Ready for hands-on experience in ministry?
We can help!
Ministry is too important for you to feel unprepared. The world needs people like you to be all you were created to be!
The Great Lakes Region (GLR) of the Wesleyan Church exists to support churches of every size and pastors in all contexts across over 2,700 zip codes.
That is why we have created a two-year residency program. This program is designed to be an effective way of becoming fully equipped for a life of vocational ministry.
2 Year Residency Program
What to Expect?
This program will provide real-world experience, quality teaching, and access to many different experiences and ministry contexts. Residents are partnered with vibrant GLR churches that are committed to developing leaders. These churches help a resident grow through hands-on training in rural, urban, and suburban environments. This two-year partnership allows residents to learn, develop skills, lead people, launch new ministries, and boldly try new things with the support of a local church and a region.
Our Goal
To build a pipeline of leaders who are practically prepared to go into vocational ministry as a Lead Pastor, a staff pastor, or a church planter.
The program was built to help residents achieve growth and training in eight specific areas of practical ministry.
Organizational
Leadership
Leadership & Equipping of Pastoral Responsibilities
Personal & Corporate Evangelism
Personal Spiritual Development & Soul Care
Development in
Areas of Diversity
Personal & Professional Evaluation & Coaching
Development of a Culture of Multiplication
Development of Preaching and Teaching
Location Offerings
Berkley Hills Community Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Berkley is more than a building, a program, a worship style, or even an organization. We are a living, moving, and growing body made of uncommon people who together for a common purpose: knowing Jesus and being Jesus. Our vision is to multiply and continue to be a sending church as we equip people to bring the gospel to their world. www.berkleyhills.org
Frontline Community Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Frontline Community Church is part of a network of churches called the Zero Collective. Currently, there are three churches in the collective that minister in three different contexts. The vision for the Zero Collective is for zero people to remain unchanged by the love of Jesus.
Red Cedar Church
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Red Cedar Church is located in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. Our vision and mission is to lead people to a full life in Jesus Christ through an emphasis on community in small groups, discipleship, and outreach initiatives that show the irrational generosity God first showed us. We believe that God has called us to raise up leaders and multiply in rural communities around us through alternative venues, satellite variations, and church planting. www.redcedarchurch.com
Kentwood Community Church
Kentwood, Michigan
Kentwood Community Church is a church of and for the nations and is a safe space where you will be loved, seen, heard and known, and where the love of Jesus is shared with all. We aspire to live as disciple-making, leader raising, Christ-followers, who multiple healthy multiethnic expressions around the world, as we live out our mission to know Jesus and make Him known! For those who are interested in going into ministry, our residency program presents an alternative to the traditional seminary path.
To learn more about our church, visit kentwoodcommunitychurch.com
or to apply, kccresidencyapp.
Lakeview Community Church
Lakeview, Michigan
Lakeview Community Church is a ten-year-old, mission-minded, and community-engaged church in rural Michigan. Community involvement and outreach are a high priority for Lakeview, as 69% of people in the county have no religious affiliation. We use a multi-faceted strategy to reach into the community that includes participation in schools, community-wide functions, food distribution, and church planting.
Learn More!
Those who apply to become a resident should possess the following qualifications:
• A clear commitment to a relationship with Jesus Christ
• The ability to articulate a clear sense of call to vocational ministry
• Has registered with the Regional Board of Ministerial Development (RBMD) and is a participant at some level in this process. (Link Ministerial Development Page)
• Attends a local church willing to endorse their involvement in the residency process
• Is willing to adopt the philosophy of ministry and the culture of the church where they are
serving as a resident for the length of the residency
• Has demonstrated clear leadership capacity in the past
• Has been actively involved in volunteer ministry at their local church or school
• Possesses a solid work ethic
• Has health and auto insurance coverage
• Is willing to take personality profile assessments as assigned by the GLR, including Simmons,
Meyers/Briggs, etc.
• Has completed the application form
• Has completed a college degree (exceptions may be considered)