Training Leaders

Watermark Institute

Taking Gifted Leaders to the Next Level

The Watermark Institute Fellowship is designed for proven leaders who already have a few years of work experience (typically people who are 25+ years old). If you are faithfully leading others in ministry as a lay leader and feel called to make it your vocation—or if you are already in vocational ministry but want to gain more training and experience—the Fellowship may be right for you.

What Is the Fellowship Like?

The Fellowship provides much more than just classroom teaching (although it does include that). Fellows get to experience living and serving together in a close community that is authentic and fun. The goal is not to simply fill your head with more knowledge, but to encourage your heart to fall more in love with Christ and give you a vision of what a healthy local church can look like.

Applications Closed

Institute applications have closed for the class of 2025–26.

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Male students sitting at classroom desks in the Watermark Institute teaching session.

“The Fellowship deepened my love for the Lord and knowledge of His Word (Matthew 22:37). It is full of people who love the Lord and are learning how to better love and lead others in the context of vocational ministry. Ministry is often ‘caught, not taught’, and this was learning by doing.”

Connor Baxter

WHAT DOES A WEEK LOOK LIKE?

While your schedule will change depending on what ministry you serve, a typical week could look like:

Day	Schedule
Monday	A full day together. In addition to walking through the Old Testament and New Testament, Monday includes “family time,” which focuses on the heart and life of a Christian leader. During this time, fellows learn about spiritual disciplines, character formation, and take time to share and pray for each other. Mondays also include “Director’s Time” which are ministry “how-to” sessions where directors on our staff share practical tips for handling common pastoral and leadership challenges.
Tuesday	Join Watermark staff for a weekly staff prayer meeting. Additionally, meet with your specific ministry team for a weekly team meeting.
Wednesday	Possible Ministry Hours
Thursday	Possible Ministry Hours
Friday	Twice a month, we have Friday classes. The first class our students participate in is a theology, doctrine, and apologetic class called Foundations. The other class is called Life Lessons which covers a variety of topics from a Biblical perspective in a discussion-based setting.
Saturday	Studying, working or resting
Sunday	Possible Ministry Hours

Fellows serve with their ministry teams 20 hours a week. Each Fellow has a ministry team that they serve with during the Institute, although there are many opportunities to learn from other teams on our staff throughout the year. There are many different ministry teams to serve with during the Institute, from Student Ministry to Pastoral Care to Worship. Besides doing impactful ministry work, Fellows also receive coaching and development from those on their ministry team and the Institute team.

Watermark Institute, female students group, fellowshipping at the camp retreat.

“The best part of The Fellowship was finding new intimacy with Jesus. Learning His Word and being with His people resulted in a deeper understanding of who God is.”

Dinah Wright

Who should apply?: The Fellowship is designed for proven leaders who already have a few years of work experience (typically people who are 25+ years old). If you are faithfully leading others in ministry as a lay leader and feel called to make it your vocation—or if you are already in vocational ministry but want to gain more training and experience—the Fellowship may be right for you.
Do Fellows receive financial compensation?: Fellows are provided with housing (or a housing allowance) and a monthly stipend. They are also able to work part-time, either within or outside of the church. We strongly advise you not to apply if you have a considerable amount of student or consumer debt.
What do people do after completing the Fellowship?: One of the goals of the Institute is to help Fellows figure out their best next step. Many go directly into full time ministry, some attend seminary and others may decide to pursue a different vocation.
Can I work during the Fellowship?: Because of the high time commitment of both ministry hours and class work in the Fellowship, participants are not able to work full-time, or take any additional schooling (including seminary) during the 10-month program. In light of this, Watermark provides Fellows with housing (or a housing allowance on a case by case basis) and a monthly stipend to help cover other living expenses. If part time work is necessary, we encourage Fellows to work no more than 9 additional hours of part-time work.

A classroom setting inside of a Watermark Institute session featuring a student writing notes.

“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.”