Because they'll
always be your child
what parents
can expect ?
EnterMission is a community-based, guided gap year experience for young adults ages 17-25. It is not a year-off, but a dedicated year of learning and growth that seeks to help young adults decompress from school/academics, become independent from parents while being challenged spiritually, and be guided toward their next steps through individual mentoring
FAQ's
what is
a gap year?
A gap year is an intentional season set aside for growth, exploration, and direction. While traditionally taken between high school and college, many young adults today are choosing a gap year at various stages—after graduation, during college transitions, or even while working—because they desire more than just a degree or a job. They want clarity, community, and purpose. At EnterMission, we provide a Christ-centered, immersive experience designed to help 17- to 25-year-olds step away from the noise, dig deep into their faith, and discover how they’re uniquely called to live on mission.
EnterMission is a 10-month journey that blends spiritual formation, leadership development, and hands-on ministry. Participants live in community, serve with Christian non-profits around the U.S., and spend four months overseas with missionaries in cross-cultural contexts. Whether preparing for college, reevaluating direction, or taking a purposeful break from work, young adults in our program gain confidence, character, and clarity for whatever comes next.
Young adults today are navigating a complex world filled with pressure, distractions, and uncertainty about the future. Many feel unprepared for college, unclear about their purpose, or disconnected from their faith. A gap year creates the space to slow down, grow up, and seek direction. According to the Gap Year Association, 98% of students report increased maturity and confidence, 77% say their experience influenced their career path, and 73% felt better prepared for college or the workforce. It’s not time wasted—it’s time wisely invested in building a foundation for life.
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At EnterMission, we combine discipleship, community, and mission to offer a transformative gap year experience grounded in faith and service. Students live, learn, and serve together in the U.S. and overseas. They grow spiritually, develop leadership and ministry skills, and begin to see how their lives fit into God’s larger story. In fact, 6 out of 10 of our students go on to pursue vocational ministry after the program. Whether college-bound, in the workforce, or rethinking next steps, students leave EnterMission with a clearer vision, a deeper faith, and a lifelong sense of purpose.
Why do
a Gap
Year?
What are
Dates and
Rates?
EnterMission follows a traditional college semester schedule. Our program typically begins in late August, with the first semester running through mid-December. We include a week-long break for Thanksgiving. The second semester begins in early January and concludes with our graduation ceremony during the first two weeks of May.
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Like many missionaries, our students raise financial support to participate in the program. We encourage students to seek monthly support commitments totaling approximately $1,300 per month. Most students build a team of monthly donors to help cover their expenses. The cost for the first semester is $8,000. If a student continues into the second semester, there is an additional $4,000 program fee, plus international travel costs averaging $1,300 (depending on the location). We ask students to aim for $4,000 raised by the start date, the next $4,000 by November, and travel funds by December so tickets can be secured. Any remaining balance should be raised by graduation in May.
EnterMission is led by a team of trusted and experienced ministry leaders who care deeply about the spiritual and personal growth of each student. Our board is made up of veteran pastors, missionaries, and ministry professionals who bring wisdom and accountability to the program. Directors Chris and Nicia Irwin bring over 35 years of ministry experience, both stateside and overseas, and have dedicated their lives to discipling young adults and equipping them for kingdom impact. (Please consult our Staff member section to learn more).
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Throughout the journey, students are guided by mentors who have real-world ministry experience and walk alongside them with encouragement, challenge, and care. In addition, each team includes an apprentice—an older student who has shown maturity and leadership and is just a few steps ahead in life or ministry. While these apprentices help lead peer teams, they are always under the oversight of seasoned missionaries or church leaders during the overseas portion. Every layer of leadership is designed to ensure that students are safe, supported, and spiritually shepherded throughout the entire experience.
Who will
guide this
journey?
How
safe is the
experience?
Student safety is a top priority for us at EnterMission. During the first semester, students live and learn on the campus of Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee—a private Christian university with its own campus security. Knoxville is considered a safe city overall, and the university setting provides a structured and supportive environment for students as they begin their journey.
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As students travel and serve—both stateside and overseas—they partner with trusted ministries that we have carefully vetted. While some ministries may operate in lower-income or more challenging neighborhoods, we never place students in environments we consider to be unsafe or high-risk. The same holds true for our international partners. We do not send teams into areas that present dangers beyond normal travel and ministry risks.
That said, no experience is completely without risk. While we are intentional and wise in our planning, we also recognize that living on mission involves stepping out in faith. We entrust our students into God’s care, while doing everything in our power to ensure a safe and meaningful experience.
We understand the desire to stay connected while your child is away, and we’re committed to keeping communication open. During the first semester, students have regular access to their phones and are free to call or message family as needed. We also welcome a parental visit once during the experience. We simply ask that your student communicate with our staff ahead of time to ensure the visit does not conflict with scheduled ministry activities. Please note that we are unable to provide housing for visiting family members, but we’re happy to recommend nearby accommodations.
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For the second semester overseas, we strongly discourage visits. Our students live and serve in cross-cultural contexts where housing is limited, and our local partners may not be able to accommodate guests. More importantly, this season is a critical time for students to fully engage in their work and team life without the emotional disruption that can come with a family visit. We’ve found that staying focused and independent during this time fosters personal growth, resilience, and deeper cultural immersion. We encourage you to support your student through prayer, messages, and ongoing encouragement from home as they take this important step of faith.
can
i visit my
child?
what will communication
with entermission Leaders Look like during
the year?
During the first semester, each student meets weekly with a mentor for one-on-one guidance and support. While overseas, mentorship continues on a biweekly basis. These mentoring relationships are designed to help students process their experiences, grow spiritually, and stay grounded throughout the journey. What students share with their mentors remains confidential, unless a serious concern arises that we believe needs to be addressed. In such cases, we will always speak with the student first before reaching out to parents or guardians.
To keep families informed, we create a WhatsApp group for parents and guardians where we post important logistical information, occasional updates, and provide a space for general questions. This helps everyone stay connected without overstepping the student’s independence or the integrity of the experience. Our goal is to maintain open lines of communication with families, while encouraging each student to take ownership of their journey with maturity and responsibility.
We understand that unexpected situations—such as illness, family emergencies, or other personal circumstances—can arise. In rare cases, students may also be dismissed from the program due to noncompliance with EnterMission’s expectations and guidelines. In any of these scenarios, our commitment is to walk with each student and family through the process with care and support. If a student must leave during the first semester, the family will be responsible for arranging their transportation home. If the student is overseas, we will assist in changing flight arrangements, but any additional travel costs incurred will be the responsibility of the student.
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As a non-profit organization, we are not legally permitted to return donated funds, as these gifts were given for charitable purposes. In addition, once a student has begun the semester, they remain responsible for the full cost of that semester. Program funds are allocated in advance toward housing, travel, meals, ministry partnerships, and materials. While we hope every student can complete the journey, we also recognize that life can be unpredictable, and we are committed to offering guidance, compassion, and practical help should a transition home become necessary.