LEAD staff come alongside long-term and local teams to partner with them in ministry. Typical activities include involvement on campus, building relationships, sharing the gospel, and discipling students. Time is also spent in ministry training, personal development, team development, planning and executing ministry events, and serving in our partner churches. Some LEAD participants are involved in more specialized roles — serving administratively in finance, marketing, IT, design, etc., for the benefit of the local campus movement.

LEAD is a two-year commitment.

LEAD applications are released once a candidate is less than a year away from graduation. Applications for May graduates will be released on August 1 and applications for December graduates will be released in early January. Candidates can apply any time after their particular application release date.

We are committed to helping you discern whether LEAD is the best place for you to serve after you graduate. With that in mind, we expect from application to field placement will take 90 days or less.

In this phase of the application process, you will have one-on-one conversations with one of our Deployment staff about where are the biggest overseas needs and which one might best fit your gifting, personality, and preferences. After this conversation, you will interview with the international team and decide to move forward.

Fundraising is asking someone for money; support raising is requesting a partner to join you in God’s ministry. You will receive training and coaching throughout the entire process. We will teach you the Biblical perspective and practical skills to help you successfully reach the field, fully funded and encouraged.

Depending on the location, the in-country director determines the support needed, which averages around $4500 to $6000/month. This support amounts cover location-appropriate salary, taxes, various insurance benefits (including health insurance), ministry expenses, round-trip airfare, training and start-up costs, ongoing development opportunities, and admin services.

It is common for LEAD participants to have student debt. If necessary, up to $500 of additional support may be raised above the base salary to help pay down student debt while you participate in LEAD. We desire to see LEAD staff prepared for a life of fruitful labor in all areas, including financial wellness.

All CO LEAD staff will have health and life insurance and disability covered under United Health Care: a reputable, well-known carrier in and outside the US.

All LEAD staff can raise an additional $500/month or less to contribute towards their 403b (non-profit 401k).

We seek to care for you on the field. You will have monthly counseling sessions during your first year on the field. You will be assigned a Member Care staff who will initiate with you every month. You will meet regularly with your LEAD Supervisor, using resources and assessments.

You will have holidays and vacations off, providing you time to travel, rest, and enjoy your new country. As for specific visits to the US, you and the field staff leaders will determine what specific occasions are best for a return trip. If approved, return flights for vacation visits will not be reimbursable; these costs will be up to you. As for receiving family and friends, we highly encourage you to show them your new home.

CO LEAD has an experienced team devoted to Staff Transitions. In the final six months of a LEAD Staff’s time overseas, one of our specialists will reach out to them and coach them toward their next best kingdom contribution! Historically, 50% of LEAD Staff go into the marketplace, 25% go on staff with Campus Outreach or a similar ministry in the states, and 25% stay overseas longer.