Fellows Program
Meadowkirk’s evolving Fellows program for new college graduates provides a hands-on, resident opportunity to participate in all facets of retreat ministry work.
This program includes respite-themed service learning with our partners and a concluding experience in the Holy Land. Fellows, who reside on Meadowkirk’s campus, commit to a year’s paid service and although an undergraduate degree is required, there is no formal previous work requirement.
While our program is paused for the current academic year, Meadowkirk invites interested candidates to contact us to find out more.
This 11-month (mid-August training – June) immersion program combines:
paid on-campus internship opportunities across Meadowkirk’s entire ministry, including hospitality and event hosting, finance and development, marketing, farm-to-table, and administration
off-campus service learning with well-known program partners
themed coursework and Bible study
a concluding Israel study tour
participation in the abundant ‘life together’ of an onsite Fellows and staff community defined by biblical principles, prayer and worship
The Fellows program is also intended to:
help enable a season of spiritual formation, pointing each participant to a deeper reliance on, and resting in, Christ
provide Fellows an important opportunity to explore their individual vocation and calling – including how the practical application of what the Bible says about spiritual and physical rest can shape their lives in the workplace, church, family and broader community
invite participants into an idyllic retreat center’s distinctive path of discipleship – equipping them to share and model a vital biblical message as they go out to engage a restless culture with the hope of the Gospel
Partners
Meadowkirk has joined with leading program partners to develop hands-on service learning and themed study opportunities – to enrich the Fellows experience and help extend the missions of our partners.
Jill’s House www.jillshouse.org – participate in the work of a leading national nonprofit dedicated to providing respite to families raising children with intellectual disabilities – through Jill’s House events at Meadowkirk and onsite externship days at Jill’s House
Holy Trinity Church www.htc.us – gain further learning and participate in a dynamic faith community setting
CS Lewis Institute www.cslewisinstitute.org – link with the Institute’s own well-known Fellows program in ongoing studies, including opportunities for examining key themes of biblical rest
Passages www.passagesisrael.org – encounter the program’s biblical roots firsthand through a special Israel study tour: Sponsored by the Philos Project and the Museum of the Bible Foundation, Passages offers Christian college students with leadership potential a fresh and innovative approach to experiencing the Holy Land. Read a special write-up on this program here.
Program Costs
Fellows will receive onsite lodging at no cost, as well as a monthly internship stipend.
Upon admission to the program, applicants provide a $350 deposit toward the total cost of the Fellows program, which includes tuition and required books, periodic on-campus meals together, program-related transportation and other program costs. A subsequent, final payment of $500 is due October 1st.
All Fellows are placed in paid Meadowkirk internships (earnings are used at the discretion of each program participant). Workweeks will generally average 35-40 hours and involve some flexibility based on Meadowkirk’s retreat guest calendar and overall operating requirements (for example, Monday-Friday and Wednesday-Sunday workweek rotations)
Meadowkirk provides a stipend to cover the cost of the Israel study tour
Fellows are responsible for their own car and health insurance
Fellows will join other Meadowkirk staff in receiving holiday time-off, as well as a break between Christmas and the New Year
Admissions / Who Should Apply
The Meadowkirk Fellows Program is intended for new college graduates from an accredited college or university, or who are enrolled in an accredited seminary program. The program is ecumenical, seeking a diverse pool of applicants with a strong Christian faith commitment and the desire to grow in deeper relationship and reliance upon our Lord while helping to serve Meadowkirk’s largely adult population of retreat participants.
Fellows will generally be ages 21-26, and will not be married or have children; Meadowkirk encourages international applicants eligible to work in the U.S.
Meadowkirk envisions accepting a limited cohort of Fellows as we continue our program’s development. These individuals will have the exciting opportunity to continue refining the program while participating in its many blessings and responsibilities.
While there is no formal previous work requirement, examples of work areas, skills and culture that might resonate strongly with candidates include:
Business and finance (for example, supporting our bookkeeping, strategic planning, brand communications and development functions)
Hospitality
Farm-to-table and small-scale agriculture activity focused on biblical stewardship principles
Cooking, maintenance/construction
A hands-on, intensive, dynamic and enterprising environment
The intersections of faith and work, and what it means to find true rest in a driven, 24/7 culture
For many Fellows, the program will be an important opportunity for discerning their future vocation and calling as they serve, live and learn in a unique Christian community setting.
Process: Request and complete application for Meadowkirk admissions team review; phone and/or in-person interview; 3 personal and pastoral references.