Cohorts

Join a small circle of peers with a professional coach to get the dynamic support, feedback, and learning you need to grow in leadership.

The Ascent Leader offers three cohort verticals:

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Transitions

For pastors navigating the season of transition into a new church leadership role. You don’t have to transition alone.

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Planters

For planting pastors looking for the key relationships, tools, and resources for their new season of ministry.

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Executive Pastors

For executive pastors managing the daily operations, staff, and culture of their church. 

Upcoming Cohorts

TRANSITIONS

COHORT
2023
  • Jud Wilhite
  • Brady Boyd
  • Coach: Steve Clifford

EXECUTIVE PASTORS

COHORT
2023
  • Executive Pastors join other XP's from across the country. Learn from one another and world-class mentors with similar sized churches.

PLANTERS

COHORT
2023
  • Planters from pre-launch to years 3, 4, or 5. Join a small cohort of other planters from across the country who are walking through the same season.
Joel Thomas
Lead Pastor, Buckhead Church
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"My experience in the Ascent Cohort has been the single greatest contribution to my spiritual, emotional and practical development as a leader in the most challenging season I’ve faced to date."
Aaron Brockett
Lead Pastor, Traders Point Christian Church
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"I have a renewed excitement for ministry each time my cohort meets. I joined a few years ago and keep coming back…it’s like I found my tribe."
Chris Brown
Senior Pastor, North Coast Church
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"I have been involved in a lot of cohorts and been invited to many others, but there is nothing out there like the Ascent. The excuse is that no one in leadership really has time for something like this, but the reality is that no one should be taking on the responsibilities of leadership without being in a group like this."
Josh Surratt
Lead Pastor, Seacoast Church
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"Instrumental to my ministry leadership! Everything exceeded my expectations. The best cohort gathering I’ve been a part of."
Kevin Queen
Lead Pastor, Cross Point Church
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"One of the most moving, important, and needed times in my leadership journey."
Jeff Dart
Lead Pastor, Brookside Church
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"This has been the opportunity of a lifetime! I can't wait to dive into a second year!"
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Coaches & Mentors

A dedicated Coach facilitates the in-person and virtual meetings for each cohort.

Mentors are guest experts who join for specific portions of the experience.

Mentors

Rich Villodas

Lead Pastor
New Life Fellowship

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Jud Wilhite

Senior Pastor
Central Church

John Ortberg

Author, Speaker, Teacher

Ascent Mentor Headshots

Derwin Gray

Lead Pastor
Transformation Church

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Danielle Strickland

Author, Speaker, Trainer
Global Social Justice Advocate

Steve Carter

Steve Carter

Pastor+Teacher+Writer

Carey Neiuwhof

Carey Neiuwhof

Teaching and Founding Pastor
Connexus Church

Brady Boyd

Senior Pastor
New Life Church

Larry Osborne

Pastor
North Coast Church

Herbert Cooper

Pastor
People's Church

NT Wright

Theologian, New Testament Scholar, Retired Anglican
Bishop

Dave Ferguson

Dave Ferguson

Lead Pastor
Community Christian Church

Michael Todd

Lead Pastor
Transformation Church

Chris Brown

Senior Pastor & Teaching Pastor
North Coast Church

Nicky Gumbel

Pioneer of Alpha
Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton

Aaron Brockett

Lead Pastor
Traders Point Christian Church

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Andy Wood

Lead Pastor
Saddleback Church

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Megan Fate Marshman

Pastor, Speaker & Author

Beth Ganem

Executive Pastor
Mariners Church

Kenton Beshore

Kenton Beshore

Pastor Emeritus
Mariners Church

Coaches

Sean Morgan

Sean Morgan

Founder
The Ascent Leader

DaveStone

Dave Stone

Former Senior Pastor
Southeast Christian Church

Nancy Beach

Nancy Beach

Author & Speaker

Steve Clifford

Steve Clifford

Former Senior Pastor
WestGate Church

Glen Elliott

Glen Elliot

Former Lead Pastor
Pantano Christian Church

Mark Moore

Mark Moore

Teaching Pastor
Christ's Church of the Valley, Phoenix

Mike Hickerson

Mike Hickerson

Lead Pastor
Mission Church

Ernest Smith Headshot

Ernest Smith

Lead Pastor
Front Range Church

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