WHERE TOMORROW'S CHURCH LEADERS GET THEIR START
Are you a senior in college or a recent college graduate (and within 10 years of your high school graduation?) Do you have experience leading in ministry, and are you strongly considering making that your full-time career? The Damon Shook Residency Program is designed for you.
The Champion Forest Residency Program is named in honor of Damon Shook (who served as our Senior Pastor for twenty-eight years.) who led the church to be about Missions, Evangelism, Reproducing Discipleship, and the Bible. He studied ferociously so that he could build people up in God's Word. More
"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting his character in the things you do and say – living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude."
Colossians 2:6-8 (AMP)
This local body of Christ desires to continue the legacy of Damon Shook and Champion Forest Baptist Church through the residents that are trained and equipped for the ministry.
The Residency provides biblical training, discipleship, and real-life ministry experience for college graduates and students working on their Master's degree or PhD studies. It helps people prepare for vocational ministry by developing their natural gifts and sharpening their skills. This 12-month long deep dive into the Word of God provides both theological training and hands-on experience in ministry. It is a "residency" in the same way that young doctors go through residency; the church is a teaching hospital and the Residency allows you to learn from and work alongside more experienced church leaders.
Residency Application
BELOWWHAT IS THE RESIDENCY LIKE?
The Residency provides much more than work in your designated ministry. Residents get to experience living and serving together in a close community that is authentic, caring and fun. Residents work, study, and fellowship with one another throughout the whole week. The goal is not to simply fill your head with knowledge, but to encourage your heart to fall more in love with Christ and give you a vision of what a healthy local church looks like. A community of others who are in your same stage of life serves as a great environment for growth and encouragement. More
Residents will live in Trowbridge Village which provides a close knit community and comfortable accommodations for residents to study and fellowship in. This housing is included in the compensation for work as a resident.
Once a month there will be a spiritual development meeting with a member of staff or a guest. This is a great time for residents to ask questions and engage with someone with plenty of wisdom to pass on. Throughout the year there are lots of opportunities to grow closer fellow residents in times of fun as well.
Our residency program is also closely partnered with the Lanier Theological Library. Residents have the opportunity to study at the library located right across the street from the resident housing. Each month, residents will have the opportunity to learn from world renowned scholars at the monthly Lanier Lectures.
Our ultimate desire is to train you for life, ministry, success and faithful, long obedience to Jesus and His Church. The residency takes a holistic approach to this goal with a large emphasis on a community for you to grow alongside.
RESIDENCY DETAILS
Students selected as residents will receive an annual salary of $20,000.00, with a $5000 education/technology stipend. The stipend for education will be paid directly to the graduate school or university on your behalf. Residents will also receive a $1,500.00 Mission Trip Stipend that can only be utilized on Champion Forest Mission Trips per year.
Paid Time Off: The week between Christmas and New Year, the office is closed. Staff are given that week of paid vacation. Beyond that, work with John Wills and your ministry supervisor to schedule time off during the rest of the year. You have two weeks of paid time off, plus the week between Christmas and New Year.
Relocation Costs will be considered case by case. The housing at the Lanier Library will be fully furnished.
The Residency will be a one-year commitment, with a potential second year. More
Residents will be able to study and do research at the Lanier Theological Library, the largest private theological library in the world.
Residents will attend library lectures and have access to past lectures, transcripts, and multiple research databases (BAS, J-Store, Galaxy).
You will serve alongside gifted and called ministers who serve/specialize in the following areas:
- Children's Ministry
- Student Ministry
- Preaching & Teaching
- Digital Communications, Technology
- Discipleship
- Missions
- Church Planting
- Spanish Ministry
- Worship
- Young Adult Ministry
Applications are now open for the Residency class starting in the Fall of 2026. Applications are viewed on a rolling basis so the quicker you can submit your application, the better! We look forward to getting to know you!
BEGIN APPLICATIONCF CURRENT RESIDENTS
The Residency program provides biblical training, discipleship, and real-life ministry experience for near college graduates (juniors or seniors), or students working on their Master's degree or doctoral studies.
Kristina is from Austin, Texas. She attended Hillsong College, where she completed a theology degree. She is pursuing a Master's in Special Education from Dallas Baptist University.
Alex is from Longview, Texas. She attended Ouachita Baptist University where she received a B.A. in Christian Studies and Communications. She is pursuing a Master's of Applied Theology in Discipleship at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ben Bezner is from Kaufman, Texas and his family has lived in Spring for 12 years. He received his B.S. in Communications at Texas A&M University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological Divinity at George W. Truett Theological Seminary here in Houston.
Drew is from Cypress, Texas. He attended Dallas Baptist University, where he received a B.B.S. in Finance with a minor in Biblical Studies. He is now pursuing a Master of Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Emily Bowling is from Loganville, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia where she received a B.S. in Elementary Education. She is pursuing a Masters in Counseling from Liberty University.
Kimberly Armstrong is from McKinney, Texas. She attended Liberty University where she received her B.S. in Global Studies. She is currently pursuing an M.A. in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Katelyn Brown is from Houston, Texas. She attended Ouachita Baptist University where she received a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology. She is pursuing a Master's degree in Family Ministry at Dallas Baptist University.
Maisie is from Dallas, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University where she received a B.A. in Communications & Sport Management. She is currently pursuing a master's in visual design from Liberty University.
Collin Shearer is from Montgomery, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University where he received his B.S. in Architecture. He is planning on pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies.
Chloe Shearer is from Montgomery, Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Development and Family Studies. She will be pursuing a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling.
Kara is from Huntsville, Texas. She attended Stephen F Austin State University and received a B.S in elementary education. She is pursuing her Master of Arts in Children's Ministry from Dallas Baptist University.
Emma Donely is from Frisco, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University in Christian Studies and Mass Communication. She is currently pursuing a Masters from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Anna Grace Smith is from Springdale, Arkansas. She attended Baylor University where she obtained her B.S. in Education and Religion. She is pursuing a M.A. in Christian Ministry at Liberty University. She hopes to continue serving in the local church.
