Nashville Epiphany Project:

The Nashville Epiphany Project (NEP) seeks young adults interested in becoming leaders for social change. Young Adult participants will experience mission in a community ministry that focuses on being in mission with others rather than merely doing service. Because the experience of mission is reciprocal in nature, the NEP program provides the opportunity for young adults to be blessed by relationships with the marginalized and to be transformed by them.

Although the experience of mission is the principle element of the program, NEP also focuses on vocational discernment. Each week, the young adults will engage in activities that help them explore, reflect and determine how their faith, values and spiritual gifts can be integrated with a wage earning occupation.

In addition, NEP offers opportunities to get involved with local Presbyterian Churches. Young adults participate, as well as take leadership roles, in areas that interest them including Sunday School programming, committee work, choir, outreach projects, or youth ministry. Through their involvement, the congregation enjoys working with and getting to know the young adults. While they are experiencing their program year, the young adults live together in an intentional Christian community where they can encourage and support each other, and grow in discipleship.

Discerning Vocation:

If volunteers have not already gained an "epiphany" about their vocation, we hope that this component of the program will provide methods of discerning the call. This may be a call to ministry, social service, health care, education, whatever the field, our hope is that the young adults can determine how best to integrate their faith, values and spiritual gifts into a wage-earning occupation.

The young adults are asked to spend intentional time focusing on vocational discernment. Professionals, resources, reflection and prayer will help guide them in understanding themselves and how best to apply their gifts in the world. There will be a portion of this program that is designed for the participants as a group, and selections based on individual needs, goals and personal journey. Books will be read and discussed, stories will be shared, and retreats held which include practicing spiritual disciplines and building relationships.