2021-2022 – An Invitation
Applicants are sought for a one-year 1001 New Worshiping Community residency established by La ROCA Training Center in Fresno CA, in partnership with Fuente de Gracia in Sanger CA, and the Presbytery of San Joaquin and its NWC Committee.
Applications, including letters of reference, are due by March 15, 2021.
We the Parish Council of La ROCA, a North Fresno NWC, and Fuente de Gracia, a Sanger NWC, are very happy to have been elected as a NWC residency site in the county of Fresno. The desire for such program is to give highly-promising prospective Hispanic NWC ministry leaders the opportunity to be mentored by an experienced church planter and ministry developer as they receive God’s call to lead their own NWC or to continue the development of their current ministry and talents.
There are a number of factors (language, culture, economic, theology, etc.) that make it difficult for Hispanic leaders to participate in existing theological and ministerial trainings. We believe that our ministry is an ideal place for those interested in finding opportunities to serve their community in collaboration with other organizations. God has placed a deep desire in our hearts to have a place where children, youth, and families can be empowered to grow spiritually, socially, physically, and emotionally healthy. Our vision is to provide a place with activities and services that will create positive youth development and build stronger families which can actively influence their community by getting involved in it to help others get to Know, to Love, and to Serve Jesus.
Among the significant benefits of a residency with us is working in an environment that is intentionally designed for those in the Hispanic community to grow in faith and in discipleship, a community which values every individual and a ministry team that seeks to identify and meet the needs of the local community by working in partnership with two denominations. A resident would have the opportunity to lead and help develop new ministries in order to help our NWCs continue to grow, to do outreach events, and to learn new ways to sustain our ministries.
Lastly, the residents will be led by leaders with decades of experience in leading church programs as well as Hispanic and bilingual ministries which makes them a great assets and mentors to any individual considering being a NWC leader. It is our desire to develop future leaders as we continue to lead two NWCs and other future missional opportunities in the valley.
Our program will strive to help residents
• Grow in their fellowship with God
• Live as disciples of Jesus at home, in the community, and in the world
• Discern a possible call to NWC work
• Gain experience in Hispanic/Latinx ministry context
• Engage in service and mission to the community
• Participate in the life and ministries of our NWCs
Residency Training Program Opportunity
• A 3 year Residency established by La ROCA and Fuente de Gracia Parish in partnership with the Presbytery of San Joaquin
• Two to three candidates are encouraged to apply
• Bilingual preferred but not required, all are encourage to apply
A three step program:
1. Discernment Period
• Candidate will learn to work as part of a ministry team
• Candidate will participate in the use of his/her gifts in the main areas of ministry within our Parish under the supervision of the Ministry Team or the NWC Leader. Those areas will include, Worship, Outreach, Youth and Children’s ministry, and leadership development
• Will complete the first part of Biblical Training Course
2. Ministerial Period
• Candidate will lead and coordinate one of our major ministries under the supervision of the Ministry Team or the NWC Leader
• Candidate will be a member of our Ministry Team
• Candidate might be given the opportunity to be a part of one of our Steering Committees or our Parish Council
• Will complete the second part of Biblical Training Course
3. Your Own Adventure
• A period where the candidate will be encouraged to discern and start a contextual and transformative new ministry from scratch.
• The starting ministry could be a NWC or any other Adventure that will help them discover God’s call.
• Finish last part of Biblical Training Course
• Write a report or summary of his/her experience with the program
Residents will report directly to the NWC Leader, and will take part in our ministry team meetings. There will be weekly meetings to discuss short, medium, and long-range goals for the community. At these meetings, there will be accountability for tasks assigned to the residents.
Financial Support: The total package available for support of this residency varies according to each candidate for the year, it includes salary and health insurance support. La ROCA will work with the successful candidate to organize the package to be most beneficial to each of the residents. The residents will be an employee of the Presbytery of San Joaquin.
Selected applicants will take part in the National 1001 New Worshiping Communities Residency and Apprenticeship Gathering (location/dates TBD and costs covered, likely Oct or Nov 2021)
Applications, including letters of reference, are due by March 15, 2021.
Site contact information
Alex González, NWC Leader
559-776-1132
acyag1@gmail.com
Application checklist
Cover letter including:
What attracts you to this residency?
What do you hope to gain out of this experience?
Completed application
Two Letters of Recommendation
Application deadline is March 15, 2021 or when the position has been filled. Questions? Contact Alex González, at acyag1@gmail.com, or Sara Hayden at sara.hayden@pcusa.org.
Email your completed application and cover letter to the following persons:
Alex González, NWC Leader at acyag1@gmail.com
Sara Hayden at sara.hayden@pcusa.org