Introducing the 2024 Residency Cohort
CCC is thrilled to welcome our eighth 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 six residents working in four 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 2024–2026 cohort:
ethan marco
college Ministry
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Omaha, NE
COLLEGE/DEGREE: University of Nebraska Omaha; Neuroscience
CALL TO MINISTRY: From the moment I was saved, God placed on my heart a prompting to share the same love that I was shown by him and the people he had placed in my life with others. This grew into a passion for evangelism and discipleship, and thus, through a lot of prayer, I began to take steps towards a lifetime of ministry, by which I can help others encounter the love of Jesus Christ.
FAVORITE FOOD: Any and all seafood
STARBUCKS DRINK: A London Fog or just plain black coffee
Marcus perrotto
spiritual discovery &
young adults
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale, FL
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Toccoa Falls College; Global Engagement
CALL TO MINISTRY: God has given me a passion for serving those from other cultures who have not heard the true gospel.
FAVORITE FOOD: Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing and gravy
STARBUCKS DRINK: Hot chai latte with a shot of espresso
Nema Mijak
spiritual DISCOVERY &
Young adults
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Omaha, NE
COLLEGE/DEGREE: University of Nebraska Omaha; Science
CALL TO MINISTRY: Ministry has always been part of my life. I am joining God where he is at work to serve his people.
FAVORITE FOOD: I don’t have a favorite! I’m okay with anything!
STARBUCKS DRINK: Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
Katheryn winn
Worship Arts
AGE: 20
HOMETOWN: Massillon, Ohio
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Crown College; Psychology
CALL TO MINISTRY: Worship, music, and the arts have always been a part of my life, and the Lord has invited me to surrender my gifts to be used by him in whatever ways he wants. I also have a call to partner with the Holy Spirit in his work of healing people in the field of counseling.
FAVORITE FOOD: Texas Roadhouse Rolls
STARBUCKS DRINK: Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
betsy wood
COLLEGE Ministry
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Blair, NE
CALL TO MINISTRY: I came to know Christ just a few years ago, and since then, he has put it on my heart to share his love to others through full-time ministry.
FAVORITE FOOD: Anything Mexican
STARBUCKS DRINK: Iced Caramel Macchiato
joe wright
HIGH SCHOOL Ministry
AGE: 23
HOMETOWN: Omaha, NE
COLLEGE/DEGREE: Crown College; Youth & Social Ministry
CALL TO MINISTRY: The next generation is such an important asset to the life of a church. I want to be able to help raise the next generation of church leaders and point them to Christ.
FAVORITE FOOD: Pan-seared salmon
STARBUCKS DRINK: Iced Caramel Macchiato