Cohorts
The Ascent Leader offers three cohort verticals:
![IMG_2558 IMG_2558](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_2558-scaled-e1680711513706-q4koe7kheil0b2vo7qkpa0umsjl4a781jovk5l4ars.jpeg)
Transitions Leaders
For pastors navigating the season of transition into a new church leadership role. You don’t have to transition alone.
![IMG_4955 IMG_4955](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_4955-scaled-q13noyeulq83q1lnwfi21j5qchfwt070h5114xkuiw.jpeg)
Executive Pastors
For executive pastors managing the daily operations, staff, and culture of their church.
![IMG_7913 IMG_7913](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_7913-pqpgoqlq9lq26zkblfrd4jlg3swob9mnuq2zlezurs.jpg)
Church Planters
For planting pastors looking for the key relationships, tools, and resources for their new season of ministry.
Upcoming Cohorts
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.
Coaches
![Sean Morgan Sean Morgan](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sean-Morgan-1-pbxd151wuf68lzpbet6y1rdtl3472zceqqf73szebc.jpg)
Sean Morgan
Founder
The Ascent Leader
![DaveStone DaveStone](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DaveStone-pe3cb0evh197thp32czha5drl60mo1yu4jxh9zjfaw.jpg)
Dave Stone
Former Senior Pastor
Southeast Christian Church
![Nancy Beach Nancy Beach](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Craft-Character-Cohort-Social-pe3cfg7fqvbyn78z5a222124ko510ll7eiu0v0yhx4.jpg)
Nancy Beach
Author & Speaker
![Steve Clifford Steve Clifford](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Steve-Clifford-1-e1674507718410-q13owxazhv7c8y64arbudl4qfmkjc0y73oq5rk8r3s.jpeg)
Steve Clifford
Former Senior Pastor
WestGate Church
![brad lomenick brad lomenick](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/brad-lomenick-q4kmp9p3iby50ru37pvibjvk1hsxpdhqezbqifc1tk.jpeg)
Brad Lomenick
Leadership Consultant
Author, Speaker,
Founder of BLINC
![Mike Hickerson Mike Hickerson](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Mike-Hickerson-1-e1639083571237-pha0j55yfljbu4h18i1thdwlgk0p49pka40fksx3co.jpg)
Mike Hickerson
Lead Pastor
Mission Church
![ernest smith ernest smith](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/ernest-smith-q4kmxnfag5f6jlnt9uar1xqiq6hrc7rkkgqlk8woc8.jpeg)
Ernest Smith
Lead Pastor
Front Range Church
![bryan wilkerson bryan wilkerson](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/bryan-wilkerson-qpkfwqtevooyyjprdl66c729y3u8tpjvhnbhrq92k8.jpeg)
Bryan Wilkerson
Pastor Emeritus
Grace Chapel
![david hibiske david hibiske](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/david-hibiske-q4kn11mb4m2ggwqbgb4922wfy9rh4v8od9jpy7vhvc.jpeg)
David Hibiske
Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives
Saddleback Church
![Scott Dudley Scott Dudley](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Scott-Dudley-qjdbqihg42vgf06hcunt7ro8pdyh0ef09a6mq21l4o.jpg)
Scott Dudley
Senior Pastor
Bellevue Presbyterian Church
Mentors
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rich-Villodas-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x_WEB.jpg)
Rich Villodas
Lead Pastor
New Life Fellowship
![Ascent Mentor Headshots Ascent Mentor Headshots](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Jud-Wilhite-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x_WEB-pdy6rr17iduhwghqye32ti7dt1pgyi68d8jucazk0c.jpg)
Jud Wilhite
Senior Pastor
Central Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/John-Ortberg_WEB.jpg)
John Ortberg
Author, Speaker, Teacher
![Ascent Mentor Headshots Ascent Mentor Headshots](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Derwin-Gray_WEB-1-pdy6rcxmnvb72b288pzoa3rgw9myr1m9bark55kglo.jpg)
Derwin Gray
Lead Pastor
Transformation Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Blog-graphic-1.png)
