Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, because we are a masters-level residency, a college degree is required to be considered for the program.

  • Our program is best suited for unmarried adults in their early to mid-20's. However, we welcome those of any age and life stage to apply.

  • No, enrollment in the Master’s degree at Johnson University is not required.

  • Each resident will be placed in a host home and will live rent free for 10-months. Each home includes a private room (may be shared with another resident), wifi, and utilities. Most of our host homes are located within 2 miles of downtown Knoxville. Due to the nature of host homes, the conditions and amenities may vary, however, we guarantee a safe and comfortable situation for all our residents.

  • Yes! Our residents work roughly 30 hrs/wk and earn a minimum of $1,200 per month stipend before taxes. We are able to provide budgeting assistance for any resident who desires it.

  • Residents are required to be enrolled in health insurance and auto liability insurance for the duration of the program. Each resident should expect to pay for common living expenses, such as food, cleaning and household supplies, etc. Residents are also required to purchase books required for the program and academic courses (approximately $100/semester).

  • Telos Residency will cover all costs for meals, accommodations, and transportation for program retreats, weekly meetings, and other required group events.

  • Each week will consist of approximately 30 work hours, a mixture of in-person and online learning, time for studying and completing assignments, a cohort dinner, and a leadership luncheon. In addition to these weekly commitments, residents will meet regularly with a mentor, monthly with the program director, and attend various program-related events and retreats.

  • We provide residents with time off for major holidays, including extended days off for fall and spring breaks in conjunction with the Johnson University academic calendar. However, residents must also request approval from their employers for all holiday and vacation requests. It is not guaranteed that employers will approve these requests.

  • Our program runs each year from August to May, with a two week break for Christmas and New Years. The internship, housing, and in-person coursework takes place during this 10-month period. There will be online coursework to be completed in the summer before and after the program in order to receive the degree from Johnson University.

    2026/27 Program
    August 3, 2026 - May 28, 2027

  • Telos Residency is one of the most affordable residency programs! The total cost for each individual resident is $1,000. Here is a breakdown of the fees.

    Application Fee: $50 *paid with application submission
    Deposit: $450 *paid upon acceptance into the program
    Program Fee: $500 *paid prior to start of the program

    Residents have the option of enrolling in the MA in Strategic Ministry program at Johnson University. This degree costs approximately $10,500 paid to Johnson University. Financial aid and loan information is available through the JU admissions office.

  • We will be accepting 6 residents into for the 2026/27 cohort.

  • We are now accepting applications for the 2026/27 program year. Our application process includes priority, standard, and late application periods. The late application period will only be an option if there is still room in the program.

    Priority Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
    Application Deadline: February 28, 2026

  • Applications are reviewed on a continual basis. You will be notified within 5 days whether you've qualified for an initial phone interview with our director, after which you may be offered a final in-person interview (or video-conference for non-local applicants) with our admissions committee. Upon completing your final interview, you will receive a letter within 14 days informing you of our decision.

  • Submit your $450 deposit within 14 days of acceptance as outlined in the letter of intent. A $500 Program Fee payment will also be due by June 30, 2026. Payment dates may be extended for those in need. Payments are non-refundable.

  • We do not want finances to be a limiting factor for enrollment in our program. We can provide fundraising options or fee reductions for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship.

    In regards to the Master's degree, financial aid and loan opportunities are available through Johnson University.

  • The number of applications we receive far outnumber our program capacity. As such, a handful of applicants may be placed on our waiting list. Those placed on the waiting list have no guarantee of enrollment, but may receive notification of acceptance anytime up until the cohort start date in the event of a resident's cancellation.

More Questions?

Contact Our Director

10 Reasons to Enroll in Telos Residency

  • 1) Ten months to listen deeply, experiment vocationally, and process your next steps in life and vocation.

    You just graduated - or perhaps you're about to graduate. A full-time job or graduate school seems like the next best move. Our 10-month residency not only provides a job and advanced degree, but also gives you the time and space you need to discern and refine the unique calling God has placed on you.

  • 2) A year of shared life and learning with other aspiring church, non-profit, and kingdom leaders.

    We don't just talk about community, we practice it! Telos Residents share meals, study, and serve together. We share deeply, ask the hard questions about life and ministry, and push one another to greater intimacy and devotion to Jesus.

  • 3) Knoxville, Tennessee... Entertainment, art, food, the Urban Wilderness, and so much more!

    It's hard to find a better location for a residency experience! Knoxville is the best kept secret in the South - a diverse and friendly college town (Go Vols!), with top-notch restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, museums, theaters, and endless sports and outdoor entertainment. Not to mention, we are less than one hour from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park!

  • 4) A paid internship with a local non-profit, church, or kingdom-minded business.

    Telos Residency partners with local ministries and businesses to provide each resident with a paid internship (30hrs/wk) related to their calling. Residents will receive a $1,200 monthly stipend from their employer.

  • 5) Free housing in the inner-city of Knoxville.

    Residents are placed in safe, hospitable host homes in the inner-city neighborhoods of Knoxville for the duration of the program (August-May). While accommodations vary from home to home, each resident will have a private room and will have the opportunity to share meals with their host family.

  • 6) A practical graduate degree at an affordable cost.

    Telos Residents are enrolled in the MA of Strategic Ministry program at Johnson University during the 10-month residency. This program consists of in-person learning with Johnson professors, interactive on-line learning, and hands-on field experience through the paid internship. We are able to provide this degree at an extremely affordable cost ($10,435).

  • 7) Dedicated time and interaction with catalytic kingdom leaders & teachers.

    We connect residents with the best and brightest missional practitioners in Knoxville and beyond. We seek answers to the important questions of life and ministry from church, non-profit, and business leaders of diverse backgrounds and theological traditions.

  • 8) One-on-one mentoring, and honest and confidential peer-group experiences.

    We pair each resident with a mature Christian leader for ongoing support and mentoring throughout the program. Residents also meet regularly to share and process openly about life and vocation in an environment of grace, trust, and vulnerability.

  • 9) A healthy and sustainable pace of work and rest, service and study, action and reflection.

    Jesus had a rhythm of life that is so rare in our world today. He knew when to work hard and when to rest well. We aim for balance of work and rest in our program. We engage deeply and fully, but then step away for regular times of sabbath, spiritual formation, and retreat.

  • 10) A short-term residency with long-term results.

    These next 10-months of your life will leave a lasting impact on the rest of your life. The experiences and relationships you cultivate at Telos Residency will deeply enhance your personal, spiritual, leadership, and vocational development. You will boost your resume with job experience and an advanced degree. And you will network with leaders and practitioners who will be immensely helpful to you in your future endeavors. Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity!