::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     J A N U A R Y     2 5 t h    ::

We were blessed with the opportunity to go to Ocean City and serve at the Rock youth conference. We had the honor of being able to help with set up and tear down; we were also able to do one of our dramas on the main stage. We were able to head up a workshop where we taught the students some of our dramas, and how they could head up dramas to be able to minister in that way at their churches. We also had the opportunity to bring along with us some of our local youth student’s who helped us with our day to day stuff while we were there; some even helped with the drama we did on the main stage. We were blessed with all this and had a great time. We praise God for keeping us safe and teaching us so much trough the weekend.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     J A N U A R Y     1 8 t h    ::

Wow what a fun time we were able to have at the PK retreat in Illinois. We were able to help them with their yearly retreat for pastor’s kids. We helped by being counselors for them and also helped tear down. We were able to do some drama along with stomp. We had a blast just being able to hang out with students and learn who they are and what they have gone through. The other team went to Bear, DE to the Love of Christ Church and were able to minister through some of our dramas and also did stomp while they were there. Then we had the honor to be able to visit one of our MC alumni Sherryanne MacPherson and to do a Rally at the church she is a youth pastor at in Strasburg, PA. We were able to do stomp and some dramas. It was awesome to be able to reconnect with family while we were out there. This weekend with will be heading to Ocean City, Maryland to with their conference with “The Rock.” We are excited to help and can’t wait to get there. Pray for more safe travels as we will be on the road a lot this weekend.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     J A N U A R Y     1 1 t h    ::

We had the honor of being able to serve at the Pen-Del youth convention in Ocean City, Maryland this past weekend. There we were able to help with security and lead a workshop on who we are in Christ. We were able to minister to 800 students in the workshop! Telling them about how we really don't need to be identified by the labels that we put on one another but rather to be identified by the cross. We also were able so minster through stomp and some drama's. We were able to help them set up and tear down the event and will returning next year and cannot wait for it. This weekend the team will split into two. One team will be heading to Illinois to help with the Illinois PK retreat. The other half will be heading to Bear, DE at the Love of Christ Church Friday and Saturday then to Strasburg, PA at the First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg Sunday night at both we will doing some drama's and stomp. Keep both teams in pray as one travels 16 hours away from home.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     J A N U A R Y     4 t h    ::

We are back with a running start to the New Year. Just before Christmas break we had the honor to help ETA, with their school assembly program, helping with setup and tear-down and we were also able to do stomp and a drama. The assembly encourages students to make positive choices in their life concerning their character, peer pressure, bullying, and their scholastic achievement, and it was an honor to a part of that. That evening we had a great time of fellowship and food together as an MC family. Christmas break was a much needed time of rest and relaxation, where we were able to reconnect with friends and family, and get to share in the joy of the holiday together. Coming back from break, we kicked off the New Year together as an MC family. What better way to welcome it in then with family and prayer? Now the fun of the New Year begins! This weekend we are heading off to Ocean City, Maryland to help with the Pen-Del youth conference, where we will be ministering through stomp and dramas. We will also be serving as security and leading a workshop. Please pray for strength and safety as we travel and serve.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     D E C E M B E R     2 0 t h    ::

This past weekend we had the opportunity to help at the 20 Hours of Intensity retreat, speaking, doing dramas, and just hanging out with the students. We made some great friends and had a awesome time in fellowship with the students there. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to help with an E.T.A., where we will be doing stomp and drama. After the assembly we'll be returning for some awesome food and fellowship before Christmas break. We are all looking forward to spending time with friends an family before jumping back into everything in January.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     N O V E M B E R     2 3 t h    ::

Another two awesome youth conferences we had the opportunity to help with. In Kentucky we got to work with Brian Neugent with his youth conference, and got to listen to the awesome band Abandon. In Ocean City, Maryland we got help with the Alive youth conference which we took some of our awesome youth students from United youth group with us to help and we had a blast helping Gary Grecco and the Alive team. Soon we will be on Thanksgiving break and get to see out family for some the first time in almost four months. Pray that each of us travel safely and get back ready to go deep then before.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     N O V E M B E R     1 6 t h    ::