Steve Stroope
Founding Pastor
Lakepointe Church
![Jon Tyson Headshot Jon Tyson Headshot](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Jon-Tyson-Headshot-q4knrs51w4au2151cptu20wyfvpkaor6d3b4m3f16g.png)
Jon Tyson
Lead Pastor
Church of the City NYC
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Ashley-Wooldridge_2.png)
Ashley Wooldridge
Senior Pastor
Christ's Church of the Valley
![Greg-Surratt Greg-Surratt](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Greg-Surratt-q4kny0sgwd7fnfmll8obh4km3rosstkb4fumgt0rv0.jpg)
Greg Surratt
Founding Pastor
Seacoast Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Layne-Schranz-.png)
Layne Schranz
Exec Leader
Church of the Highlands
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Headshot-1.png)
Dan Reiland
Exec Pastor
12Stone Church
![Carey Neiuwhof](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Carey-Neiuwhof-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x_WEB.jpg)
Carey Neiuwhof
Teaching and Founding Pastor
Connexus Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Brady-Boyd-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x_WEB.jpg)
Brady Boyd
Senior Pastor
New Life Church
![Beth Ganem Beth Ganem](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Beth-Ganem-qr7psymo7zethdb5aeftfknlpghw7vuy9wu62bc3aw.png)
Beth Ganem
Executive Pastor
Mariners Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Herbert-Cooper-Headshot.jpeg)
Herbert Cooper
Pastor
People's Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NT-Wright.jpg)
NT Wright
Theologian, New Testament Scholar, Retired Anglican
Bishop
![Dave Ferguson](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dave-Ferguson_WEB.jpg)
Dave Ferguson
Lead Pastor
Community Christian Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wayne-cordeiro.jpeg)
Wayne Cordeiro
Founding Pastor
New Hope Christian Fellowship
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chris-Brown-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x_WEB.jpg)
Chris Brown
Senior Pastor & Teaching Pastor
North Coast Church
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Nicky-Gumbel.jpeg)
Nicky Gumbel
Pioneer of Alpha
Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton
![](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Aaron-Brockett_WEB.jpg)
Aaron Brockett
Lead Pastor
Traders Point Christian Church
![WoodFamily-42 WoodFamily-42](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/WoodFamily-42-pm563493mx0rphl8uc9rkfaxk7rlgl8u75tvysz9h4.jpg)
Andy Wood
Lead Pastor
Saddleback Church
![Mike Breaux and Gene Appel (2) Mike Breaux and Gene Appel (2)](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Mike-Breaux-and-Gene-Appel-2-q13pb5l1bqbdcuqu89f4p6rgdo5t2tt9plzzjwbv7c.png)
Gene Appel
Senior Pastor
Eastside Christian Church
![Sean Sears Sean Sears](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sean-Sears-qr7q5wumdt51fyhxnzyrsb08ckny9r9te0f03k4tko.png)
Sean Sears
Lead Pastor
Grace Church
![Ascent Mentor Headshots Kenton Beshore](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Ascent-Mentor-Headshots-pdz7gom5ts3rkvrimvdsbo82pgzx1t6nn8xgdyfdvw.jpg)
Kenton Beshore
Pastor Emeritus
Mariners Church
![Headshot (3) Headshot (3)](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Headshot-3-qr7qi3t91fty1usbgrpjmq8hrikd4eogqd2r7s1yuw.png)
Les McKeown
Speaker, Author
![Tara Beth Leech Tara Beth Leech](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Tara-Beth-Leech-qr7qlg4lc8enbxxjy7pshvvhsu3chny3uwkwn73kqg.png)
Tara Beth Leech
Senior Pastor
Good Shepherd Church
![Tim Smith Tim Smith](https://theascentleader.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Tim-Smith-qraxh3f11nsnbso9odc5irp10w0k7v6g4gg3rx4u60.png)
Tim Smith
Exec Pastor
Lakepointe Church