Equipped and Sent: The Residency Launching Gospel Leaders

In a culture where ministry can easily become isolated, rushed, or under-resourced, the Brentwood Baptist Ministry Residency offers something profoundly different: a slow, intentional, and relational way to equip future leaders for gospel impact. This two-year, full-time experience isn’t just a training program—it’s a launchpad for a movement.

At its core, the residency exists to fuel a disciple-making and church multiplication movement in Middle Tennessee and beyond. But how exactly does it do that?

Formation Before Assignment

Many young leaders enter ministry passionate but underprepared. They may have gifting and theological knowledge, but they often lack the spiritual maturity, personal clarity, or practical experience to lead long-term. The residency offers a sacred pause—an intentional season to go deep with God before going wide with influence.

One former resident put it best: “That ended up being one of the greatest gifts—to dig deep into who I am and into my relationship with God before I launched out into a lifetime of ministry.”

Instead of rushing into ministry positions, residents are invited to slow down, ask honest questions, develop spiritual rhythms, and let God shape them from the inside out.

Whole-Gospel Equipping for Whole-Person Engagement

Our mission as a church is to engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ—anywhere, anytime, with anybody. The residency reflects this mission by developing leaders who are both theologically sound and emotionally intelligent, strategically minded and spiritually grounded.

Residents are embedded in real ministry contexts—preaching, discipling, leading groups, organizing mission trips, or planting churches. Whether they’re serving in student ministry, global missions, care, worship, or church planting, they’re given meaningful responsibility, not busywork. And through it all, they’re mentored by seasoned ministry leaders who help them reflect, grow, and adapt.

Multiplying Leaders, Churches, and Movements

We believe multiplication is not just about launching churches—it’s about launching leaders who disciple others who disciple others. That’s why the residency doesn’t just train people for a ministry role; it prepares them to lead in any ministry context.

Some go on to serve as campus pastors, global workers, or discipleship ministers. Others plant churches or take on leadership roles in worship, student ministry, or missions. But all of them are sent with the DNA of multiplication: to build up others, develop leaders, and extend the kingdom of God beyond their platform.

Fail Forward. Lead with Courage.

The ministry residency is not about perfection—it’s about formation. It’s a place where it’s okay to fail forward, to wrestle through uncertainty, and to grow with courage.

“The residency is the perfect next step if you’re trying to get practical ministry experience with a church that’s willing to come alongside you when you fail—and champion you when things go well.”

We’re not just producing staff for our church. We’re releasing a generation of leaders for God’s Church—equipped, empowered, and ready to multiply disciples and churches wherever God sends them.

A Strategic Kingdom Investment

If you’re sensing a call to vocational ministry—whether in preaching, church planting, missions, worship, or discipleship—the Brentwood Baptist Ministry Residency could be the most strategic next step you take. And if you’re part of our church family, know this: every resident we train is a seed of multiplication being planted in the soil of the kingdom.

Lear more about the Ministry Residency by visiting https://brentwoodbaptist.com/mtli/residency/.