STUDENT INFORMATION
To join the LAUNCH program and prepare for full-time ministry, here are the next steps…
Talk with Your Pastor - The LAUNCH program is built on the participation of a mentoring pastor. It will be best for you to talk to the pastor at your church that you’d like to mentor you BEFORE you apply and they get a reference form. You do not have to choose the senior pastor- depending on what you feel called to you may want to mentor under the youth pastor, executive pastor, care pastor, etc. After your conversation with them, please direct them to the pastors page
Fill Out the Application - Once you’ve talked to your pastor, please fill out the application so we can start the acceptance process. The application deadline for each year is August 1.
We’ll Take It From There - We will send out a form to your ministry reference, a Commitment Form to your pastor, and schedule an Application Interview. As long as our Admissions Committee feels you can succeed in the LAUNCH program, we will be thrilled to accept you.
Student Requirements
There are many aspects of being prepared to go into full-time ministry, and the LAUNCH program is designed to build on several already established foundations. The following prerequisites are necessary for acceptance to the program:
Demonstrated Lifestyle of a Mature Disciple - This program is for those who are already walking as committed, mature disciples of Jesus. This will be demonstrated through the references, application, and interview process.
Sense of Calling to Ministry - This program is not simply for those who want more knowledge or to grow in their faith. It is designed for adults who feel called to full-time ministry. For this reason, the applicant should be clear that they desire to move into vocational ministry or key volunteer leadership within the church.
A Solid Biblical Foundation - LAUNCH is not primarily a Bible school, but a ministry training school. For this reason, applicants must demonstrate a solid working knowledge of the Bible. If this has not already been established, then we may ask students to go through some Biblical training before applying to LAUNCH.
Basic English Competency and Writing Skills - To succeed in this program, you must have a solid grasp of both English and written communication. This will be judged through the application essays. If you need improvement in this area, you will be asked to do a free 12-hour Writing Skills class before acceptance to the program.
Familiarity with Radiant’s Beliefs, Values, and Ministry - We want you to be exposed to who the Radiant movement is as you join our school. If you have not attended one before, we ask that you watch the 90-minute Be Radiant class to receive this introduction.
LAUNCH Completion Requirements
The following are the requirements for completing the LAUNCH Program and receiving a Radiant School of Ministry Certificate of Ministry Leadership:
You must attend all 6 equipping retreats over the 2 years. These are central to the program and cannot be skipped. Please check the dates and your calendar to make sure you are able to attend.
You must read through the Bible over the 2 years of the program.
You must complete all the work for each distance course in the program. (4 hours/week)
You must be active in practical ministry under the supervision and mentoring of a local church pastor. (6-8 hours/week)
You must regularly attend the weekly online discussion time for your ministry class. (2 hours/week)
Collectively, you should expect to spend between 12-14 hours per week into this program. This will overlap with your current church and ministry involvement, so this will not all be new work. This is the necessary investment to prepare yourself for full-time ministry over 2 years.
CLASS SCHEDULE
1st Term
+ Life of a Leader
+ Destiny by Design
2nd Term
+ Missions
+ Personal Evangelism
3rd Term
+ School of the Spirit
+ Essential Theology
4th Term
+ Marriage & Sexuality
+ Discipleship & Care
5th Term
+ Preaching & Hosting A Service
+ Living a Life of Excellence
6th Term
+ Church Management
+ Leadership
7th Term
+ Ministering in the Spirit
+ Shepherding a Church
8th Term
+ Principles of a Fruitful Ministry
+ Pioneering
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click the question to reveal the answer.
How much does the program cost?
During the first two years, the tuition for LAUNCH will be $3,200 per year per student. This includes everything except their textbooks or their travel costs to attend the retreats. For 3 or more students from the same host church, we offer a discount applied directly to the student’s tuition.
How long does this program last?
LAUNCH is a 2-year program. There will be breaks for holidays and the summer.
When are the retreats?
- Late September
- Early February
- Late April
Am I Guaranteed a Job Within My Local Church After Graduation?
No, neither you or your church are committing to employment at the end of the LAUNCH program by signing up for LAUNCH. However, we expect that there may be some cases where employment is beneficial to both you and the church after graduation.
I’m a recent high school graduate, is LAUNCH a good fit for me?
LAUNCH is designed to train working adults for full-time ministry. Radiant School of Ministry’s full time program in Kalamazoo, MI would be a better fit for you to pursue vocational ministry. If you aren’t sure which program would be a better fit for you, please contact us.
Are Online Classes Hosted a Certain Night of the Week?
No, the classes will be asynchronous, meaning that you will be able to complete your required class work throughout the week as it fits your schedule. However, we do suggest that you’ve at least watched your instructor’s teaching videos for the week before Monday when you meet with your peer group.
What are the Monday Night Peer Groups?
On Monday nights, you’ll meet with a member of the leadership team and your cohort of students online to share testimonies, hear a timely word, or pray over each other. Then you’ll break off into smaller groups on Zoom to dive deeper.