Student Life

In and out of the classroom, your time spent in the Gap Year at Lodestar will be a deeply formative experience where everyday life becomes an opportunity for growth. Through consistent patterns of learning, reflection, and hands-on experiences, you will be stretched, supported, and shaped to be more like Christ.

Everyday Life

Living in community

Learn, serve, and grow alongside peers in a Christ-centered environment with staff who cheer you on and walk with you in encouragement.

Weekly life

Weekly routines balance spiritual disciplines, class time, community building, fun, service, reflection, and rest.

Distinctives

Hands-on discipleship, real-world learning, meaningful work, and outdoor adventure, all rooted in a local church, and set at a mountain retreat center that serves pastors, veterans, and first responders.

Culture

Honest conversations and life-on-life discipleship cultivate humility, joy, and spiritual maturity, while intentional cross-cultural experiences broaden perspective and deepen understanding of God’s work around the world.

Expectations

Step away from distractions to create space for intentional living and learning alongside others your age who share your values.

Shared Journey

Share a mutual responsibility to support one another’s growth, contribute to community life, and uphold a culture of encouragement and accountability.

Outdoor adventure

Annual backpacking trip

Making memories by the dorms

Connecting with local church members

Experiencing new places

Praying for our professor

Bringing the Bible to life in Türkiye

Out of our comfort zone

Studying Scripture with peers