NBA Announces 2014-2015 NBA XPLOR Residents
The National Benevolent Association (NBA) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is pleased to announce the inaugural class of 2014-2015 XPLOR Residents. The NBA XPLOR program is a 10-month, congregationally hosted residency program designed for young adults ages 21 to 30 years of age. NBA XPLOR provides the opportunity for young adults to live in intentional, faith communities, engage in direct service work with non-profit, health and social service organizations, and interact with host congregations. The Residents will also observe a weekly Sabbath Friday, which will include group and personal work with a Spiritual Companion, as well as time for rest, renewal, and fun. The development and launch of this program is part of the NBA’s strategic plan that involves initiating new collaborative partnerships around health and social service ministries.
Host sites for this first year include a rich collaboration of partners including Disciples’ churches, a Region, and a Disciples-affiliated higher education institution. Locations include Hiram-Mantua, Ohio (a partnership with four local Disciples churches and Hiram College), North Hollywood, California (a partnership with Hollywood Beverly Christian Church, First Christian Church in North Hollywood, and the Pacific Southwest Region), and St. Louis, Missouri (a partnership with Union Avenue Christian Church).
The 2014-2015 NBA XPLOR Residents are (listed along with the congregations at which they hold membership):
One reflection from an XPLOR Resident is “I’m drawn to XPLOR because it has been designed holistically It isn’t only focused on the service site, or just the spiritual discernment piece. XPLOR will change my whole life—to choose to seek God in trial instead of distraction, to choose my housemates even on days I don’t want to, choosing simplicity over excess, and choosing to serve sacrificially—to continue to say “yes” to each of these things intentionally, daily. I need that.”
NBA XPLOR Residents will work up to 30 hours a week with non-profit, social service sites learning about issues such as affordable housing, hunger and food security, after school programs for children, faith-based advocacy efforts related to fair labor and environmental justice, day programs for adults with autism centered around agricultural learning, to name only a few. Additionally, each Resident will work with a Disciples’ host congregation for up to six hours a week engaging around worship, theological learning, and other mission initiatives within that particular Disciples community.
To learn more about NBA XPLOR or email xplor@nbacares.org.
