If you wanted to be a missionary in a foreign country, most organizations would send you to some type of missions school.
You’d learn the language and culture of the country you’re headed to, you’d learn about the Bible and mature in your faith, and you’d learn the job that you were going to do there: plant churches, run an orphanage, smuggle Bibles, drill wells…
Some missionaries have overt jobs. They plant churches in public places, they evangelize on the street, or they teach at Christian schools.
Other missionaries have covert jobs. They run secret churches or develop subtle influence with government leaders. They may run aid missions (like well drilling, medical units, or orphanages) that aren’t labeled “Christian,” but quietly share the gospel as they gain access to new communities.
The Company’s apprenticeship is a missions school for Christian writers. This is a full-time, in-person, 2-year school. Writers (mostly between the ages of 18-25) move to Cambridge, Ohio from all over the country to be a part of it.
While you’re with us, you’ll grow in prayer, worship, evangelism, and your ability to confidently hear the voice of God. You’ll be supported in your faith and challenged to grow deeper in your walk with Jesus. You’ll likely experience radical transformation in your life and come alive for Jesus in ways you never expected!
We teach you the language and culture of the American media industry, so that you can be effective.
We teach you how to do the job of a writer. We teach you how to write great stories (and write lots of other stuff too!) and we also teach you how to operate as a professional and get your work published for real readers.
We’re not just teaching you how to write in a Christian environment. We’re teaching you how to be a Christian writer (which includes how to get paid for your work!).
Just like missionaries, some of our writers have overt missions and others have covert missions.
Some of our apprentices want to write Christian books. They advertise their “Christian” label and primarily want to write books that will be read by other Christians.
But some of our apprentices have more covert missions. Their goal is to gain influence with people who are closed or hostile to Christianity and to bring the gospel with them. They either want to write books for the secular market that carry something of the Holy Spirit, or they want to work in secular parts of the publishing or entertainment industry.
When you’re a writer, you are a missionary. Your job is to take the gospel and the Holy Spirit to new places in the nations.
Do you see yourself as more of an overt or covert missionary?
Fast Facts About The Company’s Apprenticeship
- Our apprenticeship is an in-person program. We are the only in-person program like this. There are some things you just can’t do online.
- This is a year-round program. We take four two-week breaks throughout the year: Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, and one at the end of the summer.
- This is a small program. We typically have less than 12 apprentices on site at a time. All of the teaching is done in small groups and one-on-one coaching.
- This is a vocational-style program, which means that our students learn by doing. Over two years, apprentices will produce dozens of short stories, a novella, 1-3 novels, and tons of online content. You’ll also legally start your own business as a writer, launch a website and mailing list, and generate an audience for your work.
- We help you every step of the way. If that sounds like a lot…it really is. But don’t worry, we take it one step at a time and help you do all of these things. You don’t have to be able to do any of this before you begin. All you need to do is love Jesus, know that you want to be a professional writer, and think it would be pretty cool to hang out with us at The Company.
Most of our apprentices are already making money with your work before they even graduate. We want to see you turn your writing into a real, paying career that does the work of the gospel.
Does this sound interesting? Learn more on our apprenticeship page. You’ll find information about housing and tuition, and you can schedule a time to visit or talk with us.
If I can offer you one piece of advice: don’t wait. This could be an awesome adventure. If you feel like God might be pricking at your heart, be courageous. It’s worth it.