It seems as if our team has been there and back again. We sent a team to Ohio, New Jersey, and Kantner, PA at the same time. In Ohio we had the honor to help Tom Groot with the Ohio Reach youth convention. In New Jersey, we got to help Pastor Fabian Kalapuch with his ministry Youth Alive, we got to witness over 200 students receive Christ or re-dedicate their lives to him. In Kantner we were able to help with a outreach held by Pastor Tim Farkis and got to sever about 200 people dinner. We then had the opportunity to perform and speak at their Sunday morning service. Then when we got home we were all sent back toward New Jersey to help with the New Jersey pastors retreat. We had the blessing to be able to perform for their Kids. We got to play games with them and just have a blast. Soon we will be on the road again for Kentucky and Maryland, for the Kentucky youth conference and the Maryland Alive youth conference.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     N O V E M B E R    2 N D    ::

Wow what an awesome couple of weeks it has been. We had the privilege to help with Potomac’s PKMK retreat, we had great services and an awesome trip to Hershey Park! Last week, some of our team were able to go to Illinois for the Momentum youth conference. We were to help the Illinois A/G district with the setting up and running the convention which brings in about three thousand people. It is truly something amazing that God has given us the opportunity to help with these awesome ministry's. Don’t forget to like us facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     O C T O B E R    1 9 t h    ::

So much has happened in such a little amount of time since the last update. You can check out the pictures from our picture day at the beach on our facebook page. We then had the opportunity to go to West Virginia and help with nine 7 Project school assemblies where 97 students accepted Christ! This weekend we will be at the Potomac PKMK (Pastors Kids/Ministry Kids) retreat where we will have the opportunity to invest in the students’ lives and encourage them in their walk with God. Keep us in your prayers as we travel and minister to those God leads us.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     O C T O B E R    5 t h    ::

Hey guy's were about a month in and a lot has happened in such a short time. Just last night a team went to Delaware County Christian School to do a seminar with 7th grade and their parents. And it was awesome, there were about 50 people there discussing how to overcome the negative influences of the media. This weekend we have and incredible opportunity to work with Kevin Dawson and the 7 Project. We will be helping with 9 school assemblies in only 3 DAYS. Keep them in your prayers, that God would strengthen them as they serve. It seems like yesterday we were walking into the doors, ready to embark on this 9 month journey. We are all growing expectantly, building the family bonds, and learning God's word day by day. Thank you all who keep us in your prayers.

--Christian Papach--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     A U G U S T    3 1 s t    ::

Cure for Kara! UPDATE: Due to Hurricane Irene, the bone marrow drive for Kara has been moved to this Sunday, September 4th. For more info on Kara and the reason for the drive, please see the post below.

REGISTER AS A BONE MARROW DONOR!
Sunday, September 3, 2011
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Christian Life Center
125 Saginaw Rd
Lincoln University, PA 19352

--Nic Knapp--
Support Staff

::    M O N D A Y ,     A U G U S T    2 2 n d    ::

Cure for Kara! We need your help! Come out and register with DKMS

On Sunday, August 28th, there will be a bone marrow drive for Kara Thomas at the Christian Life Center. Kara was a student at GZMC last year. On May 16, 2011, a biopsy of a nasal cavity tumor revealed that Kara had a rare form of lymphoma NKT – a form of cancer that is a white blood cell killer. Unfortunately, surgical removal of the tumor is not an option and her best chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant. Kara’s mother and little sister are both not a match and there is currently no donor on the registry who can save Kara’s life.

Registering only takes a few minutes you simply have the inside of your mouth swabbed with a Q-Tip. You must be between 18 and 55 and in good general health. Your results are then sent in to be tested for Kara and many others who are in need of a bone marrow donor. For more information contact Megan Haver at 610.869.8332 or e-mail at megan@gzmconline.com. For more information about donating visit the Get Swabbed website at www.GetSwabbed.org.

