Info
Residency
At College Park Church, we want to ignite a passion to follow Jesus in the next generation of church leaders.
We believe the gospel travels faster and farther when local churches are led by godly, gospel-centered, theologically sound, competent servant-leaders. We also believe that our church is healthier through intentional leadership development. The College Park Church Residency program equips, trains, and launches faithful leaders into strategic gospel ministry in our city and across the world.
Core Values
Frequently Asked Questions
We believe that residents are best served when they can be immersed in the life of the church on a full-time basis. Therefore, residents are paid a full-time salary with benefits.
The residency is a full-time, 40-hour work-week commitment.
Residencies are an 18-month commitment.
Past residents have applied before, during, and after their theological education, but all candidates are college graduates.
Residents are expected to find their own housing. However, housing is provided under certain circumstances.
We match residents with ministry areas of interest and where there’s a need along with scheduling a monthly rotation in every area of ministry in order to provide a deep and well-rounded experience.
From the residency troops on the ground at College Park the word is: this is what they wanted and needed. I thank God for College Park’s remarkable commitment to younger pastors-in-the-making.
Dr. John Piper
Founder and Teacher,
DesiringGod.org
I have confidence in a pastoral residency program where there is a simultaneous emphasis on biblical fidelity, expository preaching, and edifying relationships amongst the people of God. To train a pastor, it is extraordinarily helpful to see and experience a healthy local church.
Dr. Don Carson
Emeritus Professor of New Testament,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
College Park is a welcoming church with excellent pastoral leadership deeply grounded in theology and relevant teaching.
Dr. Erwin Lutzer
Pastor Emeritus,
The Moody Church
What a blessing to be growing in the same direction with College Park Church. Godly pastors, believing people, living church. Beautiful.
Dr. Jim Hamilton
Professor of Biblical Theology,
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Current Residents
Zac Griffith
Pastoral Resident
2021–Present
Hunter Sweet
Communication Resident
2022–Present
Keyon Atkins
Pastoral Resident
2023–Present
Previous Residents
Jeff Ballard
2011–2013
Pastor of Soul Care,
College Park Church
Cameron Bass
2019–2020
Minister of Worship,
First Baptist Church
Chris Beals
2013–2015
Lead Pastor,
Pennington Park Church
Jeff Brown
2018–2020
Lead Pastor,
Soma Northwest Church
Kasey Clark
2019–2021
Discipleship Pastor,
Parkside Bible Church
Evan Collister
2018–2019
Assistant Pastor of Stewardship & Young Adults,
College Park Church
Dustin Crowe
2018–2019
Discipleship Pastor,
Stones Crossing Church
Taylor Frank
2017–2018
Lead Pastor,
Harvest Bible Church
Luke H.
2015–2017
Pastor,
Middle East
Luke Jones
2011–2013
Worship Arts Director,
Castleton Community Church
Joel Israel
2017–2018
Associate Pastor of Family Ministries,
Pennington Park Church
Bob Martin
2011–2013
Pastor of Small Groups & Membership,
College Park Church
Mitchell McIntyre
2018–2019
Worship Leader,
Crosspointe Community Church
Brad Merchant
2017
Pastor of Leadership Development,
College Park Church (2018-2023)
Matthew Mugumya
2019–2020
Pastoral Resident of Student Ministries,
Castleton Community Church
Kevin Myers
2019–2020
Worship Pastor,
242 Community Church
Paul Nystedt
2018–2019
Associate Pastor of Community Care,
Calvary Bible Church
Chris O’Mara
2021–2023
College Park Church
Isa O’Mara
2021
Worship Arts Ministry Coordinator, College Park Church
Joseph Rhea
2013–2015
Technical Writer,
The E Group
Mark Riner
2020
Family & Children’s Pastor,
Wabash Friends Church
Eric Swanson
2014–2016
Pastor of Discipleship,
Castleton Community Church
Marla Vroegop
2021–2023
Counselor,
Luma Counseling
Dan Weller
2014–2016
Lead Pastor,
Chapelwood Baptist Church
