The River Valley Residency is a 1 to 2 year program for young adults who are called to vocational ministry. We combine theological education with hands-on ministry experience in a thriving multi-site (4 campuses) church, located in the beautiful Rogue Valley in southwest Oregon. Our residency gives you a working insight into church life, while allowing you to drill down in a specific area such as Adult Pastoral Ministry, Youth Ministry, Kids Ministry, Worship Ministry, Communications and more. Candidates should be able to articulate a specific call into vocational ministry. At the end of the program, residents will be experienced and hirable as staff in a church or ministry setting.
The program begins every August, but applications are always accepted. Residency invitations are extended in the spring preceding the beginning of residency.
Residents will be under the mentorship of the Residency Director and at least one staff mentor. Residency will consist of education and mentoring meetings, both as groups and one-on-one. Residents will spend the bulk of their time in hands-on ministry work. We see you as part of the staff family – you’ll participate in meetings and staff socials, help lead teams, activities, and services, and work side by side with pastors.
Applications are always open; cohorts begin every August. (Applications for a fall cohort are typically reviewed after January and invitations are extended by the end March, preceding a new cohort). For more info, click HERE (FAQ).
(Full-Time)
The 1-year option calls for a 40-hour week commitment and comes with a stipend for expenses. Weekly time commitment includes both paid work experience and unpaid educational and mentoring hours. Residents from out of the area will be housed in host homes. Applicants should have a bachelor’s in biblical studies / ministry or at be close to completing a bachelor’s in biblical studies / ministry. While there is no age limit, applicants typically are in their 20s or 30s.
(Part-Time)
The 2-year option calls for a 20 to 25 hour week commitment. Weekly time commitment includes both paid work experience and unpaid educational and mentoring hours. Residents from out of the area will be housed in host homes. Applicants need not have completed a degree but will be encouraged to pursue college level education in biblical studies / ministry. A stipend may be available to supplement part time work or help with tuition. While there is no age limit, applicants typically are in between 19 and their 30s.
(Second Career)
RVC RELAUNCH is 1 to 2 year residency program for adults who are called to vocational ministry as a second career. Length of residency will be tailored to the applicant. A 1-year Relaunch residency calls for a 30 to 40-hour week commitment. Residencies longer than 12 months will call for a 15 to 25 hour week commitment, tailored to the applicant. Weekly time commitment includes both paid work experience and unpaid educational and mentoring hours. Applicants will be encouraged to pursue education in biblical studies / ministry. RVC Relaunch will begin in Fall of 2027.
River Valley Church is a 4 campus, non-denominational multisite church of about 2000 people based in the Rogue River valley of southwestern Oregon. (RVC began over 140 years ago as the First Baptist Church of Grants Pass.) We are relentlessly biblical and focused on discipleship making – or as we say a lot around here: following Jesus together. Each week, our campuses all teach live (rather than ‘beaming in’ a single teacher) on the same topic – usually going through a book of the Bible. We have vibrant ministries for kids, youth, men, and women, and a strong ‘life group’ program, as well as classes and seminars on key topics.
In any craft, education is important but hands-on experience is invaluable. Our residency puts you in a collegial setting to grow in learning while placing you in everyday ministry. You will serve and lead under caring mentors, including time for spiritual formation. We also build in intentional mentorship in spiritual formation and practical ministry and life skills. The RV Residency will expose you to all major areas of operations in the church and also allow you extensive experience in an area of specialty related to your gift and calling. We want to train church leaders, not just specific ministry area leaders.
Residency involves exposure, experience, and evaluation of regular church ministries (including weekend services, Youth and Kids ministries, small group (Life Group), congregational care and outreach ministries, and various areas of logistical support – communications, office and facilities). In addition, residents engage in multiple learning and practice opportunities, including a mission trip. You are considered part of the ministry Team at RVC and invited to all pastoral meetings
Candidates are expected to be actively pursuing a career in ministry. Typical residents are between 19 and their 30s, but there is no artificial age limit. RVC Relaunch is for people pursuing a second career, typically over 40. It is expected that residents will engage in reading, thinking, discussion, and writing about theology and ministry, but above all, a servant’s heart, love for people, and a diligent work ethic are expected in all residents. Their lives should be marked by an active pursuit of holiness. There is no age or gender requirement. Residents may be single or married. Candidates must be available to engage with this program during regular working hours and evenings, though we can adapt to work schedules for part-time residents with outside jobs. As a church, expect some weekend hours. However, we intentionally designate Sabbath space in your week.
Your exact plan will vary, especially between part time and full time residents, but typically….
Monday: Cohort and mentoring meetings; shadow or work time
Tuesday: Cohort and mentoring meetings; shadow or work time; afternoon staff meeting
Wednesday: Shadow or work time; afternoon staff meeting; evening youth night (if working with youth)
Thursday: Partial work day; evening body life meeting (if working with adults or kids)
Friday: Sabbath
Saturday: Evening service
Sunday: Morning services
RVC has committed resources to this program, especially in equipping and stipends. Part-time residents will need to factor in a part-time job or raising support to add to any stipend funds. Our congregation has also stepped up with host homes for out-of-area residents. Full-time residents receive a larger stipend but have personal responsibility for additional funds and may wish to raise support to supplement any stipend.
The stipend ranges from $600 a month to $1500 a month, depending on the type of residency and hours of commitment.
Residency year runs from August to July (2-year residencies repeat this cycle). Time off includes major holidays and about a week after Christmas. In addition, there are 3 weeks off granted per year.
While there is no guarantee of an opening or a job, residency can feel like a prolonged job interview; you need to put your best foot forward because we hope to hire residents as much as we can. In addition, we are planning to plant new RVC campuses in the region in the future. We will mentor successful residents through the resume and job search process if we cannot hire you ourselves.
If you are from out of area, you are moving here for at least a year. You will need to provide your own car, laptop, phone, and health insurance. You will need a valid passport for mission trips. If you are accepted and moving from out of the area we will give you lots of advice and help for your relocation.