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A Vision for Servanthood

  • Writer: Virginia Roth
    Virginia Roth
  • Apr 22
  • 5 min read

Exploring ways to develop relational service-minded leaders in Orlando, FL


By Virginia Roth


It is profoundly beautiful when someone goes out of their way to serve another person. As Christians, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and serve one another in love, eagerly pursuing the unity of Christ (Ephesians 4: 2-3). Even though the call to serve is clear in Scripture, we are sometimes reluctant to get involved with  difficult, hands-on service. Discomfort, inconvenience, and uncertainty can prevent us from taking those first steps toward a life of servanthood. It is just easier to keep a distance and assume others will take care of things.


Knowing these things about ourselves, how can we cultivate a heart for service and a willingness to actively contribute to the work of the global Church? How can we learn to step into hard things, even when it means personal sacrifice and discomfort? How can we encourage servant-leadership across generational lines? Mobilizing young adults to serve is a key goal of the Orlando Heart of the City Fellows (aka Orlando Fellows) leadership development program.


In October 2024, Bret Allen, the Director of the Orlando Fellows program took twelve fellows on a 4-day mission trip to the Dominican Republic. He has been leading this trip for 15 years. In partnership with Mission Emanuel, Bret leads the trip to help his fellows gain a new perspective on their sense of calling as they invest in the work of the Church. It is also an opportunity to observe, first-hand, the serious reality of poverty. He has found that this trip  changes lives and strengthens relationships.


Bret and his fellows started their journey with a 2-hour plane ride to Santo Domingo on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. Mission Emanuel is in Cielo, a small village on the western edge of the city. The natural surroundings of Cielo are beautiful, but the community suffers under intense poverty. Mission Emanuel serves the community by operating a school, a medical center, a water purification system, and a community center.


Fellows helping build a house in Cielo.
Fellows helping build a house in Cielo.

Over four busy days filled with physical labor, multicultural worship services, and nightly group meetings, the team was able to develop meaningful relationships with the Missions Emanuel staff and families. In fact, one of the main goals of this trip is to serve the local community under the guidance and leadership of the local staff. Bret remarked, "I have seen many benefits the Fellows receive in making friendships with the Mission Emanuel staff and local residents. Because of their proximity in age and stage of life, each year we see amazing, deep relationships initiated over the trip that are remembered and kept for years after.”


In addition to relationships with Mission Emanuel, friendships also blossomed among the Fellows in special ways. During the trip, working to cross boundaries of language and culture developed bonds that would have been impossible without spending time in Cielo. Selfless work redirects our gaze away from our interests and toward the interest of those we are serving and those working beside us. Experiencing hardship together enables us to bond in deeper, more meaningful ways. 


Jonathan Green, a current Orlando Fellow, said, “When physically working alongside others, you will connect on some level. Slinging bricks, laying concrete, and working in the hot sun will make anyone bond together. It built, literally, a sturdy foundation for our friendships. Daily work, as much as rest, was integral to forming our friendships. Unified manual labor and meals together built connections between us like nothing else –it was a shaping experience. Failing and succeeding together is what you remember. After we worked hard, playing in the pool was refreshing on many levels, both relationally and physically. It gave me legitimate practice in exercising my work- rest habits.”


To help the emerging generation of adults take its place as servant-leaders, the Orlando Fellows program encourages them to serve in relationship with one another to bring more flourishing into the world. Hands-on service experience is critically important in establishing humility and selflessness as young leaders begin to form the habits of their lives. To this point, Jonathan commented, “I encountered a lot of people who have set aside their own life for the benefit of others. That is what Christ was all about. It has helped me be the person who sees the person in front of me rather than seeing a problem.” Bret added, “God uses cross-cultural experiences like this to form us in ways that nothing else can.” 


The Orlando Fellows trip to Cielo is just one example of how TFI Fellows programs impact lives. This amazing trip is not simply about having an Instagram-able experience or building fond memories. It’s a moment of personal formation and preparation. Jonathan noted, "Service has taken a bigger priority in how I operate throughout my life since experiencing and participating in such immersive, authentic service on this trip.”


As followers of Christ, we do not just do service. We are servants - at work, at church, and in our neighborhoods. As our perfect example, Jesus intentionally left the glory of heaven to be with us, experiencing the human condition first-hand, serving as a carpenter, teacher, Savior and King. In addition to serving the  people of Cielo, this trip aims to  inspire Christ-likeness and servant-leadership in every sphere of life.













Virginia Roth

TFI Communications and Research Associate

Join a TFI Fellows Program!


If you are a college senior, recent graduate, or knows someone that is, please apply to be a fellow! You can apply to three programs at once with no application fee using our common application.


Being a fellow is an amazing way to launch your career after college! As a fellow you will have a paid job in your field of interest, take seminary courses, and you will have many opportunities to use your gifts serving in the church and city. You will also have a personal mentor.


We are now accepting applications all across the TFI network. Some programs are beginning to fill up, so apply as soon as you can! Click here to apply today.




You can also learn more by joining an upcoming informational webinar.




Help Advance TFI's Mission


TFI and the the Fellows Movement has been spreading across the United States for 19 years. There are now 32 TFI Fellows programs and more than 3,000 alumni!


Please consider partnering with TFI financially to help young Christian leaders find their place in the church, workplace, and society and to work toward the flourishing of the world.


With your financial partnership, together we can:

  • Expand the TFI network to more churches in more cities. Even though we are growing, there are still many areas of the country that do not currently have a TFI Fellows program.

  • Expand our reach to more young leaders graduating from more colleges and universities. There is room in our network for more young leaders to come and grow in Christ. Your support will help us fill every Fellows class across the country!


If you have been blessed by a TFI Fellows program or simply want to see this Kingdom ministry expand, please consider making a recurring donation or one-time gift to TFI. CLICK HERE to donate online.


To give by check, please mail it to our NEW ADDRESS:


The Fellows Initiative

8227 Old Courthouse Road, Suite 320

Vienna, Virginia 22182


Thank you!


TFI is a donor supported 501c3 nonprofit registered in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

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