They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Disciples making disciples
Planted is a ministry of Christian Fellowship Church in Evansville, Indiana. We exist to equip church leaders for a lifetime of fruitful ministry, glorifying God by making disciples of all people.
The future of the local church needs leaders who won’t wilt under pressure.
Ministry is demanding, and the statistics are clear: over 40% of pastors seriously consider walking away. The next generation of church leaders needs more than just theological knowledge; they need resilience, clarity, and hands-on competence to survive and thrive for a lifetime of discipleship-focused ministry.
We believe in planting deep roots. Like the trees described in Jeremiah 17:7-8, you need to be planted by the river–strong, stable, and fruitful, even when the inevitable drought hits.
Bible college and seminary provide excellent training, but are often unable to provide students with the hands-on experience necessary to thrive in life-long vocational ministry. Planted bridges that gap. Here, you don’t just think about ministry; you do ministry, with coaching and mentoring from seasoned ministry leaders.
Our program is engineered to make sure you’re not one of the 40%:
If you are serious about a life-long, disciple-making ministry, Planted is where you put down deep roots and prepare to outlast the difficult seasons of ministry.
Ministry is demanding, and the statistics are clear: over 40% of pastors seriously consider walking away. The next generation of church leaders needs more than just theological knowledge; they need resilience, clarity, and hands-on competence to survive and thrive for a lifetime of discipleship-focused ministry.
We believe in planting deep roots. Like the trees described in Jeremiah 17:7-8, you need to be planted by the river–strong, stable, and fruitful, even when the inevitable drought hits.
Bible college and seminary provide excellent training, but are often unable to provide students with the hands-on experience necessary to thrive in life-long vocational ministry. Planted bridges that gap. Here, you don’t just think about ministry; you do ministry, with coaching and mentoring from seasoned ministry leaders.
Our program is engineered to make sure you’re not one of the 40%:
- Clarity of Calling: Test, confirm, or discover your ministry calling through real-world, hands-on experience.
- High-Level Coaching: Receive dedicated mentorship that pushes your limits to grow your ministry competency.
- Sustainable Ministry: Build the spiritual resilience and healthy habits required for a life-long kingdom impact.
If you are serious about a life-long, disciple-making ministry, Planted is where you put down deep roots and prepare to outlast the difficult seasons of ministry.
Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship is a one-year, part time program for individuals ready to explore their ministry calling or jump into meaningful, high-impact, hands-on experience.
Apprentices will:
Apprentices will:
- Play a Key Role: Focus intensely on one specific ministry area, usually focusing on a major project or event where you will play a pivotal role.
- Receive High-Level Coaching: Get dedicated, one-on-one coaching and mentoring from a seasoned ministry leader in your area of focus.
- Engage in Ongoing Education: Participate in focused education sessions covering a range of topics in Bible, theology, church practice, and ministry calling.
- Partner with Another Apprentice: You will be paired with another apprentice for intentional peer-to-peer discipleship and accountability.
Residency
The Residency is a two-year, full time program for individuals who are preparing to enter vocational ministry and need to build hands-on experience.
Residents will:
Residents will:
- Own a Key Role: Focus intensely on one specific ministry area, usually focused around an ongoing program where you will serve in a leadership role.
- Broadly Engage: Rotate through the areas of ministry outside of your focus area to gain a broader understanding of the church and its ministries.
- Receive High-Level Coaching: Get dedicated, one-on-one coaching and mentoring from a seasoned ministry leader in your area of focus.
- Engage in Ongoing Education: Participate in focused education sessions covering a range of topics in Bible, theology, church practice, and ministry calling.
- Partner with Another Resident: You will be paired with another resident for intentional peer-to-peer discipleship and accountability.
Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship is a one-year, part time program for individuals ready to explore their ministry calling or jump into meaningful, high-impact, hands-on experience.
Apprentices will:
Apprentices will:
- Play a Key Role: Focus intensely on one specific ministry area, usually focusing on a major project or event where you will play a pivotal role.
- Receive High-Level Coaching: Get dedicated, one-on-one coaching and mentoring from a seasoned ministry leader in your area of focus.
- Engage in Ongoing Education: Participate in focused education sessions covering a range of topics in Bible, theology, church practice, and ministry calling.
- Partner with Another Apprentice: You will be paired with another apprentice for intentional peer-to-peer discipleship and accountability.
Residency
The Residency is a two-year, full time program for individuals who are preparing to enter vocational ministry and need to build hands-on experience.
Residents will:
Residents will:
- Own a Key Role: Focus intensely on one specific ministry area, usually focused around an ongoing program where you will serve in a leadership role.
- Broadly Engage: Rotate through the areas of ministry outside of your focus area to gain a broader understanding of the church and its ministries.
- Receive High-Level Coaching: Get dedicated, one-on-one coaching and mentoring from a seasoned ministry leader in your area of focus.
- Engage in Ongoing Education: Participate in focused education sessions covering a range of topics in Bible, theology, church practice, and ministry calling.
- Partner with Another Resident: You will be paired with another resident for intentional peer-to-peer discipleship and accountability.
