Texas Church Equips Future Leaders Through Onsite Training
The people at Church on the Rock in Texarkana, Texas, had a fervent desire to create a movement for Christ by launching a ministry into the world. So, in January 2022, they started the COTR School of Ministry, a one-year program designed to deepen participants’ faith while giving them the tools to engage others.
“We want believers to feel more equipped in the Word and prepared to engage the culture,” explains Amanda Barr, director of the school.
The curriculum consists of three phases: theological training, ministry coaching and leadership training for the students’ specific sphere of influence. The theological training is taught on campus and is affiliated with Portland Bible College. For the ministry coaching side, each student is paired with a seasoned coach in their desired ministry track to develop their leadership skills. Then, once a month students come together for a leadership seminar in which local, regional and international leaders lead a roundtable discussion.
“These seminars are designed to help students effectively articulate the gospel to reach people for Christ,” says Barr. “It’s almost like bringing the mission field to them.”
The first class is made up of laypeople, some with pastoral backgrounds. Though part of the program involves going on a mission trip, given the state of the pandemic, it’s unclear whether they will engage in international travel this year. The goal of the trip is for the students to expand their knowledge of the global church and experience other cultures.
“Our culture influences the way we read Scripture,” says Barr. “So when we put ourselves in another culture, we’re able to understand Scripture and apply it better than if we have it coming from just our one vantage point.”
Ultimately, Barr hopes to see students ministering in the community. “We want to teach, train and launch ministers to effectively share the gospel. We look at ourselves as the launchpad to their calling.”