Length: 9 months
Hours: 5 hours per week
Application Open Date: April 2026
Application Close Date: August 2026
Start Date: September 1, 2026
End Date: May 31, 2027

For High School students who are considering vocational ministry.

Considering going into vocational ministry? Are you sensing a call to ministry but aren’t sure what next step to take? Through our Emerge program, we would love to walk alongside you as you explore if God may be calling you into ministry and what that might look like.

You would be paired with a Fairfax Lead coach who you would meet with regularly to go through a series of conversations aimed to help you process a call to ministry.

Throughout your time in the Emerge program you will get to explore various areas of ministry through short-term volunteer roles. You will get the chance to meet current leaders in ministry to give you an idea of what a career in vocational ministry might look like for you.

Length: 3 months
Paid Stipend: Full-time $1000 paid bi-weekly | Part-time $500 paid bi-weekly 
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) or Part-time (20 hours per week)
Start Date: May 12, 2026
Application Open Date: January 2026
Application Close Date: April 30, 2026

For current undergraduate college students who want to explore serving in ministry

Are you curious about what God has for your life? Are you interested in exploring what a career in ministry would look like? Throughout our 3 month summer experience you’ll learn about Fairfax Church’s unique culture and mission while deepening your faith, developing your leadership, and serving with a passionate team. 

Summer students serve with the same ministry team for the whole summer. The following teams are available to complete your experience with: Communications, Production, Worship, Discipleship, College Ministry, Student Ministry, Kids Ministry, Disability Ministry, Hospitality, Outreach (Resource Center) 

Through the application process we take into consideration preferred ministry team placement however spots on each team are limited. Both full-time (40 hours) and part-time (20 hours) are available options.

Join us for this three month adventure over the summer that is designed to help you as a young leader discern your calling and explore the behind the scenes of ministry in the local church.

Length: Year 1 (9 months), Year 2 (9 months), Year 3 (9 months)
Paid Stipend: $500 paid bi-weekly 
Hours: Part-time (20 hours per week)
Application Open Date: January 2026
Application Close Date: July 2026

For current full-time undergraduate college students who feel called to a career in ministry

Our Pastoral Apprenticeship Track is designed to give you the necessary experience, skills and deeply formed character to pursue a career and calling in Pastoral Ministry. While you earn your undergraduate degree you will serve 20 hours per week on staff as a Pastoral student. You will receive theological and pastoral training. You will be mentored and coached by current full-time leaders in ministry.

Each year of the experience builds upon the previous year. The theological and pastoral training curriculum builds each year along with the practical ministry leadership experience.

In Year 1 – Discover – In your first year we give you a hands-on introduction to ministry. Every 6-8 weeks you will rotate through serving on staff with each key area of ministry gaining real experience and mentorship by current ministry leaders. Through this immersive well-rounded experience you will begin to notice where you gifts come alive, where you feel stretched and discern where you may be called to serve. Year 1 is a year to explore, grow and begin discerning your calling

In Year 2 – Develop – In your second year you will step into a primary ministry assignment where you will have a deeper and more focused experience on one or two areas of ministry. You will begin taking on more responsibility within your ministry team. Year 2 is all about deepening ministry skills, deeply forming your character and gaining more clarity about the direction God may be leading you in your ministry calling.

Year 3 – Practice – In your third and final year you will step into real ministry leadership. You will get to practice developing and leading teams, shaping ministry rhythms and taking on important ministry responsibility in planning, communication, volunteer development and the day to day pastoral leadership required to shepherd people well. You will also complete a Capstone Leadership Project that will be tailored specifically to you to help you further grow as a leader. This year serves as a bridge between learning ministry and living ministry, preparing you for more advanced leadership development programs and working full-time in ministry.

Note: Each year is a 9 month experience that begins in late August and ends in mid May. Each year students need to apply for the following year. In other words when you apply for the first time and are accepted that will just be for Year 1. And then you would need to apply for Year 2 if you wish to continue with the track.

Length: 3 Years
Pay: Compensation is provided in the form of tuition payments from the church, reimbursement for books and school supplies, and free housing.
Hours: Part-time (20 hours per week)
Application Open Date: October 2025
Application Close Date: June 1, 2026

For young adults looking to get their undergraduate degree who are feel called to a career in ministry

Our Pastoral Apprenticeship Track is designed to give you the necessary experience, skills and deeply formed character to pursue a career and calling in the Pastoral Ministry. 

Through our partnership with the Trellis program, in 3 years you will earn a fully online undergraduate ministry degree from an accredited university which you can choose from Trellis’ approved schools list. The church will cover the cost of tuition and books and will also provide you with housing if needed. All you (or your parents) need to pay is a $3000 annual administrative fee to the Trellis program.

While earning your degree you will serve 20 hours per week on staff as a Pastoral student. You will receive theological and pastoral training. You will be mentored and coached by current full-time leaders in ministry.

Each year of the experience builds upon the previous year. The theological and pastoral training curriculum builds each year along with the practical ministry leadership experience.

In Year 1 – Discover – In your first year we give you a hands-on introduction to ministry. Every 6-8 weeks you will rotate through serving on staff with each key area of ministry gaining real experience and mentorship by current ministry leaders. Through this immersive well-rounded experience you will begin to notice where you gifts come alive, where you feel stretched and discern where you may be called to serve. Year 1 is a year to explore, grow and begin discerning your calling

In Year 2 – Develop – In your second year you will step into a primary ministry assignment where you will have a deeper and more focused experience on one or two areas of ministry. You will begin taking on more responsibility within your ministry team. Year 2 is all about deepening ministry skills, deeply forming your character and gaining more clarity about the direction God may be leading you in your ministry calling.

Year 3 – Practice – In your third and final year you will step into real ministry leadership. You will get to practice developing and leading teams, shaping ministry rhythms and taking on important ministry responsibility in planning, communication, volunteer development and the day to day pastoral leadership required to shepherd people well. You will also complete a Capstone Leadership Project that will be tailored specifically to you to help you further grow as a leader. This year serves as a bridge between learning ministry and living ministry, preparing you for more advanced leadership development programs and working full-time in ministry.

Length: 2 Years
Pay: $2650 per month stipend
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Application Open Date: January 1, 2026
Application Close Date: July 31, 2026

For anyone who has completed their undergraduate degree who feel called to a career in ministry

Our Pastoral residency is a two year full-time experience designed to prepare you for pastoral ministry. 

A Pastoral Resident will be expected to lead a ministry as a staff member would, whether that is in launching a new ministry effort or leading under a Full-Time staff that is expanding their ministry responsibilities. They will be required to develop the vision, propose the budgets needed, build teams, and manage all ministry focused responsibilities.

Length: 2 Years
Pay: Compensation is provided in the form of tuition payments from the church, reimbursement for books and school supplies, and free housing.
Hours: Part-time (20 hours per week)
Application Open Date: October 1, 2025
Application Close Date: June 1, 2026

For anyone who has completed their undergraduate degree, feels called to a career in ministry and desires to complete a Master’s level seminary degree.

The Trellis Pastoral Residency is a graduate student program. Through our partnership with the Trellis program, in 2 years you will earn a fully online masters degree in ministry from an accredited university which you can choose from Trellis’ approved schools list. The church will cover the cost of tuition and books and will also provide you with housing if needed. All you need to pay is a $3000 annual administrative fee to the Trellis program.

A Pastoral Resident will be expected to lead a ministry as a staff member would, whether that is in launching a new ministry effort or leading under a Full-Time staff that is expanding their ministry responsibilities. They will be required to develop the vision, propose the budgets needed, build teams, and manage all ministry focused responsibilities.