Bethany Kunz is a current student in the Discipleship & Missions Year (Christian gap year program) at Touch the World, a missions training organization based in Allendale, NJ, that "creates opportunities for youth to encounter God and engage their faith through missions... to live on mission every day, everywhere." She's enrolled in Anchor Christian University courses integrated into the program as well.

In this conversation, Bethany discusses her experience in the Discipleship & Missions Year. She shares her background, how she discovered the program, and her initial resistance to it. Bethany also talks about the challenges and benefits of the program, including intensive learning, emotional growth, and building real community. Bethany discusses the easy and challenging aspects of the program, her progress in dealing with emotions, and upcoming outreach trips. She also shares her goals for the Greece trip, team dynamics, and her next steps in personal development.

Andrea Kroeze is the Training and Curriculum Coordinator at Touch the World, a missions training organization based in Allendale, NJ, that "creates opportunities for youth to encounter God and engage their faith through missions... to live on mission every day, everywhere." TTW launched the Discipleship & Missions Year (Christian gap year program) in Fall 2023, integrated with Anchor Christian University courses via the Eleven:6 network platform, and hosted at TTW's Missions Center in PA.

We kick off the episode talking about Andrea's personal journey, from youth missions trips to serving with Touch the World after college, to full time missions in Uganda, and back to the US to serve with Touch the World. We also explore the various aspects of Touch the World, including training and partnerships for short-term missions, the network and partnerships of Touch the World, missionaries and mission organizations utilizing Touch the World, and how the Discipleship & Missions Year fits within that ecosystem. And we touch on the early results (impact!) the TTW team is seeing from the program approach as the vision and curriculum design manifest in transformation for each unique student this year.

Braided throughout is Andrea's unique perspective, formed through her deep experience across the full range of missions platforms and through her broad and deep study of best practices in the field, on the challenges and opportunities for training next gen leaders for effective gospel mission, wherever God takes them.

Luc Stout shares his journey from growing up in a ministry family to finding his own faith and committing to a fully sold out life for Jesus. He discusses his experience at the Word of Life Bible Institute and the impact of snow camp on his faith. Luc also talks about the value of education and ministry and his decision to pursue an internship at Word of Life. He shares his experience leading a discipleship group and his choice to attend Anchor Christian University. Luc concludes by discussing his vision for the future and his desire to teach and preach in ministry.

Our lively conversation covers various themes related to spiritual growth, ministry partnerships, unconventional education, the impact of Anchor Christian University projects, and the importance of practical teaching. A key theme is the impact of invested mentors and profs (like Tommy Sewall and Dwight Peterson) and parents through the journey. Luc expresses gratitude for the program's benefits to his spiritual life. The discussion highlights the expansion of ministry through mission partnerships and the unique approach of Anchor. The conversation also emphasizes the value of practical teaching over informational teaching. Luc expresses appreciation for the trust and support he has received.

Dr. Dwight Peterson shares his background and journey in ministry, from growing up in a ministry family to transitioning from local church youth ministry to the college environment. He discusses the role of a professor in discipleship and the collision points of purpose between the classroom and discipleship. He emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships with students and creating opportunities for application and skill development. Dr. Peterson also highlights the value of content and application in education, focusing on the need for students to understand and apply what they learn. Dwight discusses the challenges experienced in his recent transition from the on campus Christian university environment to The Capital Church -- a church plant -- and how they sharpened his own discipleship skill. We also explore the significance of building systems and structures to facilitate growth and desired outcomes.

The dynamic skills developed in camp ministry translate everywhere. In this episode, we catch up with Blake Willard, an alum of the MEd Organizational Leadership program formerly available via our partnership with Clarks Summit University. Blake completed the program while serving as a supervisor at Cameron Boys Camp, a therapeutic camping ministry that is affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist Convention, and also part of the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camp Association (WRTCA). Since then, Blake completed a doctoral program, served in local church and Christian school ministry, led a new Christian school launch, and started the Homeschool Mastery Group.

This episode is a conversation with Tommy Sewall, the Director of Word of Life Youth Camps in Schroon Lake, New York. We discuss Tommy’s personal background, the overview of Word of Life and its camps and the hands-on ministry experience at Word of Life Bible Institute. Tommy shares his personal history with Word of Life and his leadership role at the youth camps. We talk about the integration of learning and ministry, and Tommy’s experience as a student in the Anchor Christian University MA Christian Leadership program, leveraging the Eleven:6 learning model. And we discuss the Word of Life internship program and how to leverage the Eleven:6 learning model with interns.

Alex recently transferred to Eleven:6 partner school, Anchor Christian University, while immersing in the dynamics of serving adults with developmental disabilities via the Leadership in Disabilities internship at Arrowhead Bible Camp (PA). Her dream... launch a nonprofit ministry (art studio) serving adults with disabilities. Her game plan... complete her undergrad and master's degrees via the deeply integrated programs at Arrowhead, while building and broadening her toolbox. Oh, and make a ton of impact along the way.

Ben Myers has been leading Arrowhead Bible Camp in Brackney, PA, for almost two decades, from a solo effort to a growing team of dynamic emerging leaders.  

During that time, he finished his undergraduate degree and his master’s degree via Eleven:6 integrated programs with Clarks Summit University, one of our partner schools.  He then began investing that value in transforming the camp into a discipleship platform, using the principles and platforms – with his own powerful gift mix and skill toolbox – to shape and launch young leaders into their calling.  And he has strategically partnered with us along the way to plug into accredited degree pathways.  That includes creating The Launch Initiative (TLI), their Christian gap year program, and the Leadership in Disabilities (LID) program, a multi-year internship with undergraduate and graduate degree pathway options.

Our conversation hits a range of topics, from the unique dynamics of leading a fast-growing program for individuals with developmental disabilities, to launching and running integrated college and master's degree programs with Eleven:6, to leadership tips for next gen leaders, and a passionate focus on developing a dynamic faith-driven ministry culture... "at the speed of obedience."