by Charis Marshal, Student Public Relations Writer
Churches looking to grow often depend on strong leadership development, volunteer training and discipleship, ministry areas where women frequently serve. Recent Cedarville University graduate Molly Miller will step into one of those roles through a yearlong residency at Traders Point Christian Church in the Indianapolis area.
Leadership Development Prepares Women for Ministry and Church Planting
Her upcoming residency places her in leadership development, a ministry area that helps equip staff members and volunteers and has become central to her long-term goal of serving in church planting.
Miller, a biblical studies major from Carmel, Indiana, first served at Traders Point during a summer internship, where she applied her theological education in a local church setting. That experience helped confirm her interest in leadership development and church planting.
“My church has a lot of women on staff,” said Miller. “We don’t have women as pastor-elders, but we have women leading in different ministries. So it was never a question in my mind, as a woman, what I can do in ministry.”
Women Serve Key Roles in Complementarian Churches
Her experience points to the important role women play in many complementarian churches, especially in areas such as leadership development, discipleship and volunteer training.
Mission Trips Strengthened Her Vision for Church Planting Ministry
Miller’s ministry experience extends beyond her internship. She previously participated in two church planting mission trips in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, and those experiences have strengthened her long-term goal of serving in church planting and leadership development.
During her internship, Miller rotated through multiple ministry departments within the church, allowing her to experience working with engagement, leadership development, marketing and communications, youth ministries and worship production.
“I got to learn and see a lot behind the scenes at my home church,” said Miller. "And I also learned who the Lord made me to be. I was thankful to be valued and poured into and really encouraged, believed in, and loved on throughout the whole summer.”
Leadership Development Helps Equip Staff and Volunteers for Service
Her primary interest — and the focus of her upcoming residency — is leadership development. In a large church, the leadership development team plays a critical role in training staff, organizing ministry and equipping leaders and volunteers with practical tools for service.
“Our church has ten staff values, but one that jumped out at me was ‘love the one,’” said Miller. “We are called to love the person right in front of us. Wherever you are at, take the time to be available and present with them and love them.”
As one of 13 interns, Miller was grateful for the theological training she had received from Cedarville. She said the internship showed her that while classroom discussions often focus on larger theological questions, ministry also requires clarity about the gospel and confidence in what she believes.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
