Built
for this.
If God’s called you to ministry, this is where you get ready.
Gain real ministry experience, grow as a leader, deepen your understanding of Scripture, and learn alongside experienced pastors and ministry leaders at United City Church.
Developing the next generation of church leaders.
United City Residency exists to develop the next generation of church leaders who know the Scriptures, embody the character of Christ, and faithfully serve the local church through healthy and effective pastoral leadership.
Whether you’re beginning to explore a call to ministry or preparing to launch into vocational church leadership, United City provides a pathway designed to help you take your next step.
This isn’t just an opportunity to serve and lead at a church.
It’s an opportunity to be formed for ministry.
Two paths.
One calling.
Not everyone enters ministry at the same stage. That’s why United City offers two pathways designed to help you explore or develop your calling.
A 10-week, paid summer experience designed to give students meaningful exposure to vocational ministry.
A one-year, full-time immersive ministry experience designed to prepare emerging leaders for healthy, effective, long-term vocational ministry.
Not sure which pathway is right for you?
We want you focused on becoming the leader God has called you to be.
We believe developing healthy ministry leaders is worth investing in. That’s why United City Residents receive more than ministry experience.
Competitive Salary
Residents receive a competitive salary, allowing you to focus on ministry and development rather than fundraising.
Tuition Assistance
Receive up to $10,000 per year toward qualifying seminary or graduate theological education.
Mission Trip
Put missional leadership into practice through a United City mission experience funded as part of your Residency.
Conferences + Training
Learn from leaders beyond United City through conferences and additional ministry training opportunities.
Weekly Development
Dedicated weekly development focused on spiritual formation, Scripture and theology, ministry, and leadership.
Coaching + Mentorship
Receive intentional investment from pastors, ministry supervisors, instructors, and experienced church leaders.
Laptop Provided
Residents receive a laptop to equip them for ministry, study, and development.
Housing
Housing is available through United City families who open their homes to help Residents relocate and become part of the UC community.
Heart. Head. Hands.
We believe effective ministry leaders need more than experience. They need to become the kind of people God can trust and the kind of leaders others can follow. That’s why development at United City focuses on the whole leader.
Spiritual Formation
Ministry leadership begins with character.
You’ll develop spiritual practices and rhythms that deepen your relationship with Christ, shape Christlike character, and prepare you for sustainable ministry.
Biblical + Theological Formation
Healthy ministry leaders know and love God’s Word.
You’ll grow in your understanding of Scripture and theology and learn how to faithfully apply biblical truth to ministry, leadership, and everyday life.
Ministry + Leadership Development
You don’t learn ministry only in a classroom.
You’ll lead real people, solve real problems, develop ministry strategies, receive feedback, and practice the skills necessary for healthy and effective leadership.
We’re not simply preparing you to get a ministry job. We’re preparing you for a lifetime of faithful ministry.
Nine ministry tracks.
Explore nine ministry environments where you can develop your gifts, gain meaningful experience, and learn alongside experienced United City leaders.
Kids
Kids
Learn family ministry, volunteer leadership, programming, discipleship, and the systems required to create engaging and safe environments for kids.
Youth
Youth
Gain experience in student discipleship, teaching, events, groups, volunteer leadership, and building relationships with students and families.
Young Adults
Young Adults
Develop skills in discipleship, teaching, community building, events, leadership development, and reaching young adults.
Groups
Groups
Gain experience in adult discipleship, group strategy, leadership development, pastoral care, assimilation, and multiplying leaders.
Español
Español
Experience multicultural ministry while developing skills in discipleship, pastoral ministry, leadership, and building healthy ministry environments.
Missions
Missions
Gain experience in local and global missions, partnerships, mobilization, trip leadership, evangelism, and helping people take their next missional step.
Worship
Worship
Develop as a worship leader while learning team development, service planning, musical leadership, spiritual formation, and the ministry behind the platform.
Production
Production
Gain hands-on experience with audio, video, lighting, broadcast, systems, Sunday execution, and leading technical volunteers.
Creative
Creative
Develop skills in areas such as graphic design, photography, video, storytelling, social media, marketing, and communication strategy.
Learn ministry in a growing, diverse church.
United City is a growing church in Northeast Houston committed to helping people believe in Jesus, belong to community, and become who God has called them to be.
As part of the United City team, you’ll experience ministry in a growing church reaching people across generations, cultures, and stages of life. You’ll learn what it looks like to pursue people, develop leaders, build healthy ministry environments, and serve a rapidly growing and diverse community.
And you get to call Houston home.
Houston is one of America’s largest and most diverse cities—a global city filled with incredible people, cultures, food, sports, opportunities, and ministry needs.
It’s not simply a great place to live.
It’s an incredible place to learn ministry.
Your road to United City.
Apply
Tell us who you are, how God is leading you, your ministry experience, and which pathway and track you’re interested in.
Interview
Meet with United City leaders so we can get to know you—and so you can get to know us.
Selection
Final candidates are selected and invited to join the 2027–28 United City cohort.
Prepare
Complete pre-program training, connect with your ministry team, and prepare to begin your time at United City.
Begin
This could be you.
The best way to understand Residency is to hear from the people who’ve lived it.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the Residency and Internship?
Each pathway is designed for a different stage of ministry development.
Internship is a 10-week paid summer experience designed to help students explore a potential call to ministry.
Residency is a one-year, full-time immersive experience designed to help emerging leaders develop their calling for healthy, effective vocational ministry.
