• Exposure to a diverse team of teachers.
• Engagement in experiential learning: trades; craftsmanship; outdoors; home management; parenting; marriage; budgets; discipleship; evangelism; ministry; career coaching; basic etiquette; communication (spoken, written, body language, etc.); growing, processing, and harvesting food; cooking; fitness; hobbies; and much more. Activities vary within each program.
• Immersion into the life and heart of Denton Bible Church
• Support and guidance from Denton Bible Church members and leaders

Each college or university will have different policies as it pertains to delayed or deferred acceptance. It will be up to the students and parents to determine if their college or university of choice is willing to delay or defer acceptance or admittance. Generally, there are fewer universities that will allow a student to defer acceptance, which means that a GAP Year student will more than likely need to reapply to their college or university of choice DURING completion of the 9-month program.

This resource may be helpful, but not exhaustive: https://gapyearassociation.org/fav-colleges.php

GAP is for any graduating high school senior who is driven, hungry, and exhausted with what the world defines and offers as true success, and instead wants to discover God’s Alternative Program for life (i.e. stewardship, faithfulness, and honor lived out in every sphere of their influence). Students who believe in follow-through, can handle schedule pressures, and are eager to learn and be challenged are prime candidates for the GAP Program.

The primary instructors are: Drew Anderson (Leadership), Tommy Nelson (Bible), Charles Stolfus (Worldview), Bruce Amason (Biblical Manhood), Christie Faulkner (Biblical Womanhood), Robert Zeinstra (Cultural Engagement), Garry Landreth (Communication), Gordon Nickell (Guys’ Sexuality and Purity), and Amy Bruton (Girls’ Biblical Relationships). In addition, there are a variety of instructors including subject-matter experts, trained professionals, and experienced volunteers. Students should be flexible and willing to learn from a variety of instructors utilizing different instructional methods.

Admission requirements include:

1. Believing faith in Christ
2. High school diploma or equivalent
3. Students must be 18 years of age by the start of GAP.
4. Insured, reliable vehicle for everyday transportation. You and/or your parents must be in a position to deal with any mechanical issues promptly so program participation is not hindered.
5. Funds to cover personal living and travel expenses of at least $300 per month.
6. Financial responsibility for all medical expenses incurred during participation in GAP.
7. No active dating.
8. Willingness to abstain for a period of time from individualized screen time including, but not limited to, video games, social media platforms, and streaming entertainment.

Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. We value quality over quantity, and as such, at this point in the program’s development, there are a limited number of slots available. The qualifications for a GAP student are honor, humility, and hunger.  Follow the steps below to begin your journey toward acceptance in Denton Bible’s GAP Life-Leadership Program:

• Step 1: Applicants demonstrate honor and humility by submitting complete information for a background check including inquiries into the applicant’s criminal and driving records as well as email and phone correspondence with the applicant’s references.  Allow at least 2 hours to complete the application.
• Step 2: Allow two weeks for GAP staff to schedule an interview.  Once the interview is complete, the Admissions Team will pre-approve eligible candidates to progress toward participation in the pre-arrival course.
• Step 3: Each pre-approved eligible candidate will demonstrate their hunger to participate in GAP by completing the pre-arrival discipleship exercises and administrative tasks according to the designated deadlines.  Participants can expect to spend 10-15 hours per week in the pre-arrival course for the duration of the summer months preceding their participation in GAP.  Pre-arrival discipleship assignments include reading the Bible and books.  Administrative tasks include things like submitting the candidate’s car insurance information and indicating in which ministry the candidate prefers to serve within the church.
• Step 4: Final acceptance of eligible candidates and host home placements will be determined by GAP leadership upon the candidate’s satisfactory completion of the GAP pre-arrival course.

