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 roles in churches.

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.

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, as well as gain theological training. Over the course of the year, residents will write a personal statement of faith, which will prepare them for licensure in the  EFCA. They will also participate in the Colson Fellows Christian Worldview program for extensive learning and growth.

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.

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

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

In general, the first six months will include an evaluation 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.

Seminary or previous church experience is not required, although it is favorable.

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

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

We will provide a food and gas stipend, registration costs for a number of national training opportunities, a computer and a version of Logos Bible Software. In addition, we will work to find reasonable housing, supported through our church congregation, depending on your stage of life and needs.

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 pastoral mentor who will help them process their experiences and think critically about church leadership.

It is our hope that the stipend and housing would allow a resident to focus fully on the program. If additional finances are needed, support raising is encouraged; we can help you in that process.

Our Ministry Internships are shorter, 13-16 week ministry-specific opportunities that are availible throughout the year. More information will be published shortly about these opportunities, and we’ll be accepting applicants for the summer of 2024.