The Freedom to Anchor Yourself
Written by Charles Temple, Fellows Class of 2026
Over the last six months, one question I’ve been asked repeatedly is, “Why did you choose to do a Fellows program?” Personally, I believed that engaging in such a program was a good way to fill my gap year with meaningful experiences. But, after a while, I got bored of giving the same answer and started adding a few whimsical twists to keep things interesting. But regardless of the reasons I initially gave, the true impact of this experience has been far more profound than I ever expected.
My time as a Chattanooga Fellow has felt like a meaningful step forward into life after college—not just a way to fill time during a gap year. And so, I want to encourage others to see a Fellows program not as a restrictive step backward, but as an opportunity to fully invest yourself in something meaningful during a time when it is very important to do so.
When I was finishing college and preparing to start the program, I heard a wide range of opinions from friends—some positive, others more skeptical. A few peers, especially those pursuing similar vocational paths, felt that committing to a structured program right after “escaping” the rigidity of undergrad didn’t make much sense. They preferred to embrace their newfound freedom and explore options more loosely.
There’s some wisdom in that perspective, but I’ve come to see it differently. Rather than viewing a program like Fellows as limiting, I see it as an invitation—an opportunity to anchor yourself in a Christ-centered community, to grow in your ability to serve God and others, and to develop both personally and professionally.
My time is now filled with a blend of structured commitments and personal pursuits. Our program includes classes on a variety of topics, professional development, visits to nonprofit organizations, and regular service in the community. At the same time, we work part-time jobs that often align with our vocational interests, and we still have space to invest in things we enjoy.
For me, that includes working out, playing in a soccer league, teaching swing dance, and participating in a young adult group at my church. Many of these opportunities are things I likely wouldn’t have discovered without this program. So in addition to pursuing the things that are important to me, the structure of Fellows has actually helped me engage more deeply with the Chattanooga community. My world continues to get bigger and I find myself cherishing more and more of it.
With all this being said, I would encourage anyone considering a Fellows program after college to seriously think about it. It’s not a loss of freedom but a purposeful use of it. It’s the freedom to choose to anchor yourself in a community, for a truly redemptive purpose.
