Founded in 2003, the Trinity Fellows Program is a nine-month (late August through late May) leadership development and training program for young adults recently out of college or graduate school. Sixteen young men and women (8 men and 8 women) from all walks of life come together to engage in a program designed to foster a God-centered view of knowledge, culture, work and life. Fellows receive theological training, participate in seminars with Christian scholars and community leaders, and enjoy one-on-one mentoring relationships with mature believers. Fellows apply their training as they minister in the community, work in a professional career jobs in the marketplace (e.g., law, business, medicine, academia, etc.) and interact with their host family.
Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) is home to the Fellows Program. Trinity is a vibrant body of believers living out the Gospel in the city of Charlottesville, the university community and the world. Situated in the foothills of Central Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville has been described as the essence of small city sophistication, rich in historical and cultural significance. Home to the University of Virginia, the city offers a myriad of restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, art galleries and live music venues, as well as outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking and skiing. Its location in central Virginia allows easy access to the natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Beach as well as the urban centers of Washington, D.C. and Richmond.
Marketplace Fellows
toward vocational stewardship in the marketplace, the public square, and the academy
Answering the question of "What do I do with my life?" with a God-centered view of knowledge, culture, work, and life. Read more.
Ecclesial Fellows
toward vocational ministry in the local church
Preparing for church-based ministry marked by worship, community, formation, and mission. Read more.
CALLING & CAREER
The Trinity Fellows program seeks to prepare and equip young men and women to live by the Gospel and for the Kingdom of God. It encourages young adults to integrate their Christian worldview in their future vocations and in all areas of their lives. Emphasizing the sacredness of calling in all work, the Fellows program exists as a discipleship and leadership training tool for those called to serve God in the professional marketplace as lawyers, doctors, bankers, artists, and in all professions. Each participant builds a framework for discerning God’s calling and answering the question, “What do I do with my life?” The program emphasizes the importance of understanding the redemptive work of Christ as the foundation of life, work, and calling.
The Trinity Fellows Program assists each Fellow in obtaining a part-time, paid professional position in an area of interest: business, law, medicine, education, youth work, etc. These internships allow Fellows the opportunity to apply biblical principles in the workplace while developing professional and Kingdom relationships. Working implements practical exploration of day-to-day issues of faith. It gives young people a framework for viewing their work through God’s eyes. Fellows also receive career counseling and aptitude assessment through a nationally recognized career evaluation and consulting center.
TEACHING & TRAINING
Each Fellow receives theological training through classes at the Center for Christian Study and is eligible for seminary credit through Reformed Theological Seminary. The Fellows also attend special lectures and functions held in and around the University of Virginia. Fellows participate in weekly seminars where they are exposed to godly men and women from a broad range of professional environments. Off-site retreats and conferences, in locations varying from woodland cabins to New York City, offer opportunities for reflection and discussion.
SERVICE & DISCIPLESHIP
Service lies at the heart of leadership. Fellows are given many opportunities to serve within Trinity Presbyterian Church and in other community ministries. These opportunities include working alongside volunteer leaders in Trinity's Family, Student, and Children's Ministries.
Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries (CALM) has worked for "whole-family, holistic ministry, with incentive-based programming" in the Prospect Avenue neighborhood since 1995. Through CALM, Fellows have a unique opportunity to partner with one student in the Charlottesville Public Schools for the duration of the Fellows Program. Each Thursday afternoon, Fellows meet with their students to play games, help with academic work, and walk alongside their student. These relationships sometimes last long beyond the Fellows Program and play a profound role in the lives of both the Fellow and the student.
FELLOWS COMMUNITY
The Marketplace Fellows Program is a smaller community within the fabric of Trinity Presbyterian Church. It is a place where shared convictions are embodied and embraced. A family in the church community hosts each Fellow, allowing him or her to experience life with people striving to serve Christ in the midst of their own challenges, joys, and failures.
One evening each week the Fellows share a meal and participate in a roundtable discussion reflecting on the biblical principles and practical implications of Christian community. The Fellows community is committed to accountability, prayer, biblical teaching, and fellowship. The friendships forged within this community are often the type that will last a lifetime.