Pastoral Resident

Are you finishing seminary and find yourself at a precipice? Do you feel God calling you to a new path on your vocational journey? The reality of stepping into a lead pastor role or planting a church can be daunting. You may still have questions. What kind of pastor will I become? How do I plant a church? Who will plant with me?

We’ve crafted our residency program for you—to walk alongside you and bridge the gap. Whether it’s between classroom and congregation or from one ministry vocation to another, we don’t want you to merely survive your first pastoral role, but thrive in it. This isn’t just theoretical knowledge, but practical experience, spiritual coaching, and a chance to cultivate the leadership your church community needs.

Who Are We?

Mary Robin and Aron first met in Los Angeles, California, serving together on a church plant team. At that time, Mary Robin worked on staff with Young Life, but felt called to vocational pastoring. Aron also felt called to pastoring and they quickly developed a shared vision: to start a new kind of church that would reach their peers and engage the social needs of the city.

This experience ignited a lasting passion for church planting.

While completing coursework at Fuller Seminary, they were invited to launch a new young adult ministry at an established church in the area. Under their leadership, the ministry grew into a vibrant community of 500-600 young adults gathering for worship every Sunday night.

In 2013, sensing God’s call, they once again stepped out in faith. They accepted an invitation from the elders of Lake Forest Church-Huntersville, to plant a new congregation in Denver, NC. In 2014, Lake Forest Church-Westlake launched and has grown into a thriving ministry, serving the community and welcoming more than 1,200 people each Sunday.

For over a decade, Mary Robin and Aron have mentored and coached church planters—both within the Lake Forest family of churches and across other traditions. This church planting residency is the fullest expression of what they’ve been cultivating from the beginning: dedicating themselves to the flourishing and empowerment of the next generation of church leaders.

Duke Divinity (MDiv)

Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv)

At Lake Forest We:

• Form community that’s both deep and wide
• Dedicate ourselves to deep discipleship—practicing the way of Jesus
• Welcome skeptics, spiritual explorers, and followers of Jesus
• Embrace people who’ve given up on church, but not on God
• Love people as they live out their story
• Approximately 1,200 people gather between three services on Sunday mornings
• Weekly ministries with over 300 children and youth
• We’re a truly multigenerational church
  , with all ages engaging in various ministries

We’re part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church network in the Lake Forest Family of Churches.

• Kairos—prison ministries
• Room in the Inn—providing shelter and food to the unhoused (seasonally)
• Lake Forest Shares—weekly fresh food distribution
• Regular food distribution in public schools
• Appalachia service project (making homes safe and comfortable)

International Partnerships In:

• Guatemala
• India
• Spain

Givings:

• 10% of all giving is set aside as the Missio Dei budget, for outreaches, missions, trips, and support of missionaries.
• 3% of all giving goes toward planting the next church in the Lake Forest Family of Churches.

Our two-year residency program walks alongside you through eight thematic movements. These movements focus on pastoral development (emotional health, spiritual formation, and vocational clarity) and the essentials of church planting (forming a coherent vision of church, mission, and making disciples). By the end of year two, we will help you develop…