If you want teenagers to grow into leadership, take on responsibility and mature in their faith, then the TRAINEE training course may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

What is the TRAINEE training course?

TRAINEE is a hands-on, experience-based training course that leads teenagers ages 14 and up into responsibility step by step: holistic, relationship-centered and with a clear focus on their personal and spiritual growth.

“During TRAINEE, teenagers discover that TRAINEE opens up a third space. Here I don’t have to prove myself. Here I can just be, the way I am. Step by step, this community also changes the world around them, at school, for example.” (Markus Weimar, pastor and TRAINEE fan)

Goals of TRAINEE:

  • Developing leadership: Teenagers are prepared for responsible roles in the church.
  • Building character: Self-reflection, teamwork, self-management and time management.
  • Deepening faith: The Bible, prayer, following Jesus and spiritual maturity are part of TRAINEE.
  • Building skills: Hosting, running games, giving devotionals, leading groups.
TRAINEE develops these skills:
✅ Teaching skills: The ability to communicate content well and to guide people and groups.
✅ Social skills: The ability to live in healthy relationships with other people.
✅ Personal skills: The ability to know your strengths and weaknesses and to use them well.
✅ Theological skills: Knowing how to get to know God better, live in relationship with him and tell others about him.
✅ Organizational skills: The ability to plan something and carry it out.

How does TRAINEE work in practice?

TRAINEE usually runs for one school year. But you can set the overall length however you like: six, nine, twelve months or more. Less than six months isn’t recommended.

What TRAINEE is made up of:

  • Modules (about 60 to 80 hours of content in total): Topics such as leadership styles, leading games, communication, sharing the message in a memorable way, project management.
  • Hands-on assignments: Participants take on real tasks in your ministry, for example welcoming people, tech or leading a small group.
  • Mentoring: Every participant has a personal mentor (ideally one of your volunteers) who walks with them through the year.
  • Reflection phases: Journaling, feedback rounds, coaching.
  • Completion: A certificate, with the prospect of a Juleica (Germany’s national youth leader card). Whether you can apply for one depends on the organization running the course.
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Tip: Combine TRAINEE with events you already have (for example volunteer retreats or youth services). That way it becomes part of what you do instead of extra work.

What do you need to get started?

1. Vision
You need a heart for young people, and the conviction that they can take on responsibility today. TRAINEE isn’t a reward program for the “pious” ones but a place to grow for everyone who wants to set out on the journey.

2. A leadership team
You don’t have to carry this alone. Build a team of 2 to 4 volunteers who run TRAINEE. They lead the modules, supervise the hands-on phases and are there for the participants.

3. Good materials
The TRAINEE handbook and the TRAINEE guide for participants (both in German) are very practical, self-explanatory and use a wide variety of methods. You get:

  • Session plans
  • Checklists
  • Feedback templates
  • Ideas for hands-on assignments
  • Reflection questions
  • Theological input

4. Mentors
Choose a mentor for every trainee: someone who regularly reflects with them, encourages them and challenges them. Mentoring is the heart of TRAINEE.

5. Time and commitment
Plan TRAINEE carefully: about 1 meeting a month, plus individual hands-on assignments. Give participants a clear framework and show appreciation for their commitment.

Why is it worth it?

  • You invest in the next generation for the long term.
  • You strengthen your youth ministry with more volunteers and new perspectives.
  • You see teenagers grow beyond themselves, and God at work in them.
  • You create a framework for real discipleship.
“Through TRAINEE, we didn’t just gain new volunteers. We experienced a new culture of responsibility, appreciation and growth in faith.” (A youth leader from Baden-Württemberg, Germany)

How can you get started?

  1. Pray that God prepares hearts.
  2. Order the materials (in German).
  3. Download the leader guide (in German).
  4. Put your team together.
  5. Set the start date, and invite teenagers.

And the best part: from step 4 on, the TRAINEE handbook walks you through all the details, templates, schedules and more that you need.

Do you have questions? Want to know what this could look like in your church? Write to me: christoph.schneider(at)ejwue.de or +49 176 82051912.