Compass Academy exists to develop men and women who are passionate about God and committed to the local church. Whether you want to deepen your personal faith or step into full-time ministry, we have a pathway for you.
Develop the character, resilience, and emotional intelligence needed for lasting ministry. Plus have the opportunity to complete a Master’s degree from our accredited partner Kairos University.
Gain real-world ministry skills, hands-on experience and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of real people. You’ll help lead projects, people and processes in the church as we seek to Love God, Love People, and Share Jesus.
COACHING
80% of pastors don’t last more than 5 years in ministry because they don’t have the tools to succeed long term. Receive coaching from seasoned leaders to help you launch into a ministry career that thrives and bears fruit.
Compass Academy is a 1-2 year residency program designed specifically for the next generation of church leaders and pastors, ages 18–30. The goal is to expose, enrich, and equip you to lead in the local church by developing you spiritually, personally, and professionally.
Residents are placed in a specific ministry track based on their gifts, calling, and interests. Tracks may include (edit to reflect your current offerings):
Step into the joy of serving where the youngest members of our church encounter Jesus in real and age-appropriate ways. You’ll get hands-on experience shaping weekend environments, growing volunteers, and helping families take their next step of faith together.
Walk with junior high and high school students through some of the most pivotal moments of their lives, pointing them to Jesus along the way. You’ll grow through planning events, leading in community, and developing the volunteers who make discipleship happen week after week.
Use both artistry and technical skill as acts of ministry. Whether you’re leading from the stage or running gear behind the board, you’ll help bring weekend services to life — collaborating on song selection, investing in volunteer musicians, and executing audio, video, and lighting with excellence that creates space for people to genuinely encounter God.
Come alongside men and women in every stage of life, helping them grow in their faith, find community, and discover how God is calling them to serve. You’ll develop real pastoral skills through leading groups, providing care, and building the kinds of relationships that move people from the margins to the center of church life.
Mobilize the church to move beyond its walls and into the world — locally and globally — with the love of Jesus. You’ll coordinate with ministry partners, help organize outreach efforts, and play a key role in sending people into meaningful, life-changing service.
Be the hands and feet of a church that genuinely believes every person who walks through the door matters. You’ll develop the skills to lead teams, cultivate warm and welcoming environments, and help guests take their very first step toward community and faith.
Invest in a generation that’s hungry for authentic community, real answers, and a faith worth living for. You’ll grow in teaching, pastoral care, and the art of creating spaces where young adults belong and are challenged to go deeper with Christ.
Use creativity and storytelling to help people connect with what God is doing at Compass — online and in person. You’ll gain experience in design, content creation, and communication strategy that amplifies the church’s mission and invites people into the story.
1-2 Year
Full immersion program
18–30
Age range for applicants
3 Areas of Growth
Spiritual · Personal · Professional
Compass Academy for All provides evening experiences designed for ongoing, deeper conversations and study — helping you better understand and apply your faith in everyday life. Beginning in the Fall of 2026, we will offer classes and courses open to anyone in the congregation.
Whether you want to better understand the Bible and theology, grow in your faith or be more developed as a Christian leader — Compass Academy For All is for you.
An exploration of the practices, rhythms, and disciplines that shape a growing relationship with God, helping students develop a sustainable and intentional walk with Christ. Students will examine both the inward life and outward habits that form Christlike character over time.
A guided overview of the Old Testament’s major books, themes, covenants, and narratives that lay the foundation for understanding God’s redemptive story. Students will gain familiarity with the historical, literary, and theological landscape of the Hebrew Scriptures.
An introduction to the books of the New Testament, tracing the life of Jesus, the birth of the church, and the apostolic letters that define Christian doctrine and practice. Students will understand how each book contributes to the full picture of the gospel and God’s mission.
This course equips students to understand and articulate a distinctly Christian framework for viewing every area of life, from culture to ethics to ultimate truth. Students will also learn how to engage common challenges to the Christian faith with clarity and confidence.
A practical course in the principles and methods of sound biblical interpretation, teaching students how to understand what a passage meant in its original context and what it means for today. Students will develop tools for reading Scripture accurately and applying it faithfully.
A survey of the core doctrines of the Christian faith — including the nature of God, humanity, sin, salvation, and the church — giving students a solid theological vocabulary and foundation. This course helps students understand not just what Christians believe, but why it matters.
A journey through two thousand years of the Church’s story, exploring key figures, councils, movements, and moments that have shaped Christianity as we know it. Students will gain perspective on how the faith has been preserved, challenged, and passed down through generations.
An examination of the biblical foundations and practical skills of Christian leadership, drawing on Scripture and real-world application to develop servant-minded leaders. Students will explore their own leadership identity and learn how to lead others with integrity, vision, and humility.
The residency is designed for young adults ages 18–30 who feel called to ministry and want hands-on experience, mentorship, and leadership development in the local church context.
Compass Academy Residency is a 1-2 year residency program that begins in August 2026. Compass Academy for All runs throughout the year. Most classes are 8-10 weeks. There are 8 core classes total and take around 18 months to complete.
Yes. Residents receive a monthly stipend as well as host homes for non AZ residents.
Tracks include Kid’s Ministry, Student Ministry, Worship, Production, Missions, and others. Track availability may vary by year based on church needs.
To apply for the Compass Academy Residency click HERE. To sign up for an upcoming class with Academy for All click HERE. Questions? Email Academy@CompassAZ.Church
Academy For All is a separate track of classes open to the entire congregation — no age limit or ministry calling required. Classes cover 8 core topics that do not need to be taken sequentially. Interested in only one class? Feel free to audit! Individuals who take and pass all 8 classes graduate from the Academy and receive a Compass Academy Certificate!
Compass Academy is designed for those who want to grow in leadership skills and develop stronger biblical and theological foundations.
Compass Academy for All are evening experiences designed to provide ongoing deeper conversations and study to help you better understand and apply your faith into your everyday life. Beginning in the Fall of 2026 we will also offer classes and courses for anyone in the congregation wanting to grow deeper in their faith. Whether you are wanting to better understand your faith, the Bible and theology or are wanting to grow as a Christian leader Compass Academy For All is for you! Class topics will include: Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Biblical Worldview, How to Read the Bible and more. If you’d like to be kept up to date with and get early access to register for classes please fill out the form below!
Compass Academy is a one year residency program designed specifically for the next generation of church leaders and pastors aged 18-30. The goal is to expose, enrich and equip you to lead in the local church by developing you spiritually, personally and professionally. Residents will receive a monthly stipend, hands on ministry experience and training, paired with a mentor in their area of ministry and the opportunity to go on a mission trip. If you’d like more information about Compass Academy or are interested in applying, please fill out the form below!
