The Journey
Gap Year Program
The Journey is not just a place of instruction, but a transformative environment that ignites the flame of curiosity and instills lifelong values, guiding students on a profound journey from the head to the heart, empowering them to become compassionate, responsible, and above all to have a heart to see people transformed by the Gospel.
How The Journey can enrich your future?
One of the key factors that sets The Journey apart is the presence of seasoned missionaries and dedicated staff members who play a pivotal role in shaping the students’ character and values. These mentors walk alongside the students, offering guidance, support, and wisdom that go beyond academic subjects.
Beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, the learning experience at The Journey extends to real-life situations, where students get to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways. The Journey emphasises hands-on learning, community service, and various extracurricular activities that nurture creativity, teamwork, cross-cultural communication and leadership qualities.
Moreover, The Journey cherishes the belief that Christian education is not merely about achieving academic excellence but also about fostering emotional intelligence and spiritual growth. In other words, we are looking for more than written academic assessments to determine your success. Here, students are encouraged to explore their passions, embrace diversity, to be pushed out of their comfort zones and cultivate a strong sense of self-awareness, helping them navigate life’s challenges, like Jesus, with resilience and compassion.
Four Pillars of the Journey
Pillar 1: Classroom Learning
Choose your learning journey. Pick between a Diploma of Ministry or a Teen Missions Certificate of Ministry.
Pillar 2: Discipleship
Our community prioritises lived liturgical practices that cultivate intimate fellowship. Students are encouraged to practice a range of spiritual disciplines that are nurtured by our staff and teachers. Through our shared experience of worship and intentional community-building, we hope to deepen students' spiritual lives and enhance their connection with one another. Our commitment to these practices is central to our mission of fostering a holistic, faith-based educational environment that empowers students to grow and thrive.
Pillar 3: Community Living
The Journey offers an intimate community setting and intentional living space, setting it apart from others schools. Students get the opportunity to live and learn in a closely-knit community that fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration, enhancing their spiritual and personal growth. The living space is thoughtfully designed to reflect the program's values, promoting sustainability, inclusivity, creativity and growth. This distinctive feature gives students an immersive experience that shapes their perspectives and equips them with indispensable life skills.
Pillar 4: Practical Training for Ministry (PTM’s)
Our Practical Training for Ministry (PTM’s) goes beyond theory, ensuring students are fully prepared for impactful ministry. While traditional models may prioritise mental readiness, we safeguard against this by providing hands-on involvement. PTM’s immerse students in local community ministries, TMIA, travel teams, fieldwork, and TMIA Summer Teams. This diverse approach hones skills in preaching, counseling, leadership, and outreach, while also covering practical areas like administration, finance, marketing, design, social work, IT, construction, and property upkeep. Our aim is to equip students with both practical skills and knowledge, empowering them to serve and uplift their communities effectively. Discover the essential blend of experience and education for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact through ministry.
What will you do?
Diploma of Ministry
The Diploma of Ministry from the Australian College of Theology and delivered by SMBC is attainable within one year at The Journey and presents a pathway for future missionary service and/or advanced studies. We are excited to partner with SMBC in order to offer this degree path.
The Diploma of Ministry offers a comprehensive exploration of the Bible, missions, Christian philosophy, and ministry practice. With the help of SMBC, we aspire to facilitate an environment where students have the freedom to honestly reflect and explore their identity in Christ, fostering personal growth and spiritual maturity. Through communal living and cross-cultural experiences, we aim to equip our students with the necessary tools and skills to serve effectively in diverse ministry contexts.
Upon completing The Journey, if you wish to dive deeper into theological, ministry or biblical studies, you will have the option to return to SMBC or any other accredited Australian College of Theology College and earn an Associate Degree or even a third year for a Bachelor of Theology, Ministry, Divinity, etc. For more information, see the complete list of pathways at actheology.edu.au.
To be eligible for admission to the Diploma of Ministry Studies, you need an ATAR of 65 or higher (or equivalent) or successful completion of an academic suitability task such as an essay, interview, or academic assignment. If you haven’t finished Year 12 (or its equivalent), please get in touch with Teen Missions to identify the details of academic suitability requirements. Furthermore, you may need to meet specific language prerequisites if English isn’t your first language.
For Australian citizens aspiring to complete the Diploma, FEE-HELP is accessible
Teen Missions Certificate of Ministry
Discover the TMIA Certificate pathway, a collaborative learning experience in partnership with Sydney Missionary Bible College (SMBC). While engaging in SMBC’s lectures alongside fellow students, TMIA participants follow a distinct route, supported by The Journey faculty and TMIA staff, and subject to a nominal audit fee rather than full enrollment fees.
The TMIA Certificate emphasises practicality over traditional academics, enabling hands-on learning and skill development. Through this approach, students acquire theological insights alongside ministry-relevant abilities, aligning them with the demands of effective Christian service.
Completion of the program grants the Teen Missions Certificate of Ministry, a testament to your theological growth and practical ministry abilities. Recognised jointly by TMIA and SMBC, this certificate symbolises a fusion of collaborative learning and real-world readiness, equipping you for impactful Christian missionary endeavors. Please be aware that FEE-HELP support is not applicable to this certification.
Course Cost
We strive to maintain our course costs at an affordable level, keeping them as low as possible for our students. Costs are divided into separate fees – SMBC tuition and TMIA Journey fee. However, the Summer Team cost will be an additional expense for students. Depending on the team’s location, these costs will vary between $1,500 – $3,000. Students are encouraged to raise support and fundraise to cover these additional expenses. Students may be eligible for financial assistance. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding cost.
Financial Assistance: Diploma students may be able to receive Youth Allowance, which is available by applying through Centrelink. However, eligibility is dependent on income and assets, and students must meet certain criteria to qualify. It is important to note that specific details regarding payments, application processes, and eligibility can change, and it is advisable to regularly check with Centrelink for the most up-to-date information. Government Study Assist (FEE-HELP) is available to eligible students; please see the link below for details. Be aware that students enrolled in TMIA Certificate of Ministry will not be eligible for AUS Study. We are available to speak with you regarding any financial assistance you may need. We are here to help and can provide guidance and access to potential resources and work with you to develop a financial payment plan. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance, as we want to ensure that you have the support you need to learn, experience and grow in community under God’s Word.
Apply Now
THANK YOU for applying to TMIA’s The Journey gap year program.
Due to the limited spots available, the following application is required in order to submit your interest in attending The Journey. This application does not guarantee your position. All positions will be made known through an acceptance letter.