- USMB FAMILY
- Districts & Churches
- Click and navigate on our interactive map to find a district.
- Next Generation
- CHRISTIAN LEADER
- During Jesus’ ministry on earth, tables—and the meals shared around them—were an important part of his school of discipleship. Professor and author Robert Karris writes, “In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal or coming from a meal.” New Testament scholar N. T. Wright says, “When Jesus himself wanted to explain to his disciples what his forthcoming death was all about, he didn’t give them a theory, he gave them a meal.” When Jesus invites his followers to the table, the meal is open to all—men and women, slave and free, Jew and Greek. Jesus’ […]
- Every human sees the world through their own unique and distinct cultural lens. But what does that mean? What is a cultural lens and how does that affect how we interact with our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in the faith? How do I know what my own cultural lens is and how it differs from others? How can we as a USMB family seek to understand each other better when our cultural lenses are very different? There is a significant cue in what John encounters in Revelation 7 and the implications that come out of it. After John […]
- With 30 churches and almost 10,000 members in three countries, Grace Tabernacle Ministries (GTM) has grown significantly since its humble beginning in Kenya with seven Congolese refugees in 2009. Founding pastor Emmanuel Musinga, who now pastors in Indianapolis, Indiana, borrowed $300 from a former primary school teacher to build a roof for the fledgling church. “The Bible says, ‘Don’t despise the small beginnings,’” Musinga says. “Just listen to the voice of God, and follow the passion that God has given to you.” Musinga’s passion is for church planting, leadership development and children’s education, and today, the church he founded has […]
- WHAT WE DO
- Disciple-Making
- USMB is actively involved in helping provide our churches with dynamic ideas, resources and programs for encouraging people to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples….” We strive to facilitate that profound command. READ MORE about Disciple-making.Read More
- Leadership Development
- USMB’s leadership development strategy stems from the real need to actively develop more leaders within the local church who are living on mission in the workplace and in their communities and to fulfill the demand for additional pastors, church planters and missionaries. READ MORE about Leadership Development opportunities.Read More
- Church Multiplication
- Leadership Development
-
- Disciple-Making
-
- Districts & Churches
Increasing Impact Together
T 800-257-0515
Email: offices@usmb.org
USMB
PO Box 20200 Wichita, KS 67208
PHONE: 800-257-0515 NEWSLETTER: SIGN UP
Cohorts are online learning communities designed for pastors, ministry leaders, church members, parents and anyone who wants to grow as a disciple of Jesus. Whether you're leading a church, raising a family, serving in ministry or simply seeking to grow in your faith, there's a cohort designed to help you learn alongside others with shared interests and practical experience.
Cohorts are FREE to all participants. The only cost is for books or other materials, if recommended by the cohort leader. Most cohorts meet online every other week for about one hour over the course of three months.
The next cohort session begins in late August and early September. The full fall lineup will be available online soon.
Find the cohort that's right for you, connect with others and grow in your faith and leadership. We look forward to learning with you this fall!
If you have additional questions, please email Desirae Rolen.
About nothing for those who want to talk about something - Luke LeViere and Jason Quiring
For male pastors: In community we can dream of fun possibilities, have a context to handle difficult stuff and celebrate each other’s victories. Out of relationships ministry partnerships happen. This cohort is about building and strengthening relationships through organic conversations – what’s on your mind this week? This cohort is for people looking for friends, real friends who love the Lord and want to build His Kingdom together. No other agendas, please.
Luke LeViere is pastor of Good News Fellowship in Ferndale, Wash. Jason Quiring is lead pastor of Greenhouse Community Church in Saratoga Springs, Utah.
Cohort will meet every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. CST beginning Sept 16.
Sept. 16 & 30, Oct. 14 & 28, Nov. 11 & 25, Dec. 9 & 23
Church leadership teams: Growing elder-qualified leaders and forming God-honoring teams – Dave Thiessen
Healthy churches are built on healthy leadership. This cohort is designed for current and aspiring church leaders who want to grow in biblical character, develop the qualities of elder-qualified leaders, and learn how to build God-honoring leadership teams that serve with unity, humility, and shared purpose. This cohort will meet over two consecutive sessions—Fall 2026 and Spring 2027—to allow time for meaningful discussion, application, and leadership development.
Required reading: Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus by Jeramie Rinne and The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock.
Dave Thiessen has served on the pastoral and elder team at Mountain View Church in Fresno, California, for 32 years. He has chaired the Pacific District Conference Board of Home Missions and the PDC Board of Faith and Life and currently chairs the USMB Leadership Board. He earned his Master of Divinity from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology.
Cohort will meet every other Thursday at 1 p.m. CST beginning Aug. 27.
Aug. 27, Sept. 10 & 24, Oct. 8 & 22, Nov. 5 & 19, Dec. 3
Contemplative conversations – Chandelle Claassen
This cohort will be reflective and interactive within a relaxed setting meant to care for your soul. We will immerse ourselves in various scriptures in a personal way via a spiritual practice called Lectio Divina or "Divine Reading."
Chandelle Claassen is a trained spiritual director and certified life coach and member of the USMB LEAD Coaching team. Chandelle lives in North Newton, Kansas.
Cohort is cancelled for fall 2026.
Developing a culture of discipleship in your church–Aaron Box
This cohort is designed for anyone who wants to cultivate a stronger culture of discipleship in their church. Through guided discussion, shared experiences, and practical encouragement, participants will explore how to make disciple-making a natural and intentional part of church life. Together, the cohort will identify biblical principles, leadership practices, and next steps that help people grow as followers of Jesus and become disciples who make disciples.
