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.

I believe churches all over should have this opportunity of bringing in young people as residents. It's awesome, especially when the church environment is healthy and willing to continue growing every day. My experience in residency has far exceeded any ministry experience I've ever had.

Residency was a clear choice for me to fully experience leadership growth in a safe space to do so. Leadership Pathway’s process made it super easy.

If I was sitting at the table with senior leaders wondering about residency, I would say that having residency at their churches is a really good idea because it can help various ministries at their churches grow, while simultaneously raising up the next generation of church leaders.

Leaving the community I had at college, where I was deeply connected, was a challenge when I first began my residency. Though, it’s not always easy to find friends my age, I cherish the connections I have that much more.