In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus reminds us of the abundant harvest and the need for workers in the field: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” As a church, we take this call seriously. We believe in equipping and sending out workers who will carry the message of the gospel to their communities and beyond. That’s why we offer a church residency program—to prepare leaders, missionaries, and counselors to serve with excellence and faithfulness.
Scripture encourages us to steward our gifts and train others for ministry. We are instructed in 2 Timothy 2:2 to entrust what we’ve learned to faithful people who can teach others. Our church residency programs exist to fulfill this biblical mandate, equipping participants for lifelong ministry through intentional development and hands-on experience.
General Goals and Outcomes of the Church Residency
Jesus commanded us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to ever creature” (Mark 16:15). Through this program, we aim to send out leaders who will faithfully answer this call, building God’s kingdom and strengthening the global church. By investing in residents, we’re contributing to this mission and raising up leaders for today and tomorrow.
The residency program is designed to:
- Develop your heart for God.
- Help you cultivate healthy relationships with your family and with others.
- Develop your calling in vocational ministry.
- Ensure your theology is center on the gospel.
- Build your faith and trust in God.
- Encourage you to practice the work of evangelism and disciple-making regularly.
- Equip you to handle the Word faithfully.
- Develop your love for the church.
4 Types of Church Residencies
We offer four specialized residencies, each tailored to different areas of ministry:
- Church Planting Residency: The Church Planter Residency equips and empowers emerging leaders to fulfill their calling in planting vibrant, gospel-centered churches. The program focuses on fostering spiritual growth, strengthening theological foundations, and honing practical leadership skills necessary for effective church planting.
- Global Missions Residency: The Global Missions Residency equips and empowers emerging leaders to be effective missionaries and church planters in diverse cultural contexts worldwide. The program is committed to developing leaders grounded in biblical truth who are culturally sensitive and passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission.
- Counseling Internship: The Counseling Internship offers a comprehensive experience for students pursing a master’s degree in counseling in a faith-based and clinically informed environment.
- Ministry Leadership Residency: The Ministry Leadership Residency equips and empowers leaders to fulfill their calling in ministry. The program fosters spiritual growth and hones leadership skills through training environments, weekly activities, and hands-on ministry experiences. Participants will discover and develop practical leadership skills for effective service in the church.
Four Equipping Areas: A Whole-Person Approach
The church residency programs take a whole-person approach to development, focusing on the head, heart, hands, and feet:
- Head (Knowledge): Foster a deep and comprehensive understanding of God, his mission, and the church. You will be equipped to bring glory to God and advance His Kingdom in all you do by focusing on understanding God, grasping His mission, understanding the church, and discovering your part.
- Heart (Character): Nurture a heart that is deeply rooted in a love for Jesus. Residents are mentored in how to align their heart with God’s heart, follow Jesus, and serve Him faithfully in all that they do through personal and spiritual formation, mentoring and spiritual guidance, service and compassion, and mission and kingdom-mindedness.
- Hands (Skills): Be equipped with practical skills and competencies. The resident will be equipped with practical skills and competencies so they can confidently step into their call to ministry. Experiences include leadership development, discipleship and teaching, administration and planning, and creative outreach.
- Feet (Mission): Direct and empower the resident to fulfill God’s Great Commission. The resident will be assisted in discerning the calling God has placed on their life in fulfilling the Great Commission. The discernment process involves gifts and passions assessment, exposure to ministries, commissioning and sending, and community discernment.
How Do You Know God Is Calling You to Ministry?
Discerning God’s call to ministry can be both exciting and daunting. Here are some indicators that God might be calling you:
- A growing burden for people to know Jesus and be discipled.
- Affirmation from others who see ministry potential in you.
- A sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction with your current role, paired with a desire to serve.
- Opportunities to lead or serve in ministry that seem to align with your gifts.
- A consistent prompting from the Holy Spirit through prayer and Scripture.
If these resonate with you, it may be time to take the next step in exploring a church residency.
How to Discern Which Residency Is Right for You
Choosing the right church residency begins with prayer and seeking wise counsel. Here are some steps to guide your discernment:
- Reflect on your calling. Consider how God has uniquely gifted you and where you feel most called to serve. Do you have a passion for leadership, missions, counseling, or starting new ministries and churches?
- Seek input from trusted mentors. Share your thoughts with spiritual mentors, pastors, or trusted friends who can provide insight and affirmation.
- Evaluate your skills and interests. Which residency aligns best with your strengths and areas for growth? Think about how your past experiences and current passions fit into each program.
- Pray for clarity. Ask God to reveal His plan for you and to give you peace about the path He wants you to take.
- Explore the details of each program. Take time to learn about the specifics of each residency. Reach out to program coordinators with questions to ensure a good fit.
A church residency is more than just a program; it’s a pathway to fulfilling God’s call on your life. Whether you’re called to leadership, church planting, global missions, or counseling, this journey will equip you to make a lasting impact for God’s kingdom. If you’re ready to take the next step, we invite you to explore our church residency programs and join us in the mission of equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Following Jesus is full of adventures. A life lived in obedience to Him is the best way to live! If you feel a calling to ministry, don’t suppress it. Lean into what God is telling you, and take a step. The next round of church residency applications open on January 31, 2025. We are excited to partner with you as you step into all God has for you!