RIVER VALLEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
RVLI.ORG
POTENTIAL UNLEASHED
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Forward What is RVLI? FAQ’s Student Story Academics SEU Classes Pastoral Focus Creative Focus Track Lead Story Student Life River Valley Church Alumni Story Our Leader What’s Next?
FORWARD
“THE NEXT
GENERATION ISN’T JUST TOLERATED; IT IS EMBRACED, CHAMPIONED AND LOVED.”
A
t River Valley, the Next Generation isn’t just tolerated; it is embraced, championed and loved. Our heart has become “what can we do for you?” rather than “what can you do for us?” We truly want you to do more than we ever could. You are right behind us, pushing us forward. Through River Valley Leadership Institute, we strive to help each student grow through a balance of encouragement, discipleship, and development. Our goal through RVLI is to give you the competency to advance the Kingdom of God and change the world. The best is yet to come!
+ PASTOR ROB & BECCA KETTERLING
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WHAT IS RVLI?
RIVER VALLEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE EXISTS TO EQUIP YOUNG LEADERS IN THEIR PROCESS OF DISCOVERING AND DEVELOPING THEIR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH.
RVLI is designed to engage students in intentional and practical leadership development while earning college credit. Emerging leaders have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally as they develop character and build leadership competency in one of our many ministry tracks.
EARN A LEADERSHIP DEGREE
We believe academics are a crucial part of the RVLI experience which is why we strive to create valuable learning experiences. Students can earn an Associates or Bachelors Degree in Ministerial Leadership after two to four years in the program. Students will take online classes and engage others through track-specific cohorts while implementing what they learn in realtime ministry contexts.
HANDS-ON MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
RVLI takes the academic experience to another level through hands-on ministry opportunities. Our goal is to give each student a unique opportunity that will take their training from the classroom to the real world. As each student implements what they are learning, they will have access to a wide range of highly experienced and nationally recognized leaders to help them take their leadership journey to the next level.
CHAMPION THE CAUSE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
The mission of River Valley Church is to lead people into an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe the greatest vehicle for expanding the Kingdom of God is through the local church. Each week, RVLI students will have the opportunity to impact thousands of people through opportunities to serve at one of our campuses. It is in serving at a local church
that callings, experiences, and learning come together to form the divine purpose that each RVLI student is
called to inherit. As students discover their purpose in
ministry, it is our job to help launch them into all God has for them.
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FAQ’S WHAT WILL MY WEEK LOOK LIKE?
The schedule of each week varies depending on your track. All interns are required to serve on the weekend at their campus as well as attend the monthly RVLI Leadership Labs, monthly RVLI cohorts and other ministry specific events. For those participating in SEU, please refer to the Weekly Schedule on page 27.
WHAT TRACKS CAN I CHOOSE FROM?
We have different tracks you can choose from depending on your desired ministry focus. Those tracks include Pastoral, Youth, Kids, Lifegroups, Women’s Ministry, Pastoral Care, Global Project, Live Production, Film, Worship, Marketing, Social Media/Photography, and Graphic Design.
AM I ABLE TO EARN COLLEGE CREDITS DURING MY INTERNSHIP?
Yes, you can enroll in Southeastern University (a regionally accredited university*) to work towards a degree. After two years in the program you can complete your AML (Associates of Ministerial Leadership) or after four years in the program you can finish with your BSML (Bachelors of Science in Ministerial Leadership).
CAN I BE ENROLLED IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WHILE BEING IN RVLI? Yes. This internship is most beneficial when coupled with an educational component. If you choose not to go through SEU, we would highly encourage you to enroll in North Central University.
AM I ABLE TO BE CREDENTIALED AS A MINISTER THROUGH THIS INTERNSHIP? Yes. Through your classes with SEU you can begin your credentialing process to become a minister with the Assemblies of God.
DO YOU OFFER HOUSING FOR INTERNS JOINING FROM OUT OF STATE? RVLI has limited dorm/apartment style housing, located right off of downtown Minneapolis. Housing is offered on a first-come first-serve basis; however, those coming from out of town have priority over local students. Interns are required to pay a monthly fee for utilities.
HOW LONG DOES RVLI LAST?
We have two internship seasons on the RVLI calendar; June-August and September-May.
DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THREE LEVELS OF THE PROGRAM?