REGISTER AS A BONE MARROW DONOR!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Christian Life Center
125 Saginaw Rd
Lincoln University, PA 19352

--Megan Haver--
4th Year Intern

::    T U E S D A Y ,     M A Y    11 t h    ::

Our last week of this year is going to be action-packed! On Friday we will be heading down to Ocean View, Delaware to do a rally at Maria Rickards’ home church. Then on Saturday morning, we will be doing a drama workshop at Christina Trager’s home church, which is also in Ocean View. Then that team will be leaving to head down to Atlanta, Georgia to meet the rest of the team. Yes, we will all be in Atlanta from May 15th through the 20th. We are going to be working with an organization called Event Force for a fundraiser.

Then on Sunday May 22nd we will be having our Ground Zero Master’s Cmmissoin Graduation Service at the Christian life Center. Which is located at 125 Saginaw Rd. New London TWP, PA 19352. The service will be from 3 pm to 5 pm. We hope you will join us for the closing of the year.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     M A Y    10 t h    ::

We had the opportunity to work with a few different churches last weekend throughout Pennsylvania. First we did a rally in Ridgway, PA with The River outreach ministry. Then on Saturday, we traveled down to Harrisburg to work with Pastor Jeff and Christian Life Assembly’s Frequency Youth Missions teams. We taught them two full Stomp routines, a step routine, and a drama to use when they travel to Panama and Peru this summer. Christian Life Assembly is the home Church of Miranda Zeigler. We spent the night there and got to spend time with her family, Youth Pastor and some of the students from the church. We left Sunday afternoon for Hamburg, PA to help with Tonnage. This is a weightlifting outreach that we attend every year. We had an awesome time hanging out with the students before the Rally that evening, and then it was amazing to be able to pray with those same students later on during the altar call.

We also had a team of students out in Ohio to assist the District Youth staff with their Fine Arts Festival. We got to be adjudicators, room moderators and work in the Tabulation room. The staff was really fun to work with and we are so blessed to have God’s favor and be able to work with so many incredible people.

A third group of students traveled to New Jersey to help with the District Fine Arts Festival. We worked there as door monitors and runners. That team came home that night, and then another team of us went up the next day and assisted with the District Council of all of the Senior Pastors in the District.

Last Wednesday we did a rally at GroundZero Union, which is a youth ministry that we are involved in every week. And we also participated in the National Day of Prayer with Students from a local high school all day.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     A P R I L    19 t h    ::

This past weekend we had the opportunity to help out with the New Jersey youth leader conference for both student leaders and youth pastors. We got to work with the staff of the New Jersey District once again, as well as sit in on a few of the seminars. We also had a team in Woodbridge, VA working with the Potomac District during their Youth Convention. Being able to work with such amazing leadership from all over the country is a blessing. Not only do we get to serve, we learn from them as well.

On Saturday evening a team of twelve drove up to Clearfield, PA, and on Sunday we worked with Pastor Ken at Glad Tidings Assembly of God. We were able to minister during the morning service and for the children’s time, we did a Stomp routine. Then, in the afternoon we assisted the church with an Easter egg hunt community outreach. Finally in the evening, we did a rally for youth and college-age students. The students responded well to the message. We also had a great time just getting to know Pastor Ken, his family, and the members of his church.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     A P R I L    6 t h    ::

This past Wednesday there was a group of us who helped with the Explicit Truth Assemblies (ETA) in Ridgely, MD. It was an awesome opportunity for us to help ETA out. During this trip we got to do stomp and a few dramas and also during the night rally we got to pray with students. These two days were a great opportunity for us to build relationships and see God move. At the end of the night rally we saw many students turn their lives over to Christ.

