What Is It?

IGNITE is a program for young adults, aged 18 to 30, who are committed to the Christian faith and who want to spend one year in an urban community, living out God’s mission while being trained and equipped as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Ignite is for the innovators, the creators, the heroic, the willing; all those who are hungry for God, world change and a demanding, life-changing year of growth

Significant Mission
In addition to classroom theory on mission, IGNITE members are immersed in hands-on experience as they live, learn and minister in the inner city.

INCARNATIONAL LIFE
To be incarnational means “to put on flesh” - to live like, with and among others. Because we believe that Jesus’ whole raison d’être, and ultimately the Father’s whole purpose, was centered on incarnating the gospel, we seek to do the same in our inner-city community. In order to most effectively live out authentic mission, it is essential for IGNITE members to live in the urban communities in which they minister.  Each IGNITE team member will serve in one or more community placements and also become involved in various local church initiatives.

COMMUNITY LIVING
The Ignite team lives together in the IGNITE Ministry House. Working with a team is one thing - living with your team is another. Important relational lessons can be learned through living in community.

SIMPLICITY
Learning to live more simply is a little-practiced biblical principle. Sharing what you have, taking only what you need, being a good steward of what you have received - all are important keys to living a simpler lifestyle.  When living incarnationally amongst the poor, there is no other way.

Authentic Discipleship
Throughout the year, IGNITE members will be continually challenged to grow in their relationship with God. IGNITE is a year set aside to seek God and better understand the place God has for each of us in his world.

TEACHING
The IGNITE program commences with five weeks of intensive teaching. Following this, there will be weekly classes, as well as two other teaching weeks throughout the year. The teaching components of IGNITE are divided into six main streams: Bible, Theology, Holiness, Leadership & Personal Development, Ministry Skills and Social Justice.

MENTORS
Part of the IGNITE discipleship experience is the opportunity to come alongside experienced practitioners who are already involved in credible ministry and mission.  This provides a chance to learn by example with excellent on-the-ground training.  Mentors also provide accountability and direction in each IGNITE team member’s spiritual development. 

“When you become a Christian Jesus will invade your life and make you into somebody He can use to change the world. Through you, He will challenge racism. Through you, Jesus will attack sexism, poverty, and militarism. That was never taught to me when I was growing up. I never heard that I could be an instrument that God could use to change the world. All I was told was that being a Christian meant I would go to heaven when I died. I was never told that the primary reason Jesus saved me was to make me into somebody whom He could use to change the world into the kind of world He willed for it to be when He created it.”
-Tony Campolo