Bakos Fellow Applications Open!
Mentoring program for Christian LGBTQ leaders.
Over the past two years, Sally Gary and I brainstormed and implemented Bakos Project, a mentoring program for Christian LGBTQ leaders in their 20s and 30s, especially those who come from conservative Christian backgrounds (e.g. evangelical or adjacent). Thankfully, our dear friends, Ben and Ed Campbell agreed to join us as co-mentors. Already two cohorts have participated in our 9 months program. And now applications are open for our 3rd cohort of Bakos Fellows.
The name “Bakos” comes from Ethiopian Christians, who gave the name Bakos to the Ethiopian eunuch described in Acts 8. He was both a sexual minority and a leader in the church. As such, Bakos is a fitting role model for LGBTQ Christians seeking to serve God with their lives.
So often, conversations concerning sexual and gender minorities focus on the debate in the Church. But Bakos Project goes beyond that to recognize the tremendous gifts LGBTQ people have to offer both church and society. We want to encourage LGBTQ Christians in whatever vocation God has called them, whether ministry or service to the general public.
Cohorts are intentionally small. We only take 10-12 participants a year. The goal is to not only provide a meaningful experience over several months, but to provide lifelong connections. In fact, this August, we’ll have our first annual alumni retreat, an event we hope will occur each year for long into the future.
We are looking for LGBTQ Christians with the following characteristics:
Ages 22 through 39
Deep love of Christ, high regard of Scripture, and desire to serve God (either in a ministry role or in the public/community sphere)
Involved in a local church (or eagerly desire to be)
Theologically affirming (e.g. marriage for gay couples)
Demonstrated leadership qualities
Desire to receive mentoring to grow in faith and active use of God-given spiritual gifts
What we offer:
Weekend retreat (one for new members and one for alum). The newcomer retreat is subsidized for food and lodging and the optional alum retreat is at cost to keep fees low.
Monthly cohort connection (via Zoom)
Connection at the CenterPeace Conference (biennial)
E-newsletter and blog (with opportunities to contribute to both)
Networking with other young Christian LGBTQ leaders
Networking with affirming pastors and other affirming Christian leaders
Access to resources (e.g. articles, videos)
Bakos Fellows are welcomed into an environment that holds fast to the things we love about our faith heritage, while being fully affirming. We are a creedly orthodox program with a high view of Scripture and a passion to serve Christ. We pray that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven, including recognition that LGBTQ people are beautifully made with a God-given purpose.
The program emphasizes community, friendship building, leadership skills, and faith formation. Often Christian LGBTQ leaders can be isolated. Bakos Project provides a peer network of high caliber folk that provide a network that lasts well beyond the 9-months initial program. Bakos Fellows are from a variety of vocations, including public school teacher, therapist, pastor, writer, chef, college professor, worship leader, and more.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying to be a Bakos Fellow, the application is on the Bakos Project website. The deadline is August 15th. If you review the website and still have questions, feel free to text me at 469-708-8211. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and helping us to get the word out to those who might benefit from this program. We can’t wait to welcome them!