LEAD Cohorts are online meeting places for small groups of MB pastors and leaders – or anyone interested in learning more about a specific topic or gathering with like-minded people.

LEAD Cohorts are FREE to all participants. The only cost is for books or materials, if recommended by the cohort leader. LEAD Cohorts typically last three months and meet online every two weeks for about an hour.

The next session of LEAD Cohorts will begin this August and September. View our fall lineup below. Sign up by clicking the "Register" button below the cohort you are interested in joining, and the cohort leader will contact you with more information. If you have additional questions, please email Janae Shafer.

Please note: The registration method for LEAD Cohorts has changed, but cohorts remain a free resource for you. To register, select a ticket, then click "Continue." After filling in your contact information, click "Complete order." Please note: There is no charge for LEAD Cohorts.

Luke LeViere and Jason QuiringAbout 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 date and time TBD.

Contemplative conversations – Chandelle Claassen
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 POSTPONED UNTIL FALL 2025

Ethiopian pastors and leaders – Samuel HailemariamSamuel Hailemariam
የኢትዮጵያ ቤተክርስቲያን መጋቢዎችና መሪዎች
ይህ ህብረት የኢትዮጵያ አብያተክርስቲያናት መጋቢዎችና መሪዎች በመደበኛነት
በጋር በመሰባሰብ ግንኙነታ ቸውን የሚያጠናክሩበት ፣ ስለ አገልግሎት
መረጃዎችን የሚለዋወጡበት ፣ በጋራየሚመካከሩበት ፣ የሚጸል
ዩበት፣ ቃሉን የሚያጠኑበት ና  የሚወያዩበት ፣ በየ ወሩ የመጨርሻ ማክሰኞ
የሚደረግ  ልዩ የአንድነት ፕሮግ ራም ነው።

Ethiopian Pastors and Leaders: (English translation) This cohort is geared for Ethiopian pastors and church leaders who desire to network and fellowship online on a regular basis to strengthen relationships, discuss and exchange information and ideas for ministry, pray together and much more. The discussion will be held on the third Tuesday of each month in Amharic and sometimes English.

Samuel Hailemariam serves as lead pastor at Grace International Church in Indianapolis, Ind. He is currently involved in several training and mission-oriented activities in Ethiopia. He is passionate about the Gospel and enjoys fishing and music in his spare time. He and his wife Sara have four children.

Cohort date and time TBD.

Tom ByfordEveryday spiritual practices for everyday people –Tom Byford
In this cohort we will explore and practice spiritual disciplines found in Scripture. The cohort will discuss and encourage both personal spiritual disciplines as well as corporate and small group opportunities.

Tom Byford is lead pastor at Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan. He also serves on the Southern District Board of Faith and Life. He lives in Hillsboro with his wife, Nicole, and four children.

Cohort will meet every other Thursday at 11 a.m. CST beginning Feb 6.
Feb. 6 & 20, March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17, May 1 & 15.

Fred LeonardGrowing together in friendship as we see God's Kingdom come and His will be done in our lives, churches, cities, country and world –Fred Leonard
This cohort will work to facilitate a greater Kingdom impact in our spiritual growth as children of God and leaders of others.  We want to join together as friends to see a greater kingdom harvest in the churches we serve.

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 Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. CST beginning TBD.

Kelsey EnszPastors' wives – Kelsey Ensz
While every situation is unique, the wives of church leaders have much in common―and much need for support. We will go over a devotional chapter in the book Partners in the Gospel and jump into conversation from there. Purchasing the book is not required. Whether you are new to being a pastor’s wife or have been in that role for decades, you know what joys and challenges can fill your days. We look forward to a time of encouragement, challenge and prayer.

 Kelsey lives in Oregon and is married to Nathan, pastor of Kingwood Bible Church in Salem. Her favorite time of year is autumn, when the air is moist and cool, and leaves in every hue and form mingle in heaps on the ground. Her recent interests are barefoot shoes, natural fiber textiles and remineralizing toothpaste (yes, really). Having been married to a pastor for 25 years, she values connection with other ministry wives who understand the unique challenges and joys of this calling.

Cohort will meet every other Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CST beginning Feb. 6.
Feb. 6 & 20, March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17, May 1 & 15

Jeremy MatlockTeaching apologetics – Jeremy Matlock
How can you incorporate apologetics into your teaching ministry? With three decades of experience simplifying and communicating arguments for the faith to youth and adults, Jeremy will help you understand major apologetic topics and be able to teach them yourself. The cohort will be a lively combination of lecture and discussion covering topics like God’s existence, the resurrection, the Trinity and absolute truth.

Jeremy Matlock is lead pastor of Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church. He has also served as pastor of adult discipleship and assimilation, a mission mobilizer, a missionary in Russia and China and a high school Bible/math teacher. 

Cohort date and time TBD.

J.L. MartinWhen you are not the lead – J.L. Martin
Join other church staff members as we discuss the unique opportunities and challenges when you are not the lead pastor.  This cohort is for any ministry leader (paid, volunteer, full- or part-time) who would like to discuss areas such as vision, budget, conflict and recruiting and training volunteers. We will spend time in discussion as well as prayer for one another. Join us as we learn how to best support our lead pastor and become the most healthy staff we can be.

J.L. Martin is the Bookkeeper/Event Planner/Social Media Coordinator for USMB. Previously, he served as Pastor of Children and Family at Hesston (Kan.) MB Church. J.L. served in children and youth ministry contexts for more than 20 years. He enjoys coffee, Spartan races, reading and working out.  He and his wife, Bethany, have four children and live in Hesston.

Cohort will meet every other Thursday at 1 p.m. CST beginning Feb 6.
Feb. 6 & 20, March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17, May 1 & 15

Youth ministry realities – Russ ClaassenRuss Claassen

Get to know other youth workers as we engage in passionate discussion focused on the realities we face as youth workers. We will explore topics relevant to the group. Sessions may include anything related to youth ministry--from personal leadership development and spiritual growth, to recruiting and training volunteers, parent ministries and talking about Jesus with teens. The possibilities are endless. This cohort is for anyone who works with youth in your local church—volunteers, small group leaders, youth pastors, etc.

Russ Claassen is Southern District Conference youth minister. Russ lives in North Newton, Kansas.

Cohort will meet every other Thursday at 11 a.m. CST beginning Jan 30.
Jan. 30, Feb. 13 & 27, March 13 & 27, April 10 & 24, May 8

PLEASE NOTE:
Dates and/or times on registration forms may not be accurate. The correct information is listed in the descriptions to the left. Once registered, you will be contacted by the cohort leader with more details and information. Thank you. 

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