A 9-month experience designed to prepare recent college grads to live seamless lives of faith
The Orlando Heart of the City Fellows is a Christ-centered, character formation program for recent college graduates based in the local church. Our mission is to prepare the Fellows to live seamless lives of faith and ‘Start Well’.Â
We are committed to helping shape and prepare Fellows to become Kingdom-minded individuals of character, grounded in the rhythms of a healthy Christian life and intimate relationship with Jesus. Our focus on spiritual formation and understanding the connection between our faith and work life will help participants practice integrating their experiences and circumstances, to learn to live a more seamless life of faith.
A 9-MONTH PROGRAM
A Fellows Program is an intensely practical nine-month experience designed to prepare recent college grads to live seamless lives of faith. Your laboratory will be a part-time professional job in your field of interest, theological coursework, discipleship, mentoring and service. This leadership development program equips Fellows to have a thoughtful impact in the world.
MEET THE 2022-2023 FELLOWS
Meet Meredith Bell:
She grew up in Greenville, SC and graduated from Clemson University (she’s a tiger!) with a degree in Elementary Education! One thing about Meredith is that she is terrified by small balls of paper. Her favorite smell is vanilla and her strangest hobby is playing solitaire while listening to John Mayer. So far, to her the best part of Orlando is I-4. She is excited to spend time with families and the people here in Orlando. She is also excited to grow spiritually and in biblical knowledge. She is interning as an Orlando Fellow at The Christ School.
Meet Sage Bessert:
While her hometown is Peoria, Illinois, Sage has roots in the south as a Clemson University graduate with a Psychology degree (Go Tigers x2). Sage’s internship this year is working with teen moms with Young Lives. Her dream is to own a farm one day as her strange hobbies include watching videos of horses hooves being cleaned out and sheep being shaved. (Ask her to send you one!) The inside of a Jeni’s Ice Cream store is also one of her favorite smells. Sage’s favorite part of Orlando are all of the moss trees and Lilly pads. She is excited for the silence and solitude retreat (5 whole days long) and the opportunity to work in ministry for the first time.
Meet Jayden Blosser:
Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, Jayden graduated from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!!) with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Catch her on a hike or out backpacking in Colorado. This year Jayden is working with Young Life as the Wyldlife Coordinator. Her favorite smell is the inside of a Jeni’s ice cream. Unfortunately, the closest one to Orlando is 5 1/2hrs away, but you know what that means…Fellows road-trip! Jayden’s favorite part of Orlando are all of the bodies of water. She is excited to grow spiritually and in biblical knowledge this year.
Meet Jackson Elling:
Jackson is from Peachtree City, GA, and a 2021 graduate from Covenant College (Go Scots!) with a degree in English. This year he will be working with Commission 127 to help support foster families. Don’t put any cockroaches around him unless you want to see him squirm. His favorite hobby is writing poetry by candlelight (the next King David). He’s a big fan of the never ending sunshine in Florida. He’s most excited for skydiving during Fellows (Bret can you make this happen?).
Meet Julia Girling:
Julia graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in Business Management and Public Relations and is interning as an Orlando Fellow at Thirdmill Ministries.
Meet Stu Marshburn:
Coming from the Carolinas (Anderson, SC to be exact), Stu just graduated from Samford University (GO BULLDOGS!) with a degree in Communication Studies. This year he will be working with CCO-FPCO college ministry. His favorite smell is Edgewater Creamery and he LOVES to stretch, ask him about it. His favorite part about Orlando is the amount of lakes and he cannot wait to see the plans God has in store for him here. If you see him around ask him about his hidden talent!
Meet Andrew Sponic:
He’s from Camp Hill, PA! In 2021, he graduated from James Madison University (Go Dukes!) with a degree in Sports and Recreation Management. His first nightmare was Jim Carey (ask him about it). His favorite smell is pear dove soap. His favorite part of Orlando is his host family. He is excited to go sky diving. Andrew is interning as an Orlando Fellow at the Ronald McDonald House.
Meet Tabitha Taylor:
(Aka Tabi, our Orlando native). She just graduated from Florida State University (Go Noles!) with a degree in Media/Communications & Psychology. This year she will be working at Foundry Commercial. One of her favorite hobbies is driving for fun without a destination. She’s always down for a Nertz card game and to visit every coffee shop in Orlando. This is what Tabitha says about being back in her hometown, “I’m so excited to be an Orlando Fellow with my fellow fellows! I’m so excited to be doing life with them and Bret these next 9 months."
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