Full Time Missionary
(Following Him shouldn’t be either.)
Live a life that change lives
The saints of every age made their mark on history by being all-in:
committing their time, labor, prayers, and their very lives to the service of God and His Church. They said “yes” to allowing God to work through them and lead them on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Church today needs saints- leaders who will do whatever it takes to share His love with a world that desperately needs it.
The Damascus Full-Time Missionary Program provides leaders with 2 years of in-depth formation in a lifestyle of holiness and mission that will impact generations.
Join the Adventure
Be a Damascus Missionary
Applications for the 2024-25 year closed on January 15. If you are interested, please reach out to mission@damascus.net to inquire about your options!
About the Damascus Full-Time Missionary Program
A little bit of background.
For 15 years, Catholic Youth Summer Camp had been serving more and more young people at rented campsites all over Ohio. In 2015, the dream of establishing a permanent campus was finally fulfilled, and brought with it the recognition of a larger call: to bring the New Evangelization to thousands more through a community committed to year-round ministry.
In 2016, the first four missionaries said yes to that call and began to make the dream a reality. By the following spring, several more young adults felt the call to join what they saw the Lord doing in Centerburg, OH, engaging in a weekly rhythm of running back-to-back retreats, living in household communities, serving local youth groups, and attending formation.
It was demanding, challenging, and stretching in ways they had never expected. And precisely in the midst of that, they saw God bear fruit in the lives of hundreds, then thousands of people through their surrendered ‘yes’.
Every year since, more and more young adults have answered the call to lay their lives down for the sake of bringing revival to the Church. And every year, the Damascus full-time family grows not only in size but with the wisdom, experience, and unique gifts of each new individual who says yes.
It is not a mission for all. But for those God has called, it is an invitation to become all that He has made them to be and to make an impact on the next generation of the Church- not just for two years, but every day of their life.
Historical Growth
Where We're From
Our current full-time missionaries represent 20 states and the country of Spain, with two-thirds hailing from outside Ohio.
Life as a full-time Damascus Missionary
Every moment of the 2-year full-time mission program will prepare you for a life of holiness and mission that brings revival to the Church. Year 1 is invested as a year of service oriented toward developing a firm foundation in the elements of Formation, Community, Discipleship, and Mission. Year 2 builds upon that foundation and allows for greater specialization in areas that develop your individual strengths, skills, and passions. The typical weekly schedule reflects how these elements weave together into a lifestyle that will bear fruit both now and into the future.
The Weekly Schedule
The typical schedule of a week in the fall or spring semester of a full-time mission year illustrates how these elements are woven together to build a life oriented toward the pursuit of holiness and mission.
Monday and Tuesday
These are days of community, growth, and preparation.
Monday is a day of Sabbath, with the schedule open to allow for personal recreation. In the evening, men’s and women’s households gather for dinner and community time to intentionally invest in, encourage, and sharpen one another.
Tuesday begins with Mass, Adoration and opportunities for Confession, followed by prayer with all missionaries and mission staff. Missionaries split by class to attend two formation classes each week that go deep into key teachings of equipping for holistic lives of holiness and mission. The afternoon includes time to prepare for retreats, youth group, or work related to specialized roles.
These days are also ideal for pastoral support meetings, wherein each missionary meets regularly with a dedicated staff member who walks with them and champions their growth throughout the year.
Wednesday to Sunday: Retreat Ministry
Retreat ministry is the keystone of the program and an opportunity to exercise formation content in a practical way that brings about life-changing encounter for thousands of people each year.
While the summer brings refinement through commitment to one staff, the full-time year offers a well-rounded experience with the variety of roles that are necessary for world-class ministry. Each 3-day retreat brings the possibility of serving in one of several roles, the most common of which are counseling (small group leadership), program (activity leadership, speaking, emceeing, worship/production, etc.), or kitchen service. Missionaries in their second year may step into more focused roles in order to develop leadership or skills in a particular area of ministry.
Weekday Retreats (Wednesday- Friday morning)
Serve classes of students from middle schools and high schools.
Weekend Retreats (Friday evening-Sunday morning)
Can include Confirmation retreats or special programs like Winter Camps, Men’s and Women’s Retreats.
Youth Group (Sunday night)
Serve on the core team for a Columbus-area youth group, engaging in consistent discipleship with the young people of a parish community.
Yearly Timeline
Early March
Commitments finalized
Late March
Launch into Mission Support Raising with a training weekend
Late May
Arrive for summer training and formation at the EQUIP Conference
June - Early August
Serve as a member of a CYSC summer staff
Late August
After a post-camp break, return to Damascus for two weeks of further training and formation
September - April
Live the adventure of missionary life! This time includes holiday breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, as well as quarterly missionary retreats.
May
Mission Support Raising season for First Years/Graduation & Deployment for Second Years
How do I get there?
Apply
Applications are open between October 15 and January 15 every year.
Interview
Continue your discernment by attending an on-site or web-based interview retreat. Full-time applicants will also have a second phone interview.
Commit
Offers will be extended and staff commitments determined by early March.
Begin the Adventure
The full-time mission begins with serving on a summer staff at CYSC.
Mission Support Raising
An important part of the call to be a full-time missionary is Mission Support Raising: inviting others to join the mission prayerfully and financially so you can have your needs provided for and be fully available to mission.
Specific, hands-on training will be provided in order to help you attain your goal, which you will determine according to your circumstances within the range set by Damascus.
A monthly living cost fee will go to cover living expenses including food, housing, training, etc., after which missionaries receive 100% of everything they raise after taxes up to their limit. This stipend will be disbursed in biweekly installments beginning June 15 and concluding May 30 of the following year.
Questions? Email msr@damascus.net!
Requirements
Age Requirement
Applicants must have graduated high school prior to serving as a full-time missionary. Typical applicants are ages 18-28.
Incoming missionaries must complete the following requirements prior to the start of CYSC. Opportunities for both will be offered during training at the beginning of the summer, and we strongly recommend taking advantage of the on-site opportunities. Once accepted, if you have already completed one or both of these requirements or have questions about the process, please email mission@damascus.net.
1. Background Check
Those who have lived in Ohio for the last five (5) years consecutively must obtain an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI) background check.
Those who have resided outside of Ohio in the last five (5) years must obtain a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check.
2. Protecting God’s Children (PGC) / Virtus training session.
Those who have lived in Ohio for the last five (5) years consecutively must obtain an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI) background check.
What Are You Waiting For?
Discerning a call to full-time mission can feel daunting. What does it mean for my family? My relationships? My finances? It’s normal to ask these questions and weigh the different factors that are affected by the decision.
In any discernment, the most important question to ask is: God, what are you calling me to? Pray for the faith to let His will be done, ask Him to reveal the desires and dreams that He has placed in your heart, and trust that He will provide everything you need to fulfill the call He gives you.