Front Lines · Citylight Church

Citylight School
of Missions.

Be equipped in the gospel, grow as a disciple, learn to share your faith, and gain hands-on experience in local and global missions.

Fall Semester

September 10 – December 13

Citylight Church · Falls Church, VA

Apply Now →

Be Equipped. Be Sent.

Training for a life on mission.

The Citylight School of Missions is an immersive discipleship and missions program connected to the local church. Students are equipped biblically, challenged spiritually, trained practically, and given opportunities to live out the gospel through local outreach and global missions.

Personal + Spiritual Growth

Grow in intimacy with Jesus, character, obedience, and life in community.

Biblical + Practical Training

Build a strong theological foundation and practical tools for ministry.

Local + Global Mission

Put what you learn into practice in your city and across cultures.

What You'll Experience

Four parts. One mission.

Theological Foundation

Evangelism Training

Discipleship + Community

Missions: Local + Global

Student Stories

Hear it from those who lived it.

William Zurita

CSM Testimony

Henok Sexton

CSM Testimony

See CSM in Action

More than a classroom.

Join CSM

Discover the School

Spring '26

Semester Recap

Student Stories

Changed by the gospel. Sent with purpose.

“I have more confidence to trust God.”

After joining CSM I have more confidence to trust God when I don’t feel confident. I have a deeper compassion for the lost, a desire to reach people who have not heard the gospel, and a greater awareness of the big and little things God is doing every day.

— Cristina Arnold
Spring 2026 Student

“Through a healthy church, missions can thrive.”

CSM showed me how the local church and missions are connected. It is not just “go and do.” It is prepare yourself first. CSM equips you on your personal journey in missions while grounding that journey in the life of a healthy local church.

— Aron Bos
Summer 2024 Student · Current Missionary

“The gospel changes everything.”

CSM taught me practical ways to share the gospel, how to love the people I’m sharing it with, and how to apply the gospel to my everyday life.

— Dre
Summer 2024 Student

“The Lord can move through everyday moments.”

CSM stretched me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow in boldness to share the gospel. It broadened my understanding of missions and showed me that the Lord can move through everyday moments just as much as the big, set-apart ones.

— Alessa Garcia
Fall 2025 Student

Ways to Participate

Choose the path that fits your season.

Full Time CSM Student

Full immersion in the CSM semester, including housing and food for eligible full-time students.

Part Time CSM Student

Join the classroom training while maintaining other work or responsibilities.

Month of Overseas Mission

Participate specifically in the international missions portion at the end of a semester.

Apply Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

What you need to know.

CSM runs in Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. Summer is approximately 10 weeks and does not include a global outreach. Fall and Spring are approximately 15 weeks and include a four-week global outreach.

Yes. Housing and food are provided for eligible full-time students.

The program centers on personal and spiritual growth, biblical and practical training, and local outreach and global missions. A typical week includes field work, classroom training, and on-campus responsibilities. Local ministry can include kids programs, outreach, college ministry, evangelism, and other hands-on ministry opportunities.

Fall and Spring semesters include a one-month missions experience in one of Citylight’s partner countries, where students put into practice what they learned during the semester.

For 2026, the full-time program is offered at no cost. Beginning in a future program year, costs may vary based on the semester and international outreach. If finances are a concern, the CSM team can also help students think through fundraising.

CSM currently accepts a small cohort of up to 10 students each semester. Applicants go through an application process, and the program is currently open to applicants ages 18–35.

Training may include cross-cultural ministry, missions in the Bible, evangelism, apologetics, healing ministry, discipleship, theology, Scripture, and other practical ministry tools.

Front Door to Front Lines

Be equipped. Go where Jesus sends you.

If you want to grow deeper in your faith, learn to share the gospel, and gain practical missions experience, we’d love to talk with you about the Citylight School of Missions.

Apply Now → Ask a Question →