Who should apply?
We’re looking for emerging leaders who love Jesus, love the local church, demonstrate character and teachability, and sense that God may be calling them toward vocational ministry.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You do need to be ready to learn, serve, work hard, receive feedback, and grow.
Do I need a college degree?
A college degree is not necessarily required for every pathway. Educational and experience requirements may vary based on the pathway and ministry track.
Do I need to know which ministry track I want?
No. You can indicate the ministry areas you’re most interested in during the application process.
Our team will help determine where your calling, gifting, experience, development needs, and available opportunities best align.
How many people are accepted into the Residency Program?
It varies depending on the year. In a typical year, we receive hundreds of applications and accept between 5–7 full-time Residents and 10–15 Summer Interns.
Is Residency paid?
Yes.
United City Residency is a paid, full-time ministry development program with a competitive salary and additional benefits.
Do Residents have to raise financial support?
No.
United City Residents do not raise their own financial support. Residents receive a salary directly through United City so they can focus on ministry and development.
Do I have to move to Houston?
Yes. The Residency Program at United City Church is an in-person program located in Houston, TX.
Is housing provided?
United City helps provide housing through Host Homes—families within the United City community who open their homes to Residents.
Specific housing arrangements are coordinated during the onboarding process.
How does the $10,000 tuition assistance work?
Residents may receive up to $10,000 per year in tuition assistance toward qualifying seminary or graduate theological education.
Additional enrollment and eligibility requirements apply.
Do I have to attend seminary during Residency?
No.
Seminary is not required for every Resident, but we strongly value theological education and want to help Residents pursue additional education when it fits their ministry goals and development plan.
What does a typical week look like?
Your week will include significant time serving with your ministry team, weekly Resident Development, coaching and mentorship, ministry preparation, church responsibilities, and—when applicable—dedicated time for theological education.
A typical week includes:
- Staff Meetings: 3 hrs per week
- Development: 5 hrs per week
- Ministry Experience: 30 hrs per week
Residency is designed to integrate learning ministry and doing ministry.
Will I just be fetching coffee and lunch?
Residents and Summer Interns are seen as valuable members of the United City Church staff team and are treated as such. All Residents and Summer Interns are treated as a part of our staff, and jump into serving and leading with meaningful responsibility on their ministry teams immediately.
What kind of training will I receive?
Resident Development focuses on three areas:
Heart — Spiritual Formation
Developing Christlike character and sustainable spiritual rhythms.
Head — Biblical + Theological Formation
Growing in your understanding of Scripture and theology.
Hands — Ministry + Leadership Development
Developing the practical skills necessary to lead and serve effectively.
What happens after Residency?
Our goal is to prepare you for your next faithful ministry assignment.
Throughout your Residency, we’ll help you identify your strengths, development needs, calling, and next steps. As the conclusion of your Residency approaches, United City leaders will help you prepare for and navigate your transition into future ministry opportunities, which could include: renewing for another year of Residency, placement on the UC staff team or within a ministry position within the UC network, church plant, or something else.
Am I guaranteed a job at United City after Residency?
No.
Residency is designed to prepare you for vocational ministry wherever God leads you. Occasionally opportunities at United City may be available, but completion of Residency does not guarantee future employment.
Can married applicants participate?
Yes.
Married candidates are welcome to apply. Housing and relocation arrangements may differ from those of single Residents and will be discussed during the interview process.
When should I apply?
Applications for the 2027–28 cohort are open August 2026 through January 2027.
Because interviews begin before applications close, we recommend applying early.
What happens after I apply?
Our team will review your application and determine whether to invite you into the interview process.
Interviews are relational and designed to help both you and United City determine whether the program, pathway, and ministry environment are a good fit.
I still have questions. Who should I contact? We’d love to talk with you.
You were
built for this.
You don’t have to know exactly where ministry will take you. You just need to be willing to take the next faithful step.
Come serve and lead. Be developed. Discover what God has built you to do.
United City Church • Houston, Texas
Internship
A 10-week, paid summer experience designed to give students meaningful exposure to vocational ministry.
You’ll serve alongside a United City ministry team, receive intentional development, and experience firsthand what ministry inside a local church looks like.
Best for
College students exploring a potential call to vocational ministry.
You’ll experience
- Paid summer ministry experience
- Hands-on ministry opportunities
- Weekly development
- Ministry mentorship
- Cohort community
Residency
A one-year, full-time immersive ministry experience designed to prepare emerging leaders for healthy, effective, long-term vocational ministry.
You’ll join a United City ministry team, carry meaningful ministry responsibility, receive intensive development, and prepare for your next ministry assignment.
Best for
College seniors, graduates, seminary students, and emerging leaders preparing to enter vocational church ministry.
You’ll experience
- Competitive salary
- Significant ministry responsibility
- Weekly training and development
- Personal coaching and mentorship
- Educational and ministry benefits
Compare the pathways
| Internship | Residency | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Explore your calling | Develop your calling |
| Length | 10 weeks (summer) | One year |
| Commitment | Paid summer experience | Paid, full-time with competitive salary |
| Dates | May 23 – Aug 1, 2027 | Aug 3, 2027 – Jul 30, 2028 |
| Best for | College students exploring a potential call to vocational ministry | College seniors, graduates, seminary students, and emerging leaders preparing for vocational ministry |
| Development | Weekly development, ministry mentorship, cohort community | Weekly training, personal coaching, educational and ministry benefits |