Residency Program
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Residency Program

The Victory Family Church Residency is a full-time leadership development program for emerging leaders who feel called to vocational church ministry. The length of residency is two years, providing you with many opportunities for growth in your leadership skills and in your relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. The purpose of the residency is to ensure that you have the leadership capacity and abilities to effectively lead in the Local Church. You will be part of the staff at Victory, be immediately placed into leadership roles, and receive consistent evaluation and feedback from ministry leaders to ensure your development and growth.

Residency tracks

Accounting

Administrative Assistant

Children’s
Ministry

Communications/
Social Media

Dream Team/
Service Teams

Human
Resources

Outreach and
Missions

Pastoral

Service
Production

Students/
Young Adults

Video

Worship

Components of the Victory Residency Program

The spiritual growth and personal spiritual disciplines of the resident are primary focuses throughout the two-year program. Studies have shown that the stress and difficulties of vocational church ministry contribute to many failing to complete their ministry assignment. Numerous resources will be utilized to help ensure the resident develops the personal spiritual disciplines that contribute to longevity in ministry.
Residents are immediately placed into leadership roles and receive consistent evaluation, feedback, and coaching in their ministry responsibilities. Actual hands-on ministry experience in the local church is crucial to the resident’s development. The purpose is to ensure that residents have the leadership capacity and know-how to lead in the local church effectively and competently.
Formal evaluations occur each quarter and are crucial to the growth and development of each resident. Evaluations provide feedback to the resident, the department leader, and mentors about the resident and their growth. They also provide an opportunity for the resident to give feedback concerning the residency and any issues the resident may be experiencing. This allows the residency to focus on the areas of development, growth, and experience that most benefit the resident.
Each resident is assigned a personal mentor for the duration of the residency. The focus of this mentor relationship is personal development; it is about who the resident is, rather than what the resident does. If the resident is married, a marriage mentor is also assigned for the duration of the residency to ensure a solid marriage foundation to succeed in ministry. Mentors assign material to the resident, and this personal growth material is in addition to the other required residency material. The purpose of mentor relationships is to ensure that the resident is growing as a person and if applicable, in their marriage, during the residency.
Much of leading and leadership are skills that we learn by example. Residents will learn from the leadership of Victory Family Church and multiple other sources to increase their leadership knowledge and effectiveness. Residents will grow in self-leadership, organizational leadership, and relational leadership during their two-year residency. Evaluation and coaching will allow the resident to gain confidence in leading teams and individuals within the local church. The goal in Leadership Training and Development is to give practical feedback within their current assignments so the resident increases in their ministry competence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the residency?
The Residency is 2 years.
Is this a paid position?
Yes, this is a full-time temporary paid position.
Is housing provided?
No, but we will do everything we can to help you find affordable living.
When can I start the residency?
Residents can start in January or August.

Apply by:To start on:
November 1, 2025January 20, 2026
May 4, 2026August 25, 2026
November 1, 2026January 26, 2027
What are the requirements to apply for the Residency Program?
  • Minimum of an associate degree, but the ideal candidate is a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Candidate’s degree does not have to be in a ministry-related area.
  • A record of tithing and giving offerings to their local church.
  • Must complete an Internship at Victory Family Church (6-month to 1-year) in their area of focus prior to applying for the Residency Program.
  • Strong history of serving within their local church and demonstrating leadership qualities within the ministry.
  • Has served in their area of ministry focus for at least one year prior to applying for the Residency.
  • The ideal candidate has completed at least one mission trip outside the U.S.
  • The candidate can clearly articulate a “calling” to full-time ministry.
I am looking into schooling prior to applying for the Residency Program. Do you have any recommendations?
Yes! Many options exist today that do not require you to relocate. Listed below are some recommendations for online degree programs. You are not required to attend one of these; they are options for you to consider.

* If you choose to attend one of these online schools, you can arrange to do your classes and study time at Victory Family Church – Cranberry Twp. Campus during office hours.
If I am currently working toward completing the requirements prior to applying for the Residency Program. Should I make someone at Victory aware?
Yes! Please make our Residency Program staff aware that you’re working toward applying for the Residency. We would love to build a relationship with you and help in any way that we can!
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If you have any questions or would like more information, please email ChurchNetwork@lifeatvictory.com.

Current Residents

Laura Adams

Worship
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Laura Adams - Worship

Jesus captured my heart when I was a little girl—my earliest memories involve me using the gift of music to offer a song of “First Love” from my heart to the King of kings. I’ve been blessed to spend the past two decades of my life ministering to 7th-12th grade students as a public-school music teacher while also bi-vocationally serving on and leading worship teams at area churches.

Over the past few years, the Lord began a stirring in my spirit, leading me out of the field of education and into full-time vocational church ministry. These promptings intensified over the past school year during which the Lord led me through a season of restoration, re-direction, and refinement. Once I received clarity from the Holy Spirit, I responded in obedience that required one of the biggest faith risks of my life—retiring early from teaching and simply waiting for Him to reveal my next step. The Lord simultaneously instructed me to “bloom and develop where He had planted me,” right here, at Victory Family Church, where I had been serving part-time as the New Castle Campus Worship Director for the past three years. Shortly after, the Holy Spirit spoke through one of our pastors who pointed me to the Residency program!

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and beyond excited to transition into this new season of growth and development in leadership, worship ministry, and most importantly, my personal walk with the Lord. Beyond that, my heart desperately burns for the souls of those who have struggled with their identity, especially people within the LGBTQ community, to experientially encounter the love of Jesus, receive the free gift of salvation through Him, know who they are in Christ and to live a life of true freedom and healing!