This past Friday and Saturday we as Ground Zero Master’s Commission did our reveal weekend where we had prospective students come and get to know what GZMC is really about and also they get the chance to experience what it is like. It started off with a time of worship and chapel on Friday and then we had some snack and free time. That evening the prospective students got to go to MC student’s houses to spend the night with them. The next morning we had another devotion and worship time, question and answer time for parent’s and prospective students, than we all had a Mexican lunch made by Mike Lewis. Later on that afternoon there was a time to ask current MC students questions, and then we had stomp and drama practice. Overall it was a fabulous weekend and we really saw God move during this time.

This Friday night, April 8th, 2011 we will be assisting alumni Peter in doing a youth Rally in Bel Air, MD at a lock in. We are really excited for this evening and praying for God’s hand to be present and moving. We love it when we get the opportunity to work with some of our MC family that has graduated, such as Peter. We ask for your prayer’s to be with us during this event.

One of our third year students, Andi Sweeney is leaving today, April 6th for Romania for 3 and a half weeks. Andi is a part of our missions institute and has really felt God’s calling to go to Romania. We as Andi’s MC family are truly excited to see what God has in store for her while she is in Romania. We ask that you are in prayer with us that she has safe travels and that she is open to anything that God has in store for her along with prayer’s for the ministry, Hope for Romania, that Andi will be working with for these next few weeks.

--Samantha Eklund--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y ,     M A R C H     2 3 r d    ::

Everyone is back from Peru! The second group returned last night and is resting up getting ready for this coming weekend. Thank you for all of your prayers during the past two weeks. This weekend we have three teams heading out. One team is heading to Illinois to help out with their district Fine Arts. Another team is going to Ocean City to help at the Impact Conference. The third team will be going with our youth students to High Point Retreat Center to do their annual retreat. We are incredibly excited to see what God has in store in each area we are at. We have just started to send out a weekly updates on e-mail. Join our e-mail mailing list by clicking the link on the sidebar of the page and just fill out the information.

--Samantha Eklund--
First Year Student

::    T H U R S D A Y ,     M A R C H     3 r d    ::

Everyone is back and getting ready for the fundraiser this Saturday, March 5th. We are really excited for I Dolce D’Italia, there will be delicious Italian desserts and coffee. In addition to the desserts, we will have “The Marketplace” open. The Marketplace will have gift baskets from local businesses and handmade crafts available for purchase. The Master’s Commission students will be performing dramas, skits, human videos, and sharing testimonies, as well as talking about our upcoming trip to San Juan De Lurigancho, Peru. This should be an incredible evening. I Dolce D’Italia is from 7pm to 9pm at The Christian Life Center on 125 Saginaw Rd; New London TWP, PA 19352. We hope to see you there!!!

--Samantha Eklund--
First Year Student

::    F R I D A Y ,     F E B R U A R Y     2 5 t h    ::

Yesterday afternoon a team left to work with Kevin Dawson and the 7 project in Gaithersburg, Maryland. They got started early this morning with set up and performed stomp and a drama. We love working with Kevin Dawson and the rest of the 7 Project team, and it is truly a blessing to serve with them. From there the group will be heading to Oil City, Pennsylvania. They will be meeting up with MC Alumni Rob & Melynda Cochran and they will be doing some youth rally’s and other events for the week and they will be returning late Monday night. We are excited to see what God has in store for the team!!!

Just a reminder our annual I Dolce D’Italia mission trip fundraiser is March 5th. There will be lots of good food and the “Market Place” will be open with gift baskets and handmade items to purchase. In addition the MC students will be doing some dramas, skits, and giving their testimonies, along with talking about what they will be doing during the Mission Trip in San Juan De Lurigancho, Peru. I Dolce D’Italia will be held on March 5th from 7pm to 9pm at the Christian Life Center (125 Saginaw Rd; New London TWP, PA 19352). Hope to see you there!

--Samantha Eklund--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     F E B R U A R Y     1 5 t h    ::

This past weekend a team of our students traveled to New York to minister. On Friday night, we did a rally at First Assembly of God in Port Jervis, NY. During the rally we performed a new drama called “Pieces” for the first time. Along with adding a new drama to our rally, our own Charqué Bacon rapped her song, “Savior” along with Gabby Price.