Aaron Box has served as USMB national director since July 2024, bringing more than 20 years of ministry leadership experience to the role. He lives in Eugene, Ore., with his wife, Jenn, and has two children.
Cohort will meet every other Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. CST beginning Sept. 8.
Sept. 8 & 22, Oct. 6 & 20, Nov. 3 & 17, Dec. 1 & 15
How to develop a church that reaches its redemptive potential - Paul Robie
Every church has a unique opportunity to reach people with the gospel. That opportunity is shaped by its community, history, resources, and leadership.
A church in a rural or declining community will naturally have different evangelistic opportunities than a church in a rapidly growing suburb or urban center. Faithfulness is not measured by comparing baptism numbers with another church, but by maximizing the opportunities God has entrusted to your congregation.
This cohort is designed for pastors and ministry leaders who are not content with maintaining the status quo. It is for those who are willing to ask, "What is our church truly capable of becoming?" and who want to explore fresh, biblical strategies for reaching people far from Christ.
As a foundation for our discussions, we will use my book, Come and See: How Belonging Opens the Door to Belief (available on Amazon). Together we will examine practical principles, share ideas, challenge assumptions, and develop strategies that are both biblically faithful and culturally effective.
Our goal is simple: to help every church move closer to its redemptive potential by creating more opportunities for people to hear the gospel, experience authentic Christian community, and ultimately come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Required reading: Come and See: How Belonging Opens the Door to Belief
Paul Robie earned a bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, a Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Phoenix Seminary. He served as a college pastor in Southern California for seven years and as an associate pastor at Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield before planting South Mountain Community Church in Draper, Utah, in 1998. He retired in 2022. Paul and his wife, Jini, have been married for 41 years and have two sons, Ben and Evan, and four grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys golf, reading and motorcycles.
Cohort will meet every other Tuesday at 4 p.m. CST beginning Sept. 15.
Sept. 15 & 29, Oct. 13 & 27, Nov. 10 & 24, Dec. 8 & 22
Leading a church that changes the world – Fred Leonard
Lead pastors: Join us to discuss how to engage your church to make a difference locally, nationally and globally through strategic leadership in evangelism, discipleship, church planting and more—all while developing pastoral friendships.
Required reading: Leadership Pain by Samuel R. Chand. Week 1 will be an overview of chapters 1-4. After that we will do a chapter a week.
Fred Leonard is lead pastor of Mountain View Community Church in Fresno, Calif. Fred has a passion for developing church vision and equipping and releasing men and women into ministry.
Cohort will meet every other Tuesday at 9 a.m CST beginning Aug. 25.
Pastors' wives – Kelsey Ensz
Is serving as a pastor‘s wife your calling? Or is serving in ministry simply the calling of your spouse? Regardless, all believers are called to embody certain ways of living. We will look at 1 Peter 3:8-12 each week and be challenged in our calling to inherit a blessing.
Having been married for 27 years to a pastor, Kelsey values connection with other ministry wives who understand the unique challenges and joys of this calling. Her husband, Nathan, serves as lead pastor at Kingwood Bible Church in Salem, Oregon. She serves in various ministries of the church. Kelsey and Nathan are transitioning to an empty nest and recently became grandparents!
Cohort will meet every Tuesday at 8 p.m. CST beginning Sept 1.
Sept 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, Oct. 20 & 27, Nov. 3
Treasure-hunting in Mark's Gospel – Tim Geddert
This cohort is full for the fall session. If you are interested in attending this class if we offer it during the spring session please email Tim Geddert at tgeddert@gmail.com.
This is a Bible study cohort focusing on some of the most fascinating features of the Gospel of Mark. This Gospel was once thought to be the simplest and most straight-forward. Join me in exploring layers of depth that interpreters of Mark have gradually started to uncover. You might be as amazed and fascinated as I have become! I call this "Treasure-Hunting in Mark's Gospel."
I have actually written a book with that title, but I don't want participants to read it before we do inductive Bible studies together. If you stick with me through this course, I'll send you a copy of my book as a gift at the end.
Tim Geddert is Professor Emeritus at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California, where he taught New Testament from 1986–2023. He served 18 years on the U.S Board of Faith and Life and currently chairs Mennonite World Conference's Faith and Life Commission. Tim earned his doctorate in New Testament from Aberdeen University (Scotland). He has written books on biblical interpretation, ecclesiology and ethics in English and in German. He has also written commentaries on Mark and Luke and numerous Bible study books and booklets. Tim and his wife Gertrud have seven children and attend North Fresno (California) Church.
Cohort will meet every other Monday at 1 p.m. CST beginning Aug. 31.
Aug. 31, Sept. 14 & 28, Oct. 12 & 26, Nov. 9 & 23, Dec. 7
Youth ministry realities – Russ Claassen
Get to know other youth workers as we engage in a combination of structured youth ministry training and discussion focused on the realities we face as youth workers. Sharpen your skills, build relationships, and become better equipped to lead with confidence.
Russ Claassen is Southern District Conference youth minister. Russ lives in North Newton, Kansas.
Cohort will meet every other Thursday at 11:00 a.m. CST starting Sept 10.
Sept. 10 & 24, Oct. 8 & 22, Nov. 5 & 19, Dec. 3, 17
Find a Church
