What is Master’s Commission?  Good Question. However, there are no simple answers. Master’s Commission is an intense nine-month residential discipleship training program dedicated to discipleship and development that renovates the lives of people into zealous followers of Christ. Becoming more like Christ is a life-long process that demands an unquenchable, unstoppable drive. Our deepest desire is to see young adults reach past their perceived potential to Christ's promise of "life, and life to the full." (John 10:10) Master’s Commission programs are unique to each program and church. But, the goal is to make true disciples. A person in Master’s Commission crosses the line from simply believing in Christ as their Savior to actually becoming a committed follower of Christ through living out the principles of the Bible.

After graduating from the nine-month Master's Commission program, will I be prepared to go into full time ministry?   We would be hard-pressed to say that anyone would be ready for full-time ministry after just nine months of training. We do believe, however, that you will have a great foundation for ministry if you choose to pursue the call to ministry. After your first year at CMC, you will have been involved in many different dynamic, hands-on ministries and outreaches. These unique "behind the scenes" experiences, as well as personal relationships with each of our pastors, result in a one-of-a-kind training ground for those seeking a career in ministry.

Our second year program offers a more concentrated leadership experience, giving returning students the opportunity to serve as examples for incoming first years. Not only is more ministry experience gleaned, but also pragmatic and invaluable knowledge is gained from serving as the leader of a ministry team. Essentially, students returning for their second year learn creative and impacting ways of leading and encouraging their own ministry teams toward the successful accomplishment of specific ministry goals.

How did Master’s Commission begin?  Master’s Commission began in 1984 in Phoenix, Arizona, at Phoenix First Assembly of God. It began in response to a challenge from a Mormon Missionary to two Christian men in the church. The men decided to take the challenge and dedicate a year of their life to a set of requirements for each other. The men were astonished with the amount of growth in their personal lives after a year of keeping each other accountable to the prayer, Scripture memorization, witnessing and other requirements. One of those men, Larry Kerychuck, spoke to Pastor Barnett and began the Master’s Commission program. The other man, Carmen Balsamo, became the director. During the second year of the MC program, Carmen passed away and Pastor Lloyd Zeigler became the director. Lloyd Zeigler has served as director of Master’s Commission since March 1987.

Master’s has quickly become a nationwide and worldwide ministry as it has spread to many different cities across the US and the World. All affiliated Master’s Commissions are committed to being a discipleship program balanced with evangelism to grow the whole person. Each Master’s Commission retains individuality through its church base and specific focus. Whether it is youth, childrens, missions, church ministries, or all of those. Yet, at the same time working with a common vision and focus: To win souls and create disciples in order to fulfill The Great Commission. More than a program, Master’s Commission is a lifestyle of total commitment for Christians of all levels. We believe teaching Godly disciplines will provide direction during the most critical times of a person’s life. The Holy Spirit is given complete freedom to transform individuals into the image of the Master.

How does CMC help my walk with God? You have to remember; that in the midst of the countless ministry opportunities, the heartbeat of this ministry is discipleship. Our approach includes five key discipleship elements that help shape the “spiritual DNA” of a Worldchanger. These elements include:

• Engage in Prayer
• Embrace the Word
• Empowered with Knowledge
• Experience It
• Encounter the Holy Spirit for deep change

Our goal is to provide an environment where a person can be changed to the core. Having said that, the old saying still rings true… you get out what you put in.

Is CMC just for those desiring to enter "full time" ministry?  Of course not. CMC exists for anyone intimately seeking a deeper relationship with Christ. We believe that all followers of Christ are ministers, regardless of title or occupation. There isn't a "church" world or "secular" world; there's only the world. CMC offers top notch life-training in both spiritual and practical life aspects; we understand that the world is desperate for people who recognize its needs and aren't afraid to conquer them. CMC not only equips students for "life," but also helps them discover who they truly are, and in turn forge an incredible foundational relationship with Christ, the foundation upon which all things are possible.

What will the typical day consist of at CMC?  Each week is focused on a different principle or truth we believe is an essential part of a Worldchanger's “spiritual DNA.” We align all of our discipleship elements behind teaching and reinforcing these principles. The first part of the morning is spent in personal prayer, Bible study, and devotional teachings from our director and leaders. The time blocks before lunch usually consist of discipleship classes and scripture memory lessons; by the end of the year, the student will have not only memorized 130 scriptures, but also will also have gained a deep, intimate understanding of them.

Afternoons are spent in hands-on ministry training . Students have the opportunity to participate in church ministries, outreaches, and advancement teams. Allow us to stress that CMC is not into producing "ministry prima donnas." We understand true, biblical ministry to be servanthood. This means that we are not above serving the pastors or our church, whether that is cleaning around the church or creating mail-outs. Our goal is to cultivate Biblical character and Christ-like attitudes.