Multiple levels are not required, but after the first year we are confident you will want to continue your leadership development within RVLI.
DO I NEED A CAR?
Yes. Some ministry opportunities will require reliable transportation during the week and on the weekends.
*Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southeastern University.
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“GOD HAS
DRAMATICALLY MOLDED MY HEART AND DEVELOPED ME SPIRITUALLY. ”
STUDENT STORY I
can’t even begin to describe what RVLI has done for me. The experience, wisdom, and friendships I have gained through this program are truly life changing. I initially joined RVLI to get connections and a future career at River Valley. I thought I knew everything I needed to know and was ready for ministry. Thankfully, God knows me way better than I know myself, because that would have been an absolute train wreck. I have been nothing short of blown away by how much God has exceeded my expectations, and humbled me in the process of this internship. As an RVLI intern, you are built up as a leader in every way possible. As an intern on the worship track, I was placed under a worship leader that constantly called me to a higher expectation in my leadership, while giving me the opportunity to practice the calling I feel God has placed on my life, and feedback to help me improve. I have had the privilege of being in close proximity to incredible staff and volunteers who are leading the way for our church. Every moment I spent with them was valuable. The programs and activities set up in this internship are beneficial and everything has a purpose. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. In transparency, being an RVLI intern is hard work. Most days you are on top of the world, celebrating the accomplishments of your team and other days you are exhausted. It is on these days that God calls me to humble myself and take advantage of the incredible resources in front of me. God has dramatically molded my heart and developed me spiritually. RVLI has blown me away with the intentional goal of building up each intern to step into the calling God has placed over their life, and lead successfully with a humble heart. I believe this program holds so much worth for anyone seeking to work in ministry, or simply desiring personal growth in their relationship with God and leadership skills.
+ Tesa Bertell
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ACADEMICS SOUTHEASTERN RVLI and Southeastern University (SEU) have partnered to bring you a world-class educational experience. Through SEU, you have the option of earning an Associates or Bachelors Degree in Ministerial Leadership online alongside your internship experience with RVLI.
NORTH CENTRAL If you would like to enroll in a traditional university experience, North Central University is right in our backyard and is a great Assemblies of God University that we highly recommend.
STUDY ABROAD River Valley Church partners with 250+ missionaries and ministries all over the world. RVLI creates the opportunity for you to study abroad while you are a part of our program.
TUITION ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE | $9,100
SEU tuition (based on 15 hours per semester): $6,600 | Tech Fee: $300 Site + Student Fees: $2,200
RVLI EXPERIENCE | $1,000 (per year) | Summer semester is free
SEU CLASSES ASSOCIATES OF MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP (AML) GENERAL EDUCATION CORE
BIBLICAL + THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP STUDIES
COMM 1433 Fundamentals of Communication
BINT 1233 New Testament Survey
PMIN 2003 Principles of Ethics
BIOT 1133 Old Testament Survey
PMIN 2133 Christian Spirituality
BIBL 2623 Biblical Hermeneutics
PMIN 3133 Homiletics I
THEO 1503 Christ, Culture, & the Universe
PMIN 4043 Holistic Disciplemaking
18 Credit Hours
ENGL 1133 English Composition I ENGL 1233 English Composition II PSYC 1133 Introduction to Psychology ENGL 2233 Introduction to Humanities MATH 1313 Liberal Arts Math I
18 Credit Hours
12 Credit Hours
THEO 2133 Theology of God & Humanity THEO 3133 Theology of Salvation, Church, & Eschatology
General Electives | 12 Credit Hours
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP (BSML) FOUNDATIONAL CORE 59 Credit Hours
MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP CORE
GENERAL ELECTIVES 28 Credit Hours
34 Credit Hours
If you would like more information on the classes needed to complete your BSML visit: https://goo.gl/Lhvprt
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PASTORAL FOCUS
“DON’T
DREAM OF SEATS BEING FILLED, DREAM OF HEAVEN INVADING EARTH.”
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN
Gain insight into what it takes to develop and lead the next generation as you work with NextGen leaders.
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN
KIDS
Youth Worship | Small Groups Sermon Preparation | Platform Ministry Event/Outreach + Service Planning Leadership Development Team
YOUTH
Communication | Counseling | Administration Pastoral Care | Discipleship Sermon Preparation and Execution
Team up with our innovative Go Kids leaders as you learn how to raise up children to become world changers.
