Frequently Asked Questions

Each college or university will have different policies as it pertains to delayed or deferred acceptance. It will be up to the students and parents to determine if their college or university of choice is willing to delay or defer acceptance or admittance. Generally, there are fewer universities that will allow a student to defer acceptance, which means that a GAP Year student will more than likely need to reapply to their college or university of choice DURING completion of the 9-month program.

This resource may be helpful, but not exhaustive: https://gapyearassociation.org/fav-colleges.php

The GAP program is for any graduating high school senior who is driven, hungry, and exhausted with what the world defines and offers as true success, and instead wants to discover God’s Alternative Program for life (i.e. stewardship, faithfulness, and honor lived out in every sphere of their influence). Students who believe in follow-through, can handle schedule pressures, and are eager to learn and be challenged are prime candidates for the GAP Program.

The primary instructors are: Drew Anderson (Life), Tommy Nelson (Bible), and Charles Stolfus (Worldview). GAP Guys and Girls will be taught together for worldview & Bible classes while life sessions will be more program-specific and taught separately. Some life skills may be taught together depending on the topic.  The life skills teaching team includes Denton Bible Church staff, marketplace leaders, and ministry and life experts from a variety of fields.

Students should be flexible and willing to learn from a variety of instructors utilizing different instructional methods.

We will use the existing curriculum for the following areas:

• Bible
• Worldview
• Apologetics
• Church History
• Systematic Theology

The following books are used to complement monthly themes:

• The 12 Essentials of Godly Success by Tommy Nelson
• What is a Healthy Church? By Mark Dever
• The Fulfilled Family by John Macarthur
• Understanding the Culture by Jeff Myers
• Living Forward by Michael Hyatt & Daniel Harkavy
• The Servant by James Hunter
• Creation Care by Doouglas Moo
• Habitudes- The Art of Self Leadership by Dr. Tim Elmore
• As well as various other titles

Admission requirements include: 

1. Believing faith in Christ, 
2. High school diploma or equivalent, and 
3. Involvement in a church family for at least six months (does not have to be Denton Bible). 
4. Insured, reliable vehicle for everyday transportation. You and/or your parents must be in a position to deal with any mechanical issues promptly so program participation is not hindered.  
5. Funds to cover personal living and travel expenses of at least $300 per month.
6. Medical insurance
7. A positive attitude that is willing to learn, be challenged, and submit to authority.
8. A commitment to participate in 100% of the GAP activities.
9. Mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual hunger to commit to the GAP Girls life-leadership training standards (fitness, reading assignments, and punctuality).
10. Refrain periodically from dating during the 9-month GAP Girls timeframe.
11. Refrain periodically from the internet, social media, and video games.

Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. We value quality over quantity, and as such, at this point in the program’s development, there are a limited number of slots available. Follow the steps below to begin your journey toward acceptance in Denton Bible’s GAP Life-Leadership Program:

• Step 1: Complete the on-line application (allow at least 1 hour to complete). Once you submit the application, you will receive an email with instructions for step 2.
• Step 2: Record and submit a 2-5 minute video answering several questions and scenarios.
• Step 3: Personal Interview- Allow 2 weeks for GAP staff to schedule a personal interview. Once the interview is completed, the Admissions Team will make a final decision regarding your status (acceptance/denial) into the program and communicate this information to you.  

Once you are accepted, you will be asked to sign a Letter of Commitment. Additionally, you will be provided a list of action items that will need to be completed before your arrival.  

For the academic year of 2021-22, the tuition fee for the 9-month program is $3,500. 

Additionally, students are required to have access to a minimum of $300 per month. This money can be earned through part-time work (see cautionary answer to FAQ below), or the funds can be provided by parents or supporters. Parents/supporters are encouraged to set up a personal account for the student that they are expected to manage. Some budgetary training will be covered in the context of the program, but funds management is a skill that is highly encouraged.

Students must also have a dependable, insured vehicle as well as health insurance. There may be some small clothing expenses that relate to the various outings, however, the monthly $300 should be enough to cover these expenses.

See also the question on “housing options.”

Currently, there are no scholarships available for the program. Prospective students and parents need to prayerfully consider the financial requirements of GAP. In addition to having an insured, reliable vehicle, students will need to have a minimum of $300 per month to cover miscellaneous living and program expenses. These funds can be earned by the student while working a part-time job that is flexible and willing to accommodate program activities. If at any point working begins to interfere with program participation, students will be expected to cut back on their work schedule to prioritize the program. Tuition is $3,500 per student.

