Several months before the beginning of a new class

• Before enlisting any volunteers (this includes any guest speakers) to be part of the ministry, have them view the promotional DVD and sign the Statement of Faith.
• Select the Teacher, Assistant Teacher and at least two others who catch the vision and are willing to help after seeing the promotional video. Meet with them to review the ministry profile and the ministry manual. Make copies of the Statement of Faith from the Resource CD-ROM and have the Teacher and the Assistant Teacher read and sign the copies.
• Keep these on file. Both the Teacher and the Assistant Teacher must agree to teach only the Anchorsaway curriculum, and should indicate this in writing. This protects the integrity of the lessons and allows the students to follow along in their Student Worldview Handbooks.
• Attend a Teacher Training Conference. Note: at a minimum, the Teacher must have attended the Anchorsaway training conference and received training to be able to purchase materials. It is strongly recommended that the Administrator and Assistant Leader attend as well.
• Partner with local churches to build a community program. Identify potential partners through your friendships and personal contacts. Ask your friends to introduce you to their pastor and youth minister and join you as you share your vision for Anchorsaway. Explain that the program is designed to complement what they are doing in their youth ministry, not replace it or compete with it. It is targeted for second semester seniors. Let them know that the sessions will be conducted outside of the church, in a home and will be open to seniors from other churches in the area as well. Make sure Youth Pastors know that you are not asking for any commitments from them other than support through prayer.
• Talk with heads of parachurch organizations in your community (FCA, YFC, Young Life, Campus Crusade for Christ and others). Show the promo video and ask them to team up with you in reaching seniors and high school students. They can tell their students about Anchorsaway and perhaps you, or someone on your team can come in to speak to seniors.
• After training your leaders, determine your goals for the next year, what size and type of group do you envision having?
• Set up a time to visit the churches and speak with the senior high school students.
• Secure a place, other than the church or school to meet.

Three months before the beginning of class

• Begin to identify potential small group leaders. Check with pastors and youth ministers in partnering churches to see if there are young adult classes who would like to participate in such a program.
• The Teacher/Facilitator, Administrator, and Small Group Leaders should meet to select the elective lessons they are planning to teach.
• Select and enlist guest speakers.
• Assign Small Group Leaders to specific local high schools to collect the names of potential students through sports, committees, and/or friends. Make copies of the Statement of Faith from the Resource CD-Rom and ask the Small Group Leaders to read and sign a copy.

One month before the beginning of class

• Double check to make sure that the meeting place is secure.
• Visit partner churches and talk to the senior students. Invite those who show interest to come and bring a friend.
• Confirm all Small Group Leaders and invite them to your home for dessert to go over the final details of the first night.
• Pray that God will protect the hearts and minds of those coming to the program.
• Make and print promotional fliers. (Available on the Resource CD-Rom)

One week before the beginning of class:

• Hold a final preparatory meeting with the Small Group Leaders, Teacher and Assistant Teacher
• Create a box for the “Question Box” questions.
• Create name tags for all students
• PRAY