An Overview of the Program
VB Fellows is a nine-month program from September 1 to May 31. Participants live together in intentional relationships--males with males and females with females--in the oceanfront area of Virginia Beach. They work a paid job four days a week, serve regularly in a local church, receive professional and personal development training, and participate in small groups, mentoring relationships, and community service projects. Below is an example of a typical week:
Aside from work, volunteering, and fellowship activities, the Fellows help put on a surfing camp for over a hundred kids with disabilities, learn how to care for the complex needs of homeless men and women in Virginia Beach, and engage with various other kingdom-advancing projects in the area.
They also attend at least four weekend retreats. The first is a trip to the Outer Banks in September in which each Fellow and staff person shares his or her life story. Other trips include a prayer retreat in Williamsburg, VA, a ski trip at Massanutten Resort, and the National Fellows Conference in Washington, DC at the end of the program.
Throughout the year, the Fellows receive personal and professional training to include:
Individual exploration of personality, gifts, and interests
Teaching on spiritual and personal disciplines
Workshops and seminars for professional development
Entrepreneurship and risk-taking projects
Visits with local business and faith leaders
Topical discussions on philosophy, faith, and culture
Personalized mentoring and spiritual direction
Relationship and personal development coaching
Other Programs Like Ours
Fellows programs of all shapes and sizes are located in cities and churches across the United States. Sharing the same core values and purpose, many of these programs fall under the umbrella of The Fellows Initiative (TFI). If you are a college senior or recent college graduate who sincerely seeks to explore an all‐encompassing faith, to nurture a heart for the Church, and to make a thoughtful impact in the world, we encourage you to learn more about TFI.