Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Applying
Step One: fill out an Interest Form. We will contact you to set up a time for you to tour the campus. After the tour, we’ll send you the application. If you live in a different state, the program director will schedule a phone or video call with you (whichever you prefer). Then we will send you the application!
How do I apply?
When can I apply?
Our application is not available publicly. The best way to apply is to start by submitting an Interest Form!
Where can I find the application?
Check out the full program year calendar here: https://cmtsministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Equip-Calendar-1.pdfWhen is the first day and the last day?
Absolutely! We don’t have a girl’s dorm right now, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a place for you. Our only requirement would be that there must be more than one girl attending Equip. Having a roommate is an integral part of the Equip experience, and living alone would rob you of that. So spread the word to your friends!
I’m a girl, and I’m interested, but this looks like it’s geared towards guys. Can I still apply?
Applications for international participants will be reviewed on an individual basis. We are currently unable to sponsor a student visa and are aware that Canadians can obtain a 6-month visa and most others a 3-month travel visa for the United States.
Can international students attend?
Let’s set up a time! Fill out an Interest Form to get in touch with Joel, the director. We highly recommend coming on a weekday so that you can have lunch with the staff and see what a normal day will look like for you!
Can I come visit the campus?
Questions about the Living Situation
Think college experience: you’ll live in the dorms on campus, sharing a living space with the other students, and learning what it’s like to have a roommate that’s NOT your sibling. The dorms are fully furnished including furniture, appliances, kitchen items, housewares, and beds. A full list of the items you’ll need or may want to bring is available in our acceptance packet.
What is the living situation? Do I have to live on campus?
It really varies from year to year. Our average for the last 4 years has been 4 students per year. Our max capacity is 6 guys in the dorms. While we don’t currently have girl’s dorms, if 2 or more girls apply and commit to Equip, we have plans to accommodate them!
How many students do you have on average?
Our max capacity is 6 guys in the dorms. While we don’t currently have girl’s dorms, if 2 or more girls apply and commit to Equip, we have plans to accommodate them!
How many students per dorm room?
Weekends are spent at your own discretion. In the past, students who lived locally would typically drive home for a day or two; we don’t encourage that, only because weekends are the best time for bonding with your roommates and building lifelong friendships. There are lots of things to do both on campus and off! Off campus suggestions include: hiking, visiting Cabelas, kayaking, going to a farmer’s market, and much more! Many of the staff have lived in this area most of their lives, so they will have options for you, and will know of local events. They may even want to take you themselves! On campus, there is always something to do. Between basketball, ping pong, the gym, hanging out with your roommates, and exploring all 56 acres, you would have to work hard to be bored.
What will we do on the weekends?
We highly encourage you to bring your own vehicle. We will have large vans to transport participants on field trips, Bible studies, etc. But if you want to go off campus during the weekend, you’ll need a car. It will also have to be kept up to date on insurance, inspection, and registration. We are in a remote location and do not have access to public transportation or ride-sharing options such as Uber.
Do I need to bring a vehicle or is there access to public transportation?
Questions about Tuition
The Equip program is $8,000 for the full 10 months. This price covers food, housing, classes, rec days, & all missions trips. You may want extra spending money for different things, such as going to Cabelas, weekend activities, or special foods/snacks that you can’t find when we take you food shopping.
How much does the program cost?
We encourage all of our students to raise their funds like any missionary would. We think that it’s a great way for them to bring friends & family into their journey through Equip! If you decide you would rather pay tuition without fundraising, we accept payment via check, cash, bank transfer (including 1% processing fee), or credit card (including 3% processing fee).
What are the options available to pay the tuition?
Once you’re accepted to the program, we will create a unique donation link with our system called Bloomerang; you’ll get that link via email. After that, it is up to you to begin spreading the word. Send out a support letter, post on social media, and talk to friends, family, and your church. In-person conversations are always effective! Make sure that you either send them that link, or tell them the following: “Checks can be made payable & sent to CMTS Ministries at 1119 N Boundary Rd, Bernville, PA 19506. Be sure to include a note specifying it’s for me.” Any donations that are made through that link or via check will automatically go towards your $8,000 tuition. Bonus: since we are a 501c3 non profit, donations to CMTS are tax-deductible!
