Discipling the next generation of servant leaders since 2013
We help young adults explore who they are in Christ, the importance of authentic community and how their work is eternally significant.
Who we are
The Nashville Fellows is a nine-month leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates who want to excel vocationally, grow theologically, serve purposefully and lead authentically in the context of Christ-centered community. As members of The Fellows Initiative, we seek to inspire and equip emerging leaders for the marketplace, church and society.
Since our inception, we've been a uniquely ecumenical ministry. Many cities have programs that work in tandem with a specific church, but Nashville Fellows has multiple partner churches where our Fellows attend, plant roots and serve. Our partner churches do have differing worship expressions, but they ultimately share a commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ above all else. We love that our Fellows have the chance to be exposed to and come to appreciate different faith traditions while keeping the Gospel at the center of everything.
Our pillars
These four key pillars have helped shape everything we do throughout the year since our founding.
Study
Discover God’s story and your place in it.
Fellows dedicate significant time to learn more about who God is, what God thinks about them and how both of those things inform how we live and love those around us. Over the course of nine months, Nashville Fellows:
Study the entire Bible from cover to cover.
Attend weekly graduate-level seminary courses.
Read books written by C.S. Lewis, John Mark Comer, Tim Keller and more.
Immerse themselves in a church family that spurs on spiritual growth.
Live
Fully engage in all of life, both the beautiful and broken parts.
Life is full of ups and downs, and Fellows are encouraged to engage in every moment in close relationship with:
A home church. Every Fellow is placed at a church where they worship and serve with members and regular attenders.
A host family. Fellows live with a host family who attends the church they’re placed at.
Other fellows. In our program, Fellows spend a lot of time together, giving them an opportunity to live life together, celebrate wins, bear each other’s burdens, hold each other accountable and more.
A mentor. Each Fellow is paired with a mentor who offers care, guidance and encouragement.
Work
Develop your vocational skills and learn about ministry in the marketplace.
For roughly 28 hours a week and often in their desired field, Fellows build critical skills for career growth. In addition to learning about the workplace and earning a paycheck, Fellows are encouraged to explore the intersection of faith and work, and put their beliefs to work in the marketplace.
Rest
Foster community through spiritual rest and reflection.
Even Jesus found time to pull away from crowds to be with the Father. We carve out intentional time for Fellows to spend extended periods in the Word, prayer and in communion with God and each other. One of the highlights of this pillar are regularly scheduled retreats throughout the year.
St. Cuthbert’s Way Pilgrimage
In nearly every way, the Fellows year is an adventure, the first steps recent college graduates take down the path of adulthood. Launching a new career, often in a new city, and learning to trust God at every turn. So, it’s only fitting that our time together ends in a pilgrimage where we walk St. Cuthbert’s Way, named after one of North England’s most revered Saints.
This 62.5-mile walk between Melrose Abbey in Scotland and Holy Island just off England’s Northumberland Coast gives our Fellows an extended amount of time to disconnect from the stresses of daily life and be present with the Father and each other. They have the chance to reflect on what they’ve learned and pray about what’s next, wherever God is leading them.
A Fellow’s typical schedule
While the weekly schedule can change due to weekend retreats, holidays or special events, here’s how a Fellow generally spends their time.
Sunday mornings | ChurchService
Fellows devote time to their church community twice a week, serving in youth ministry, kids ministry and more.
Monday through Thursday | Work
Hours vary depending on the employer.
Tuesday | Roundtable
6 p.m. – Fellows attend a weekly community meal in a home. This time includes a shared meal, prayer, worship and either a testimony or conversation led by a Fellow.
Friday | Class
8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. – Fellows attend a Metanarrative of Scripture and practical theology classes.
12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. – A leadership lunch featuring a speaker from the Nashville area.