Earlier in the year, we did a youth retreat for First Assembly of God, and it was amazing to see the students again. Ari Walton was one of the students that went. “Going back to our students in New York was wonderful. It felt like a family reunion and every time we join we truly encounter the Spirit of God. Praying, worshipping and being in fellowship with them felt as if we had never left!”

Then, on Saturday, we helped out at the Hudson Valley Sectional Fine Arts Festival. On our way home we were blessed to have Nic Knapp’s family prepare dinner for us. We love spending time with our students’ families because they always make us feel welcome and like we are a part of their family.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T H U R S D A Y ,     F E B R U A R Y     1 0 t h    ::

Coming up on March 5th is our annual I Dolce D’Italia mission trip fundraiser. We invite you to join us for a night of free Italian desserts, coffee and a service with the Masters Commission team. In addition to the desserts, we will have “The Marketplace” open, with gift baskets from local businesses, and handmade crafts to purchase. The GZMC students will be performing dramas, skits, human videos and sharing testimonies, as well as talking about our upcoming trip to San Juan De Lurigancho, Peru. This is sure to be a night you won’t want to miss! I Dolce D’Italia will be held at the Christian Life Center (125 Saginaw Rd. New London TWP, PA 19352) on March 5th, from 7pm to 9pm.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     J A N U A R Y     1 1 t h    ::

We have started the New Year off running. We just came back from working with the Peninsula-Delaware United Methodist Conference in Ocean City, MD. All of the first year students went down at the beginning of the week and helped build a huge “Western Town” on the stage. We were blessed by the staff to have the opportunity to perform a Stomp routine on the main stage, in front of over 4,200 students. We also offered two seminars for the students to attend. One was entitled “Superheroes of Faith” where we take a look at clips from popular super hero movies and apply them to our lives. The second was called “Missions Minded” where we talked about living out missions in our daily lives. Security was also a big part of our weekend. These kinds of weekends are exhausting, but they push us all to rely on God, and His strength like we never have.

We have other ministry opportunities coming up, which include more Conferences and church rallies. We are looking forward to these to see how God moves in and through us.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y ,     N O V E M B E R     3 0 t h    ::

Our students have just arrived back from Thanksgiving Break, and we are back to traveling again. It was great to be able to spend time with our families and have some down time. However we are preparing to leave tomorrow to help with an Explicit Truth Assemblies tour. Explicit Truth Assemblies is a program that goes into public schools and shares positive choices to students that will influence their lives. After we get back from that we have the opportunity to join the Potomac Assemblies of God, for their 7 Project program. We have a new video that gives a glimpse of what life is like in Ground Zero Masters Commission. Check it out below:


To see more of our videos, check out our YouTube page!

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     N O V E M B E R     1 0 t h    ::

Wow! This past weekend our team was in three places at once. We had three of our students promoting for us in Michigan. While at the convention, they were able to talk to over 300 students and Youth Pastor’s at our table. Along with helping with the convention itself, they also helped with an afterhours Laser Tag game. We also had a team in New Jersey for the New Jersey district’s Youth Convention. It was a blessing to work with Pastor Fabian for the first time. We saw God move mightily among the students. Our last location for the weekend was only a half an hour away at Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, DE. We helped with a Youth Evangelism Conference called Uncharted. The staff of the conference included one of our alumni Peter Odulana. This was the first time that they had this event. On Saturday afternoon, some of us joined youth groups and went out into the local community and we handed out smoke detectors, for those who didn’t have them, and batteries, for those that did have them. It was an awesome experience to see the students reaching out to their community and sharing the love of God even through something as small as a battery. We have been so busy with traveling these past couple of weeks, and we are not slowing down any time soon. Although we are traveling Up until the day before Thanksgiving break, it is amazing to see the favor that God has blessed our team with.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
First Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y,     O C T O B E R     2 6 t h    ::

We have just come back from an incredible weekend helping out with the Potomac District PKMK (pastor’s kids and missionary kids) retreat. It was an awesome weekend where we got to hang out with a ton of kids and tell them about how great it is to draw near to God. We also hung out with the kids at Hershey Park on Saturday. Overall, it was an awesome weekend. Tonight we have the opportunity to do a chapel for students and parents at Delaware County Christian School. And tomorrow morning there is a group heading out to Illinois where we have the great privilege to help out with the Illinois youth convention. We are excited to see and be a part of what God has planned.

