbs is globally recognized for his teaching. His primary topics include pioneering, leadership development, the kingdom of God, and ancient practices for post-modern times. His books are published by Harris House publishing http://www.harrishousepublishing.com

Gibbs is best known for his ability to combine ancient methods of discipleship with a communication style that is particularly suited to a post-modern society. He has gained national recognition in the UK and has written courses for, and spoken at various Bible colleges and seminaries in the UK and the States, such as Mattersey Hall, Nazarene Theological College (England) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Apprenticeships

The Pais Movement offers free apprenticeships in Youth & Campus Leadership. The apprenticeship includes training, accommodation & meals. The training consists of 200 lecture hours, 1,800 experiential training and is valued at a total of 10,400 American dollars. Upon successful completion apprentices receive a recognized certificate or the possibility of upgrading to a diploma or a degree.

Within the free apprenticeships that are available Pais offers two distinctive packages, each with the possibility of minoring in specialized tracks;

Youth & Campus Leadership, where apprentices are discipled in three distinctives and trained to become missionaries within their school and community. They may choose to specialize in the areas of music, sport or theatre (dance, drama, mime).

Organizational & Resource Management, where apprentices are trained to use the structure and systems of a non-Profit organization to equip and release missionaries. The Organizational and Resource Management apprenticeship offers minors in communication, finance, media, personnel and training.

Training and Resources

My Pais

My Pais provides a free extensive resource of online training videos, brochures & catalytic programs. http://www.mypais.com

Swap

Swap is an international three-day conference held on various continents that promotes discussion of the three Pais distinctives. The objective is to bring communities together to collaborate on new, fresh and insightful ideas.

M4

M4 refers to four unique tools that are used to disciple young people, raise them up as effective Christians and release them to make a difference for God before they’ve even left school. It’s about developing a mindset in a generation of young people who are committed to God, committed to the local church and committed to service. The four parts of M4 are tools that pursue two of the Pais distinctives: discipleship and mission.

Film Projects

Released by Windward Productions, The Spirit of a Pioneer is a documentary based on the book ‘The Line and the Dot’ by Paul Clayton Gibbs. It tells the story of young adventurers who give their lives to touch the hearts of young people. The film was produced to inspire and inform those with a dream to make a difference in the world. It is available for free viewing at http://thespiritofapioneer.com.

Growth and Affiliate Ventures

Pais has worked with schools, churches, orphanages and other agencies for twenty years. In that time it has grown from a local schools project to an internationally based organization of autonomous and independently run national organizations on six continents. The Pais Project is its most established department but more recently Pais Collective, Pais Venture, and Pais Infrastructure have also been launched.

Pais Collective

Established in 2012, Pais Collective bridges the gap and empowers relationship for the mutual benefit of both the church and the community. With headquarters in the USA it trains, equips, mentors and resources church pastors in addition to offering a free apprenticeship in Church & Community Leadership. Pais Collective offers church leaders not only a team of apprentices but also the option to access a training package including one-to-one mentoring and on-site visits. They can also access specific training packages classified under the headings: Consultancy, Conferences and Resources.

Pais Venture

Pais Venture was recently established as the third wing of the Pais Movement. It aims to equip people in the workplace in three main areas.

Firstly, it offers businesses with a desire to positively impact the world, both consultation and training in the specific areas of Pais expertise.

Secondly, it promotes, inspires and equips people in the area of faith transition at work.

Thirdly, it offers a Pais apprenticeship in business and entrepreneurial skills.

In addition to providing consultancy, integration, and apprentices, they have developed a Collaborative Social Responsibility (CSR) Program for businesses. This program not only provides tools for cause marketing, but input as to how the business can successfully incorporate the entire CSR program for maximum success both internally for their employees and externally for their customers.

Pais Infrastructure

After requests from organizations to provide logistical staff, Pais created Pais Infrastructure. It trains people in 5 areas of support work for NGO’s and non-profit organizations. Apprentices are offered five skills sets to choose from; communication, training, human resources, finance and multi-media.

Doctrine and Vision

Statement of Faith

According to their statement of faith The Pais Movement (http://paismovement.com/about/statement-of-faith/) presents itself as a Christian faith based organization that adopts its practices to be able to work with the mandates and limits of the agencies it partners with.

Distinctives

The Pais Movement states that its vision is built on its three distinctive approaches Mission, Discipleship and Study. It places significance on its mentorship programmes in businesses, schools and churches.

Mission

The stated mission is “Beyond Attraction to Application”. Pais provides resources to equip others in works of service. Pais states that its primary role is not to attract people to a building but to empower people to be effective in their own communities.

Discipleship

Pais states that discipleship should go, “Beyond Education to Experience”. Pais employs mentoring methods to motivate, support and inspire.

Study

Pais states that the distinctive of study is “Beyond Curriculum to Culture”. The Pais primary method of study is not to teach a curriculum in church but to establish a culture of “how to think not simply what to think.” Haverim Devotions™ are central to the Pais distinctive of study.

