What is the College Ave Residency Program?
The College Ave Residency is a one-year program based at College Ave Church in College Area, San Diego. Designed to equip young adults to know, love, and follow the real Jesus, the program emphasizes personal, professional, and spiritual development. The Residency experience combines accredited classes, ministry practicum, and dorm-style living. The goal is to provide the training, support, and experience needed to serve the Kingdom of God wherever life leads. A pursuit of vocational ministry is not required, but it is encouraged.
What mAKES THIS PROGRAM UNIQUE?
ACCREDITED CLASSES
Gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word, theology, and the Christian worldview through accredited classes. Residents will complete the one-year program with an Associate Degree in Theological Leadership through Summit Bible College. Coursework focuses on Theology, Spiritual Formation, Biblical Studies, Biblical Worldview and Cultural Engagement, and Leadership in Ministry. Classes meet twice a week and are taught primarily by Dr. Chris Hilken, alongside other key staff members and guest instructors. Assignments are engaging and practical, emphasizing real-world application rather than busy work.
MINISTRY PRACTICUM
Grow in a ministry you are passionate about with opportunities to plan, develop, and lead through apprenticeship with a ministry director. Ministry focuses include Pastoral, Kids, Middle School, High School, Young Adults, Worship, Missions, Production, Creative & Communications, Life Groups, and Preschool. Each focus has a ministry lead that will train and guide residents with real responsibilities throughout the year.
discipleship & cOMMITMENT
Experience life-on-life discipleship in Christian community through on-campus living in the heart of College Area, San Diego. Housing is provided in a dorm-style setting that fosters both community and learning. The weekly schedule averages a 20-hour commitment, Sunday through Thursday. Additional experiences include a Mexico mission trip, Hume Lake, staff retreats, and Life Group involvement. Through it all, residents become deeply integrated members of the College Ave team.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This residency is a year-long program from June to May. Starting in the summer allows you to establish a foundation with your ministry and team before launching into the busiest church season in the fall. Time off includes most Fridays and Saturdays, and select holidays.
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Housing is provided in a recently renovated building. The first-level is furnished with a shared living room, kitchen, laundry, dining, restroom, and classroom space. The second level is furnished with dorm-style rooms, each with a bathroom. The rooms can house up to two people, with a separate wing/entrance for men and women respectively. This space is designed for community, fellowship, and intentional learning with one another.
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Start by filling out the application linked at the top of this page! From there, the Residency team will follow up via email. The interview process has multiple phases: application review, initial video call, meeting with ministry staff, and final decisions by Feb/March.
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The residency class is capped at 14 people. This class size is intentional, allowing us to accommodate housing needs while providing personalized development for each resident.
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This program has evolved over the years and was formerly known as the College Ave Internship Program. The primary differences are the addition of financial support and accreditation, while maintaining the same great DNA.
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This is what makes the College Ave Residency most unique. Not only do we provide housing and tuition, we are also supporting residents with a monthly fund to cover basic needs.
Housing is provided, with a monthly value of over $620 per person.
The associate degree is provided, with a value of $8,400 at Summit Bible College.
*NEW to this year: residents will receive $200-250 a month for additional expenses like gas, groceries, etc.
Didn’t get your question answered?
HEAR FROM EXPERIENCE
Check out this playlist of stories from the last two classes of the residency program!
MEXICO MISSION TRIP highlight
In partnership with our missions team at College Ave and YUGO Ministries, we kick off the program year in June with a week-long mission trip to Mexico!
MEET THE RESIDENCY STAFF
CHRIS HILKEN
Senior Pastor
Chris Hilken is the Senior Pastor of College Ave Church, as well as being a trained apologist and professor of theology and apologetics for Summit Bible College. This program was founded out of his deep passion and calling to equip young adults in the Church!
SARAH POWERS
Residency Director
Sarah Powers is the Chief Ministry Officer and Residency and Young Adults Director at College Ave Church. She has worked at College Ave Church since 2023, with a background in high school, young adults, and creative/comms ministries.
GRANT HERRICK
REAGAN HERRICK
Grant and Reagan Herrick are the Assistant Resident Directors at College Ave Church. Grant is also on staff with the video team, while Reagan is the 2nd–5th Grade Coordinator on the KIDS Ministry team. Both began their College Ave journey through the Residency Program in 2024 and have since joined the staff and gotten married!
Assistant Residency Directors – RDs
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