A Christian Gap Year Experience
This experience is all about “kurios-ity”: seeking Jesus together and pursuing Him as Lord of all.
What is Kurios?
Kurios is a 28 week gap year experience for young adults (typically aged 17-22) based in Jasper National Park and includes a 5-week, immersive cross-cultural experience in Guatemala.
Kurios is about growing young Christian disciples who love Jesus with all their heart and all their soul and all their mind and all their strength, and love others as themselves ultimately leading to a lifetime of enjoying Jesus as Lord over every area of life.
View the 28 Week Timeline
(.pdf 1.33MB)
A Day at Kurios
Kurios participants will live in community together both at our “home base” in Jasper, Alberta and as we travel. Our daily rhythm of life will start with morning prayer and end with evening prayer. Generally, our mornings are for learning, afternoons for working, and evenings for playing.
Kurios at its Core
Leadership
How do I make a difference? We will gain the tools we need to lead like Jesus through intentional training and leadership opportunities.
Prayer
How do I hear God's voice? We will explore the fullness of what it means to communicate with God and will grow to embrace prayer as a way of living, rather than a task to be carried out.
Maturity
What does it mean to grow up? We will grow toward adulthood as we experience guided opportunities for independence and freedom in conjunction with given responsibility.
Relationships
Where do I belong? We will be challenged and equipped to develop deep, meaningful, healthy relationships with others.
Scripture
How do we live out the Bible? We will develop a love for scripture and gain an understanding of its overall story and themes, while being able to put it in context for today.
Evangelism
How do I share God's story? We will learn to proclaim the Gospel freely to everyone, so that everyone would declare Jesus their Saviour and Lord.
Church
What is true worship together? We will wrestle with what it means be the church, building a model centered on what we have to give to, and receive from, God.
Identity
Who am I? We will discover that our identity is centered in being created in the image of God and being “in Christ.” We will discover our unique gifts, passions and weaknesses.
Authenticity
How does faith impact life? We will learn that following Jesus as Lord of all means actively seeking and following Him in every area of our lives.
FAQs
- Who is Kurios for?
Kurios is for young adults (typically age 17-22) who desire to grow as Christian disciples and leaders. Applications from outside the CBWC family are welcome.
- When is Kurios?
Kurios runs for 28 weeks each year from September until April. There are two terms, each lasting 14 weeks, with a break in the middle over Christmas and New Year's. View the 28 Week Timeline
- Where is Kurios?
Our Home Base is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, in Jasper National Park! Our facilities include the Kurios Residence and a beautiful heritage church surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Throughout the 28 weeks we will travel to and from there to visit BC, AB, SK, MB and Central America. For an update on how the wildfires in Jasper are impacting Kurios click here.
- What does Kurios cost?
The 2024/25 fee is only $7,500. Our 5-6 week Guatemala cost is an additional $4000 (past participants have fully fundraised this cost). See the details
- What if I can't afford it?
If God is calling you to Kurios, we want to work with you to make sure cost is not a barrier. Please contact our Director Steve and we'll do our best to find a solution.
- What will we learn?
Kurios is about learning to make Jesus Lord of all. We will be constantly learning and reflecting, in formal settings and informal ones. Check out our "course descriptions" linked to our key values.
- Will I receive academic credit?
Kurios does not offer academic credit, however some post-secondary schools will give you entrance credit for completing a year with Kurios. All the details can be found here.
- Who leads Kurios?
Kurios is guided by a dedicated staff team. Throughout the experience Kurios participants will interact with countless other teachers, leaders and guides along the way. Get to know the Kurios leadership.
- What do we believe?
Kurios is an initiative of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (CBWC), and we share their Statement of Faith.
The main reason I’m joining Kurios is to give myself some time to breathe and figure things out. I’m looking to learn how to better lead and serve.
Alyssa
18, from Alberta
I think Kurios will give me a firm foundation that I can use for the rest of my life. I can't be sure of what the future will bring, how it will impact me, or what will all happen. That's the exciting part…
Kia
18, from British Columbia
I am excited about the way Kurios enables our young adults to experience so many things - adventure, Biblical teaching, community living, practical life skills and missions, to name just a few - all while fostering spiritual growth and leadership.
Tammy Klassen
Youth Pastor, Mill Bay Baptist Fellowship
Equipping the next generation of leaders is something everyone should champion. Kurios plays a vitally important role in shaping the lives of young people to become the leaders and disciple makers of tomorrow.
Rob Ogilvie
Executive Minister, Canadian Baptists of Western Canada
What's Next
Get in Touch
We want to hear from you about anything relating to Kurios.
Apply Today
Complete an online application to begin your Kurios experience right now.
Once your online application is received, our staff will contact you to schedule a conversation about the next steps toward beginning your Kurios journey.
Partner With Kurios
Help spread the word about Kurios! Download a promo pack
(.zip 212MB)