Students will be assigned to a host home for the duration of the program. Host homes are carefully selected and evaluated prior to student placement. Placement is made by a specific advisory board in an attempt to match personality and environment. GAP host homes have agreed to cover most of a student’s “room and board” within reason. There will be occasions where students will need to provide for their own meals. This is a contributing reason why they must have access to $300 in monthly funds.

Students are highly encouraged to actively engage with their host families by joining in occasional evening meals and casual family time. Students should not expect to retreat to their rooms in the evenings. There will be an orientation period prior to the start of the program that will allow the student and host family to work through home ground rules (curfew, security, laundry, cleaning, garbage, etc…) so that there are clear expectations and clear avenues for communication are established early in the relationship. 

Local students will be required to live with a host family during the program. The desire of GAP is to expose students to diverse experiences to cultivate true success. When students are placed in a living situation different than what they are accustomed to, they learn how to adapt and be flexible. Host home living arrangements provide an opportunity for students to “spread their wings” in a controlled and encouraging environment. 

Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. However, work can not interfere with program attendance and requirements. Students may use part-time employment to offset the $300 monthly requirement, however, if the student can not successfully balance work along with the rigorous program requirements, the student will be asked to step away from employment, but the requirement to have access to $300 in monthly funds remains in place. NOTE: Because of the vibrant and heavy GAP schedule, finding part-time work may be a challenge especially during the first months of transition away from home.

GAP is not accredited and is not intended to replace a college degree. It is an intense educational experience designed to accelerate student life-leadership development. At the conclusion of the year, GAP students will have a certificate of completion, letters of recommendation, godly relationships, depth of character, a holistic life plan, and life philosophies, and confidence in their next life steps.

Yes, students may take 1 online class per semester.

The following is a link to the doctrinal statement of Denton Bible. The applicant should have substantial agreement with the doctrines and statements expressed:  

https://dentonbible.org/about-us/what-we-believe/

GAP students will be highly involved in the life of Denton Bible. They will experience church life on a very real and practical level as they attend: Sunday services, church-wide gatherings/events, meals with DBC families, and serve in various ministries that give a glimpse into the life of a church. Additionally, GAP students will actively engage in community-oriented ministries. Placement in various service opportunities will be another facet of the program intended to grow students in life experiences. We will seek to understand each GAP student’s spiritual gifting and temperament, and subsequently provide correlating opportunities for them to invest those gifts in a DBC ministry. At other times, students will be challenged to grow and serve outside of their comfort zone.  

Students should expect to have 2 retreats per semester as well as a few other outing opportunities as they become available. After completion of orientation week, students will go on their first “Welcome Retreat” that will focus on helping students get acquainted with the director, mentors, as well as each other. In November, GAP Guys will take an extended hunting trip with a focus on how to ethically harvest an animal. GAP Girls will also have an extended retreat that focuses on various aspects of True Success.

Second-semester retreats will focus on life leadership and wilderness/survival skills. While some retreat locations will be known by orientation, unique opportunities may become available as the academic year progresses. As locations and specific dates become known, it will be communicated to students as soon as possible. Students will incur some travel expenses for gas and food to/from event locations. This is calculated into the required $300 per month income requirement.  

GAP fitness teaches general facts, behaviors, and benefits of healthy living for the purpose of creating a lifestyle that leads to a longer duration of impact wherever God leads the student in their unique sphere of influence. GAP fitness covers a spectrum of physical fitness philosophies. These consist of but are not limited to, pushups, pullups, sprints, distant runs, kettlebells, plyometrics, weight training, and calisthenics.

Each student will undergo a general fitness assessment at the entry and exit of each semester.  The assessment consists of max pushups, pullups, and one mile run for time. A students fitness level is mostly determined by what the effort a student puts into their fitness program

No. An assessment will be made based on your GAP application and interview. Accommodations will be made for pre-existing conditions, health issues, and prior injuries. Instructors will modify fitness goals to help you succeed while in the program as well as help develop behaviors that will translate into a real lifestyle pattern!

Yes, every GAP student is required to workout together during scheduled fitness days and on their own. Attendance is taken for all GAP scheduled sessions/events including group fitness training days. GAP has a code of conduct that students are expected to uphold therefore passive or non-participation is not an option.

The primary instructors are: Drew Anderson (Life), Tommy Nelson (Bible), and Charles Stolfus (Worldview). GAP Guys and Girls will be taught together for worldview & Bible classes while life sessions will be more program-specific and taught separately. Some life skills may be taught together depending on the topic. Physical Fitness training is a key component of the life skills curriculum. Guys and girls will have independent training sessions designed to cultivate a healthier lifestyle.

The life skills teaching team includes Denton Bible Church staff, marketplace leaders, and ministry and life experts from a variety of fields.

Students will have the opportunity for time away from the program to work or pursue course work for a college class.

Below is the ideal week framework: