The Joshua Project

We believe God is raising up a generation of first-career young adults to serve the Lord in full-time vocation ministry. The Joshua Project is designed to support, promote, and encourage young adults in seminary and in the ordination process.

The Joshua Project is so named for Joshua, Son of Nun, who took up the mantle of leadership of the Israelites at time of Moses death. Joshua was a "strong and courageous" young leader who lead God's people fearlessly into the Promised Land.

"Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses." Deuteronomy 34:9

We see all young clergy (male and female alike) as "Joshua's" who have been passed the mantle of leadership to "go and make disciples of all nations."

Too often, young adults in seminary or on the ordination track within the United Methodist Church find themselves going at it alone. Seminary students often feel disconnected from their home Conference, struggling spiritual and just trying to stay (financially at least) afloat.

It is the desire of the Joshua Project to not only remain in prayerful contact with these persons but also to help them financially, spiritually, and affirm God's call upon their life.

Like most conferences, the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church is relying on these first-career clergy candidates to be the future of the church. We are looking to them to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to future generations and during the next 40 years.

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What can you expect?

As this site develops, and our vision grows, the Young Adult Council hopes to offer the following services for first-career ministry students in seminary, as well as those young adult clergy currently under appointment:

1. An annual retreat in which worship, sharing, conversation, and encouragement takes place among seminary students and young adult clergy.

2. An invitation to Annual Conference, all expenses paid, in which seminary students can meet with the Bishop, their District Committee, and be introduced on the floor of Annual Conference affirming their continued call to ministry.

3. Book money and travel reimbursements for those returning to the SWTC for District and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry interviews.

4. Onsite seminary visits by members of the Joshua Project and the SWTC in order to encourage, pray for, and take to dinner future members of the clergy family.

5. Helpful resources on www.grace2live.org through which these ministry candidates can find information about ordination, ministry opportunities, and helpful links relating to ministry with young adults.

6. A voice at Annual Conference through which Young Adults can become advocates for legislation relating to matters of faith and policy which affect us.