CONNECTING YOU WITH OTHERS
Cohorts provide a resourced network of leaders through online and onsite meet-ups, training, and mentoring sessions. Being in a cohort is an opportunity to build relational equity, experience peer support, and build the capacity to lead healthy and effectively.
WHY COHORTS?
1. PROVIDE RELATIONAL SUPPORT
Some of the most important parts of ministry are also the hardest to do in isolation. Cohorts provide life-giving interaction with peers who are in step or a one-step ahead of you.
2. cONNECT WITH PURPOSE
Our aim in the ABNWT is to develop a legion of leaders whose passion is to obey the Great Commission, lead prevailing relentlessly, outbound ministries, and raise up the next generation of adaptive leaders.
3. ENCOURAGE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Cohorts support leaders in the ABNWT to skill up through trainings, and receive support and coaching on some of the biggest internal and external challenges in ministry.
WHAT GUIDES COHORTS?
The following values and best practices provide the guidelines for each Cohort group.
COHORT VALUES
To be relentlessly outbound & reach lost Canadians
To add value & lift for participants
To provide a safe space and sense of belonging
To provide challenge and accountability
To provide relational equity
To provide a learning component of some nature
BEST PRACTICES
Each cohort will have a defined timeline of engagement
Each cohort will have defined outcomes
Each cohort will have a commitment to prioritize attendance at meetings
Each cohort will honour time parameters
Each cohort will have an apprentice leader
AVAILABLE COHORTS
The cohort program creates a resourced network of leaders through online and onsite workshops, trainings, and coaching sessions. Participants will join in monthly sessions and weekly online trainings. Cohorts function with the support of a coach and peer-to-peer discussions.
Last updated: August 2026
Facilitator: Al Downey - Pastoral Care, ABNWT PAOC
Context: 60-minute, 1st Wednesday of the month meetings. Guest speaker and discussion.
CHAPLAINS, COUNSELLORS, MISSION CANADA
Al Downey
Facilitator
Facilitator: Mark Cole - Worship Pastor, Neighbourhood Church
Context: Worship pastors/leaders; quarterly meetings, webinars.
WORSHIP LEADERS (SOUTH OF RED DEER)
Mark Cole
Facilitator
Facilitator: Kristen Morris - Executive Pastor, First Assembly Medicine Hat
Context: Associate Pastors, Assistant Pastors; 60-minute, once-a-month meetings. Guest speaker and discussion. 6-month commitment.
LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR
Kristen Morris
Facilitator
Facilitator: Yvonne Downey - Pastoral Care Administration, ABNWT PAOC
Context: For wives of pastors. 60-minute meeting, 3-4 times a year; one in-person meeting; connection, support, prayer.
PASTORAL WIVES
Yvonne Downey
Facilitator
Facilitators: Jeremiah Raible, Bob Jones - Coaches, Acts 2 Journey facilitators
Context: For pastors leading their church through an Acts 2 Journey. A2J is a ten-month, team-based process for local churches that results in dynamic values and systems to follow God’s vision and share the gospel in their community. Pastors, spouses, and church teams meet in person at four weekend retreats and pastors meet between retreats online. The Spirit Empowered Church, by Alton Garrison, is the basis for the Acts 2 Journey.
ACTS 2 JOURNEY
Jeremiah Raible
Facilitator
Bob Jones
Facilitator
Facilitator: Katherine Wong - Lead Pastor, Chinese Pentecostal Church, Calgary
Context: A spring session series for credentialed women in vocational ministry focusing on “sticky floors” hot topics. Meets monthly for 60 minutes. Limited group size.
SHE LEADS
Katherine Wong
Facilitator
Facilitator: Jessica Sanchez, Mission Canada Worker, Calgary
Context: : A community for creative pastors, leaders, directors, and church staff dedicated to shaping the visual, digital, and artistic expression of the church. Serving as both a networking hub and a resource. Meeting once a month online. Occasional creative cohort meetups in your city.
THE CREATIVE COHORT
Jessica Sanchez
Facilitator
GET INVOLVED
Join an existing Cohort or start one of your own.
Have an idea for a cohort that you don’t see? Request a new group here.
qUESTIONS?
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the District Resource Centre.
HERE TO SERVE
Bob Jones
Leader Development & Church Vitalization Lead