RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Are you called to ministry? We want to help you get ready!

Equip, Encourage, and Send the next generation of global church leaders…

The Watkinsville Residency is an intensive two-year program offering hands-on ministry experience, weekly training, mentoring from church leadership, and seminary classes through our partnership with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and their EQUIP Network. Our goal is to develop and launch young emerging leaders for ministry in church-based ministry locally, in the US, or across the world.

You will serve as part of our ministry staff team and be given significant ministry responsibility. Pastoral Development is at the heart of this program – you’ll serve alongside pastors and ministry staff, watching and learning from their leadership experience. You’ll have a Discipleship Coach from our church family who walks alongside you during your residency to aid your growth in Christ-like character. At the end of the Residency, you will possess the ministry experience and skills to successfully step into full-time vocational ministry.

If you are called to vocational ministry and want to be developed pastorally and personally, take the next step and fill out an Interest Form. One of our pastors will connect with you to hear more of your story and help you discern if this Residency Program may be the right next step for you.

We are currently taking applications for our new resident class. Residents will begin their residency in August 2026.

Interest Form

RESIDENCY FAQS

  • Recent college graduates who want to pursue vocational ministry. A commitment to attending seminary will enhance your experience, but is not required.

  • Residents work 25 hours per week.

    Included in those hours are preparing for and meeting with either your ministry coach or discipleship coach.

  • You will have significant ministry responsibilities in one of the following ministry areas that you are passionate about:

     WatKIDSville: Preschool and/or K-5th grade

     Watty Students: 6-12th grade

     Watty College

     Worship

     Adults: Mens, Womens, Connections

     Community Outreach

     Watty 20s: Young Adults

    Our leadership development model is “observe and own.” Residents will work closely with full-time staff, observing what their ministry coach does while being given ownership of aspects of the specific ministry area they are placed in.

  • 21 months, beginning each August

  • Residents will be paid $20 an hour, $2,000 a month

    Additional costs necessary for living expenses or seminary tuition (if applicable) should be covered by the resident.

  • Residents are responsible for finding their own housing.

  • We encourage all residents to pursue theological education alongside the practical ministry training they receive through the Residency Program.

    Residents would pay for seminary classes on their own.

    While Residents are free to select any seminary they choose to enroll in, attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as a SBC church member makes tuition costs substantially lower, and their EQUIP network will allow students to get up to 18 hours of class credit for participating in the residency program

    Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

    EQUIP Network

  • Residents are able to get a part-time job if they choose to do so.

  • You can reach Lawton, our Ministry Development Pastor, at lawton@watkinsville.org.

  • Fill out the Interest Form and line up a meeting with Lawton.

Interest Form