Full Time Program

If you are 18-24 and looking to go all-in and grow in your relationship with God, find your purpose, experience your calling, and launch your future, then Highlands College as a Full-Time student is for you! Full-Time students in Highlands College will experience hands-on ministry training, discipleship training, and leadership development in conjunction with academic classes. The information below will give you an overview into the exciting life of a full-time Highlands College student.

OUR COMMITMENT

Highlands College is committed to developing well-rounded students in the following Four Pillars: Discipleship, Leadership, Academics, and Ministry Training.  We are dedicated to helping students commit to a lifestyle of character, excellence, and discipline that will continue to develop throughout the rest of their lives as successful Christian leaders.

STUDENT’S COMMITMENT

As a student of Highlands College, you will be asked to commit to a lifestyle that is submitted to the following Core Values:

Love for God

-  Intimacy:  Prayer, Bible Study and Regular Fasting
-  Purity:  A life of holiness, integrity, and character
-  Anointing:  God-grace for the task

Love for People

-  Relationship:  Building, maintaining, and enjoying strong relationships
-  Influence:  Developing a circle of influence
-  Teamwork:  Cooperation ahead of competition

Work Ethic

-  Excellence:  Demonstrating competence in your area
-  Productivity:  Setting goals, taking risks, going the extra mile
-  Frugality:  Efficiency with time and money

Attitude

-  Servant:  Considering others better than oneself
-  Fun/Enjoyable: Having fun, enjoying life 
-  Loyalty:  Devoting oneself to the call of God and to the church

FIRST YEAR: BUILD

Establish Your Foundation

Our first priority is for you to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We provide opportunities for spiritual growth, as well as support, as you mature in Christ. As a Highlands College student you learn how to live out your faith in your everyday life.  All of our students will incorporate the “Interdependent” Daily Devotional Curriculum, written specifically for our students, into their daily time with the Lord.   First year students are teamed with a second year student who serves them in a life-coaching role, to assist them in their first year at Highlands College, and to walk with them through their personal discipleship process.  Through weekly Chapel Services involving the Word, corporate worship, and prayer, you will develop a foundation to transform your faith walk. Character strength is foundational; therefore, you will be challenged to live a life of integrity, holiness, and discipline.

Embrace Your Story

As you grow in Christ, you discover your identity in Christ. We all face different life experiences that define us. At Highlands College, you will learn to be defined by who God says you are. Life change happens in the context of relationship: your relationship with Christ and with others. Through Highlands College you find lifelong friends and mentors to sharpen you and help you develop your God-given calling.

Discover Your Purpose

You are a unique package of God-given gifts and abilities that enable you to fulfill your role in His story. To experience life to the fullest, you must discover and live out His purpose for your life.  As you serve the body of Christ, you will discover passions and find the unique calling for which God has created you. Highlands College is committed to helping you identify that calling, so in your first year, you will apply for admittance into one of six ministry tracks.  Ministry tracks provide you with premier experiential ministry training and the practical opportunities you need to identify and develop your calling and purpose.

Grow Your Leadership

Each of us was born with God-given potential to lead. Highlands College trains leaders. Through classroom training, serving opportunities, and team building, you will be shaped into the leader God designed you to be.

Gain Wisdom

Wisdom is knowledge applied. At Highlands College you will engage in challenging academics and have the opportunity to apply that knowledge within the context of a vibrant local church. Church of the Highlands is one of the fastest growing churches in America and offers unparalleled opportunities to experience dynamic ministry opportunities. Highlands College students are an integral part of the daily operation of Church of the Highlands in virtually all ministry areas. While at Highlands College, you will have the opportunity to study under, and work with recognized ministry leaders.

SECOND YEAR: EMPOWER

Lead a Team

As a second-year student, you will lead teams within your chosen ministry track, and serve in a life-coaching role with a group of first year students in their personal journey of discipleship and ministry training. Leading your peers will sharpen you in ways you never imagined. In Luke 12:48, Jesus says "To whom much is given, much is required." These words of Jesus define the second year experience at Highlands College.

Pursue Spiritual Maturity

As your influence increases, so must your understanding of the Word of God. As you grow in leadership and influence you must learn to feed yourself spiritually. You cannot give to others that which you do not have yourself. In your second year, you will be taught principles and disciplines to guide you into a life of deep intimacy with God.

Develop Your Calling

During your second year you will receive in-depth ministry training within your ministry track. This will allow you to begin to fill vital roles on the Highlands team and experience growth that only responsibility can bring.

THIRD YEAR: LAUNCH

Focus Your Training

If God is calling you into full-time ministry and you are accepted into a third year of Highlands College, you will have the opportunity to raise your own financial support which will enable you to be placed in a full-time internship position on the Church of the Highlands Staff. During this internship year, you will gain hands-on experience in your selected area of ministry.

Launch Your Future

If all standards are met and coursework completed satisfactorily, Highlands College provides placement services to identify employment opportunities for you within a local church. Church of the Highlands is a founding member of the Association of Related Churches (ARC). ARC is a church planting organization whose member churches look to Highlands College to support their staffing needs.

MINISTRY TRACKS

Missions Track

The Missions Track provides experience in practical, hands on opportunities to minister through the Birmingham Dream Center, Church of the Highlands’ outreach to the inner city of Birmingham. A day at the Dream Center offers incredible opportunities to personally minister to people who need a touch from God. Through prayer, tutoring students, small groups, and service projects you will be a helping hand to a hurting world. If you sense God calling you to a life of full-time missions or urban outreach, then this is the track for you.

Media Track

The Media Track offers the unique opportunity to minister to people through creative arts. Students in the Media Track will be trained in and develop skills in photography, graphic design, video editing, and production. The Media Track is also involved with many aspects of producing services at Church of the Highlands. Using your creativity and state of the art technology, you will reach thousands with the message of Jesus.

Pastoral Track

The Pastoral Track trains students in pastoral leadership, such as associate or senior pastor, or church planter. Students will develop their pastoral gifting by working in conjunction with the Small Groups Team, the Pastoral Ministry arm of Church of the Highlands. You will develop communication skills, mentoring abilities, and other aspects of a pastoral position on a church staff.

Youth Track

The Youth Track is a learning experience full of planning, creating and reaching out to the next generation. Each week, you will minister and impact students through the youth ministry of Church of the Highlands. You will be trained to speak in local middle and high schools. If God is leading you towards serving in youth ministry, there is no better place to develop skills to lead a revival in this generation!

Worship Track

The Worship Track is for musically gifted students who desire to develop their gifts in worship ministry. Your skills will be honed through one-on-one time with vocalists, musicians, and songwriters. You will have sessions in music theory, vocal training, and song writing. As your skills and gifting develop, you may have the opportunity through the many ministries of Church of the Highlands to lead people from stage into God’s presence.

Children’s Track

Children’s Track invests in and grows the future of the Church. Even at a young age kids are able to do great things in the kingdom. If you love children and want to see them grow in their relationship with Christ, then the Children’s Track is for you. Through this track you will be trained in the many facets of Children’s Ministry, from building stage designs and scripting videos to leading worship from stage and teaching God’s word. Children’s Track is for those who are willing to think outside the box and have a whole lot of fun!