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN Patience | Event + Service Planning Curriculum Creation + Planning Discipleship
Cultivate a heart for the unreached people groups as you work with our Global Project leaders.
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN Local + Global Outreach | Global Team Planning Missionary Communication Foreign Relations + Communication Working with other cultures
MISSIONS
PASTORAL
Grow in your ability to lead and develop leaders and steward the church in the areas of discipleship, generosity and serving.
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CREATIVE FOCUS
“IT’S OUR
FOUNDATIONAL BELIEF THAT ONE MOMENT IN HIS PRESENCE CHANGES EVERYTHING.”
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN Songwriting | Live Mixing | Music Directing Musicality + Worship Development
Be developed as you create the atmosphere for people to encounter God in an authentic way.
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN
CREATIVE
Stage Design Lighting Engineering | Service Production Stage Management
PRODUCTION
WORSHIP
Grow as a musician or vocalist as you work with our River Valley Worship team facilitating inspiring weekend experiences.
Learn how to engage the Church through the power of story as you work with top level designers, film-makers and photographers to communicate the Gospel in a creative way.
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN Web Development | Graphic Design Videography | Photography | Marketing Social Media
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TRACK LEAD STORY
T
he RVLI program is the perfect gateway for young people looking for real-world experience in church ministry. An RVLI intern will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of ministry and culture at River Valley Church. By getting plugged into a campus, interns will work directly under campus pastors and other River Valley staff. This close interaction allows interns to acquire a ton of practical experience in ministry at a campus level. Since River Valley is a multi-site church, interns will also gain experience and exposure to how ministry works from a central perspective across many campuses. Ministry is about connecting people to Jesus and students need to be plugged into what’s happening on the ground level at a local church to gain the necessary experience. River Valley is a thriving, growing, exciting church that is always moving forward! The staff is intentional about developing and creating opportunities for interns to grow and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to pass along in the program. As the River Valley Worship Director, I understand how valuable RVLI is. Many of our staff worship leaders are former students of RVLI. The program is the perfect avenue for our team to train and develop future worship leaders and musicians for inside and outside of River Valley. With such close proximity to staff and hands-on practical experience in daily worship ministry, interns finish the program with strong skills and a sensitivity to the presence of God while serving the vision of the local and global church. Many worship interns will have the opportunity to be involved in areas of songwriting, recordings, service planning and execution, team nights, master classes, and outside worship events with River Valley Worship and YTH Worship.
“THERE IS
NO CEILING FOR WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH OPEN AND WILLING VESSELS.” I love being a Track Lead with RVLI because I get to help develop and grow the next generation of leaders who will impact the world. Seeing the growth and development of students in the program is so fun to watch! By focusing not only on the skill, but character and integrity of what it takes to be in ministry, RVLI interns will bring an enormous value wherever they go. Our Lead Pastor, Rob Ketterling, has a big vision and there is no ceiling for what God can do with open and willing vessels. I can’t wait to meet the future leaders of the Church! + Aaron Johnson Worship Director
STUDENT LIFE COHORTS
LIFETEAMS
Cohorts are a time for you to connect with interns within your track, hear from amazing leaders within our church, and grow in community with other interns. Cohorts allow for discussion based teaching, and are a great time to process what God is doing in and through you. Cohorts happen once a month in the evening, and meet in coffee shops and homes.
Each campus has an amazing team of volunteers waiting for you to join them. Lifeteams make a difference in the lives of every person who comes through our doors from the parking lot to the platform. We encourage you to join a team, make new friends, and own the atmosphere at your campus so those who are yet to come will be warmly welcomed and experience the lifegiving presence of God!
LEADERSHIP LABS Leadership Labs are a time for you to be together with all interns once a month and develop as leaders. There will be snacks, leadership teachings, small group discussions and connections with interns from other campuses and tracks. This will easily be one of your favorite experiences of RVLI.
LIFEGROUPS Be connected in a Lifegroup! Lifegroups meet at all different times, days and locations and there are hundreds of different groups to choose from! Being in a Lifegroup will help you build healthy relationships with others, grow in your relationship with Jesus and serve through Local Projects.
