INCOMING EMERGING LEADERS INFO 2025-26

EL Welcome Packet

Welcome packets will be sent out during the summer before the program begins. It will include:

• Summer Reading: What is The Gospel? (Gilbert) and Church Membership (Leeman)

• Program Info
  

IMPORTANT DATES

• Saturday, August 9th – Move-in Day

  • Move-in schedule: Coming soon…

• Sunday, August 10th – Church Tour Starts

• August 11-15th – Orientation Week

  • Monday, Aug. 11th - All day

  • Tuesday, Aug. 12th – All day

  • Wednesday, Aug. 13th – Evening (after work)

  • Thursday, Aug. 14th – Evening (after work)

  • Friday, Aug. 15th – Evening (after work)

  • Saturday, Aug. 16th – Fun! (all day)

• August 21st – Kickoff Dinner

• August 25th – Downline Institute Begins

• August 28th – EL Class Begins

• September 12-14th – EL Retreat (about an hour outside of Memphis)

  • Friday after work, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning.

*For those starting a new job after move-in on Aug. 9th, please wait to start working until August 13th. You must attend Orientation Week. Use your paid time off (PTO) wisely to make sure you can join all Orientation Week activities.

SPECIAL EVENTS

These events are not required, although the ELs who attend are glad they went. They are not included in your tuition, and you will need to budget your PTO at work.

• Jan. 1-3 – CROSS CON

  • More info will follow. We hope to finalize sign-ups by the Fall Retreat weekend (dates above).

CLASS SCHEDULE

The schedule for the majority of the program is below. All Downline students will be notified of any major schedule changes in advance.

• Mondays, 6:30-8:30 PM

• Wednesdays, 5:45-7:45 AM

• Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM (EL Only)

Churches in Memphis

As a group, we will go to churches together, and you will have time to carefully choose which church to join. We recommend researching them now (check websites, listen to sermons, etc.) to help with the church selection. The list of churches and the church tour schedule can be read here: Commitment to the Local Church.

CLASS COMMUNICATION

All important EL information will be communicated through our group message on GroupMe. Please download the app and join our EL ‘25-26 Announcement Group (one-way messages from us only). You will be added to your class’s group message one month before move-in to introduce yourselves.

job board

We will do everything we can to help you land a job here in Memphis, while it may not be a job you prefer, we promise we will help you find employment. Start by looking through the EL Job Board at current opportunities that our Alumni network submitted to us.

If you are looking for something specific due to your experience or degree, please email Weston.

Housing Info

Emerging Leaders will live in groups of 4 at the Arbors River Oaks Apartment Complex in the city center. Within a 15-minute radius, you'll have easy access to work, play, worship, and serve. Housing assignments are carefully made to create an exciting living environment. View our photos of the apartments here!

Rent is due on the 15th of every month. Rent for each person is $600 per month, including utilities.

Roommates will be announced 3-4 weeks before move-in.

The furnished houses/apartments include basic furniture and appliances, but ELs must bring their own bedding, towels, decorations, and any extra furniture. The beds are normal-sized twin beds, not XL.

Roommates should coordinate on decorations and TVs. ELs are responsible for the everyday upkeep and cleaning of their apartments, which includes regular cleaning and changing light bulbs and air filters. We will finalize rooming assignments in July after the EL class has been confirmed.

F.A.Q.

Q: WHERE WILL I GO TO CHURCH?

A: There are many great churches in Memphis, and we'll help you find the right one. We'll start visiting local churches with you the day after you arrive and continue for the first 4-5 weeks.

Q: HOW DO I GET “PAIRED” WITH A DISCIPLER?

A: With our extensive Downline Memphis network, finding an older believer to walk alongside you during the program won’t be difficult. We will begin pairing you with a discipler once you decide at which church you would like to become a member.

Q: WILL I HAVE A ROOMMATE?

A: Yes, you will most likely have a roommate.

Q: I HAVE FURNITURE, WHAT CAN I BRING?

A: See above for what we provide. Otherwise, communicate with your roommates regarding what furniture would be beneficial for you to bring. Please do not bring your own bed/mattress. We provide twin-size beds for everyone.

Q: WHERE IS THE HOUSING LOCATED?

A: Arbors River Oaks Apartments are located in the center of Memphis. There is potential for us to have a house or two, but the current plan is for everyone to be located in the same apartment complex.