As of September 1, 2022, Thrive Residency is officially an independent program. About 30 of our beloved TR family took time to celebrate that same evening! They represent our joy and crown (Phil. 4:1).

While this long-awaited moment is now here, it came earlier than we had anticipated. A lengthy, strategic proposal had been given to the Board of Thrive, our former sponsoring organization, without whom TR would not exist. The proposal outlined a clear path for TR's future and two potential transition dates to choose from in 2023. In the end, they chose a third date for us, citing two missed benchmarks for TR enrollment and revenue. TR has been abruptly released and is now in need of additional support and funding.

We had hoped that the larger impact of TR over the past 4 years would warrant a more gradual transition process. And we are deeply humbled by so much that the LORD has done through TR:

• Served 36 Residents in 4 years
• Generated nearly $350K for our sponsoring organization
• Developed nearly 30 partnerships with local church and non-profit employers, with an 85% employer approval rating and 70% indicating a desire to hire their Resident full-time after program
• Mobilized a team of over 25 mentors, nearly 20 professors, and 100’s of pastoral and non-profit leaders to speak, teach, and pour into the lives of our Residents
• Formed a partnership with 2 major Christian seminaries (Southeastern and Carson-Newman) to provide 18 graduate-level credits through the program
• Cultivated the spiritual and leadership development of each Resident, nearly 25 of whom remain engaged in full-time Christian ministry across 20 churches and non-profits—17 of which are in Knoxville!

But all is not lost. Our current 4th class of Residents that arrived July 30 will be able to finish their TR4 program in the Residency house. And our former sponsor has verbally committed some monetary support that, combined with other TR revenue, should amount to 60% of our TR4 program budget needs. We have a small foundation upon which to build. But we have a long way to go!

And so, with deep reliance on the Holy Spirit and a tremendously strong and united TR alumni family and network, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure the future is bright for TR. That future includes a coming rebranding, reorganization, and relaunch of TR later this Fall. It includes an important fundraising campaign that will, God-willing, be launched in the next 30 days. It includes a lot of prayer!

As of today, we anticipate the remaining financial need for our TR4 program year will be somewhere in the range of $50,000. Please join us in praying and trusting God for these resources. We are making plans now for how to go about raising these funds. Sign-up below to be notified when our TR fundraising campaign launches later this month.

God is at work. While at times it might feel like we've received a stone, we trust and believe He is giving us bread (Matt. 7:9). He is giving us daily bread. He will supply. It will be enough. And He will complete the good work He has begun in TR—the good work in all of us.

On behalf of TR,

Neil R. Anderson

Director