Rooted Gap Year
A GAP YEAR PROGRAM FOR ADULTS 18-25 WITH THE GOAL OF ROOTING THEM DEEPER IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
“rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
-Colossian 2:7
What is Rooted?
Rooted is a 9 month long discipleship adventure designed to help young adults dig down deep into the soil of God’s love and to trust the Holy Spirit to blossom them into Christ-honoring leaders. As a student in the Rooted program you will be in the classroom studying, in the outdoors adventuring and in the inner city serving. All of these different components are opportunities to learn, serve, grow and belong, and are specifically designated to work together for the spiritual maturity of everyone involved.
LEARN
The study of God’s Word will be at the center of what we do. Instead of semester long classes we will be utilizing week long intensive classes which allow us to bring in a wide variety of instructors to teach on topics that they are passionate about. The Rooted Director, current and retired pastors and seminary professors will be used as instructors throughout the year. Besides studying through different books of the Bible we will also be studying theology, evangelism, apologetics, and a number of practical classes on topics such as Biblical stewardship, Godly understanding of identity, worldview, and reconciliation, just to name a few.
Serve
One of the best ways to grow healthy as a person is to learn to serve others. As a part of Rooted we will both serve each other as well as the guest that come to Tuscarora in areas such as food service, house keeping and audio/visual/worship arts. We will also serve people in the rural areas around the campus and in the major cities of New York and Philly, which are just over an hour away, as well as taking trips to work with Samaritan’s Purse when different disasters hit.
GROW
Like the name Rooted implies, the intended goal of the year is for participants to grow deep roots in their assurance of who they are in Christ, in a deeper understanding of the Bible, as well as growing out the Fruit of the Spirit as we together learn to allow the Holy Spirit to shape us into the people He desires us to be. In this, we will be spending the year working through the different spiritual disciplines of daily Bible reading, prayer & fasting, and journaling, just to name a few.
BELONG
At the heart of all that we do at Rooted is the fact that we do it together in community. By living together, participants will learn how to practice patience, grace, and forgiveness, as well as encouragement and support. When one person struggles the community will learn how to love one another and show Christian encouragement or correction. It is in this area of the program that participants will ultimately experience the most growth, as Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We are able to take 12-14 students, a number that provides enough intimacy to get to know each other deeply as well as enough of a critical mass to both be impactful in mission and refreshing in community.
2024-2025 Students:
“I grew in ways I expected—and in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Rooted helped me see God at work in every part of my life.”
“This year wasn’t just about learning. It was about belonging. We became a family.”
“Before Rooted, I didn’t have rhythms of prayer or time in the Word. Now I can’t imagine life without them.”
“Community was where the real growth happened. God used the people around me to shape me in grace and truth.”
Staff and Supporters:
“Like the name implies, Rooted is about growing deep roots—roots in Christ, in Scripture, in identity, and in calling.”
“Students spend the year learning to listen to God’s voice, walk in His truth, and live with purpose.”
“This is a gap year built not on escape, but on engagement—with God, with others, and with the world He’s called us to serve.”
“From the very beginning, Rooted has been covered in prayer. That’s why it’s thriving.”
BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER
Rooted is built on prayer—and we need people like you to stand with us. When you become a prayer partner, you’re not just staying informed—you’re covering our students, staff, and ministry in the most powerful way possible. Your prayers help create space for spiritual breakthrough, protection, growth, and clarity as young adults seek to root their lives in Christ. Join us in lifting up this generation. Your prayers make a lasting difference.