barak frederickson: since my residency

In 2018 Barak Frederickson took a chance on a residency with Crossroads Church in Westminster, MD. After completing this formative process he went on staff full time in ministry. He now serves as the Family Ministry Director. As he reflects on his residency, Barak opens up about his transformation, touching on lessons he hadn’t anticipated. “A million things,” he says when asked about what he learned in residency that he hadn’t known about himself. “Two specifically come to mind,” he continues.

The first one was unexpected. “I did not know that I am not naturally one to take initiative on tasks and relationships,” Barak admits. He explains that up until this point, he had been in school and internships where there was always a clear directive, where someone else handed him the plan. But in residency, he found himself in a new space. “I wasn’t always told what to do. I had to learn the hard, but safe way, to take initiative,” he explains. That “safe way” provided just enough room to stumble and still keep going, a training ground that allowed him to grow into his independence as a leader.

Then came a second, even deeper revelation: “I came into residency thinking of myself as a Bible teacher but not a leader.” That was how he saw himself—a teacher, someone who shared knowledge but didn’t necessarily lead others. But his residency turned that perspective on its head. “My residency taught me how to be a leader and that God was inviting me to be a leader,” he says, a realization that reshaped his journey and pointed him toward a future he hadn’t envisioned.

Reflecting on his role today, Barak marvels at where God has taken him. “I’m not only leading volunteers, but now I have several staff members who report to me,” he says. It’s still somewhat surreal, he confesses, considering that, “I never really saw myself leading anyone other than volunteer leaders and students prior to my residency at Crossroads.” The idea that he could mentor others, especially interns who didn’t even directly report to him, was a sign of just how far he had come.

Residency, as he describes it, is a space that encourages you to push boundaries. “Residency should provide a safety net of sorts that allows you to try things out of your comfort zone or something you’re not as skilled with yet,” he reflects. One standout example for him was, “I got to own major youth ministry events and create new teams in my residency.” These were not small tasks, and he admits they stretched him in ways he never expected. But with the support of his supervisor and his team, he could tackle these challenges head-on.

Looking back, Barak realizes that his path would likely have taken a different turn if he had skipped residency and jumped straight into ministry. “I doubt I would have been able to have found a church that I could have stayed with in the long term if I jumped right into full-time ministry,” he says, noting that most churches are looking for ministers with experience—something residency uniquely provided. “Most people I know that tried jumping straight into full-time ministry weren’t able to stay at the same church or aren’t in ministry altogether. That likely would have been the outcome for me, as well.”

Now, in a full-circle moment, Barak has stepped into the role of mentor himself. “I actually do have a resident currently!” he shares with excitement. His focus for his resident is clear and intentional: “to make him the most hirable and qualified and spiritually mature student ministry director he can be in my time with him.” He hopes to pass on the skills and insights he’s gained, helping his resident “grow in his strengths and manage his weaknesses.” Together, they work on establishing healthy rhythms and boundaries in ministry—a skill that Barak knows firsthand is essential for lasting impact.

For Barak, residency wasn’t just a stepping stone; it was a transformation.