Join a Cohort

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 Leaders

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

Apply
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Executive Pastors

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

Apply
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Church Planters

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

Apply

Upcoming Cohorts

TRANSITIONS PASTORS

COHORT
2025
  • Rich Villodas
  • Ashley Wooldridge
  • Coach: Dave Stone
APPLY

EXECUTIVE PASTORS

COHORT
2025
  • Beth Ganem
  • Tyler Gregory
  • Coach: Nancy Beach
APPLY

TRANSITIONS PASTORS

COHORT
2026
  • Aaron Brockett
  • Gene Appel
  • Coach: Scott Dudley
APPLY

CHURCH PLANTERS

COHORT
2025
  • Ray Johnston
  • Sean Sears
  • Coach: Chris Delfs
APPLY
FULL

CHURCH PLANTERS

COHORT
2025
  • Dave Ferguson
  • Wayne Corderio
  • Coach: David Hibiske
APPLY

CHURCH PLANTERS

COHORT
2025
  • Aaron Brockett
  • Wayne Cordeiro
  • Coach: Ernest Smith
APPLY

EXECUTIVE PASTORS

COHORT
2025
  • Dan Reiland
  • Jesse DeYoung
  • Coach: Rick Burge
APPLY
FULL

TRANSITIONS PASTORS

COHORT
2025
  • Jay Kim
  • Josh Surratt
  • Coach: Steve Clifford
APPLY

TRANSITIONS PASTORS

COHORT
2025
  • Kenton Beshore
  • Steve Clifford
  • Coach: Bryan Wilkerson
APPLY

SECOND CHAIR LEADERS

COHORT
2024
  • Tim Smith
  • Les McKeown
  • Coach: Brad Lomenick
APPLY
FULL
Joel Thomas
Lead Pastor, Buckhead Church
"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
"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
"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
"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
"One of the most moving, important, and needed times in my leadership journey."
Jeff Dart
Lead Pastor, Brookside Church
"This has been the opportunity of a lifetime! I can't wait to dive into a second year!"

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.

Cohort FAQ's

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

brad lomenick

Brad Lomenick

Leadership Consultant
Author, Speaker,
Founder of BLINC

Mike Hickerson

Mike Hickerson

Lead Pastor
Mission Church

ernest smith

Ernest Smith

Lead Pastor
Front Range Church

bryan wilkerson

Bryan Wilkerson

Pastor Emeritus
Grace Chapel

david hibiske

David Hibiske

Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives
Saddleback Church

Scott Dudley

Scott Dudley

Senior Pastor
Bellevue Presbyterian Church

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Rick Burge

Strategic Launch Network
VP of Church Planting & Coaching

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Chris Delfs

Founding Pastor
LifePointe Christian Church

Mentors

Rich Villodas

Lead Pastor
New Life Fellowship

Ascent Mentor Headshots

Jud Wilhite

Senior Pastor
Central Church

John Ortberg

Author, Speaker, Teacher

Ascent Mentor Headshots

Derwin Gray

Lead Pastor
Transformation Church

Steve Stroope

Founding Pastor
Lakepointe Church

Jon Tyson Headshot

Jon Tyson

Lead Pastor
Church of the City NYC

Ashley Wooldridge

Senior Pastor
Christ's Church of the Valley

Greg-Surratt

Greg Surratt

Founding Pastor
Seacoast Church

Layne Schranz

Exec Leader
Church of the Highlands

Dan Reiland

Exec Pastor
12Stone Church

Carey Neiuwhof

Carey Neiuwhof

Teaching and Founding Pastor
Connexus Church

Larry Osborne

Larry Osborne

Teaching Pastor
North Coast Church

Beth Ganem

Beth Ganem

Executive Pastor
Mariners 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

Wayne Cordeiro

Founding Pastor
New Hope Christian Fellowship

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

Mike Breaux and Gene Appel (2)

Gene Appel

Senior Pastor
Eastside Christian Church

Sean Sears

Sean Sears

Lead Pastor
Grace Church

Kenton Beshore

Kenton Beshore

Pastor Emeritus
Mariners Church

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Les McKeown

Speaker, Author

Tara Beth Leach

Tara Beth Leach

Senior Pastor
Good Shepherd Church

Tim Smith

Tim Smith

Exec Pastor
Lakepointe Church

Headshot

Josh Surratt

Lead Pastor
Seacoast Church

Join a Cohort
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Transitions Leader Cohort
Church Planters Cohort
Executive Pastors Cohort

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