"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" — Romans 9:16.

Trainees come from various walks of life and from diverse nationalities, backgrounds, and ages. Many enter immediately upon graduating from college, but a good number have completed additional education or have worked. There is no "model" trainee. As long as you have an open heart to learn together with others and to seek after God, you will find yourself at home here.

The living arrangements are warm and comfortable and provide an excellent environment to build life-long relationships with other trainees. Many trainees live in Grace Gardens and other houses near the Training Center.

"But you, continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from which ones you have learned them" — 2 Timothy 3:14.

Classes include both lectures from various trainers, and opportunities for trainees to share their enjoyment and questions from class material.

Most classes have either oral or written examinations in the middle and end of the term. With oral exams, trainees are usually asked to speak concerning some point of biblical truth, incorporating what they have enjoyed from the Word and the ministry. Written exams adopt the same principle, emphasizing truths in the Bible with personal experience. Questions are based primarily on assigned reading material, highlighting important points and principles.

Grades are assigned in most classes; however, the primary focus of the examinations is constitution, encouragement, and building up.

The Training schedule provides approximately two hours of free time each afternoon. From 5:45 p.m. on the Lord's Day to 5:45 p.m. on Monday, trainees also have a 24-hour recess. This time is to rest and take care of practical things and may include activities such as exercising, reading, house cleaning, and visiting places of cultural interest.

To honor the trainees' consecration, the Training schedule does not practically accommodate outside employment. However, trainees are encouraged to fellowship with the Training for special circumstances.

Trainees are encouraged to complete any graduate school examinations and applications prior to their first term or during the interim periods. Scheduling of examinations or graduate school interviews during the term should be done in fellowship with the Training.

All trainees are assigned weekly scheduled services covering the areas of meal preparation and cleanup, training center cleaning, and ushering. The services assigned vary from week to week and give each trainee the opportunity to blend with other trainees and to serve in a range of practical areas. Additionally, trainees may be placed on designated services such as book sales, linen inventory, facility maintenance, transportation, technical support, chair arranging, audio/visual support, and office work.

Before the beginning of each term, trainees are given a choice among four areas of gospel service:

• Children's Team
  Trainees visit different homes for neighborhood children's meetings. They have the opportunity to serve with families in the church to care for their children. They also introduce Bible stories, children’s songs, and character lessons to children in the neighborhood and bring the gospel to their families.
• Community Team
  Trainees labor in local communities with the saints to go door-knocking and to preach the gospel in the community.
• Young People's Team
  Trainees are assigned to surrounding localities to care for junior high and high school students. Each week trainees call and visit the young people for appointments.
• Campus Team
  Campus trainees are assigned to different college campuses in Southern California. Trainees go to campuses in the afternoons to labor together to bear fruit by preaching the gospel and arranging appointments with seeking students.

Pre-training week occupies the first seven days of each term, introducing the trainees to the schedule and establishing an uplifted and exercised atmosphere. As a vital time for the trainees to enter into the spirit of the Training, the week contains introductory classes from various trainers. New trainees begin with orientation and acquaint themselves with the Training Center, fellow trainees, and Training staff.