Program Details
Where we are
ACTS is held twice a year at Antioch Orchards, the mission base for Great Commandments Ministries. Located in the foothills of the cascade mountains in Washington state’s beautiful apple country, Antioch Orchards provides a great environment to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and to seek Him for your next big step in life.
Session dates
(dates vary)
Summer Session: August -December
Winter Session: January-May
Program Structure
Phase 1: Discipleship and Team Building
Teaching You will receive 12 weeks of life-changing teaching on topics critical to your spiritual growth, such as The Heart of Worship, A Servants Heart, Gaining God’s Heart for a Lost World, Christian Marriage, Family and Relationships, and Missions and Church History. Previous studies include the books of Genesis, John, Romans, Ephesians, Philippians and the Revelation. The ACTS teaching team is made up of guest speakers who are pastors, teachers, and missionaries. We invite those who are in agreement with our purpose, vision and beliefs, and who have demonstrated the ability to communicate the Word accurately and effectively. We will have a new instructor each week who will teach Monday through Friday. The advantages to having guest speakers include the dynamics of a new and challenging topic each week. Each teacher brings a fresh new area of study and a whole new teaching style. Our teaching staff will vary somewhat from session to session.
Intercessory prayer groups: This is a time for you to identify with the needs of others, seek the Lord’s direction on how to pray, and seek His intervention in that particular situation. During this time you will focus on needs other than your own.
Small Groups A time to build deeper relationships with a staff member and 2 or 3 others. Your small group will give you an opportunity to ask questions regarding the teaching, to share what God is doing in your life, and to receive prayer, encouragement and accountability from team members.
Personal devotional time: Solitude with God. This is the most important part of the day for personal growth. During this time you will learn how to journal and devote time to God alone.
Local ministry and work duties: Each ACTS team member will serve with a local ministry 2 to 3 hours per day up to 2 days per week. On alternate days you will be on a meal ministry team or doing general maintenance. This keeps costs down and provides an opportunity to practice service to others.
Scripture Memorization & Books: Each ACTS student will be required to memorize portions of scripture throughout the program. You will also read and reflect on several books. A sample of past books include: Screwtape Letters, The Pursuit of God, Passion and Purity, Absolute Surrender, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Revolution in World Missions, No Compromise and others.
Phase 2: International Outreach
Applying the principles and perspectives learned during Phase 1, you will see how God can use you to show His love to others and extend His Kingdom on earth! ACTS will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and trust God in ways you never have before. Students have found this to be especially true during the outreach phase.
After praying together as a team and being led to an outreach location, you will apply what God has taught you during a four week outreach. During outreach, you will most likely serve by sharing the gospel, building relationships, encouraging the local church, helping with children’s ministries or doing physical labor.