BUILDING LEADERS FOR A LIFETIME OF MINISTRY

All positions have been filled for the 2025-2027 Residency Cohort.

New applications will be considered for the August 2026 - July 2028 Residency Cohort

OUR PROGRAM

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, EXPOSURE.
The Southwest Residency will prepare emerging Christian leaders for a lifetime of ministry.

SERVE WITH OUR STAFF

Engage in meaningful work as a member of the Southwest Church Team, rotating across a broad range of ministries.

1-1 COACHING

Receive mentorship for personal and pastoral development.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Grow in 9 essential arenas of life and ministry as you learn from our residency faculty.

SEMINARY FUNDING

Receive a stipend to cover seminary expenses during your time in our program.

FAQ’S

  • There are 3 distinct characteristics that define a resident:

    • A resident embraced a spiritual calling from God to shepherd others through vocational ministry.

    • A resident has some familiarity in carrying out various functions of pastoral ministry including, but not limited to, preaching and teaching, sacraments, ceremonies, etc.

    • A resident stands in need of more intentional training and exposure in the way of practical ministry skills, formal theological education and life-on-life mentorship.

  • Our focus is on young adults (20s-early 30s) who:

    • long to help others truly know and experience Jesus

    • are ready to take the next step toward a lifetime of ministry

    • are ready to learn

    • welcome a challenge

    • want direction and guidance

    • want to grow as a leader

  • The Residency is a 2 year program with an evaluation period after the first year.

    Each year will extend from August 1st to July 31st.

  • There are 3 main areas of compensation:

    • Part-time salary as an official staff member of Southwest Church. ($25 per hour / 25 hours per week)

    • A seminary stipend that will cover the cost of a Master’s degree from Hope International University.

    • Free housing through congregational donations. (type of housing is subject to availability)

  • When it comes to residencies, there are to prevailing paradigms: tracks and rotations.

    While there are benefits to a track based residency (i.e. a focused experience in a singular ministry), we believe that more can be gained through a rotation based experience.

    If accepted into the Residency, you will gain hands-on experience and wide exposure in a multitude of ministries that will grow you into a well-rounded leader.

  • In a given week, you can expect to be working on the specific ministry responsibilities you've been given, meeting with our pastors and leaders for development opportunities, gathering together with other residents for encouragement and challenge, and ensuring your academic coursework is completed.

  • You can find the official job description HERE.

“FOR YOUNG LEADERS TO MAKE IT IN MINISTRY TODAY, LIFE-ON-LIFE MENTORSHIP IS NOT JUST ESSENTIAL; IT IS EVERYTHING.”

— Pastor Ricky Jenkins

CURRENT RESIDENTS

  • HUNTR

    2024-2026 COHORT

    My name is Huntr. I am the High School Director for Southwest Church and also a resident. I've spent most of my formative years in the desert, and I love calling the valley my home.

    I felt the call of ministry from a young age (16) when I had an encounter with God at a prayer night. From that moment on I knew that I was called to Shepard people into a loving relationship with their creator. At this junction in my life, I can say without a doubt that the residency program at Southwest has been life-changing and career altering in regards to pastoral abilities. We are getting real world experience daily coupled with foundational biblical teachings. It's a program the likes of which I have never encountered, and I am blessed to be a part of it.

  • MAKENNA

    2024-2026 COHORT

    Hi, my name is Kenna. I have the honor and privilege of being one of our residents here at Southwest! I also am the Guest Services Director!

    I have been on staff for around 3 years now, and I am so thankful that Southwest is invested in growing and developing me into the pastor I have been called to be. I love ministry with my whole heart, watching people fall in love with Jesus, understanding His word, getting into small groups, and just overall having a better walk with the Lord. Those are just a few reasons why I want to work in ministry for the rest of my life. The Lord has given me a passion for telling others about who He is!

    Residency has been monumental for my journey in preaching, leading, learning the behind the scenes of church work, how to study scripture, and so many other things.

    I am so excited to see where this program takes me, and I am excited to watch others take a step in faith and learn all these things too.

  • TYLER H.

    2024-2026 COHORT

    My name is Tyler. I didn't grow up in a Christian home; it wasn't until I was in the 7th grade that I started going to church here at Southwest Church. Over my high school years, I began to truly understand who Christ is and what he did on the cross, and I came to know our God, who loves us more than we could ever understand.

    When God called me into ministry, he pressed it into my heart to remember my early days as a young Christian. This is why I feel called to pour into kids, students, and young adults. I know God has called me to teach them about His perfect love and to help them understand their faith.

    Through the residency, I am learning how to build pathways of growth for kids, students, young adults, and men’s and women’s ministries. I'm excited to dive deeper into my faith, gain a deeper understanding of it, and learn how to teach it to others, to build leaders that will raise up the next generation.

  • CAYDEN

    2025-2027 COHORT

    Hi, my name is Cayden Chappell. I’m beyond grateful to be part of the Southwest Residency, where I have the opportunity to grow in my calling and develop as a future pastor. I first felt a call into ministry at 18, and that calling has been confirmed time and again through the doors God has opened in my life. I have a deep love for discipleship and am passionate about helping others walk closely with Jesus. Through this residency, I’m excited to continue growing in character, leadership, and pastoral ministry as I follow where God leads.

  • SHARRON

    2025-2027 COHORT

    Hi! I'm Sharron Lee, a student in the Pastoral Residency Program. I've been attending Southwest Church for almost four years and I absolutely love my church family. I have had the opportunity to serve in several ministries, including Students, Celebrate Recovery, Worship, and Women's. Ministry has always been a big aspect of my life—both of my parents are pastors, so I’ve grown up deeply rooted in the Lord and involved in the church.

    Through this residency, I’m hoping to gain experience in hands-on ministry, grow in biblical knowledge, and develop practical tools and ideas that will help build the foundation for a long-lasting, biblically rooted pastoral life. I'm passionate about learning, leading, and serving wherever God calls me. I’m excited for this season and can’t wait to see how the Lord’s plan continues to unfold in my life.

  • TYLER F.

    2025-2027 COHORT

    Hi, my name is Tyler Fort, and I have the joy of being a part of the pastoral residency program. Being involved in the local church has been a constant in my life, and over the years, I have felt a deep calling for ministry.

    Currently, I am serving in the high school ministry at Southwest, where I get to walk alongside students as they explore their faith and grow in their relationship with Jesus. I’ve always felt a strong calling to support the next generation, and it’s a privilege to be part of their journey.

    Before coming here, my wife and I spent about a year serving at a Baptist children’s home in New Mexico. That time had a big impact on us and helped shape the way we view ministry, service, and community.

    During my residency, I hope to grow in pastoral leadership, deepen my understanding of preaching and teaching, and gain experience that will prepare me for a lifetime of ministry in the local church.

    I’m grateful to be part of a church that values discipleship and authentic relationships, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing in this season of ministry.