Discover Your Purpose and Prepare to Be a Leader
12 Months That Will Prepare You for the Rest of Your Life
We are a GAP year program that exists to help the next generation develop their CHARACTER and discover their CALLING before they go to COLLEGE or pursue a CAREER.
Graduates of RLU will be trained and equipped to be:
Focused Leaders
We walk through the 9 areas of Christian living, including: How to read and apply the Bible, Church History, and Leadership 101.
World Changers
Experience a two-week mission trip in a developing nation. Being in a developing nation will stretch your worldview and grow your gratitude.
Difference Makers
The church is the hope of the world. We will provide hands-on opportunities in the 7 main ministry areas of the church: worship, production, youth, kids, teaching, evangelism & administration.
Good Neighbors
Will have opportunities to serve the homeless, widows and orphans which will train your heart and eyes to be focused on the needs of others. Also, communal living with other Christ followers will develop lifelong servanthood and people skills.
Life-Long Disciples
The word “disciple” means “learner” Leaders are learners. RLU will take you on a 12-month journey of discipleship, which will culminate with a 10-day journey to the Holy Land where you will literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus and be inspired to follow His path the rest of your life. A graduation ceremony will be held on the Mount of Olives with a follow up reception once back in Texas.
What You Will Experience
RLU is located on eight acres of land in the rolling hills of Southwest Austin. Students live on this beautiful campus and receive individual equipping as well as practical application and hands on training serving with our partner Real Life Church (only 2 miles down the road).
Intentional Training Courses
You will be able to earn an Associates Degree in Ministry Leadership. Pastor Micah Davidson, PhD has developed a course that condenses 7 years of seminary into 9 months. These monthly modules are designed to equip you to love God with all your mind but also with all your heart. These courses combined with the Dean Fernando Kittrell, MA,BS,BCPC expertise in mental health, self leadership and spiritual formation gives you an accelerated, accredited jump start toward a career or college after RLU.
Practical Hands-On Traning
You will have the opportunity to grow and discover your personal passions by interacting and engaging in the 7 main areas of church ministry: students, kids, worship, production, administration, hospitality and care. Through our partner, Real Life Church, you will serve in each area with the oversight of one of their staff.
International Mission Trip
You will go on a two week mission experience to our partner in Nicaragua. You will love the time just outside of Granada where you will help kids sports programs, serve local pastors, visit widows, feed people who live at the dump in Granada, and many more powerful experiences. Being a developing nation will stretch your worldview and grow your gratitude.
Holy Land Tour/Graduation
This 10-day journey in Israel with RLU will be the culmination of all you have learned and experienced. The Bible will come to life and your faith will be unstoppable. You will follow the footsteps of Jesus and see where he taught, where He died, where He rose again. Then on the last day, you will stand on the Mt. of Olives where He ascended into heaven. On the very spot Jesus said to “Go and make disciples” you will be commissioned to go into your world with the confidence and courage and calling you have discovered in your 12 months with RLU.
Meet the Team
Real Life University is led by visionary church leaders with decades of experience who will mentor you while providing practical experience and training to prepare you for college and the rest of your life.
Micah Davidson, Phd – Founder
Micah Davidson is the founder and Lead Pastor of Real Life, a multi-campus church based out of Austin, TX. He has a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages and PhD in Theology from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He lives by the statement that “100 years from now, all that matters is where someone is with Jesus” and has developed tools, including his book Sticks + Stones and Real Life University, to bring each person one step closer to the God who loves them.
Fernando Kittrell, MA, BS, BCPC – Dean
Fernando is an enthusiastic and passionate educator and professional counselor dedicated to intentional student development and practical learning experiences. From his first sermon on a New York City bus, to the Dean of a secular college, Fernando has always been committed to inspiring young people to look up, reach out, and move forward.
Fernando, along with other dedicated mentors will invest daily in the personal development of each student to maximize these 12 months of transformative growth and training.
Let’s Connect
Taking a GAP year before or during college is an incredibly worthwhile experience. It can also be a complex decision. We are here to help. Complete this form and we will reach out promptly to answer any questions you or your parents have. (For U.S. students 18-25).
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