ACTS Essentials: Program Details – GCMACTS.com – Great Commandments Ministries

Essentials Program Details

ACTS: Essentials is a proactive sabbatical designed to give you time and space to seek Jesus and his will for your life. Read the program details below to see if Essentials is right for you.

Program Details

Dates: August 20 – December 8, 2023

Location: Antioch Orchards, Tieton, WA

Housing: The school is residential with all students living full-time on-campus

Tuition: $3,775

Application Fee: $40

Basic Student Requirements

Applicants must have a sincere personal relationship with the Lord and a desire to mature in Him;

Should be between the ages of 18-25;

Must have an authoritative view of scripture and a teachable heart.

Program Elements / Discipleship + Team Building

Scripture

Each student will read the totality of the scriptures during their 4 months at ESSENTIALS. This may sound ambitious, but an hour each day will give you an overview of the entire Bible.

Intercessory Prayer

This is a time for you to identify with the needs of others, seek the Lord’s direction on how to pray, and seek His intervention in that particular situation. During this time you will focus on needs other than your own.

Personal Devotional Time

Solitude with God. This is the most important part of the day for personal growth. During this time you will learn how to cultivate personal intimacy with Christ through the scriptures. This is time spent completely alone with God, your Bible and your journal.

Local Ministry & Work Duties

Each ESSENTIALS team will serve with a local ministry each week. You will also serve on a meal ministry team and doing general maintenance. This keeps costs down and provides an opportunity to practice service to others.

Teaching

You will receive 11 to 12 weeks of life-changing teaching critical to your spiritual growth, such as The Attributes of God and the Christian Walk; Old and New Testament Surveys; ACTS and the Early Church; A Biblical Foundation for Missions; An Introduction to Apologetics; and studies in the Gospels, and Paul’s Epistles. Topics can vary from session to session. The ESSENTIALS teaching team is made up of guest speakers who are pastors, teachers, and missionaries. We invite those who are in agreement with our purpose, vision, and beliefs, and who have demonstrated the ability to communicate accurately and effectively. We have a new instructor each week who teaches three hours per day Monday through Friday. Each teacher brings a fresh new area of study and a unique teaching style. Our teaching staff will vary somewhat from session to session.

Scripture Memorization & Books

Each ESSENTIALS student will be required to memorize portions of scripture throughout the program. You will also read and reflect on several books. A sample of past books include: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Shame Interrupted, Don’t Waste Your Life, Hole in Our Holiness, and The Knowledge of the Holy.

Mentorship

A time to build a deeper relationship with a staff member and give you an opportunity to ask questions regarding the teaching, to share what God is doing in your life, and to receive prayer, encouragement and accountability.

International Outreach

Applying the principles and perspectives learned during Phase 1, you will see how God can use you to show His love to others and impact His Kingdom. ESSENTIALS will challenge you to reach beyond your personal comforts and trust God in ways you never have before. Students have found this to be especially true during the outreach phase.

Outreaches are usually in an international location somewhere where GCM is currently working. This provides each student an opportunity to assist missionaries that we have ongoing relationships with, who are seeking to carry out the great commission through the local church. During outreach, you will most likely serve by sharing the gospel, building relationships, encouraging the local church, helping with children’s ministries and doing physical labor. Our outreaches are either anchored to a local church, or focused on planting a church where one does not already exist.

L.I.F.E

During the last week of ACTS Essentials each student will be led through a workshop entitled “Living Intentionally for Eternity” (L.I.F.E.). We will help you better understand your Biblical Purpose, your core life values, and how and where God may be calling you in the future. Our goal is that you will gain clear direction on your “next steps” in life after ACTS, and how to thoughtfully and intentionally know and follow after Christ.

Here’s what you need to do next

You Can Apply Online Today

Don’t Wait. You can complete our ACTS application process online by filling in some forms and sending out a reference link to a couple of people who are close to you.

Our admissions team is here to help you. So please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. (509) 673-2290 or email [email protected]

Tuition for Essentials is $3,775. If accepted, a non‐refundable matriculation fee of $250 is due two weeks after your acceptance, (please pay this by check). A $100 “early bird” discount is given to all students who pay their tuition in full one month before the program start date!

Some scholarships are available. Don’t let finances be the barrier to pursuing the Essentials program. If you’re concerned about the tuition cost there may be some help available. Apply for a scholarship here