Covenant Evangelical Free ChurchSacred PathwaysADVANCE JourneyPhase I EnvisionApplication Form

Our Vision

Building Succeeding Generations Of Kingdom-minded Committed Core to Disciple, Lead, Serve and Advance The Church in Years Ahead.

Our Purpose

ADVANCE is an in-house initiative — designed and owned by Covenant EFC, and shaped for today's needs — to help disciples discern their purpose and calling & grow to become disciplemakers, formed in the culture and values of our church. Aligning to God's call, they are raised as Committed Core leaders and strong ministers serving His Kingdom in whatever spheres of influence they are placed in (such as marketplace, local churches, parachurches, mission fields).

About

The programme is for committed Covenanters who are seeking to discern God's call on their lives, deepen their formation, expand their leadership capacity; and explore which vocation God is leading them to. This may include the possibility of entering full-time ministry or the missions field. Joining the programme does not necessarily commit a person to subsequent full-time ministry.

ADVANCE is a journey of discernment — a space for you to listen to God, re-envision His Kingdom and calling, and consider what it means for your life. Beyond the programme, it is a sacred journey of growth, faith and obedience — a milestone in your pilgrimage as you seek God for His leading in your next season of life.

The 3 Phases

This journey comprises up to three integrated, but distinct phases — ENVISION, ENCOUNTER, and EXPERIENCE. Movement to each phase will be a process of personal consolidation and discernment, together with discussions with your pastors and/or course leaders to determine resonance and readiness to proceed further.

• Phase 1: ENVISION — this phase aims to bring participants through a journey of re-discovering who we are in God and re-envisioning His Kingdom and our place in His Kingdom. The three months will be an individually-guided but structured journey with daily devotions and weekly reflections. Participants will gather once a month for an online session to hear from teaching pastors, share and consolidate learnings, and hear stories of faith from one another, alongside regular check-ins with recommending pastors/leaders. All can be done at the participant's own time apart from the monthly gathering, so a leave of absence from work is not required.
• Phase 2: ENCOUNTER — a structured 3-month in-person programme for individuals to grow in their faith, spiritual, and character formation, deepening the clarity of their calling through cohort-based learning in retreats, classes, and workshops in a close community. Participants will also have access to spiritual direction and coaching to further confirm their calling and explore next steps.
• Phase 3: EXPERIENCE — the final phase of the journey, with a customised internship and development track for disciples to Step In with clear ministry assignments and intentional mentoring for culturation and churchmanship, over a period of six months or more.

Participants will undergo a panel discussion before confirming how this may look like. Participants have the flexibility to join Phase 2 and 3 at a later time, when you are ready.

You are applying for Phase 1 of this programme.

Who Is ADVANCE For?

ADVANCE is for adults who desire to seek and obey God's calling in their lives — in the areas of vocation, full-time Christian ministry, or missions work.

Those best fit this milestone journey are:

• Certain of their biblical allegiance and fully acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and have chosen to walk with the Lord
• Prepared to dedicate personal time and commitment with genuine desire to see what God has in store for their lives in the areas of calling and purpose, which includes discerning a call towards full-time capacity in church, parachurch, or in missions
• Working adults wrestling with a sense of holy discontent about where they are currently at in their vocation and who are seeking more clarity

You are encouraged to join if you are:

• A Covenant constitutional member or regular worshipper who is baptised and has been worshipping in CEFC for at least three years
• A committed member or leader in a Covenant Group (CG)
• Already serving in a ministry
• Already or beginning to have conversations with your pastor/district mentor about discerning your next season