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GLOBAL PROJECT Every month, teams of volunteers from River Valley Church travel around the world to help meet physical and spiritual needs and share the love of Jesus Christ. It is our goal that every person in our church goes on a Global Team within 4 years of coming to River Valley. Global Teams can cost as little as $400 for a weekend team or as much as $4000 for a longer 10–12 day team but no matter how long or how much, going is always worth it.
SUNDAY
Weekend Ministry
MONDAY
SCHEDULE
Classes
TUESDAY
Staff Prayer & Track Lead Day
WEDNESDAY Classes
THURSDAY
Classes & Study Hall
FRIDAY Day off
SATURDAY Weekend Ministry
RIVER VALLEY CHURCH
“THE MIRACLES
OF GOD ARE NOT FOUND IN OUR COMFORT ZONE. STEP OUT AND BELIEVE GOD FOR MORE.”
LOOKING BACK AT 2017
6,846
Commitments to Christ
268
Water Baptisms
284
Missionaries Supported
$6.5 M
Missions Giving
LOOKING FORWARD SPARKLE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 12–13, 2018
RIVER VALLEY CHURCH CONFERENCE
MAY 20–21, 2019
EVERYONE NIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 JANUARY 18, 2019 | JUNE 7, 2019
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ALUMNI STORY A
fter graduating from college in Ohio two years ago, I was searching for my next chapter. My fiancé at the time, who is now my wife, went to school in Minneapolis. When I visited her, I fell in love with Minnesota and knew that I wanted to call the Twin Cities my home. For the next few months I spent all my time and energy focusing on finding a job or internship that would further my ministry experience. This is when a friend of mine recommended RVLI. The first time I met with Anna Dickie, RVLI Development Coordinator, she said something that attracted me to the program: “You will get out of RVLI what you put in.” Each internship at River Valley looks a little bit different but one thing remains the same throughout: some of the best pastors, leaders, and communicators in the world are here and desire to pour into the next generation. I understood River Valley’s heart for the next generation the moment I went to a weekend service and because of this I decided to commit the next year of my life to RVLI. RVLI focuses on growing a leader’s character, competency, and chemistry. They do this through leadership labs and cohorts as well as one-onone time with River Valley pastors and staff. My life was changed during my one-on-one with the Minneapolis Campus Pastor, Kirk Graham. He helped me to understand the season I was in was extremely valuable. It was a season where God was developing my character in preparation for an eventual call to work in ministry. I learned to prepare and be developed as a leader.
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During RVLI, I learned more about leadership, pastoring, and multiplying my influence than ever before. Most importantly, RVLI changed the posture of my heart. I had spent my whole life being discontent and missing what God had for me in my current season because I was so focused on what was next. Now, I want to be someone that loves people in my way, while I’m on my way. After a year of putting everything I had into RVLI, I accepted a job at River Valley’s Minneapolis Campus. I am extremely thankful for my job and my calling to lead people into an authentic, life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. + Ben Hoar
MPLS Campus Ministry Assistant
“I WANT TO BE
SOMEONE THAT LOVES PEOPLE IN MY WAY, WHILE I’M ON MY WAY.”
“AS AN
EMERGING LEADER, YOU HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO CHANGE THE WORLD.”
OUR LEADER I
n RVLI, we love to talk about how faithfulness to your next step unlocks your purpose. This is why I’m so excited that you are considering RVLI for your next step! As an emerging leader, you have been designed to change the world wherever you are through the gifts and talents God has placed inside of you. Our heart is to help those gifts engage the world around you and advance the Kingdom of God in ways we could only imagine. We believe God created you for a greater purpose and gave you the desire to accomplish something significant. That’s why we have designed ministry experiences unique to the call that God has for your life. Each ministry track gives you the opportunity to work side-by-side with experts in your desired field as they work to develop you as a leader and as a follower of Jesus. This open-access to River Valley leadership will help you to not only see how ministry work is done, but it will give you a behind-the-scenes look at our process and approach to ministry. It’s your journey and we‘re excited to be a part of it! + Terry Parkman NextGen Pastor
“WE BELIEVE GOD CREATED
YOU FOR A GREATER PURPOSE AND GAVE YOU THE DESIRE TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT.”
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WHAT’S NEXT?
APPLY
You can apply online at rvli.org.
INTERVIEW
You will be contacted after you apply to set up an interview.
SEU
To get started with the SEU experience, visit partners.seu.edu/rivervalley
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