The local church has always been one of God’s primary places for forming ministry leaders. While seminaries provide theological education, congregations shape ministers through worship, pastoral care, leadership, relationships and the everyday work of serving God’s people.
This fall, CBF North Carolina is taking a significant step toward strengthening that connection through the launch of the CBFNC Field Education Residency Program, a new initiative designed to nurture emerging congregational leaders while supporting healthy CBF partner churches across the state.
The inaugural residency program will place seven divinity students in congregations from August through May, where they will serve approximately fifteen hours each week alongside experienced pastors and congregational leaders. More than a ministry assignment, the residency is an intentional year of vocational formation, mentoring and practical ministry experience. Students will receive a $10,000 stipend made possible through a partnership between CBFNC and participating congregations, allowing them to focus more fully on learning the rhythms of congregational life while completing their theological education.
Executive Coordinator Larry Hovis said, “CBFNC has been a generous supporter of theolgoical education, primarily through partner schools, since our founding. Now we are adding practical education in congregational settings to the important work that takes place in the classroom. I appreciate the leadership of Andy Hale and the CBFNC Partnership Deveoopment Team for creating this new avenue of vocational formation.”
Unlike many traditional internships, the CBFNC Field Education Residency Program is intentionally built around formation rather than task completion. Residents will participate in the full life of a congregation, engaging in worship leadership, pastoral care, leadership meetings, administration, discipleship, community engagement and other aspects of congregational ministry under the guidance of experienced supervising pastors. Rather than prescribing identical experiences, each residency will be collaboratively shaped by the student and congregation, recognizing that every church context and every student’s calling are unique.
Throughout the academic year, residents will also participate in monthly cohort gatherings hosted by CBFNC. These conversations will provide opportunities to reflect on ministry experiences, receive coaching from CBFNC staff and seasoned ministry leaders and learn alongside fellow residents as they navigate both the joys and challenges of congregational ministry.
The program also reflects CBFNC’s ongoing commitment to nurturing individual calling while helping congregations thrive. By partnering with healthy churches that are eager to mentor emerging leaders, the Residency Program creates a reciprocal relationship in which students are formed through congregational life while churches are strengthened by the gifts, perspectives and energy these residents bring.
The Inaugural Residency Cohort
This year’s inaugural cohort includes students from Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, Wake Forest University School of Divinity and Duke Divinity School’s Baptist House of Studies, serving in congregations across North Carolina.
The inaugural cohort includes:
- Kenroy Miller will serve at Covenant Baptist Church (Gastonia) under the supervision of Jeff Spargo.
- Lani McKnight will serve at First Baptist Church of Elkin under the supervision of Mark Reece.
- Anjela Monica Opundo will serve at Pritchard Church (Charlotte) under the supervision of Chris Richardson.
- Furaha Espoir will serve at Boiling Springs Baptist Church under the supervision of Keith Dixon.
- Shonda Orr will serve at Providence Baptist Church (Charlotte) under the supervision of Amy Brown.
- Benjamin Wright will serve at Westwood Baptist Church (Cary) under the supervision of Lawrence Powers.
- Lara Howell will serve at Watts Street Baptist Church (Durham) under the supervision of Dorisanne Cooper.
Each of these partnerships was intentionally discerned through a careful review of both student and church applications, considering ministry interests, vocational goals, mentoring philosophies, congregational context and opportunities for holistic ministry formation. The goal is not simply to place students in churches but to cultivate partnerships where residents, supervisors and congregations all grow together through shared ministry.
The participating congregations also represent an important commitment to the future of the Church. By opening their worship, leadership, pastoral care and decision-making processes to emerging leaders, these churches become teaching congregations, investing in the next generation of pastors while continuing to learn alongside them.
Because this is the inaugural year of the CBFNC Field Education Residency Program, it will serve as a collaborative pilot initiative. Students, supervising pastors, congregations and CBFNC staff recognize that they are helping establish the culture and future of the program. Throughout the year, regular reflection, open communication and shared learning will shape future cohorts and strengthen the program for years to come.
As these seven residents begin their journeys this fall, they become the founding cohort of what CBF North Carolina hopes will become a lasting investment in congregational leadership. Their willingness to say “yes,” alongside the congregations and supervising pastors who have committed to walking with them, is helping establish a new pathway for ministry formation rooted in mentorship, shared ministry and the life of healthy local churches.
As this inaugural cohort begins serving across North Carolina, CBFNC looks forward to learning alongside these residents and congregations, strengthening future iterations of the program and continuing its commitment to nurturing individual calling while helping congregations thrive.