Where do Master’s Commission students live during the year?  All students live in furnished dorm-style housing on the First Assembly of God campus. CMC provides all necessities, including kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and paper products. For those students not bringing a vehicle with them, there is a Walmart, McDonald's, and Publix grocery store within walking distance. Super Target, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, as well as several beaches, malls, and specialty shops are within a reasonable driving distance.

When does Clearwater Master's Commission begin and end? Our 2010-2011 session begins on the Sunday, September 5, 2010 and is concluded in Sunday, May 29, 2011.

Do CMC students get time off for the holidays?  Yes. There is a Thanksgiving break, two-week Christmas break and a spring break during the week that follows Easter.

How much does Master’s Commission cost and what is included in the fee?  The total price of the Clearwater Master’s Commission program is $5,500.00. The tuition includes all discipleship curriculum and all domestic travel. It also helps cover housing, electricity, furnishings, utensils, water, and reimbursement for logged vehicle miles used for ministry or business purposes. CMC will provide the lunch meal for days that are normal “work days”. CMC will also provide an allowance for meals on all trips and tours. Optional Missions trips, most meals, and extra-curricular activities are not included and are the responsibility of the student.

Is there any financial aid available?  Currently, we do not offer financial aid but are in the process of beginning a scholarship program to help students out with partial tuition as finances permit. We do offer discounts for the following…

• $250 – Fine Arts Participants with a Superior Rating at the District Level
• $500 – Children of Pastors and Missionaries
• $1000 – Foreign citizens living on foreign soil at time of acceptance into CMC

How do people pay for CMC?  There is not just one way to pay for Clearwater Master’s Commission. Most people have elements of savings, support letters, church sponsorship, etc… Almost every person who comes to CMC has a different story of how God provided for them to be here financially. Every one of their stories is a miracle. Keep working and praying and the money will work itself out. We have never known our God to be limited by money. If you are supposed to be here, then God will work it out for you.

How do people pay for food at CMC?  We suggest that in addition to your tuition, each student have a monthly support base of $75-$100 to help with personal items and food. Students pay for food in a variety of ways. Some students put all of their money together each month and collectively purchase food and others buy food separately for themselves.

Is there some form of payment plan?  CMC does offer a three payment plans for student’s tuition/housing. Additional fees apply. Please contact our office for more information. We also accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

When is the tuition due?  The entire tuition fee is due upon arrival and registration on the first day of CMC.

How many Master’s Commission programs exist?  There are over 100 affiliated MC programs throughout the United States. Click here for a complete Master’s Commission program affiliate list. We strongly recommend that any Master’s Commission program you choose is affiliated with the Master’s Commission International Network (MCIN).

What is the Master’s Commission International Network?  The MCIN is a network of affiliated Master’s Commission programs who are dedicated to keeping the integrity and heart of the original Master’s Commission program that began in Phoenix. Affiliated programs are required to maintain certain criteria and core values to remain affiliated.

Is there a standardized curriculum for all MC programs?  There is not a standardized curriculum but there are 5 Core Values which have been designated by the MCIN as integral and necessary for all MC programs to have. Each MC program develops its own curriculum depending on what each area, region, church and organizational opportunities are available.

Is Master’s Commission like college?  Master’s Commission certainly has an academic element. Master’s Commission balances academics with a hands-on learning approach to all areas of the ministry. It is very important to be practical. And although Master’s Commission is not accredited, we do offer college credit through our partnership with Southeastern University . The college elements are at an additional cost and are handled directly with the institutions themselves. The cost for these courses is considerably cheaper through CMC and well worth the consideration.

What do Master’s Commission graduates go on to do after Master’s?  A large percentage of MC graduates go on to either full or part-time ministry. The next largest percentage go on to college or become lay ministers in the church and work secular jobs.

How do I apply for CMC?  Almost all of our applications come through this website. Take a look at the application process and then apply online now!  If for some reason, you need a paper application, please contact our office to request one.

What is the purpose of the application?  The application is just a form for us to get to know you a little better and to see if there are any items that may be a cause for concern for you in attending CMC. We also rely on the Pastor’s Recommendation Form to ensure that CMC is a “good fit” for those applying.

If I apply for CMC this year and cannot attend, do I need to apply again?  Yes. Applications are not carried over from year to year. Just send in the application again and we will usher you through the process.

What is the application deadline for CMC?  What time is it now? We accept applications for the upcoming session right up to the start date. We do however, operate on a first come, first serve basis. This means that as our housing fills up, we may not be able to accommodate students that apply closest to our start date. In years past, we have had students apply and come into CMC the following week.

How early can I apply for the upcoming CMC session?  Right now! If the current session has started, we begin taking applications for the next session. We even have applications coming in for the 2010-2011 session. So, don’t wait!

