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 formerly served as our pastor for 28 years. He led our church in our passion for Missions, Evangelism, Reproducing Discipleship, and 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. 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. 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. 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.
Our residency program is also closely partnered with the Lanier Theological Library. Residents will complete a Certificate of Theology and Ministry and attend monthly Lanier lectures from world-renowned scholars.
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.
The Lanier Certificate is a requirement for all residents. Those choosing to do any Master’s or Doctoral program are doing that in addition to the Certificate. The Certificate is free for residents and does not take money from the educational stipend. Being in a Master’s or Doctoral program is not a requirement, but it is encouraged. However, if a resident chooses not to do additional education and only does the Lanier Certificate, their education/technology stipend is limited to $2,500.
Paid Time Off: Residents are given approximately two weeks off for Christmas break. In addition to that, you will have two weeks of PTO to be used throughout the year. Residents will have to work with both the Residency Supervisor and Direct Ministry Supervisor for time off approval.
The Residency will be a one-year commitment, with a potential second year. More
You will serve alongside gifted and called ministers who serve/specialize in the following areas:
- Children's Ministry
- Student Ministry
- Digital Communications, Technology
- Missions
- Spanish Ministry
- Worship
- Young Adult Ministry
- Special Needs
Applications are now open for the Residency class starting in the Fall of 2027. 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 APPLICATION
Jarissa Worst is from Virginia Beach, VA. For her undergraduate studies, she attended Liberty University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music & Worship with a Cognate in Women's Leadership. For her graduate degree, she is now pursuing a Master of Divinity with a Specialization in Ministry to Women through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ethan Reeves is from College Station, TX. He received his B.S. in Commercial Music: Songwriting from Liberty University.
Jerry Baum is from Haddon Township, New Jersey. He attended Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio where he met his wife Abby. While at Cedarville he received a B.A. in Youth Ministries and completed his Masters in Divinity. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral Leveling degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with the goal of pursuing a ThM.
Caroline Rabalais is from Huffman, Texas. She attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, where she received her B.S. in Educational Advocacy. She is pursuing a Masters in Developmental Psychology at Liberty University.
Matthew Carnes is from Bainbridge, Georgia. He graduated with a B.S. In Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. He is pursuing an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with plans to pastor and counsel in the future.
Ashley Benitez is from Houston, Texas. She attended the College of Biblical Studies and is pursuing a B.S. in Organizational Leadership. She plans to continue serving in vocational ministry.
Matthew Shoults is from Arlington, Texas. He attended Dallas Baptist University where he received his B.S. in Psychology and minored in Biblical Studies. He is now pursuing his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Caleb McKinion is from Cedarville, Ohio. He attended Cedarville University, where he received his B.S. in Business Management. He is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at The Southern Theological Seminary.
Alejandra Escalante is born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Houston Christian University where she received her B.A in Psychology with a minor in General Business and Spanish. She is now pursuing a Master’s in Professional Counseling at Dallas Baptist University.