Zach Tinner
High School Pastor
North Point Community Church | Atlanta, GA
My time at CFC set the foundation for how I do ministry to this day. Whether leading a dozen college students in our living room, or platforms with thousands, I often time find myself thinking back on how grateful I am for the time I spent at CFC. I have been around several church internship and residency programs and I would choose the time I spent at CFC every time.
Joe Effinger
Worship Team Leader
Christian Fellowship Church | Evansville, IN
My internship at CFC was helpful because it gave me practical experience for serving in ministry. As a volunteer you might only see the surface of how things work. It also helped develop a heart for people and a desire to build deeper relationships with the people I was serving, and serving with. I was set up for success and allowed me to step right from the internship into full time ministry.
Katie Schultheis
Nurse
Deaconess Hospital | Evansville, IN
My time as an intern at CFC gave me hands on experience of entering into people’s problems and pain. Though I didn’t end up in vocational ministry, this has helped me to be a better mom, wife, and friend.
Christian Barrett
Young Adult Pastor
Westwood Church | Evansville, IN
My time as an intern at CFC helped me understand what ministry functionally looked like and exposed me to the good and hard times that often come with vocational ministry. The hands-on ministry experience, personal feedback, and mentorship I received helped me discern my desire to go into ministry and set me up for a life in ministry. My experience at CFC was foundational in developing me into the shepherd I am today, as it helped me begin to connect theology and pastoral care and develop a personal philosophy of ministry.
Lisa Baker
Student Worship Coordinator
Christian Fellowship Church | Evansville, IN
To say it had a big impact on me would be an understatement! I was surrounded by ministry leaders who loved the Lord and modeled what it looks like to serve and love others in ministry. The internship program equipped me with lifelong relationships with not only the other interns, but with the students I served with. I am so thankful for the time I had as an intern. It equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and background that led me to a job that I love dearly.
Lindsey Stein
Stay at Home Mom
I loved my internship in student ministry at CFC! I was able to learn from others who had a lot of experience in ministry. My experience was transformative in my walk with Christ and helped me learn how to minister to young women effectively. The internship prepared me well for my full-time role in student ministry that I did for about 7 years.
Kristina Effinger
Administrative Assistant
Christian Fellowship Church | Evansville, IN
I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about how to plant seeds but trust God with the outcome. It was great to see the behind the scenes of ministry.
Timothy Effinger
Flight Student
Moody Aviation | Spokane, WA
My time at CFC allowed me to work alongside some great people. I saw how they did ministry, dealt with conflict, and solved problems. As a young man it helped teach me how to work with people and be a part of a church community.
Zach Tinner
High School Pastor
North Point Community Church | Atlanta, GA
My time at CFC set the foundation for how I do ministry to this day. Whether leading a dozen college students in our living room, or platforms with thousands, I often time find myself thinking back on how grateful I am for the time I spent at CFC. I have been around several church internship and residency programs and I would choose the time I spent at CFC every time.
Joe Effinger
Worship Team Leader
Christian Fellowship Church | Evansville, IN
My internship at CFC was helpful because it gave me practical experience for serving in ministry. As a volunteer you might only see the surface of how things work. It also helped develop a heart for people and a desire to build deeper relationships with the people I was serving, and serving with. I was set up for success and allowed me to step right from the internship into full time ministry.
Katie Schultheis
Nurse
Deaconess Hospital | Evansville, IN
My time as an intern at CFC gave me hands on experience of entering into people’s problems and pain. Though I didn’t end up in vocational ministry, this has helped me to be a better mom, wife, and friend.
Christian Barrett
Young Adult Pastor
Westwood Church | Evansville, IN
My time as an intern at CFC helped me understand what ministry functionally looked like and exposed me to the good and hard times that often come with vocational ministry. The hands-on ministry experience, personal feedback, and mentorship I received helped me discern my desire to go into ministry and set me up for a life in ministry. My experience at CFC was foundational in developing me into the shepherd I am today, as it helped me begin to connect theology and pastoral care and develop a personal philosophy of ministry.
Lisa Baker
Student Worship Coordinator
Christian Fellowship Church | Evansville, IN
Lindsey Stein
Stay at Home Mom
To say it had a big impact on me would be an understatement! I was surrounded by ministry leaders who loved the Lord and modeled what it looks like to serve and love others in ministry. The internship program equipped me with lifelong relationships with not only the other interns, but with the students I served with. I am so thankful for the time I had as an intern. It equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and background that led me to a job that I love dearly.
I loved my internship in student ministry at CFC! I was able to learn from others who had a lot of experience in ministry. My experience was transformative in my walk with Christ and helped me learn how to minister to young women effectively. The internship prepared me well for my full-time role in student ministry that I did for about 7 years.
Kristina Effinger
Administrative Assistant
Christian Fellowship Church | Evansville, IN
I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about how to plant seeds but trust God with the outcome. It was great to see the behind the scenes of ministry.
Timothy Effinger
Flight Student
Moody Aviation | Spokane, WA
My time at CFC allowed me to work alongside some great people. I saw how they did ministry, dealt with conflict, and solved problems. As a young man it helped teach me how to work with people and be a part of a church community.