Resident Cohorts will be primarily engaged in three things:

Observe: Through Ministry Embedding, cohorts will spend extended time in the regular rhythms of broad ministries, engaging fully with the planning, programming and execution necessary to run Youth and Kid Ministries, Sunday Services (including worship planning and sermon prep), finances and accounting, care ministry, small group ministries, and local outreach. The majority of this ministry embedding will result in follow up questions and conversation.

Residents will also shadow pastors in premarital and wedding preparation, hospital visits, and funeral work.

Learn: Residents will learn Bible Study skills (including training in Logos Bible Software), as well as gain theological training. Over the course of the year, residents will write a personal statement of faith and receive a Gateway Certificate, which will prepare them for licensure in the EFCA. They will also be enrolled in Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and complete a Certificate Program of up to 12 Masters-level credits (transferrable if additional seminary eduction is later pursued).

They also participate in two four-month classes: Preaching the Bible and Leading a Ministry. These practicum classes provide solid, broad, foundational level learnings for being an effective Ministry Leader.

Do: While learning and observing are the key components, residents will also gain experience in teaching in Kids, Youth, and adult ministry programs – including receiving feedback. Residents will also be expected to be part of discipleship programs that model ministry. They will be engaged in spiritual formation practices that will stead them for their entire ministry career.

The primary goal is to train and develop Ministry Leaders for full-time work in the church.  The success of this work will be gauged by how many of our residents find immediate placement in full-time ministry roles.

Secondarily, Woodlands benefits by bringing fresh eyes, energy, and passion into its regular ministry programming. We are excited by the opportunity to train and mentor these young leaders.

A residency lasts approximently twelve months, from July – June, and should be considered a full time commitment. Residents can expect to spend 40+ hours a week in study, observation, conversation, or ministry. The weekly schedule varies greatly throughout the year, depending on ministry involvement.

Throughout the program, there is a high value placed on observation and experience through ‘ministry embedding’ and ‘alongside ministry.’ There will also be learning and study, and mentor relationships.

In general, the first six months will include an assessment for ministry placement, and the final six months will focus on future ministry placement, including job or seminary seeking.

A candidate should be a college graduate who can articulate a clear call to church leadership. Candidates may be any age, and both men and women are encouraged to apply. Candidates may be single, or married, or have a family, and may be just leaving undergraduate or seminary studies or may be coming from the workplace.

A Bible or Theology undergraduate degree or previous church experience is not required, although it is favorable. Seminary, a Master’s degree or an M.Div is proper schooling for a candidate pursuing a Senior Pastor role, and may not fit best with our residency. If you have an advanced degree and are interested in our program, please reach out to talk.

Candidates who have suffered church hurt, leadership hurt, or disappointment in other placements are encouraged to apply. Past residents have found this program healing and encouraging. It would be an honor to use our resources to resucitate your love for the church.

Candidates should agree wholeheartedly to the Evangelical Free Churches’ Statement of Faith, and should be in alignment with Woodland’s Purpose and Priorities.

Their lives should be marked by an active pursuit of holiness.

They should have a willingness to learn and a desire to teach.

Woodlands Church desires that Residency would be a sustainably funded program that works to covers associated costs for our residents.

Residency is a learning opportunity, similar to seminary or undergraduate work. The listed cost of the program is $10,000 per year. Through our annual budget process, and through generous, vested congregants, we are able to cover these operational costs for our residents.

Because of this, we cover all registration costs – including seminary and events – and provide a computer and a version of Logos Bible Software, including access to additional training tools and resources. Residents will be part of a residential cohort that meets weekly and functions as a processing, scheduling, and accountability network. They will also have a personal mentor who will help them process their experiences and think critically about church leadership.

Residents will also be given a professional clinical ministry readiness assessment, and be provided with job search support, resume writing and job search coaching.

If desired, we will try to find reasonable housing, supported through our church congregation, depending on your stage of life and needs. This often includes living with a church family while you’re participating in residency.

While engaged in residency, you’re encouraged to seek out part-time employment that doesn’t conflict with your ministry and learning responsibilties.

If additional finances are needed, you are welcome to raise support from your personal network. Take a look at this guide for information about what that process may look like.

When applications are open, you’ll apply by accessing a Google Doc, making a copy, and filling out the questions. You’ll send a .pdf version, along with your resume, to residency@woodlandschurch.org. We will review your application once submitted, and begin our process. We may start to offer residency positions as soon as January 15th; if you want a guaranteed chance for residency, apply before then.

Our final application deadline is April 30th, 2026.

We know you need to make decisions about the upcoming year. We will review applications as they come in, follow up with questions, and conduct interviews. The application process may include an invitation to an in-person interview.

If you are a qualified candidate, we will seek to offer a residency position for the upcoming year as quickly as possible after application. We are seeking up to eight residents for our 2026-2027 cohort. As a result, our application process may close early if we have found our residents. If you’re interested in participating, apply soon! We will post when our residency program is full. 

Our Ministry Internships are shorter, 13-16 week ministry-specific opportunities that are available throughout the year. More information can be found here, and applications are open!