Introducing the 2023 Residency Cohort
CCC is thrilled to welcome our seventh cohort to the Church Residency program!
The residency is a two-year program focused on combining practical experience with graduate-level education. This year we’re welcoming six residents working in four different ministry areas. The goal is for each of the residents to complete the program fully prepared for ministry without further debt, which is why the church, along with a generous discount from Crown, will pay 100% of their tuition.
As we endeavor on such an ambitious and Kingdom-focused approach to leadership training, we would ask you to consider doing four things in the coming months:
Pray
Pray for residents as they receive their training. Pray for the staff who are mentoring and training the residents. Pray for the churches, missions, and organizations that will soon be hiring our residents. And most of all, pray that God gets all the glory and that the mission of the Church advances because more bright, young leaders are being sent out!
Give
Although the church is paying for the residents’ tuition along with a small monthly stipend, each resident is required to raise support to cover their monthly expenses. Because we want the residents to focus on their experience without overextending themselves to get a part-time job, this support is crucial to free them up to focus on their training. If you feel led to contribute to an individual resident or if you’d like to designate giving to the program overall, visit cccomaha.org/give.
Host
Each resident will live with a CCC member/attender for the duration of their residency. This is not only a great way to save them money, but also to connect them with caring people who can provide additional leadership and support in their lives. If you have the gift of hospitality, an extra room or basement, and would like more information on becoming a host home, visit cccresidency.org/hosthome.
Connect
We’ll introduce you to the new cohort of residents below. As you see them around the church, please approach them and introduce yourself. Say “hi” and get to know them. Perhaps you would want to bless them with lunch or coffee or giving them an occasional gift card. More importantly, bless them with your words of love and encouragement.
A program like this can only be realized and accomplished together. It’s not just our staff who can pull this off. We need everyone in the church to capture the vision and recognize that, in order to provide a great program for residents, we need to have a culture that values training and equipping young leaders for work in church ministry. They are the future—but to send them into the future with everything they need, the Church of today needs to get behind them, support them, and mentor them so they can lead us into tomorrow. The CCC Church Residency is a huge step in that direction. Thanks for taking that step with us!
Get to know the 2023–2025 cohort:
MAISEN STURT
HIGH SCHOOL
AGE: 22
HOMETOWNS: Toledo, OH & Rowlett, TX
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Toccoa Falls College; major in Cross-Cultural Studies and minor in Bible & Theology
CALL TO MINISTRY: Ministry has always been a part of my life; it seems this is where God has me for now. He has called me to follow him and love people along the way.
FAVORITE FOOD: Chili
STARBUCKS DRINK: Caramel Frappuccino®
DANTÉ EDWARDS
LOCAL MISSIONS
AGE: 23
HOMETOWN: Duluth, GA
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Toccoa Falls College; Ministry Leadership
CALL TO MINISTRY: I want to partner with the Holy Spirit in equipping the Church to love its congregants of color.
FAVORITE FOOD: Oxtail stew with rice and peas
STARBUCKS DRINK: Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
MORGAN HARTHOORN
EVANGELISM & SPIRITUAL DISCOVERY
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Ponca, NE
COLLEGE/DEGREE: South Dakota State University; major in Exercise Science and minor in Psychology
CALL TO MINISTRY: I was involved in the Navigators’ campus ministry leadership team throughout college, where my passion for reaching the lost and equipping other believers grew. I desired to devote my whole life to helping others encounter Jesus, and God soon switched my path from pursuing a health science career to ministry.
FAVORITE FOOD: Falafel
STARBUCKS DRINK: Iced oatmilk shaken espresso
EUGENE LU
COLLEGE
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Omaha, NE
COLLEGE/DEGREE: University of Nebraska Omaha; Neuroscience
CALL TO MINISTRY: I loved doing outreach and spreading the gospel during college and wanted to keep that going!
FAVORITE FOOD: Scallion pancakes
STARBUCKS DRINK: I don’t drink coffee.
CAROLINE LAKE
COLLEGE
AGE: 21
HOMETOWN: Olathe, KS
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Kansas State University; Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with concentrations in Identity Formation and Coaching & Consulting
CALL TO MINISTRY: At church camp the summer after I graduated high school, I got a word from the Lord telling me to “go” and live my life on mission for him and his Kingdom. That moment lit a flame in my spirit to share Jesus’ love and healing power everywhere I go.
FAVORITE FOOD: Alfredo pasta
STARBUCKS DRINK: Iced caramel latte with oatmilk
ETHAN ARNOLD
HIGH SCHOOL
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Omaha, NE
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Crown College; Pastoral Leadership
CALL TO MINISTRY: I have wanted to live my life for Christ since I was fifteen. I want to help others see how Christ gives purpose and joy that the world can't provide.
FAVORITE FOOD: Prime rib
STARBUCKS DRINK: Smoothie