About Us
What Is RDS
The Refuge Discipleship School is a three-year school that is broken up into three nine-month periods: First Year Discipleship, Second Year Leadership Training, and Third Year Internship. What makes RDS unique is that our main focus is discipleship. We believe in and follow the model Jesus set with His disciples, and that is to become who He has called us to be. That is more than just knowing facts, and more than just doing tasks. The process of “becoming” takes time, and intentionality; it takes being in His presence daily, surrendering our wills to His will, renewing our minds in His Word, being accountable to Christian community, and most importantly, staying in love with Him. Our goal is that in becoming the person God called each of us to be, we would effectively demonstrate the power and the love of Christ to everyone we encounter. RDS is dedicated to identifying and training next generation leaders; whether students feel called to venture out into full time ministry or to enter the business world.
THE REFUGE CHURCH
The RDS Program is hosted byThe Refuge Church. The mission of the Refuge is to be the church, not just do church. Visit us on a Sunday at 9:00 or 11:00 AM.
Gap Year
Our gap year is designed to challenge every student to grow in the areas of character, mindset, and heart posture based upon who God has called him/her to be and to experience the abundant life God has for him/her. We believe this year is crucial for building the foundation that will sustain the call of God on each student’s life.
This looks like:
Students adopting a strong Biblical foundation and worldview through the lens of scripture.
Students developing a deeply intimate relationship with Jesus categorized by; healthily fearing Him, knowing His nature, knowing His voice, and submitting to His will for his/her life.
Students living a fruit-bearing lifestyle that outwardly reflects a cruciform heart.
Leadership Year
Our leadership year is designed for every student to continue to grow in, develop, and expound upon the foundation that was built during his/her first year; while learning the necessary skills and attributes to disciple and equip others.
This looks like:
Students developing as a leader based on the servanthood model Christ exemplified, and practically apply that as he/she lead first year students.
Students learning how to impart skills, lessons, and knowledge by walking people through the various seasons discipleship brings.
Intern Year
Our intern year is designed specifically for those who feel the call to full time ministry, whether within or outside the four walls of a church. In the intern year, interns will learn how to lead a ministry.
This looks like:
Interns learning how to healthily operate in full time ministry, in the context of a thriving personal relationship with Jesus.
Interns ushering people into the vision of God for their lives.
Interns leading teams of leaders in a supervisory role.
Meet the team
COLE & MARIELLE STEWART
Cole joined RDS staff in 2021 as the Assistant Director and was later joined by Marielle who came on in 2022. In 2024, they became the Directors of RDS. Cole and Marielle have been married since 2022 and have had two lovely daughters, Ramah and Ruth, who happily assist them in running the school. Before coming on staff with RDS, Cole and Marielle both attended discipleship schools. Marielle graduated from Chicago Master’s Commission, where she spent a year on staff as the Assistant Director, before joining the RDS staff. Cole graduated from Refuge Discipleship School. They both carry a heart for discipleship and the next generation.