CCC is thrilled to welcome our fourth cohort to the Church Residency program!

The residency is a two-year program focused on combining practical experience with graduate-level education. This year we’re welcoming seven residents working in five different ministry areas. The goal is for each of the residents to complete the program fully prepared for ministry without further debt, which is why the church, along with a generous discount from Crown, will pay 100% of their tuition.

As we endeavor on such an ambitious and Kingdom-focused approach to leadership training, we would ask you to consider doing four things in the coming months:

Pray

Pray for residents as they receive their training. Pray for the staff who are mentoring and training the residents. Pray for the churches, missions, and organizations that will soon be hiring our residents. And most of all, pray that God gets all the glory and that the mission of the Church advances because more bright, young leaders are being sent out!

Give

Although the church is paying for the residents’ tuition along with a small monthly stipend, each resident is required to raise support to cover their monthly expenses. Because we want the residents to focus on their experience without overextending themselves to get a part-time job, this support is crucial to free them up to focus on their training. If you feel led to contribute to an individual resident or if you’d like to designate giving to the program overall, visit cccomaha.org/give.

Host

Each resident will live with a CCC member/attender for the duration of their residency. This is not only a great way to save them money, but also to connect them with caring people who can provide additional leadership and support in their lives. If you have the gift of hospitality, an extra room or basement, and would like more information on becoming a host home, visit cccresidency.org/hosthome.

Connect

We’ll introduce you to the new cohort of residents below. As you see them around the church, please approach them and introduce yourself. Say “hi” and get to know them. Perhaps you would want to bless them with lunch or coffee or giving them an occasional gift card. More importantly, bless them with your words of love and encouragement.

A program like this can only be realized and accomplished together. It’s not just our staff who can pull this off. We need everyone in the church to capture the vision and recognize that, in order to provide a great program for residents, we need to have a culture that values training and equipping young leaders for work in church ministry. They are the future—but to send them into the future with everything they need, the Church of today needs to get behind them, support them, and mentor them so they can lead us into tomorrow. The CCC Church Residency is a huge step in that direction. Thanks for taking that step with us!

GET TO KNOW THE 2020–2022 COHORT:

MARY CLAIRE JOHNSON

AGE: 22
HOMETOWNS: Lincoln, NE and Dallas, TX
COLLEGE/DEGREE: University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Leadership
CALL TO MINISTRY: I was a nursing student feeling unsatisfied with my future career. I knew I had a passion to care for others and it was through varying mentorship/discipleship opportunities in college that I recognized my passion of long-term development and healing in both myself and others! 
FAVORITE FOOD: Chick-fil-A!!!
STARBUCKS DRINK: Decaf White Mocha

MATT CLURAGHTY

AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Milaca, MN
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Moody Bible Institute; Bachelor of Science in Ministry with Leadership Emphasis
CALL TO MINISTRY: Since God brought me into relationship with himself my senior year of high school, he has placed a deep passion in my heart for the lost. God proved that he would equip me for whatever he would call me for, and in my case that was full-time ministry. My passion is to be used by God to draw people close to Jesus.
FAVORITE FOOD: A rare steak
FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK: Hot White Mocha

ISAIAH LACKEY

AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Roanoke, Virginia
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Toccoa Falls College; Cross-Cultural Studies & Bible and Theology.
CALL TO MINISTRY: My call to ministry has been a journey of going through doors the Lord opens for me and to using the gifts of the Spirit that he has given to me. The Lord has given me a heart and a passion for serving others in any capacity, especially those of different cultural backgrounds.
FAVORITE FOOD: Any kind of Asian food, or Chick-fil-A. 
FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK: Mocha, Caramel Macchiato, or just a plain black cup of coffee.

CAITLIN FETTIG

AGE: 23
HOMETOWN: Portland, OR
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Social Work; George Fox University
CALL TO MINISTRY: My call to ministry stems from my desire to leave people better than I found them by being the hands and feet of Christ to everyone I meet.
FAVORITE FOOD: Cereal… just any and ALL of the cereal.
FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK: Matcha Latte

LOTTIE ELLIS

AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Columbia Falls, MT
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Crown College; Youth & Family Ministry and Christian Studies
CALL TO MINISTRY: God is continually revealing to me the beauty of himself, and the beauty in those around me. I feel called to empower people, through the love of Jesus, to share their stories and pursue him with their whole lives. 
FAVORITE FOOD: Fried Chicken
FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK: The caffeinated kind

MATT JOHNSON

AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Lutz, Florida
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Florida Southern College; BA in Religion
CALL TO MINISTRY: My call to ministry has been more of a fall to ministry. God has faithfully ruined all of my plans that did not align with his, and with my future freed of obligations, God made it clear that I was to build up the Church with the gifts I have been given.
FAVORITE FOOD: Meatloaf or Tuna Casserole
FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK: Salted Caramel Crunch Frappuccino

SETH RENICKS

AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Grove City, PA
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Toccoa Falls College; B.S. in Ministry and Leadership
CALL TO MINISTRY: Right now I’m called to be in the Residency program and learn as much as I can to be ready for where the Lord has me next!
FAVORITE FOOD: Steak 🥩
FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK: Pineapple Matcha Latte