The tuition fee for the 9-month program is $3,500 and includes:

• 12 Books
• 9 Month Leadership Curriculum
• Field trips
• Retreats
• Career/Life Coaching
• Intentional Mentorship/Discipleship
• The Heart & Life of Denton Bible Church

Additionally, students are required to have access to a minimum of $300 per month. This money can be earned through part-time work (see cautionary answer to FAQ below), or the funds can be provided by parents or supporters. Parents/supporters are encouraged to set up a personal account for the student that they are expected to manage. Some budgetary training will be covered in the context of the program, but funds management is a skill that is highly encouraged.

Students must also have a dependable, insured vehicle as well as health insurance. There may be some small clothing expenses that relate to the various outings, however, the monthly $300 should be enough to cover these expenses.

See also the question on “housing options.”

Currently, there are no scholarships available for the program. Prospective students and parents need to prayerfully consider the financial requirements of GAP. In addition to having an insured, reliable vehicle, students will need to have a minimum of $300 per month to cover miscellaneous living and program expenses. These funds can be earned by the student while working a part-time job that is flexible and willing to accommodate program activities. If at any point working begins to interfere with program participation, students will be expected to cut back on their work schedule to prioritize the program. Tuition is $3,500 per student.

Students are encouraged to use this opportunity of paying for tuition to seek financial support from friends and family.  The reason we make this recommendation is to invite your friends and family to invest in your discipleship journey.

1. Gap Host Families
   • By application and only once there is program acceptance
   • Priority will be given to out of state students OR students with burdensome commute times
   • Very limited slot availability
   • Students would be placed with Host Families based upon need and selection
   • Room and board would be covered by the Host Family
2. Living at Home
   
   • The student would also have a DBC Host Family Sponsor, and they would agree to meet once/week over a meal and once/month over a fun activity together
3. Student Arranged Housing
   • Room and board would be provided by local friend or family.
   • Rental housing is covered by the student.

Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. However, work can not interfere with program attendance and requirements. Students may use part-time employment to offset the $300 monthly requirement, however, if the student can not successfully balance work along with the rigorous program requirements, the student will be asked to step away from employment, but the requirement to have access to $300 in monthly funds remains in place. NOTE: Because of the vibrant and heavy GAP schedule, finding part-time work may be a challenge especially during the first months of transition away from home.

GAP is not accredited and is not intended to replace a college degree. It is an intense discipleship and educational experience designed to accelerate student life-leadership development. At the conclusion of the year, GAP students will have a certificate of completion, letters of recommendation, godly relationships, depth of character, a holistic life plan, life philosophies, and confidence in their next life steps.

Yes, students may take 1 online class per semester.

The following is a link to the doctrinal statement of Denton Bible. The applicant should have substantial agreement with the doctrines and statements expressed:

https://dentonbible.org/about-us/what-we-believe/

GAP students will be highly involved in the life of Denton Bible. They will experience church life on a very real and practical level as they attend: Sunday services, church-wide gatherings/events, meals with DBC families, and serve in various ministries that give a glimpse into the life of a church. Placement in various service opportunities will be another facet of the program intended to grow students in life experiences. We will seek to understand each GAP student’s spiritual gifting and temperament, and subsequently provide correlating opportunities for them to invest those gifts in a DBC ministry. At other times, students will be challenged to grow and serve outside of their comfort zone.

Students will experience various off-site retreats which include outdoors, adventure, and leadership challenges.

• A licensed healthcare professional must perform an athletic physical and clear you for participation.
• It is highly recommended that you pursue an active lifestyle prior to the program.

GAP fitness teaches general facts, behaviors, and benefits of healthy living for the purpose of creating a lifestyle that leads to a longer duration of impact wherever God leads the student in their unique sphere of influence. GAP fitness covers a spectrum of physical fitness philosophies. These consist of but are not limited to, pushups, pullups, sprints, distant runs, plyometrics, self-defense, and calisthenics.

Yes, with accommodations as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Yes, every GAP student is required to workout together during scheduled fitness days. Attendance is taken for all GAP scheduled sessions/events including group fitness training days. GAP has a code of conduct that students are expected to uphold therefore passive or non-participation is not an option.