Summer staff ministry is a demanding calling. Those who have experienced it attest to the challenge of giving themselves fully to God in service for an entire summer at Mountain T.O.P., a challenge that requires physical, mental, and spiritual stamina.
But they also attest to the joy and the power of the relationships they have formed here: relationships with God, with fellow staff and camp participants, and with the people of the Cumberland Mountains. They attest to the paradox of Christian love—that the more you give yourself away to God and to others, the more you become immersed in an ongoing discovery of who you are as a disciple of Christ beloved by God.
Mountain T.O.P. offers an inclusive and supportive mission community in which to test the limits of your abilities and to more fully realize your potential for leadership and ministry.
Each person who comes to the mountain has something unique to offer. We hope that you will consider offering your unique gifts this summer to help youth and adults from across the country develop their own passion for God as we work together to bring hope and love to the people of the Cumberland Mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?The link for the application can be found on your left. Your thoughtful responses to a series of essay questions, as well as three letters of reference, must accompany your application. Applications will be due in December and interviews begin in January. Hiring decisions will be announced by the end of February. Applicants must be active in the Christian faith through involvement in a church or campus ministry and must have finished high school and be 18 years old by the end of staff training (usually the last week of May).
What does a staff member do?
Staff members live and work in the Cumberland Mountains for nine weeks, usually from late May to early August. During staff training you will be placed on a staff of 6-8 people, with whom you will lead weeklong mission camps for 100 to 160 youth and adult participants. Staff members make connections with local residents, coordinate home repair projects or day camp activities, and plan and lead evening activities and worship.
Do I have to be skilled in construction and worship leading?
Staff members receive an intense training that will provide the necessary construction and programming skills for the job as well as professional communication and leadership skills to help each staff member maximize his or her effectiveness for ministry.
Will I get paid?
In addition to receiving room and board, staff members are compensated at a competitive rate based on position. As with many other mission opportunities, part of your ministry prior to the summer will involve raising funds for the mission by forming partnerships with friends, relatives, and church family.