--Samantha Eklund--
1st Year Student

::    F R I D A Y,     O C T O B E R     1 5 t h    ::

We are so excited for this weekend! We will be partnering with the youth ministries that we are involved in for Project R.A.K.E., our free home repair ministry. During R.A.K.E., adults and students from our youth ministries, United and Ground Zero Union, go out into our local community and work on houses for elderly and low income families in our community. Project Rake is also a chance for the teenage students, as well as everyone who is involved to go out and share the love of God in a real and tangible way, and to also make a difference with their neighbors locally. We can’t wait to see what God does and how he is going to use us! Click here for more information on Project: R.A.K.E.

--Carolyn Van Ess--
1st Year Student

::    T U E S D A Y,     S E P T E M B E R     1 4 t h    ::

First Years are here! Yesterday was orientation, followed by our Corem Deo (Face of God) service in the evening. We had an incredible worship time with Compelled, followed by a message from Pastor Mike out of Hebrews chapter 12. He spoke about focusing on Jesus this year, and how in doing so things will be hard, but we will not lose heart if we focus on Jesus. And how if we remain focused on Jesus, and persevere through the hard times, there will come a harvest of righteousness and peace. After the message, we had an anointing service to symbolize the presence of God in our lives, giving us the strength to do what He's called us to. We then closed the night with more time in worship. The presence of God was so evident last night, and we are eagerly awaiting what He has prepared for us this year!

--Nic Knapp--
Support Staff

::    F R I D A Y,     S E P T E M B E R     1 0 t h    ::

What an incredible few weeks. In the last couple of weeks, second and third year students have returned, we did a youth rally, we were able to partner with Kevin Dawson and the 7 Project and help them with a school assembly, and we have been preparing for first year students to move in. First year student move in tomorrow, and the 2010-2011 Masters Commission year will officially begin. We have an incredible group of students this year. We are unified, connected as a body, and ready to see God move in powerful ways. We are declaring freedom and victory this year; freedom from our past, freedom from anything that would hold us back from God, victory over the struggles in our lives. Not because of anything we are or anything we can do, but all because of who God is and what He can do. Every year of Masters brings its own set of challenges and difficulties, and this year will be no exception, but there is a mutual agreement among the team that this year God is going to do greater things than He has ever done before, greater things than we could even imagine. We are confident in what God is going to do in us and through us this year, and we are excited for all that is to come. Please pray that we as a family would have an ever increasing longing for God that would go far beyond these nine months of Masters Commission, and continue throughout our lives into eternity. Keep checking back here for updates. We will be moving the website to the 2010-2011 year shortly and will have our tour schedule, updates, photos and more available here.

--Nic Knapp--
Support Staff

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     A U G U S T     1 1 t h    ::

Good spiritual teaching is an extremely important key to spiritual growth. Recognizing that, we have incorporated times of spiritual teaching in addition to the teaching that occurs during our academic time. Twice every week, during our worship and devotion time, a student will share about what God is doing in their life. Students are scheduled on a rotating basis throughout the year. We have found that often times God works in all of us on the team in similar ways at the same time. We have also found that articulating what God is doing, or hearing someone else articulate it, often solidifies what God is doing. While hearing from one’s peer is valuable, it is also important to learn from the spiritual leaders in your life. Therefore, we also have specific times called chapel, once to twice a month, where a Masters Commission staff member will deliver a message or teaching to the students. While there is nearly constant interaction between the staff and students, and there is teaching and learning happening all the time, we have found that God uses these chapel times to move powerfully in students’ lives. If you are interested in growing closer to God through direct discipleship and mentoring, Apply Online for Masters Commission.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     A U G U S T     4 t h    ::

