With fifty or more people residing in a relatively small building (see below for details), it is important that every consideration be made to contribute to harmonious living conditions. “Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Noise and loud talking should be kept at a minimum, especially after 9:00 p.m. when some may be sleeping. Cell phones should be kept on the vibration mode with ringers and tones turned off. Generally, music should be listened to through headphones. Times of group sharing and interaction is an example of when playing music aloud would be acceptable. Personal items should not be left lying around but kept neatly stacked beside one’s bed. Bathroom sinks should be left clean, in good, if not better condition, than when you found them. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you find a mess, serve others and clean it up. Volunteer and help when there is a need. Be a giver. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

Interns should think of themselves as stewards. A steward is a person to whom something of value has been entrusted. He or she is responsible to care for it and manage it. The Galilee Program interns have been entrusted with an opportunity for spiritual growth and service. If taken seriously, it will be life-changing. Consequently, interns should demonstrate diligence in all things. They should complete homework assignments on time and to the ability that God has given them. Homework assignments will require about fifteen hours’ work each week to complete. Interns should be prompt in their attendance. They should be men and women of their word. Scripture states, “It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Interns should apply themselves fully to the training and perform at the level to which God has gifted and called them, giving the Lord their best.

The Galilee Program brings together likeminded Christians. Sometimes romantic interests develop. When this occurs, it is usually best to commit the matter to the Lord in prayer and observe the person from a distance for a time. Interacting in group activities and sharing meals with others at the table is also a good way to get to know a person without making the individual feel uncomfortable or distracting the person from the focus of the program. Please also keep in mind that the Galilee Program is short, three weeks for Phase 1 and two weeks for Phase 2. Waiting for the training to end before pursuing new  romantic interests is recommended.

At the same time, we do not want to be unnecessarily restrictive. It is a matter of personal choice if individuals wish to share private conversations together, spend free time together, or get to know one another on a personal level. All such interaction, however, should be honoring to the Lord and not a distraction to the individual’s participation in the Galilee Program.

It is also reasonable that those who are married, engaged to be married, or already involved in a committed relationship with another participant would want to sit together during meals and spend free time together. Again, however, they should not let their personal time together become a detriment to the development of new relationships with other Galileans or become a distraction to their academic work and ministry.
Married couples wishing to participate in the Galilee Program have two options for living arrangements.  They may choose to find housing accommodations (airbnb or motel) on their own.  (The housing expenses will be in addition to the $600 fee to cover food, transportation, and training materials.) Alternately, married couples can live separately for the three weeks of the program at the chapel with the other interns in the male dormitory and a female dormitory. We are sorry but we cannot accommodate children at the program.

Interns must dedicate themselves solely to the training. They are not allowed to participate in other educational programs or to hold jobs during the three-week course. This is necessary so that interns can make full use of the opportunity before them for spiritual training. Minor exceptions to this policy will be made in cases where interns are involved in professions requiring minimal work to maintain their jobs and for students who must go online to register for Fall classes or to attend to the administration of their education.

Again, this is a matter of focus. During the three weeks of the training, we ask all to concentrate on building solid relationships with one another, completing homework assignments, and following through on ministry and service responsibilities. To accomplish this, we will all need to significantly restrict input from outside sources, such as social media, websites, email correspondence, telephone calls, and the like.

Some is okay. It is our intention to provide broadband WiFi Internet access throughout the building. Its primary purpose is to assist interns with research related to homework assignments and ministry activities. Interns may also use it for limited email correspondence. Given the large number of people who will be using the service, all are asked to keep downloading at a minimum. The system should not be used for viewing movies, listening to music and radio stations, video chatting, Skype, and similar activities that require large data transfers.

As much as we would love to meet your family and friends, we are unable to accommodate visitors to the program. Please do not invite family and friends to visit you during the training. Special circumstances will be considered. Please do not, however, invite anyone without prior written approval.

Scripture reminds us that though we may plan for tomorrow, we have no control over what tomorrow will bring. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that'” (James 4:13-15). And so, we must trust God for the outcome of the Galilee Program. It begins with the application process. Trust God to lead you whether or not to apply. Trust Him to provide the necessary funds. Trust Him to give you favor with your employer to get the time off. (You might emphasize that this is a leadership development program. Employers are usually more favorable to such training as they know it will make you a better employee.) Trust God to enable you to fit in with the group, to apprehend the information, to develop ministry skills, to give you courage for public speaking, and to use you to His glory. Should things not go as we plan, should we run into trouble or adversity, trust God to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

Interns should be aware that at all times that they are representing the Lord before the saints and the community of Lafayette. The Christian culture of this part of the country is among the most conservative in the nation. Interns should respect it at all times. Additionally, people will expect a higher standard from interns than from other young Christians. Consequently, immodest or countercultural hairstyles and clothing should be avoided. In all things, interns should keep Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in mind: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:12).

With this in view, men should be clean shaven. Hair should not be long. Beards and mustaches should be neatly groomed. Beards and mustaches may not be started during the program. Ponytails, earrings, and other body piercing should not be worn by males.

Women should be well-groomed and dress modestly. Earrings may be worn. Other visible body piercing is discouraged.

During instructional times, (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), men should wear collared shirts, slacks, or nice jeans, and dress shoes. Polo shirts, golf shirts, and sweaters are acceptable. Cargo pants, camo pants, short pants, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and the like are not allowed. Clothing should not be countercultural or excessively tight or baggy. At the Sunday services of the church, men should wear dress shirts and preferably neckties. Suits and sport coats are optional. Dress shoes, casual loafers, and the like should be worn. Athletic shoes, work boots, and flip flops are not acceptable during this time.

Women should wear modest dresses, skirts, slacks, or nice jeans with blouses or tops with sleeves.  Dress shoes, casual loafers, dress sandals, and the like should be worn.