Recomendations

The work of Pais with educational establishments

"One of the things that I really love about the Pais Project on a missional level/philosophical level is that they are also really immersed in the local church… I really love the idea of development and learning and growing…. That’s the spirit of this organization, it’s here to serve the local church but also to grow and develop young men and women in their purpose and call of God."
— Dr John Andrews. Principal. Mattersey Hall.

"The partnership Pais has formed with Palmer Ridge High School over the past few years has been incredible. Pais only asks to help and serve our school and community. Through their volunteering, our school has been able to have customized painting and landscape projects completed that we would not have been able to undertake without their assistance. I would highly encourage any high school to meet with their leadership team and see how they could benefit your school."
— Gary Gabel, Principal. Palmer Ridge High School,Colorado.

"What I appreciate about Pais is their understanding of boundaries of public schools. They understand the boundaries of the public education system but still bring that positive influence. I continue to look for ways to bring that to the kids. I’ve been impressed with the Pais teams, even though its members change every year. I have known them to have this passion for kids in all the right ways.”
— John Borman, Superintendant. District 38, Monument, Colorado.

"The students related to the young people on the Pais team who served as enthusiastic role models. Their greatest effect was the fresh ideas to those basic topics. Their creative, informative, fast-paced lessons made each visit fun for my classes.”
— Mary Ellis, Teacher and Head of Social Skills Department. Turning Point Junior High, Texas.

I’ve found the Pais people to be delightful – and to have a winning personality for making a difference in our schools. They seek to blend in with the expectations of faculty and to constantly assess their own impact so as to be universally perceived as helpful and effective. As I see the program, it improves relationships among students and with staff because it focuses on positively presenting the necessity for one’s personal conduct and obligations to others. Principles of character, leadership and life skills are communicated in a way that is both relevant and attractive to our youth.”
— Dr. John P Kelly, Superintendant. Boerne Independent School District, Texas.

The work of Pais with churches

Pais is the only organization of its kind. It recruits and mentors passionate people to serve the community and to work through the church.I can’t think of a time in history where this kind of work is more needed. I tip my hat to Pais and the entire worldwide team for blazing the trail.”
— Randy Frazee,Senior Minister. Oak Hills Church San Antonio.

"If you are looking for an organization that will equip with invaluable tools for ministry and help pull the potential out of you – look no further. I had no idea just how impacting that step would be in my life!.”
— Adam Islip, Executive Pastor. Kings Church, Bolton.

“The Pais Project is among the most impressive. Their unique blend of first-rate training, personal development, quality services and community action enables them to transform the lives of their interns and the many children and families they serve. To anyone thinking of joining The Pais Project I say, “Sign Up.” To those thinking of deploying one of their teams I say, “Book ’em!” And to anyone thinking of supporting their work I say, “Please help!”
— Russell Rook, CEO Chapel St. http://www.chapelst.org

"As a movement we have always had churches who have had Pais teams and who have connected with Pais, but over the past few years AOG GB has sensed a growing connection with Pais GB and the excellent work they are doing. Pais GB is helping churches from many different streams and is helping the local church to be more effective in ministering to children and young people. Pete Baker the Pais GB national director is a man of humility, character and has a passion for the work of the local church and works tirelessly to position Pais in a place to serve the church in the UK!"
— Grayson Jones, Senior Pastor of Legacy Church & part of the National Leadership team of AoG Great Britain.

"We have witnessed hundreds of kids come to faith in schools this year. Our partnership with Pais has played a large part in that and has been life-giving to our community. Pais has connected us in new ways with our calling to bring life to education.
— Alan Scott, Senior leader. Causeway Coast Vineyard Church.

The work of Pais with businesses

"Even if I’m not actually putting in the hours to do that mentoring and tutorship, I’m actually having an impact in all these kids lives because I’m partnering with Pais in that way.”
— Wayne Harris, CEO. Point of Rental Systems, Grand Praire, Texas.

"One of the biggest challenges that businesses are facing, is how to motivate and inspire their Millennial or ‘Generation Y’ employees. My company, a large advertising agency, benefited greatly from Paul Gibbs’ extensive experience with Pais, an organization almost completely run by that generation.”
— Matt Powell. Moroch, Texas.

Paul Clayton Gibbs

"Paul Gibbs has spoken and preached in my classes at Southwestern Bible Seminary in Fort Worth several times over the past few years. These are all Master level students who are extremely intelligent. Each time Paul has spoken the students have unanimously agreed that he was outstanding. He is a tremendous asset to my classes and preparing students to care for others.”
— Professor Johhny Derouen. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Paul Gibbs is a modern-day apostle. He has a mission and vision to mobilize young missionaries and make missionaries all over the world, and he is doing it! I would listen to anything Paul has to say. I would read anything he writes. You should do the same.”
— Randy Frazee,Senior Minister. Oak Hills Church San Antonio.

"Paul Gibbs is smart. Smarter than your average leader. His viewpoint and expression come from a rare blend of microscopic and telescopic thinking. He’s a practitioner and only says what works.”
— Dave Gilpin, Author and Senior Minister. Hope City Network UK.

"Paul is an inspirational man of God who is gifted and committed to teaching, training and developing leaders. I highly recommend his ministry and know it will produce passionate, equipped, thriving people after God’s own heart.”
— Andy Hawthorne OBE, CEO. The Message Trust.