Give your church's next generation a place to grow.
Learn what a TFI Fellows Program is, why churches start one, and how Come & See Training gets you from curious to launched.
Young adults are leaving the church.
Recent graduates are often caught between the pull of the world and the call to belong to a local church — right as they're navigating the loneliness and uncertainty of life after college.
A Fellows Program gives pastors and lay leaders a real way to respond. For three decades, it's helped young leaders find their footing and settle into a Christ-centered life — in your church.
A 9–10 month program where faith becomes a way of life.
Each fellow works a real job in their field, takes graduate-level courses, serves in the church and city, and is personally mentored — all inside a close cohort grounded in your church community.
Five parts, one whole life.
Every TFI program is shaped around the same five elements — balancing head, heart, and hands.
Work
3–4 days a week in a paid job in their field of interest.
Service
Steady, weekly rhythms of serving the church and city.
Learning
Graduate-level courses in theology and leadership.
Worship
Rooted in a real local church body — not just attending.
Community
Close relationships with peers and mentors, together.
What your church gains.
Disciples who lead
Fellows grow into trained, culturally-fluent candidates for lay leadership and staff roles.
Your fastest-growing group
Many churches see fellows become their most active — and fastest-growing — community.
A lift for youth ministry
A wave of capable, enthusiastic young adults joins your ministry team each year.
A bridge to your city
Fellows build relationships across the city that your church wouldn't otherwise have.
The original network of church-based fellows programs.
Since our first program launched in 1994 near Washington, D.C., TFI has grown into a coast-to-coast, multi-denominational network — equipping hundreds of young leaders every year with a faith that shapes all of life.
Years running
Fellows every year
Alumni worldwide
Your path to launch.
No fees, no pressure — just a clear next step.
Apply
Submit your application for review — free, and no obligation.
Director Training
A 3-day, on-site training to equip your director for launch.
Launch
Welcome your first cohort of fellows into the church.
From 6 programs to over 30 — and counting.
In 2006, when TFI launched, there were just four Fellows programs. Today there are more than 30, spread across the country. Come & See is the best way to explore whether one belongs at your church.
The course walks through the model and structure of a successful program — teaching and discipleship, internships and housing, staffing, recruitment, and finances — so you can discern before you commit to anything.
TFI Come & See Training
A 2-day live, online training course for anyone considering a new Fellows program.
Two days, four sessions.
All times Eastern. Each session runs two hours, with a break for lunch.
What you'll learn.
Nine topics, plus four hands-on workshops you can complete at your own pace.
The Foundations of Fellows
Getting Ready to Launch
Program Strategy & Structure
Program Leadership
Essential Program Elements
The Program Calendar
Administration & Finance
Recruiting & Admissions
Pastoral Care & Mentoring
Anyone weighing whether to launch a program.
Come & See is built for church and community leaders still discerning — and just as valuable for teams who've already decided to join the TFI network.
Can't make this date? We'll come to you.
For groups of four or more, we'll customize the content and schedule around your team.
On-site Training
We'll travel to your church and lead the course in person, tailored to your community.
Private Online Training
The same course, scheduled privately online for your team — minimum group of four.
Ready to bring a Fellows Program to your church?
Register for the next Come & See, or reach out to schedule a private session for your team.