Each week at Masters Commission we come together, guys with guys and girls with girls for core group. During this time, we typically share about things God is doing in our lives, things we struggle with, and anything else that may be going on in our lives. Very often this a bonding time that brings the team together, but its primary focus is discipleship. Core group is key element of Masters Commission, the effects of which reach far into other areas of the program. The Bible talks about the importance of accountability, fellowship, bearing one another’s burdens and about how we sharpen one another “as iron sharpens iron.” Core group is a place for all of these things to take place. A place where there is no condemnation, but rather a group of brothers or sisters who are dedicated to seeing you grow closer to God. A place where you will be not only challenged and pushed, but also encouraged and empowered. I have both seen in others and directly experienced myself the power that comes from being open with a group of fellow Christians. To experience this kind of discipleship, Fill Out An Online Application.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U L Y     2 8 t h    ::

One of several things that cause Masters Commission to stand out from a traditional Bible College is our emphasis on discipleship. Our goal is not simply to see students receive a degree, but rather to see them pursue Christ. With an extensive staff that is dedicated to helping you grow deeper in your relationship to God and an environment where students encourage one another, you will be given every opportunity to grow in your relationship with God. In addition to an environment that facilitates spiritual growth, there are several specific things that we do as a part of our discipleship. Once a week we get together, guys with guys and girls with girls for “core group.” Core group provides a group of brothers or sisters that support one another, hold one another accountable, and help each other through what God is doing in their lives. Twice a week, during our worship and devotion time, students will a share a devotion, typically concerning what God is doing in their life. Also, once to twice a month we will have a chapel, where one of the staff members will give a message to the students. Through my time as a student, I came to realize the importance of being connected to a fellowship of believers and I saw how influential these times were in my spiritual growth. If you are interested in studying in an environment that encourages your spiritual growth, Apply for Masters Commission.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U L Y     2 1 s t    ::

The second part of our academics comes through our partnership with Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary. We are distance learning center of Chesapeake, which enables our first year students to receive a Certificate of Christian Ministry, second years an Associate’s degree, and third years graduate with a Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry after three years. All of courses are Bible based studies. Many of our classes are based right out of scripture (Old and New Testament survey, Ephesians, Acts, Galatians, Timothy, Joshua, and more), while others are topical (leadership, cults and world religions, evangelism, history of denominations, and more). One unique benefits of our academics is that they are focused in such a way as to not only increase your knowledge of the scripture, but to help you apply it to your life and grow closer to God in the process.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U L Y     1 4 t h    ::

Each week, students memorize several verses of scripture. They are then tested on those verses in addition to a couple of verses from the previous week. The Bible talks about hiding God’s word in our hearts and the power of the word of God. As a graduate of Masters Commission, I can attest to the incredible benefits of memorizing scripture. In addition each week first year students will analyze and right a paper on a chapter of the Bible while second year students will do the same with a character of the Bible. In addition to the obvious benefits of spending time in God’s word, this also helps students learn how to study scripture, how to use cross references and commentaries, and how to apply scripture to their lives. If you are looking for a college experience that will cause you to delve deeply in the Word of God, fill out our Online Application.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U L Y     7 t h    ::

One of the key parts of Masters Commission is the study of God’s Word. The academic portion of Masters Commission has proven to be incredibly influential in the spiritual growth of our students. Because of this, we have developed our academics to provide students with a meaningful and life changing education. Our academics consist of two main portions: scripture memory and analysis and our college courses through Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary. The next few updates will talk in more detail about our academics. If you are interested in earning college credits and learning through practical, hands-on ministry training, Apply for Masters Commission.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U N E     3 0 t h    ::

The International Missions Institute is aimed towards those who feel called to international missions. Our goal is to give them a foundation of experience that will prepare them to pursue their calling. They will have the opportunity to travel to several countries and work with a wide range of ministries of the mission field. They will experience working with small and large mission teams, as well as working more individually with people of other cultures and will gain a wide variety of mission experiences.

