In August 2014, the National Benevolent Association (NBA) launched a brand new service residency year called NBA XPLOR. Based on a collaborative model of shared ministry that includes Disciples congregations and Regions, community-based non-profits, and the NBA, a total of twelve young adults are currently living in groups of four at three XPLOR Houses across the United States: St. Louis, MO; Hiram-Mantua, OH; and North Hollywood, CA.
The NBA XPLOR program is now inviting applications for the 2015—2016 XPLOR cohort. These new Residents would be part of the program from August 2015 through June 2016. It is expected that there will be at least seven XPLOR sites available for 25+ Residents in the second year of the program! An online application form is available here.
Applications will be processed as they are received between these deadlines:
- Early Decision Deadline: December 5, 2014, announced by December 22, 2014.
Applicant interviews and reference calls will be conducted between 12/6 – 12/22. - Cornerstone Deadline: January 9, 2015, announced by January 23, 2015.
Applicant interviews and reference calls will be conducted between 1/12 – 1/22. - Extended Deadline: February 8, 2015, announced by February 27, 2015.
Applicant interviews and reference calls will be conducted between 2/10 – 2/26.
What is XPLOR? Imagine four to seven young adults, ages 21-30, living together in intentional, simple, diverse, Christian community for 10 months. Now imagine those young adults working 30 hours a week in a not-for-profit, social service agency; up to six hours a week in a creative ministry with a local Disciples congregation, and spending several hours a week with a Spiritual Companion.
The four cornerstones of XPLOR are powerful and intentional: hands-on service/justice work; simple living in community; spiritual discernment on vocation; and Disciples leadership development.
XPLOR is committed to the cultivation of a widely diverse population; Without naming all the possible natures of diversity, NBA XPLOR believes that diversity is a major component of intentional community living and will seek to provide diversity in all XPLOR Houses. Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Training is an integral part of the NBX XPLOR spiritual and leadership development, beginning with the NBA XPLOR Orientation each August, and
lasting throughout the full 10 months.
Potential XPLOR applications could be 2015 college graduates or more recent college graduates; young adults who did not attend college at all or with only limited college work; young adults ending a time of military service; young working professionals, who are less interested in “money” and more in “meaning,” young married couples who are ready for a whole new adventure in life.
For more information email xplor@nbacares.org or visit www.nbacares.org/xplor.