New City Fellows

Discipleship for emerging leaders and professionals at the intersection of Faith, Work, and Culture

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New City Fellows is a year-long fellowship and discipleship program that equips emerging leaders and professionals to connect faith, work, and culture and become leaders in the renewal of Raleigh and the Triangle.

With an emphasis on formative practices, public theology, and the practical wisdom within the Christian tradition, New City Fellows is an immersive program that provides Fellows with four foundational areas of growth:

 

Foundational Areas of Growth

Theological Training

Through reading, classes, discussion, and reflection, Fellows gain a robust vision for how the Gospel affects every aspect of life, and how they can engage the rapidly changing and diverse culture of Raleigh. Areas of study include:

  • Core Christian theology
  • Bible and worldview
  • Apologetics
  • Theology of culture
  • Christian approaches to various vocations/industries and cultural issues
  • Works read include those by St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Stott, N.T. Wright, Abraham Kuyper, Tim Keller, James Davison Hunter, Martin Luther King Jr., James K.A. Smith, Dorothy Sayers, Vince Bacote, Andy Crouch, Karen Swallow Prior, and many contemporary writers.

Community Formation

The program provides a community of peers from diverse backgrounds and vocations who are committed to each other’s spiritual growth and the collective calling to serve the common good of Raleigh. In addition, the program fosters relationships through:

  • One-on-one mentorship
  • Interaction with prominent leaders in various fields and the local church (see Faculty below)
  • Group reflection, prayer, and discussion

Spiritual and Personal Development

New City cultivates character formation and spiritual growth in our fellows through:

  • Devotional practices and spiritual disciplines drawn from throughout Christian history
  • Three quarterly retreats

Cultural Renewal

We train our Fellow to understand and effectively engage and impact the culture of their workplace and the city with the gospel by developing a theologically informed imagination and vision of renewal, culminating with a project for implementing that vision.

ADMISSIONS CALENDAR

Admission is closed to the New City Fellows class of Fall 2024 – Spring 2025.

The application will reopen in early 2025 for the class of Fall 2025 – Spring 2026. Contact us to learn more.

FAQs

Who should apply?

  • Applicants should be in their mid-20s to 40s who are members of or actively involved in their church. We welcome applications from members of any church in Raleigh or the Triangle that holds to the historic Christian beliefs outlined in the Nicene Creed.
  • Each class typically includes 12-15 men and 12-15 women from a broad range of backgrounds, including full-time parents, students, those in career transitions, and working professionals in various industries (law, finance, technology, nonprofit leadership, vocational ministry, education, government, medicine, real estate, and the arts).

What is the commitment?

New City Fellows is an immersive program that is meant to foster spiritual growth and life change. The program runs for a year, starting in June and concluding in early May.

  • Summer Schedule – Admitted Fellows begin the program with an Orientation and Welcome Reception in June, where they collect their summer assignments to complete over the summer. Fellows also gather for occasional socials over the summer to get to know one another and begin to build relationships.
  • Fall – Spring Schedule – Around Labor Day, the program begins in earnest, with:
    • Weekly 2-hour classes (typically one cohort meets on Sunday evening, the other Monday evening)
    • Monthly Saturday programs in the city focusing on a different industry/vocation
    • Three quarterly retreats, typically in early September, midwinter, and late April/early May
    • Extensive reading (15-20 pages per day) and several projects
    • Guided daily devotionals for eight months
    • Monthly meeting with a New City mentor

What is the cost?

  • Tuition is $2,000 before scholarships and discounts. Tuition covers all program expenses, including curriculum and reading materials, weekly classes, monthly Saturday programs, and weekend retreats.
  • Need-based scholarships are available with 1/4 or 1/2 reductions off of tuition. Requests for scholarships should be submitted in writing with the application materials, or by May 15, in a letter indicating the amount requested and outlining the need for a scholarship. Scholarships are typically very generous.
  • Discounts are also available, and include: early application discounts of $100, and book-sharing discounts for spouses of $200.
  • A monthly payment plan is offered.

What is the timeline for applications and admissions?

Early applications are accepted between March 1 and May 5 each year, with the program beginning in June. Info Sessions and meetings are also offered each spring to meet with staff and alumni and learn about the program. Applications submitted by the early deadline receive an early application discount of $200 off tuition.

Admissions schedule for the class of 2025-2026

  • March 1 – Admissions opens
  • March-April – visits to partner churches
  • April 14 – Info Session / Open House
  • April 18 – Early application deadline ($200 discount off tuition)
  • May 5 – Standard application deadline
  • May 15 – Decisions announced

The program kicks off with an Orientation the morning of Saturday, June 7. It follows a summer schedule from June through August and a full schedule from September through early May. (See Program Commitments for more).