Additionally, we wanted to send third year International Missions Students on an extended mission trip, so that they could experience what it is like to be a missionary on a more long-term basis. This past February God opened the door for us to pursue that dream when we sent our third year missions student Teddy Tompkins to spend a month in Nairobi, Kenya! He served under the care and leadership of Bishop Nick Sikobe of New Hope Church, working at a local orphanage, teaching on youth ministry, preaching at different churches, and sharing the gospel with the Kenyan people. Each year, third year Missions Institute students will spend at least one month in a foreign country, working with a missionary or local pastor who can help them develop the skills needed for serving on the mission field. So that when they graduate, they will not only have a firm Biblical foundation, but also hands on training and experience.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    F R I D A Y,     J U N E     2 5 t h    ::

Our Children’s Ministry Institute focuses on providing our students with hands-on experience that will equip them to pursue their calling to children’s ministry. A student in the Children’s Ministry Institute will be immersed in all the different aspects of successful children’s ministry: developing children’s services, planning lessons, incorporating curriculum, and teaching children of all ages. They will be equipped with administrative skills such as data basing and working with volunteers.

Our Children’ Ministry Institute students are given responsibility in planning, organizing, and running Kid Zone, the children’s ministry at our home church. They will work directly with our children’s ministry director, who will coach and equip them to do children’s ministry.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U N E     1 6 t h    ::

As a way to better focus on the individual needs of our students and equip them for what God has called them to, we are currently offering ministry institutes so that our students can focus on learning the ministry that God has called them to. We currently offer youth ministry, children’s ministry, international missions, and general studies. Students in the Youth Ministry Institute will be equipped to fulfill their call to minister to youth. They will learn skills necessary for running a thriving youth ministry, including organizing special events, running weekly youth services, as well as working with volunteers and preparing and preaching sermons. Additionally, they will learn how to effectively administrate a youth ministry and how to build authentic relationships with students.

Our youth ministry students are actively involved in running at least one youth ministry. They have the opportunity to speak at different youth groups, seminars, retreats, and conventions. They plan and run events for two of our youth ministries. Each student in the Youth Ministry Institute will develop and deliver at least one youth sermon during the course of their year. And by the time they graduate their third year, they will not only have a firm Biblical foundation, but also practical, hands-on training for running a youth ministry.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U N E     9 t h    ::

In addition to providing a discipleship focused environment where our students can grow, one of our main focuses is preparing our students for the future God has called them to. In accomplishing this, we have developed ministry institutes for second and third year students. We currently offer four ministry institutes: Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry, International Missions, and General Studies. These institutes have been developed to provide practical training so that students will be able to apply what they are learning through their academics. Youth Ministry students will learn things like how to prepare a youth service and work with volunteers. Children’s Ministry students will gain valuable experience with integrating curriculum, teaching children, and more. Mission students will experience on the field training, learning how to adapt and minister to other cultures, how to make arrangements for overseas travel, and countless other tools. General studies students will be equipped with experience in areas like administration and data basing that will be an asset to them wherever God calls them. Apply for Masters Commission and experience the difference that personal discipleship and hands-on training can have in your life. Keep checking back for more information on the ministry institutes; the next few updates will highlight each of the ministry institutes in more detail.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern

::    W E D N E S D A Y,     J U N E     2 n d    ::

Summer is here and all of our students are off doing different things. Some of them return home, some of them stay in the area and work, and several are staying for the summer and interning with our youth ministries, United and Ground Zero. We wanted to give you a look into Masters Commission, so over the summer we will be posting on this page about different aspects of masters and how you as a student would be involved in them. Things like academics, discipleship, touring and dramas, our ministry practicums (youth ministry, children’s ministry, web design, graphic design, creative arts, administration, etc), the hands on ministry and so much more. For more info about Masters now, check out our About and Student Life pages, and feel free to Contact Us. If you are interested in Masters Commission, you can Apply Online. We are currently accepting applications for the 2010/2011 year.

--Nic Knapp--
Intern