Participants of the Iron City Fellows will move to Birmingham, Alabama, and spend August to May in a cohort of like-minded peers. The program is built around six key components:
Live
TO LIVE IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF GOD’S CREATION AND EXTEND HOSPITALITY GENEROUSLY
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Psalm 133:1
The fellows’ year is rooted in deep community. Fellows will be assigned a host family and a mentor prior to starting the program. Host families will live in close proximity to Covenant Presbyterian Church, provide housing to our fellows for the duration of the program, and seek to build meaningful relationships over shared meals and time together. Mentors will be available to meet with the fellows throughout the program, offer emotional support, spiritual guidance, and genuine friendship.
Fellows will also meet weekly as a class to enjoy dinner together and engage in a roundtable discussion. Fellows will take turns practicing hospitality by preparing the meal and hosting their classmates.
Work
TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE WERE DESIGNED BY GOD FOR WORK AND THAT OUR WORK MATTERS IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:17
As young professionals, the fellows’ week will be built around work. After being accepted to the program, we will work to match each participant with a paid internship that aligns with their field of study and/or interests. Fellows will apply, interview, and secure their job positions and will be responsible for producing good work and holding their job throughout the year.
Serve
TO GIVE TO OUR CHURCH AND CITY FROM THE TIME & TALENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SO RICHLY GIVEN TO US
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another; as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
I Peter 4:10
The service component of our program is two-fold. Fellows will be given the opportunity to volunteer within our church and in our city. Churches need the time and talents of their members to function well, so our fellows will be asked to serve in some capacity at Covenant. Similarly, our fellows will spend time weekly serving in the larger Birmingham community. These projects will be specified closer to the program’s launch.
Study
TO GROW IN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS AND IN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Each semester, time will be set aside for our fellows to study under our head pastor and other qualified educators. These classes will cover a variety of topics such as faith & work.
Time will also be carved out for fellows to participate in Bible studies through Covenant Presbyterian Church as well as men’s and women’s small groups within their fellows’ class.
Worship
TO GIVE GOD THE PRAISE AND HONOR HE IS DUE
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God!
Psalm 100:1-3
Participants of the Iron City Fellows program will worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Our hope is that Covenant is not just a place to show up on Sunday mornings but that it becomes a place of belonging for our fellows.
Rest
TO REMEMBER THE DAY OF THE SABBATH AND KEEP IT HOLY
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9-10
We live in a busy world that glorifies hurry, but we don’t have to get caught up in that hectic pace. We will teach our fellows to hold space for Sabbath rest, make a practice of it, and develop a deep appreciation for the gift that it is.
Our desire is that by the conclusion of the program our graduates will leave with a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, an understanding of why their work matters, and a love for their city, church, and community that will leave an eternal impact.
We’d Love to be Your Next Great Adventure!
See You in Birmingham.
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