Residency Program

The Residency Program at the Nazarene Collective is designed to help you define the call that God has placed on you, understand God’s will for your ministry, and find your purpose in life.

These goals are achieved through the following processes:

• Experiencing full-time ministry in the real world, over an extended period.

• Attending group coaching and one-on-one personal coaching.

• Being part of a creative and aggressive ministry model.

• Joining a team with an atmosphere that emphasizes learning and development.

• Making personal connections and building peer group relationships with other participants.

• Being immersed in a culture that believes failure is not fatal, but part of the learning process.

• Equipping participants with the tools necessary to serve and contribute.

The Nazarene Collective is one church with locations around Northwest Indiana. We have campuses in Valparaiso, Winamac, and Hobart, IN. We also operate a series of compassionate ministry centers in Northwest Indiana. We are a Tribe of Christ followers who believe in connecting with God and others, growing deeper in our faith, and serving those in our communities and around the world.

Those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. They will SOAR on wings like eagles; they will RUN and not grow weary; they will WALK and not be faint. Isaiah 30:31

Hopeful become Walkers. Walkers become Runners. Runners become Soarers.

Helping people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Meet people exactly where they are and help them navigate the next steps in their spiritual journey.

• Gathering | We value gathering as a Tribe of believers and attending regularly for corporate worship.
• Community | We value living our lives in small group environments that stress community with others.
• Serving | We value giving of ourselves by serving others.
• Generosity | We value living a life full of generosity and giving faithfully.
• Invitation | We value the power of a personal invitation to help others with the next steps in their spiritual journey.
• Holiness | We value a holiness lifestyle that is honoring to God.

The purpose is to prepare you for your life’s work. You’ll benefit from:

• Personal Attention: Be coached by a dedicated ministry leader who invests in your development, growth, and success.

• Future Focus: Discover more about who you are and develop a vision and purpose for your life.

• A Growth Environment: Absorb the culture of the Nazarene Collective and experience strong leadership, innovative perspectives, and holistic development.

• Real World Experience: God has given you strengths and skills, and we want to give you the opportunity to use them to make an impact for the Kingdom.

We focus on three key elements:

• Spiritual Development

• Personal Development

• Professional Development

The Residency Program is designed to span a broad range of areas at the Nazarene Collective. You can choose the tracks that best align with your gifts and calling:

• Campus Pastor

• Children’s Ministries

• Church Marketing & Communication

• Discipleship

• Media Production: Video/Graphic Design

• Operations (Executive Leadership Roles)

• Social Work (Compassionate Ministries)

• Student Ministries

• Technical Arts: Audio/Visual/Lighting

• Worship Arts

The Residency Program lasts for 24 months. It is designed to begin each year in May or June, depending on when the participant graduates from college.

To participate in the Residency Program, you must be a college graduate. You must complete the Residency Program application and submit the accompanying documents. You will also need to complete the personal interview process. Married couples are both eligible to participate.

Participants are expected to spend 40 hours a week working in the program. Daily expectations will vary from week-to-week, depending on the ministry area in which they are serving.

Housing will be provided for single participants. Married participants will be responsible for their own housing.

Transportation will not be provided.

Compensation: During the Residency Program, participants have the option of obtaining a Master’s Degree from Olivet Nazarene University or Mount Vernon Nazarene University, for little or no cost. Program participants who choose to pursue a Master’s Degree will receive a weekly stipend of $250. Those who choose not to pursue a Master’s Degree will receive a weekly stipend of $300.

If you’re interested in joining the Nazarene Collective Residency Program, you can fill out our online application below. You will also need to submit a written testimony and three letters of recommendation with your application.

We want you to be informed! Send our Lead Pastor an email (shawne@nazco.church) with any questions you may have, and he will be happy to assist you.