How are applicants selected?

Fellows are selected by our admissions committee on the basis of:

  • emerging leaders 2-3 years out of college up through mid-career;
  • commitment to the gospel, the church, and the renewal of our cities;
  • spiritual maturity; and
  • ability to fulfill their commitment to the Fellows program.

How can I learn more?

CONTACT US

Watch our Virtual Info Session (50 min) by requesting a link at admissions@centerforpublicchristianity.org. You can also reach out to us via that email with any questions you have, or to set up a time to meet with a member of our team over coffee, lunch, or Zoom/phone.

Faculty

Daniel-Lee

Daniel J. Lee

Director of New City Fellows

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Dr. Jack Carson

Executive Director of the Center for Public Christianity

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Rev. Dr. John Yates III

Rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Visiting Faculty

Our faculty each year is comprised of our staff, partner church leaders, and visiting lecturers. This year’s visiting faculty includes:

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Dr. Josh D. Chatraw

Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism and Cultural Engagement, Beeson Divinity School

Jonathan Pennington

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Pennington

Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary; Teaching Pastor at Sojourn East

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Dr. Molly Worthen

Associate Professor of History at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; Freelance Journalist

Walter Strickland

Rev. Dr. Walter R. Strickland II

Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology; Pastor at Imago Dei Church

Wesley Burks

Dr. Wesley Burks

Dean of UNC School of Medicine and CEO of UNC Health Care

Joy-Currey

Joy Currey

Founder & President of Corral Riding Academy

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Anissa Ferris

Psychotherapist

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Rev. Tripp Gordon

Curate at Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Gil Greggs

Dr. Gil Greggs

Director of Academic Symposia & Upper School History Teacher at St. David’s School

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Frank Hill

Director of The Institute for the Public Trust

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John Kane

Founder & CEO of Kane Realty Corporation

Warren-Kinghorn

Dr. Warren Kinghorn

Associate Research Professor of Pastoral and Moral Theology at Duke Divinity School; Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center

LaToya Montague

LaToya Montague

Executive Director of Communities in Schools Wake County

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Dr. Karen Swallow Prior

Scholar and Author

Michele Suffridge

Michele Suffridge

Executive Director of Refugee Hope Partners

Taylor Worley

Taylor Worley

Visiting Associate Professor of Art History, Wheaton College; Project Director of ‘Thinking about Thinking: Conceptual Art and the Contemplative Tradition’

Teaching Assistants

Justine Boorady

Brian Stoker

Testimonials and Endorsements

“We at CtK (Christ the King Presbyterian) are thrilled at the chance to partner with Holy Trinity and Vintage—two other churches that share a common context and vision. We believe that the New City Fellows will provide first-rate discipleship training for many. But what really makes this program so exciting is that it provides unique opportunities for Kingdom-minded Christians in our distinct churches to develop friendships and partnerships for the common good. ”

Geoff Bradford, Senior Pastor at Christ the King Presbyterian

“I cannot think of a more strategic ministry initiative than New City Fellows. It helps young professionals to take the most important thing in the world – the Gospel – and allow it to shape the place where they spend the most time – Work. If the gospel truly changes our hearts then it will profoundly shape our work. And gospel-centered work will change our city and culture. This is what New City Fellows is all about… it’s what Holy Trinity is all about.”

Rev. John W. Yates III, Rector, Holy Trinity Anglican Church

“At first, I was hesitant to make such a big commitment, but having been through the program, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. It completely transformed my personal relationship with God, my approach to work and allowed me to see how deeply connected they are.”

Katie Henderson, Financial Advisor & Gotham Fellow, Class of 2015

“New City Fellows helps young professionals see their vocation as an act of worship and mission, not just self-fulfillment and self-realization.”

Katherine Leary Alsdorf, New City Fellows Founding Director and co-author of Every Good Endeavor

“I am so excited to be involved in this endeavor to teach and equip young leaders how to navigate their faith, work and personal lives. I wish this opportunity had been available to me as a young Christian trying to understand the integration of work culture and faith commitment.”

John Kane, Chairman & CEO of Kane Realty Corp.

“The New City Fellows program is addressing a significant need and I am pleased to be a part of this new initiative in Raleigh. I would have jumped at the chance to participate in something like New City when I was a young professional.”

Bill Roper, Interim President of UNC System