Cady recalls applying for a ministry director role before her residency and feeling “so confused and hurt” that she wasn’t even called back. Now, she sees it as a blessing. Residency provided her with the structured growth, experience, and understanding that were crucial for her development as a leader.

“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.”

The leap she took to move to Charlotte for residency was, no doubt, difficult for her. She acknowledges, It was really hard moving away from my family for the first time. It still is, but it has gotten easier over time and made the moments we do get to spend together all the better.

Chris Hupp is in his first year of residency, serving as a Family Ministries Resident, from Pre-K-High School, currently lead small groups, preparing for their summer Honduras missions trip, and also serving on the worship team for weekend services.

How do we find and keep young 20 somethings on our team? What does Gen-Z need in a boss? We asked these questions of a 25 year old leader whom we can all learn

Not all residents are young twenty somethings. Chris Vermeulen is a great example of a second-career resident. He serves at one of our favorite places with Rick Riddering who serves in leadership development and as residency director. Here’s a take on Chris’ development in his own words

My journey toward ministry began in high school when my youth pastor decided to tap and encourage me to take on more leadership roles in the youth group. During my senior year of college, I was looking for what I was going to do, and I found out about the Leadership Pathway Residency opportunity at StoneBridge Christian Church in Omaha, NE through someone I know who works there.

What leaders say about Leadership Pathway.

Leadership Pathway has helped prepare me for full-time ministry in the best way. I don’t think there’s ever been a moment where it felt impossible. 

“I chose Leadership Pathway to help me on this journey because it was the only organization I knew that helps people start in ministry with a residency…”

When he was a high school sophomore at a student retreat, he experienced a calling on his life while praying for another student, who was struggling. He felt the Holy Spirit’s leading, ‘This is what I want you to do.’

Juan Salas is a Student Ministry Resident at Connections Christian Church in Johnstown, CO. Prior to applying to Leadership Pathway for the opportunity at Connections, I had served on staff at a church in Kentucky as the Student Ministry Associate.

I serve as an Associate Resident of Prescott Valley’s campus at my home church, QuadCity Christian Church in Prescott, AZ. I actually had applied for a pastoral role upon graduating from Crown College in Minnesota and doing a semester-long internship at a church nearby. I did not receive the role, though, due to a lack of ministry experience. Our Executive Pastor mentioned…

One of the harder things of residency has been having a plan of what I’d like to have happen or think should happen, while others may have different plans altogether. I’ve had to lean into other possibilities and submit to those in authority over me, and I’ve grown as a result.

I thought of aspirations I had early in life about being a pastor, aspirations I struck down because I thought that I couldn’t possibly be “good enough” to minister God’s Word.

I knew I needed further development, though, and I desired feedback to help me get better as a leader, so as I was exploring my next steps for ministry, I discovered Leadership Pathway.

I am the Central Services Resident at StoneBridge Christian Church in Omaha, NE. I’m serving in Operations and helping with things like the First Impressions Team, Security, Benevolence, and Building Rental.

My journey toward church leadership began in high school, but it took a brief detour in my 20’s and was reignited when I began teaching high school in my late 20’s.

In the next year, I hope to improve my leadership skills by working as part of a team. Sometimes it can be easy to try to get everything done on your own, but I need to remember that I am surrounded by people who can and want to help.

My journey in leadership began during my college years leading young men at the YMCA, as a camp counselor, leader of a college ministry, and eventually leading as a director of a mental health facility.