Established in 2006, Vision and Call is built on the belief that life’s longer lessons, the ideas that shape commitment and souls, are often best learned through an apprenticeship experience and worked out through a community of mentors and peers. The vision is to equip young adults to consider the direction of their vocation while gaining meaningful ministry or work experience. The program typically targets young adults ages 20-25.
At its core, Vision and Call holds a three-fold purpose: (1) to provide a transforming experience for young adults; (2) to increase the pool of talented emerging leaders entering the workforce; and (3) to educate and empower a commitment to the development of young leaders on the part of Christian organizations. The program is designed to benefit young adults while also adding short and long-term value to participating organizations.
Once a Vision & Call internship program is approved, the Murdock Trust shares costs with each organization, which may participate for up to six years. (Programs are expected to continue beyond our initial support.)
The Murdock Trust funds summer, part-time, and full-time internships, and each internship program is expected to implement the six essentials.
Opportunities to integrate with a larger movement of emerging leaders
Learn more about the six essentials and watch the series of training videos we produced that go into each of the six program essentials we have identified as being critical components of an exemplary internship program.
The Vision and Call Internship Program grant is offered every two years. Contact Sarah Ruckle for information.
Involvement of Experienced Leadership – V+C Episode 2
The Apprenticeship Model – V+C Episode 3
Intentional Conversations – V+C Episode 4
Significant Work Experience – V+C Episode 5
Connection to a Larger Movement – V+C Episode 6
Vision & Call Resources
Recent Events
In April 2022, The Murdock Trust hosted its annual Vision and Call Advisor Training day with Os Guinness, author and social critic, serving as the featured presenter. Dr. Guinness shared from his books, including The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, Carpe Diem Redeemed: Seizing the Day, Discerning the Times, and The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom. Click the links below to watch recordings from the sessions.
On April 15, 2021, the Murdock Trust hosted its annual Vision and Call Advisor Training Day, with Dr. Anthony Bradley serving as the featured presenter. Dr. Bradley is a distinguished American author and professor of religion, theology and ethics at the King’s College in New York City, where he also serves as the chair of the Religious and Theological Studies program and directs the Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program. Dr. Bradley’s shares his insights regarding the Gen Z generation (born in the mid 1990’s and younger) as well his practical insights on how to best engage and mentor this extraordinary population. Watch the recording here.
In addition to the Advisor Training Day, we also held a one hour conversation with Vision and Call advisors and Murdock Trust staff exchanging best practice ideas for recruiting interns. Watch the recording here.
On May 20, 2020, we hosted this very helpful and practical webinar with Arthur Brooks, Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, on Managing Anger in Our Relationships and Society. This one-hour conversation focused on well-researched strategies and recommendations to deepen and improve your most important relationships. Watch the recording here.
Learning
Pray: “Hope Over Fear Devotional” – World Vision partnered with Danielle Strickland to lead a prayer journey on topics of surrender, generosity, and mission through prayer, journaling, and reading scripture. Vision and Call interns at World Vision helped create the devotional to help people put their faith in action.
Murdock Trust ‘On Leadership’
Investing in Others
Terry McGonigal of Whitworth University demonstrates the mentoring model of Jesus among his disciples. The impact of faithful mentoring has lasted throughout the life of the church and into today’s Christian organizations.
Looking Under Rocks
Annie Jones-Barnes of Northwest Leadership Foundation believes we must search anywhere and everywhere to discover new leaders. Traditional models of leadership development do not necessary find leaders who bring true transformation.
Mentorship is Discipleship
Tod Bolsinger of Fuller Theological Seminary suggests that the cultural affirmation of busy-ness is an area Christians should challenge. Perhaps senior leaders in Christian organizations should be people who are never too busy to invest in the next generation of leaders and disciples.
Over the Shoulder and Through the Heart
Steve Garber of the Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation and Culture talks about the importance of mentors letting young leaders observe the mentor in action, try their hand at he work, and then make it their own.
Ride Along
Steve Moore, Executive Director of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, describes his experience—as a student—of accompanying a mentor throughout his day, the gift of being able to learn from the mentor, and the impact it had on their relationship.
Sherpa Style Mentoring
Sarah Baldwin, Vice President of Student Development at Asbury University, uses the metaphor of a Sherpa to describe how mentors come alongside interns to help them along the way. Interns must “climb the mountain” themselves, but a good mentor will serve as a guide.
The Trust guides nonprofit organizations through every level of their development through grants and other resources.
