Through real-world ministry experience and in-depth biblical instruction, the Watermark Institute equips current and future church leaders to serve the body of Christ today and long into the future.
Discipleship Program Overview
Christ works through the Watermark Institute to make lifelong impacts in the lives of the participants, no matter what path their future career takes them.
We focus not only on head knowledge, but on the condition of your heart, the work of your hands, and the overall health of the church.
Watermark Institute
Who is this for?
The Watermark Institute is for anyone who wants to grow in their walk with Christ and explore whether God may be calling them into full-time ministry. It is designed to help participants grow spiritually, theologically, and vocationally as they gain real-world ministry experience.
Ministry Residency or Fellowship Program
Choose Your Track
Both the residency and fellowship programs focus on a holistic approach to training future church leaders, but they are designed for people in different life stages.
Ministry Residency
Recent or soon-to-be college graduates or college-aged people with work experience exploring making ministry a full-time career.
- Age - Typically 22-24 year olds
- Time commitment – One full day of class each week, two additional class days per month, 10 hours working in ministry
- Compensation – Provided with housing (or a housing allowance on a case by case basis) and have the ability to work part-time
Ministry Fellowship
Proven leaders who have been faithfully serving their church as a lay member for many years and are considering turning this service into a vocation.
- Age - Typically 25+ year olds
- Time commitment - One full day of class each week, two additional class days per month, 20 hours working in ministry
- Compensation - Provided with housing (or a housing allowance on a case by case basis) and receive a monthly stipend
"I came into the Watermark Institute worn out and close to giving up on the church. God used my year in the Institute to instruct my head in the truths of Christ, refresh my heart for a greater love of Christ, and re-energize my hands for service to Christ. I now have a greater love for Christ than ever before and that has led to a greater impact for Christ."
Derek Matthews
There is no better way that I could have spent a year. I gained a deeper love for God, a greater knowledge of His Word, and new passion to pass it on.
Kirby Wagner
The Institute was the greatest thing I have ever done to prepare me for the ministry I am in now! The biblical and theological training I received equipped me to faithfully and correctly handle the word of God, and I fell in love with what God intends to do through the local church.
Brie Odom
Apply to the Watermark Institute
Institute applications have closed for the class of 2026–27. Follow us on social to stay informed about when applications open.
Church Leadership Resources
Our Church Leadership Podcast, regular blogs, and deep library of discipleship resources encourage and educate church leaders as they serve in their specific ministry context.
Podcast
Mistakes Young Leaders Make
Blake Holmes shares five common mistakes young leaders make.
Podcast7 Ways to Develop Young Leaders
We keep asking why the next generation is leaving the Church, but Grant Skeldon thinks we’re asking the wrong question. Instead, we should be asking, how are we discipling the next generation? In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the 2025 Church Leaders Conference, Grant calls us to stop handwringing over what is wrong and to start identifying what is working. He explores key discipleship moments for raising up the next generation leaders and what you can do to help develop more young leaders in the church.
PodcastHow to Invest in Young Leaders
In this follow-up episode to "7 Ways to Develop Young Leaders,” John McGee sits down with Emma Dotter, Director of Join The Journey, and Kylen Perry, Executive Director of The Porch, to unpack practical ways to develop young leaders. In this conversation, Emma and Kylen reflect on pivotal moments from their own leadership journeys and offer wisdom for both young adults navigating their calling and for veteran leaders looking to invest well into the next generation.