The application process is now open.
Applications will be received through January 31, 2027.
Explore Your Calling.
Grow as a Leader.
Grow as a Leader.
Young Adult Leadership Laboratory (Y’ALL)
What is the Young Adult Leadership Laboratory (Y’ALL)?
Y’ALL is a way for MC USA, its churches and schools to offer interesting leadership opportunities for emerging young adult leaders. Our college-aged students can explore a ministry calling through a hands-on internship in an MC USA congregation and/or ministry site. Participants usually work under the supervision of a pastor or ministry leader and are involved in many aspects of congregational life and work. Y’ALL offers a wide range of ministry settings across MC USA.
$4,000
summer stipend
Housing
in most placements
Tuition-free
seminary opportunity
after successful completion
after successful completion
How does Y’ALL work?
The student sets their own goals in consultation with the Denominational Minister of Education, and the site setting leader(s). The program includes several key components:
Set goals
Work with the Denominational Minister of Education and your ministry supervisor.
Participate and learn
Engage in a hands-on internship in a congregation or ministry site.
Stay connected
Meet with other Y’ALL interns every other week via Zoom.
Reflect and complete
Submit a final reflection paper (750-1,000 words), receive an evaluation and participate in a closing interview.
Financial support for participants
The student sets their own goals in consultation with the Denominational Minister of Education, and the site setting leader(s). The program includes several key components:
$1,000
from Mennonite Church USA
$1,000
split evenly between the home and hosting conferences
$1,000
from the home congregation of the student
$1,000
from the congregation where the student is interning
In most placements, students live with a host family from the congregation/community who provides lodging and food expenses.
Your journey could lead to seminary
In addition to housing and stipend, students that complete the program with a positive recommendation from the Denominational Minister of Education are guaranteed free tuition for an entire seminary degree program at either Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary or Eastern Mennonite Seminary within five years of graduating from college.
Frequently Asked Questions
While most students will take advantage of this program during the summer, you can participate in Y’ALL during the academic year, with some adaptations.
Some Mennonite colleges have arranged for credit. If you attend a Mennonite college or university, check with the administrator of Y’ALL to see if you are eligible for college credit.
We prioritize students who are entering their junior or senior year of college.
The application form is used to determine up to six students who will be chosen for this program each year.
Absolutely. We will adjust the funding streams to make sure you have the full stipend. If you are interested in exploring ministry, Y’ALL is for you!
Students with a 3.0 GPA or above will be given priority.
If you are a student at a Mennonite school, reach out to your Y’ALL contact. Complete an application form.
Y’ALL Contacts at Mennonite Colleges/Universities
Bethel College
Amy Marshall
amarshall@bethelks.edu
Bluffton University
Eli Tracy
tracye@bluffton.edu
Goshen College
Jen Shenk
jshenk@goshen.edu
Eastern Mennonite University
Courtney Joyner
courtney.joyner@emu.edu
Hesston College
Michele Hershberger
michele.hershberger@hesston.edu
For more information contact:
Amy Yoder McGloughlin | Denominational Minister for Education | amyym@mennoniteusa.org