MissionYear: Discipleship & Missions Gap Year
Fall 2027 – Spring 2028
MissionYear, an accredited gap year program, is a unique alternative for students to explore Christ-centered identity and purpose with the option to earn college credit.
Learn how your story fits into God’s mission.
Fall 2027 – Spring 2028
Kunkletown, PA
What will students experience?
Close-knit Community
Spiritual formation
Self-discovery
Intentional discipleship
Service opportunities
Global missions
Who is the Gap Year for?
High school graduates ages 18-21 seeking:
- Direction for their next steps in life, either before or during their college journey
- Intentional discipleship and spiritual growth
- Hands-on ministry experience and vocational clarity
- To discern a possible calling into missions or ministry
WHERE STUDENTS WILL LIVE
MissionYear students will live on the campus of The Mission Center, Touch the World’s training center, nestled in the Pocono Mountains. Students will live in split-gender apartments on the property of Randy and Deb Sheagley, TTW staff and MissionYear mentors. This family-style setting is designed for intentional discipleship as students discover who they are, who God is, and what His calling is for their life.
Both semesters of this gap year program will involve mentoring, spiritual formation, and experiential learning, culminating in a month-long global cultural immersion with a TTW ministry partner.
WHERE STUDENTS WILL LIVE
MissionYear students will live on the campus of The Mission Center, Touch the World’s training center, nestled in the Pocono Mountains. Students will live in split-gender apartments on the property of Randy and Deb Sheagley, TTW staff and MissionYear mentors. This family-style setting is designed for intentional discipleship as students discover who they are, who God is, and what His calling is for their life.
Both semesters of this gap year program will involve mentoring, spiritual formation, and experiential learning, culminating in a month-long global cultural immersion with a TTW ministry partner.
How much does it cost?
$13,000 — Get the full cost breakdown for MissionYear 2027-28.
Students receive guidance and coaching in raising funds to meet their program cost goal. Funds raised will be allocated towards:
- weekly grocery and fuel budget
- lodging and utilities
- books and educational materials
- all program activities including 4 mission trips!
The option to pursue 30 college course credits is available at an additional cost of $250 per credit. Accreditation through Anchor Christian University.
Applications for 2027 open June 1st
Step 1:
Interest Form
Submit an Interest Form. This gathers some basic information and should take you less than 5 minutes to complete.
Step 2:
Application
Following Step 1, you will receive an emailed link to the Application.
This is more comprehensive— it will take 30-45 minutes to complete and will require references.
Step 3:
Interview
Pre-Interview Survey
If you are invited to move along in the process, you will schedule an interview.
Before the interview, you’ll complete a brief survey to guide the conversation.
Step 4:
Acceptance
Congratulations!
After your interview, a TTW staff mentor will reach out with our decision.
If you are accepted, you’ll be provided with next steps to make a $500 deposit and commit to your spot in the program!
MissionYear is a ministry of Touch the World and a member of the Christian Gap Year Association.
Meet our Mentors
Meet Randy
Randy is an experienced counselor with a passion for investing in people, especially youth and young adults. He has been on staff with Touch the World since 2018, although he has been involved in youth ministry for decades. Randy is typically busy working on projects around The Mission Center or on some outdoor adventure.
Meet Deb
Deb has been on staff at Touch the World for over two decades. She’s a trained counselor and her heart is to disciple young people and prepare them for a life of serving and following Christ. She grew up in Japan as a missionary kid, where her parents dedicated their lives to working with youth. Today, Deb oversees the property of The Mission Center and is gifted in hospitality, making everyone she meets feel at home.
Meet Chuk
Chuk serves at Touch the World with a heart for missions and experience in professional mentorship and spiritual discipleship. He brings a distinctive and invaluable perspective to the team, informed by his upbring in Nigeria and cross-cultural experiences around the world. As a mentor and coach, he guides students with sensitivity, wisdom, and cultural intelligence. Chuk began his journey with TTW as a summer intern in 2024.
Questions about our gap year program?
Ask your questions on the interest form and a MissionYear mentor will get in touch with you!
In addition, view the MissionYear Essential Eligibility Criteria for more information.
How to Earn College Credit
How does it work?
The instructional and experiential elements of the MissionYear gap year program allow participants to earn 30 college credits through Anchor Christian University.
You will apply to enroll in Anchor Christian University and they will issue your transcript, assisting you with transferring your credits to another institution after completing MissionYear.
Credits are potentially transferable to any college or university. Anchor has direct partnership agreements with several Christian Universities including:
- Pillar College (NJ)
- Liberty University (VA)
- Cedarville University (OH)
- Cairn University (PA)
- Lancaster Bible School (PA)
- Southeastern University (FL)
- Moody Bible Institute (IL)
Enrolling in college credit is optional—but why not earn credits while you grow? All students, whether enrolled for
credit or not, complete the same learning activities as part of the program.
WILL I HAVE TO DO EXTRA WORK TO EARN CREDITS?
All program participants regardless of credit status will go through the same trainings and curriculum. All students will complete reading assignments and weekly journal entries to help them process their own learning.
Students earning college credits will have a few additional assignments each semester to demonstrate mastery of learning outcomes for credit completion.
WHAT ARE CLASSES LIKE?
MissionYear classes combine hands-on experiences, reflection, guest speakers, independent study, and weekly group book discussions. In a typical week, 4-5 mornings are spent in “Learning Labs” for formal teaching or book study.
Much of the learning, however, happens through living in community and serving alongside others. Participation and engagement in the program make up a significant portion of each course grade, emphasizing growth through both action and reflection.
How much does it cost?
Enrolled students pay only $250 per credit. This is a 56% lower average net price than the Top 5 Online Christian colleges. Payment for credits will be due at the end of each semester. Reap the benefit of incredible cost savings towards future education!
Compare average course credit costs →
ARE SCHolarships Available?
Yes! For students who opt in for college credits, TTW offers a $750 scholarship specifically towards your credit fees.
What courses are offered?
Bible/Theology Courses (9 credits)
- Bible Survey (OT/NT)
- Principles of Bible Study
- Intro to Biblical Theology
General Education Classes (21 credits)
- Spiritual Formation & Identity
- Foundations of Leadership
- Interpersonal Communication
- Foundations of Worldviews
- Intro to Cultural Anthropology
- Survey of Global Issues
- Personal Finance
General Education credits can transfer to most colleges, while Bible/Theology credits may only transfer to Christian institutions.
WHEN DO I HAVE TO DECIDE BY?
Participants who wish to earn credits must make that decision, inform Touch the World and begin the application process with Anchor Christian University by July 1 prior to program start date.
Can I opt out of college credit?
Absolutely. If you don’t foresee continuing education in your future, or wish not to pay for the college credits, you have the option not to enroll. However, since you’ll be doing the same level of work—why not get some credits to validate the effort you are putting into your learning!
WHAT CAN I DO WITH THE CREDITS AFTER THE PROGRAM?
Touch the World is excited to launch a 2-year pathway to an Associates Degree beginning in Fall 2027!
In partnership with ACU, students enrolled for credit in MissionYear can optionally continue on (if accepted) for a Year 2: MentorYear, where they will grow in professional ministry skills and complete an additional 30 credits to finish with an Associates of Science degree in Christian Leadership.
This is a particularly significant opportunity for any student who feels a calling into ministry or missions. Through this 2-year offering, students will be prepared both intellectually and practically for their next steps. More details coming…