Program Overview
The Wellspring Pastoral Residency is a two-year formation journey for those called to pastoral ministry.
The Wellspring Pastoral Residency is built around three rhythms of formation: Experience, Exposure, and Education.Residents serve in the life of the local church while pursuing formal theological education, growing through mentorship, hands-on leadership, and intentional spiritual formation.
This is a season of becoming, where calling is clarified, character is formed, and ministry is learned in real time.
Length: 2 Years
Commitment: 25 hours/week + seminary education
Location: Indian Wells, CA
Start Date: August 1 each year
Applications: Open year-round
What Residents Receive
Residents are invited into real ministry life while pursuing fully funded seminary education.
This is not observation, it is participation.
Throughout the residency, residents will:
Serve in hands-on ministry across the church
Grow under consistent mentorship from pastoral leaders
Participate in leadership opportunities, including teaching, vision moments, and pastoral care
Engage with a variety of ministry environments and church contexts
Develop a grounded and personal philosophy of ministry
Formation happens in the everyday rhythm of real church life.
Weekly Structure
Residents commit approximately 25 hours per week to ministry formation at Wellspring.
This rhythm is designed to combine hands-on ministry with intentional leadership development.
10 Hours — Ministry Rotations
Residents serve in a variety of ministry environments across the church, gaining practical experience, leadership exposure, and real ministry training.
15 Hours — Formation Development
This includes mentorship, leadership gatherings, pastoral development, theological reflection, assigned reading, and team-based formation environments.
Note: Seminary coursework is separate from residency hours and is not included in the weekly 25-hour commitment.
Application Process
The application process is designed to help both applicants and our leadership discern calling, character, and fit for residency life.
1. Apply Online
Submit your application through our website, including required materials and references.
2. Introductory Phone Call
A conversation to hear your story, ministry background, and interest in the residency.
3. Culture Interview
Focus on character, chemistry, teachability, and alignment with Wellspring’s values and culture.
4. Competency Interview
Evaluation of leadership capacity, ministry experience, communication, and practical ministry skills.
5. Pastoral Interview
A deeper conversation around theology, calling, spiritual formation, and pastoral readiness.
6. Final Interview
Final discernment with senior leadership before residency decisions are made.
If you sense a call toward pastoral ministry, we invite you to explore the Wellspring Pastoral Residency.
We would love to walk with you as you discern what God may be forming in your life.