Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program

Once you’ve met all the requirements of the Journey program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. Because Journey isn't a graduate-level program, your certificate won't carry academic credit at AMBS. You can, however, apply for undergraduate-level credit at one of our educational partners. Our current partnership is listed below, and we're working on more!

Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA

• Complete the full Journey program.
• Present your Journey certification to the EMU Registrar's office.
• Pay a $300 recording fee to EMU and be entered in the student database.
• Receive 15 credit hours that can be used as elective or general credits toward an undergraduate degree!

Through Journey, you’ll develop strengths in six areas:  

• Spiritual disciplines, especially prayer and inner work
• Bible study and theology from an Anabaptist perspective
• Personal character, including courage, consistency, love, and self-discipline
• Mentoring and community, as you mentor others and are mentored yourself
• Recognizing spiritual gifts in yourself and your congregation
• Leadership skills, including preaching, worship, conflict transformation, time management, and more

The program is divided into 5 units, with a final project that you’ll choose in conversation with your mentor and conference minister.

1. The Biblical Story
2. The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church
3. Anabaptism: Foundations and Future—A Way of Being Church
4. Leadership: The Ministry of Reconciliation
5. Announcement and Celebration: Proclamation and Worship that Participate in the Mission of God

All of the above! Journey combines three different learning environments:

• Online coursework with other participants
• Annual visits to Amigo Centre (Sturgis, MI) and AMBS (Elkhart, IN) (Fall 2020 normally at Amigo Centre will be virtual.)
• Meetings with a local pastoral mentor every two weeks

So, in order to participate, you’ll need to be able to work online, to travel to Fall and Winter Weekend Learning Events (where you’ll pay lodging and meal costs), and to meet with a pastoral mentor approved by your conference minister.
 

• We expect you to do at least 5 hours of study per week during a unit.
• Each of the 5 units runs for 20-22 weeks.
• Sponsoring conferences require an additional final project. 
• The total amount of time to complete the program is 3 years.

Journey follows a regular annual schedule:

• Early September: Fall Weekend Learning Event at Amigo Centre (Sturgis, MI) (Fall 2020 virtual WLE)
• Mid-September to mid-February: Online coursework for Fall unit
• Early February: Winter Weekend Learning Event at AMBS (Elkhart, IN)
• Mid-February to mid-July: Online coursework for Winter unit

You'll benefit in two ways:

• Pricing discounts. We’ve reduced the standard fee of $600 USD per unit to $450 USD per unit for members of sponsoring conferences. You’ll still be responsible for lodging and meal costs at Weekend Learning Events, however.
• Support from conference ministers. You’ll have a special opportunity to develop a relationship with your conference minister through the Journey program. Your conference minister will help you find a pastoral mentor, will attend Weekend Learning Events with you, and will use your input to help shape the future of the Journey program!

Pastoral mentors must be ready to support applicants in a variety of ways. Mentors commit to meeting with their mentee every two weeks as well as regularly reading the participant’s learning journal and participating in annual gatherings. Qualified mentors will also have experience as a pastor, church planter, missionary or have served in another relevant church role. Ideally, a mentor would also have a seminary degree or have completed the Journey program.

Both applicants and pastoral mentors must be recommended for study in the program by district ministers or other suitable officials.

The cost for the Fall session is $450 USD before July 14, and $550 USD after. This does not include fees for the Fall Weekend Learning Event. See Weekend Learning Event fees for more information.

Fees for the Fall Weekend Learning Event are due August 20 and are non-refundable. Fees cover both you and your pastoral mentor for the weekend. 

Meals plus individual rooms: $445 per mentee/mentor pair

Meals plus shared room, 2 per room: $275 per mentee/mentor pair 

Meals plus shared room, 3 per room: $220 per mentee/mentor pair

Meals plus shared room, 4 per room: $190 per mentee/mentor pair

Meals only: $110 per mentee/mentor pair

Refund policy:

1) A $300 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance.
2) The remaining tuition payment is due by the first day of the session.
3) No refunds will be granted after the first week of class.
4) Weekend Learning Event lodging and meal fees are due 2 weeks before the event and are non-refundable.