What does the application process entail?  After we receive your application, it will be reviewed by our leadership team. One of our staff members will be calling you to set up a convenient time for a phone interview. After the phone interview and completion of the Pastor’s Recommendation Form , you will be notified via phone or mail of your acceptance or denial within 3-4 weeks.

What if I apply and then change my mind about coming?  We understand there are several opportunities for students to pray about and consider. After acceptance into CMC, each student must fill out and return the Enrollment Confirmation to hold their space at CMC. If you change your mind we just ask that you inform our office so that we can make the appropriate corrections for our housing arrangements.

Is every person who applies to Clearwater Master's Commission going to be able to participate?  Unfortunately, the answer to that question is, no. We believe it to be crucial that both you and CMC leadership understand your participation to rest in the will of God. We prayerfully consider each application, just as we anticipate that you also will be praying before taking this paramount step in your life.

Are there any other times I can join CMC after the start date?  You will find that we try to be very flexible. We will make every effort to accommodate each student and their individual needs. However, we do not encourage late starts because our year is carefully planned and organized so our students will receive the maximum from each day in the program. We start each year with a retreat that is essential for getting off to a good start. Orientation week is the opening week for CMC and packed full with experiences that incoming students do not want to miss. Please contact our office so we can help accommodate each situation.

Are you allowed to work while in CMC?  Our first and second year students are not allowed to work due to the schedule of our year being so demanding. Actually, there is not much time to work. CMC is a 24/7 commitment.

How much are students involved at First Assembly of God?  Students are heavily involved in the ministries of First Assembly. CMC students play on the church worship team and sing in the choir. We direct Sidewalk Slam, a weekly outreach to neighborhood kids as well as a weekly chapel for the KIDS First Preschool and Daycare. We participate heavily in both Sunday morning adult and children’s services. We are also involved on a weekly basis with the Oneighty Youth Ministry and with every production, holiday production and illustrated sermon Pastor Lambert produces. CMC has a large involvement with First Assembly.

What is the age requirement for CMC?  CMC students must be 18 years of age or older. In some cases, an exception may be made for a 17-year-old student if a birthday is close to the beginning of the program. Please contact our office for further details on under age admittance.

Does a year of MC transfer to college?  There are a few Bible Colleges that accept a year of CMC as one year of college. This list increases more and more each year. For a list of these schools, please contact the MCIN at their website www.mcin.org or through e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and they will assist you in finding these schools.

Can I still come to CMC if I am enlisted in Military reserve?  Yes. It is our goal to accommodate everyone who is accepted in CMC. If you have chosen to serve our country in this great and honorable way, we will find a way to work your situation out so you can benefit from all CMC has to offer.

How can I start a Master’s Commission in my church?  You need to contact the Master’s Commission International Network at www.mcin.org and they can provide you with all the information you need to run a Master’s Commission program.

Do you give letters for Insurance Companies for students in CMC?  Yes. Most insurance companies recognize CMC as an acceptable school to further insurance time frames for current students who need to be in school for their health insurance to continue. Contact our office for more information.

Is CMC tuition tax deductible?  No. Even though CMC is a ministry of the local church, donations are the only items that are tax deductible. Since the CMC fees are considered "tuition," this unfortunately does not apply.

Do students have any time off at CMC?  Everyone at CMC has one day off per week and that day is typically Monday. The off day is reserved for the student to take care of personal needs that may arise, etc… There are generally no events scheduled for that day. However, every Monday is not guaranteed. The need for ministry preparation may arise at some point and we will substitute that day for another that best serves the weekly schedule. Any out of town, day-off activities, must be approved with a house leader before departure.

Seriously, why the no dating?  A major goal here at CMC is to have each student give one full year to God, whole hearted and undistracted. It is hard to give one's heart fully to God if it belongs to another person. This may seem like one big restriction, but it turns out to be one big relief! The student knows that everyone is there for the one purpose, to pursue Christ.

What is the Second Year (CMC2) program for at CMC?  There are many students who come to CMC and wish to continue on for a second year. CMC2 is geared towards leadership training and development. The student goes from being just the recipient of the program, to a part of the leadership team and is trained to shoulder the responsibilities of running the operations, scheduling, events, training, student development, travel teams, and much more, with the guidance of the CMC staff and leadership.

If I have already done my first year of Master’s Commission elsewhere, can I come to CMC for my second year?  The answer is yes! We only accept students from other network affiliated programs . We require that every second year student go through our application process and we require the Pastor’s Recommendation Form be submitted by the previous director.

How do I apply for the CMC Third Year program (CMC3)?  CMC3 applicants must contact our office in Clearwater. These applications are different than those used online.

Still have questions? Use our Request Info form or call (727) 585-5471 and we would be more than happy to answer them for you.