Faith Church Investing In Future Leaders

from The Paper | Jun-Aug Issue 2 Vol 9

Letter from Pastor Bob

The most recent average age of pastors in the United States is a little shy of 52 according to DataUSA, a reputable firm focused on sharing a comprehensive visualization of U.S. public data. In fact, just 15 percent of senior pastors are 40 years old or younger. And adding to those startling statistics, nearly one in four U.S. pastors (23%) say “lack of leadership training and development” is a major concern facing their church today, as was reported by Barna Group, widely considered to be the leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture.

Faith Church has two distinctive tools to identify and develop talented young people and prepare them for future ministry: college internships and pastoral residencies.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS

College interns are hired for 12 weeks, typically in the summer, and are designed to help individuals determine how God is calling them into a career. Likewise, ministry leaders and department directors at Faith Church have an opportunity to personally observe each intern’s skills displayed through their work on projects throughout their internship. Faith Church has hired three interns this summer and one starting in the fall:

By Rick Riddering

Director of Leadership Development | Central

Will Ryan (Moody Bible Institute) serving in Faith Students Zach Lee (Wheaton College) serving with the Communications Team Megan Kooyenga (Indiana University Northwest) serving in our Reflectors Ministry Kaylee Kuyper (Olivet Nazarene University) will serve in Faith Students at Highland & Munster in the fall

Investing In Future Leaders

PASTORAL RESIDENCIES

Faith Church Pastoral Residents are hired for a robust two-year experiential development program that focuses on each resident’s ministry calling. The Residency helps identify and prepare fully committed individuals for future pastoral opportunities. Please meet Faith Church’s five pastoral residents:

Colton Ebbens Cameron Jones

Currently on our Faith Students staff, serving as director at our Cedar Lake campus. Colton is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University where he received a degree in communication. He works under the supervision of Pastor Dave Weemhoff. Currently finishing his work toward a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies at Wheaton College and will be working under the supervision of Pastor Charlie Contreras at Faith Munster. Cameron feels called to plant a multicultural church in NW Indiana.

Nick Dragomir Kenan Koops Caleb Chapman

Served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS John S. McCain. Nick has studied computer programming, but realized his call is in the area of care ministry while serving as a representative to the Navy Chaplain. He’ll serve under the supervision of Pastors Andy Nearpass and Rich Bawinkel, and will be trained in all of Faith Church’s care ministries. Hails from California and joining Faith to serve in our outreach ministries under the supervision of Pastor Dave Nearpass. Kenan will be spending the majority of his time rebuilding homes in Sauk Village, Illinois as part of Faith Church’s local missions; he will also be teaching inmates the skills of cabinet and furniture making with Chicagoland Prison Outreach.

Feeling called to minister to students with challenging situations in their homes, Caleb pursued a degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership from The College of Biblical Studies. As part of his studies, he served as an intern in Faith Students at Faith Beecher this past school year. He will continue serving in this role as part of our residency program under the supervision of Pastor Brian Dennert

SUMMER MEETING FROM JUNE 6 TO AUGUST 29

FULL FAITH KIDS KICK OFF IS SEPTEMBER 12TH!

Faith Kids will be offered for children ages infant-preschool at each campus. • Beecher – 9 AM • Cedar Lake – 9:30 AM • Dyer – 9 & 11 AM • Highland – 11 AM • Munster – 11 AM Children who have completed kindergarten through completed fifth grade will join their families in service.