Learn how the gospel of Jesus applies to every area of life
Explore how the Chattanooga Fellows provides holistic gospel formation.
Not sure what God wants you to do with your life? You’re not alone.
Many young professionals leave college eager to make an impact but are unsure how their faith connects to their work, relationships, and community. They step into a world that prizes “success” but neglects purpose—leaving them longing for clarity, community, and conviction about what truly matters.
If you’re wrestling with questions like
What does God want me to do with my life?
How does my faith impact my work?
What does it look like to follow Jesus post-college?
How do I faithfully engage the culture around me?
Applying for the Chattanooga Fellows program is the right next step for you.
Gospel Formation for All of Life
The Chattanooga Fellows is an intentional, nine-month leadership experience that bridges the gap between belief and practice. Fellows are equipped to faithfully find their vocation, commit to authentic community, explore their faith, and practice civic responsibility.
Through a unique blend of:
Paid Work Placements that integrate faith with real-world experience
Theological Training that deepens understanding and engagement with culture
Spiritual Formation through Scripture study and mentoring
Church and Community Service that cultivates compassion and purpose
and Authentic Fellowship that fosters accountability, prayer, and lifelong friendships
Fellows learn what it means to live fully devoted to Christ in every sphere of life.
FIND YOUR VOCATION
Work Placements
Fellows work three days a week in paid, professional roles across a wide variety of industries. These work placements sharpen vocational gifts, build valuable networks, and teach practical skills like project management and teamwork—all while cultivating selflessness and excellence in the workplace.
Through weekly Vocational Lunches, Fellows meet weekly with local leaders from business, law, medicine, the arts, and more— gaining insight into how faith shapes their work. By year’s end, they’ve connected with 25+ local leaders.
Plus, through professional assessments like the Highlands Ability Battery, MCODE, and CQ, Fellows discover how God uniquely designed them to lead and serve in their vocation.
COMMIT TO COMMUNITY
Fellowship and Community
Authentic relationships are central to life as a Fellow. Through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and intentional life-on-life connections, the program teaches Fellows how to build deep, lasting friendships.
Each Fellow is placed with a host family from a local church, creating the opportunity to live alongside families who model faith, service, and community. Fellows set aside weekly time to share meals with their hosts and are encouraged to engage beyond those moments, gaining firsthand insight into how different families live out their faith.
Fellows also gather weekly for community dinners, hosted in the homes of participating church families. These gatherings, along with retreats and professional seminars, create space for encouragement, accountability, prayer, and friendship—forming a vibrant community that supports and shapes each Fellow long after the program ends.
What Chattanooga Fellows Are Saying
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“Fellows is an intentional season of thought and contemplation around what God has called you to do with your life and work.”
-David Goodloe, 2018 Alum
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“I spent so much time in college thinking about things that Fellows touches on, but it was always confined to a classroom. In Fellows we not only discussed those things but had the opportunity to implement them in our daily lives.”
-Gracie Smith, 2023 Alum
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“Fellows expanded my view of work and gave me a deep passion for the cultural mandate. It taught me that God cares deeply about our work.”
-Chris Mussler, 2014 Alum
EXPLORE YOUR FAITH
Theological Training, Church Involvement, and Mentorship
Each semester, Fellows participate in Biblical, Theological, and Contemporary Culture classes that explore Scripture, engage contemporary culture, and provide space to thoughtfully discuss complex issues with grace and humility. Recent courses include:
Old and New Testament Survey
Faith, Work, and Society
Everyday Faithfulness
Theistic Dynamics in Human Rights
Civic Engagement around the Fruit of the Spirit
Additionally, Fellows actively attend and serve in local churches, using their gifts to contribute to the life of the congregation and the wider community.
Each Fellow also selects a mentor to guide and support their spiritual growth throughout the program. Through regular meetings, mentors help Fellows reflect on their faith, vocation, and life, providing personalized encouragement and wisdom.
PRACTICE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
Service Learning, Conferences, and More
Fellows engage deeply with the needs of Chattanooga through hands-on learning, service, and reflection. Each week, they visit local nonprofits and civic organizations to understand the challenges facing the city, the history behind them, and how they can contribute to restorative change.
During the second half of the program, Fellows identify an organization where they volunteer regularly, putting their faith into action and personally practicing civic responsibility. They also attend conferences and lectures that challenge them to think critically about community engagement and their role in addressing local needs.
At the conclusion of the year, each Fellow develops a Plan of Intentionality—a personal roadmap for faithfully serving the Lord in their work, relationships, and community beyond the program. These experiences equip Fellows to live out their faith with purpose, impact, and vision for the common good.
“Fellows helped me situate my story in God’s greater, redemptive story.”
At the end of the year, each Fellow shares their plan of intentionality. It’s a chance to show what they’ve learned and what they want to build into their life moving forward. Watch Fellows Alum Jessie Rieth share about her experience in the Chattanooga Fellows.
“I’ve learned what it looks like to live my faith out at work and how my faith and work are integrated. I’ve developed 5 years in 1 year.”
Watch Fellows Alum Evan Hokrein share about his experience in the Chattanooga Fellows.