How does fundraising work?
Questions about Travel
CMTS and Equip have a long history of mission trips to Monterrey. We partner with local friends in ministry to encourage them and share the Gospel and love of Christ with the people of Monterrey. Just like in Mexico, our country has people who need to hear about Jesus and ministries that need work groups. Each year we choose one or two week-long domestic mission trips intentionally focused on a work project or building evangelism skills.
Where will we go for the mission trips?
Definitely, otherwise you won’t be able to join us in Mexico. And trust us, you won’t want to miss it.
Do I need a passport?
Yep! All trips have been accounted for in the tuition price.
Are the domestic & international missions trips included in the tuition price?
We’ll need a copy of your health insurance card the day you arrive on campus, unless you email it to us ahead of time. We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance. We will share more info on that before in the month leading up to each trip.
What about insurance?
General Program Questions
A gap year is either a full year or the length of a college semester dedicated to experimental learning. It usually occurs post-high school or post-secondary education before making a career decision.
What is a gap year?
We are proud to be a Christian Gap Year Program. The purpose of Equip is to help you dig deeper into your God-given identity and connect that to your lifelong God-given purpose. Therefore, a large focus of our program is about who God is, what intimacy with God looks like, and how that relates to each person's identity. From that base, we study God's purpose in the world and how that relates to what we as Christians should be doing. Training and equipping the next generation of believers is our aim. That being said, if you are not a Christ follower, or don’t have a Christian background, you will quickly realize that Equip is a faith-filled environment where you will be forced to confront your beliefs head-on.
What makes Equip a Christian Gap Year Program? Do I have to be a Christian to attend?
Check out the Daily Schedule by clicking here! Throughout the week, you’ll rotate through classes and time in a trade. You’ll have chances for community with your roommates, and enjoy fellowship at lunchtime with the CMTS community. Day hikes, weekend camping trips, and rec days are also part of the schedule.
What does the program look like day-to-day?
On the CMTS campus, you will get a firsthand experience in a variety of trades. Our main 4 are Automotive Shop (both mechanical and auto body work), Warehouse, and General maintenance- whch could be anything from plumbing to woodworking. Learn more about the different things you'll learn on our Classes & Vocations page.
What trades am I going to be learning?
The classes we offer cover a wide range of topics specifically chosen to grow your faith, help you understand your purpose, and discover your passion. These include things such as leadership, identity, theology, etc. Learn more about the classes on our Classes & Vocations page! You will be exposed to a variety of teaching methods from staff, industry leaders, and pastors. Basic school supplies are needed; a laptop and Bible are essential. The necessary books and reading materials will be purchased ahead of time (that’s included in your tuition). A full list of the items you’ll need to bring is available in our acceptance packet.
What kind of classes will I be in, and do I need to bring anything for them?
We take the safety of our students and staff extremely seriously. We do our best to take every precaution while trusting in the Lord for the rest. We cannot foresee all accidents, but we will treat you like you're one of our own children. There is a local Urgent Care nearby, and 5 different hospitals are within 20-45 minutes. On your first day, we will ask you to fill out a medical questionnaire. In the event of an accident, your parent/guardian will be contacted immediately.
How are medical needs met?
In order to fully equip, provide a good understanding of each trade, and build a more firm foundation as a child of God, you will have to commit to the full 10 months. We don’t want to shortchange the intensive training Equip gives or leave you unprepared for what God has brought you here to do. We feel God has called us to this program. It is designed to give the training needed to move forward on His path. You will be surrounded by peers who are also in community, fellowship, and intensive learning. These things will need all 10 months to fully develop.
Can I attend only one part of Equip?
If your parents or friends want to come visit for a day or a weekend, we don’t mind! Just communicate the dates ahead of time and clear it with the program director. There may be times that your family will not want to come, for example, if you are away on a mission trip, s make sure they have your full calendar.
What does visitation by family & friends look like?
Short answer, no. We feel that working a job outside of Equip takes away from the gap year experience. Plus, your schedule will already be filled with rec days, on-the-job training, classes, time in the community, and missions trips.
Can I work while in Equip?
Totally okay! Send us an email at equip@cmtsministries.com Message us on Instagram: Click here Or give us a call at (610)488-6975.
I still have questions...