One of the best ways we can make an impact in Charlotte’s future is to cultivate leaders across the full range of vocational sectors. We are partnering with the Gotham Fellowship, part of Global Faith & Work Initiative, to provide an intensive, top-tier training program in theological, spiritual, and relational formation. Gotham was founded fourteen years ago by Redeemer’s Center for Faith and Work in New York City. The Gotham community has grown to more than 1,500 graduates from 21 cities across the globe.

The curriculum has evolved subtly over the years but held true to its core underpinning that the Gospel changes everything —and that includes work. Its most recent revisions have diversified the theological voices and increased focus on issues of justice at work.

Our local expression of the Gotham program is the The 412 Fellowship, taking a uniquely Charlotte-focused perspective, with intentional connecting points to our city’s history, place, and culture. The name comes from Ephesians 4:12 —“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

The 412 Fellowship integrates three primary elements to further the social, cultural and spiritual renewal of our city:

THEOLOGICAL TRAINING

At the core of our program is the commitment to consider how the gospel impacts every area of life. We develop a worldview that draws from the deep resources of classic theology and is sufficiently robust to engage the questions that arise in a city like Charlotte.

SPIRITUAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The 412 Fellowship fosters personal, spiritual, and professional development through daily devotions and relationships with local pastoral and marketplace leaders.

COMMUNITY FORMATION

Our fellows are a community of peers, from diverse backgrounds and vocations, who are committed to each others’ spiritual growth and calling to serve the common good of the city.

Program Details & Commitment

The 412 Fellowship is a nine-month cohort program of up to twelve participants who have from 4 to 40 years of work experience and live in the Charlotte metro area. A typical class is comprised of 50% men and 50% women working in fields including, but not limited to, law, finance, education, government, nonprofit, design, medicine, and the arts. The 412 Fellowship is designed for committed Christians who have a deep desire to grow in their faith. The ideal participant is curious, teachable, and willing to do the hard work of self-examination. 

The 412 Fellowship begins in early August 2024 and finishes in April 2025. During these nine months, the Fellows meet two hours a week to discuss the extensive weekly reading of major texts from various eras of church history. Daily devotionals unite the group through guided scriptural and devotional readings. Four monthly Saturday gatherings provide in-depth training, local guest speakers, and city excursions. Three local retreats (fall, winter, and spring) focus on personal reflection and spiritual formation.

Applications will be accepted in early spring for cohorts beginning the following September. Fellows will be selected by an admissions committee from applicants who best demonstrate 1) commitment to the common good of Charlotte, 2) spiritual maturity, and 3) ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the program.

The 412 Fellowship is an immersive, community experience. Attendance at all three retreats is mandatory, and we ask that participants plan to miss no more than two Thursday evening meetings per semester. All meetings are in person, and any one person’s absence impacts both their own and the group’s experience. That being said, the high level of commitment is met with high grace as there will be inevitable scheduling conflicts due to work commitments, travel, and illness. You can find the dates for this year’s retreats and City Saturdays here.

Applications will be accepted beginning May 1 with a priority deadline of May 15. Those who apply by May 15 and are accepted into the program will receive a $100 early-bird discount. Regular admission deadline is June 15. Applications will be accepted after June 15 on a rolling basis as space permits.

Program tuition is $1,900 over 10 months, with an early bird discount option(see above). Limited financial aid available upon request after acceptance.

Tuition covers the following:

• Eight months of seminary-level weekly teachings from pastors, professors, and subject-matter experts from the marketplace

• Three local retreats including meals

• Six Gotham Reader texts and eight additional books covered in the program

• Online access to a Pathwright learning portal

• All expenses related to Charlotte Saturday gatherings, including professional development assessment fee

• Weekly snacks

The $1,900 tuition fee covers roughly 50% of the cost required to run the program. Tuition is heavily subsidized by generous supporters.

In an effort to ensure that participation in The 412 Fellowship is not cost prohibitive, accepted applicants may apply for need-based financial aid. We are committed to making sure that cost alone does not keep anyone from participating in this transformative experience.

*While the program fee is not an insignificant amount of money for most individuals, for perspective, it may be helpful to consider that the average tuition for one seminary class is $2,000, one 3-hour credit MBA class is $3,500, and a typical executive-level leadership development course costs from $3,500 to $7,000 for a five-day program.