ABNWT YOUNG LEADERS ACCELERATOR
This one-year facilitated development pathway is designed to prepare high-potential, high-capacity young pastors and church leaders for long-term, effective ministry leadership.
CONTEXT
For years, we’ve heard about the leadership gap in our fellowship and beyond. The older generation is retiring, and the younger generation of leaders are feeling the weight of this gap.
There is an opportunity to invest in the young leaders in our network—to ensure they are continually forming their character and competence in their pursuit of God’s call on their lives.
THE BIG IDEA
This program is developing young leaders to strengthen the church in the PAOC ABNWT and Canada. We are investing in a select group of young pastors and leaders who have a clear calling to lead our fellowship toward the next century.
The ideal candidate is 20-30 years old and has completed a couple of years of ministry.
In the fall of 2024, we will be opening our third iteration of the Accelerator with 10-15 young pastors and leaders. They will take part in a one-year, formational journey designed to develop their:
Spiritual Formation
Strong Sense of Identity in Christ
Formational Relationships
Influential Leadership
Ministry Competence
We’ll take these candidates through a one-year-long cohort focused on forming character and competence. They will be exposed to
effective practitioners
with content that will propel them forward in ministry and leadership.
HOW IT WORKS
In this program, young leaders will be propelled forward in their passion for God and his call on their lives. They will increase their resilience capacity and competencies that will accelerate their ministry development, optimize your team dynamics, and provide lift to your church family.
Throughout the next year, these leaders will:
Participate in Monthly Cohort Meetings (virtual and in-person)
Receive regular one-on-one and group coaching calls with mentors
Take in three intensive retreats at various locations
Develop a personalized formation pathway to guide their next months and years of effective ministry
Gain a supportive network of other young ABNWT pastors and leaders
MENTORS & COACHES
Below is a sample of the ministry guests we’ve featured over the past couple of years. These are the kinds of people who are investing in our cohort.
SHAILA VISSER
National Director
Alpha Canada
DAVE WELLS
General Superintendent
PAOC
JESSICA DISABATINO
Lead Pastor
Journey Church Calgary
GARY TAITINGER
District Superintendent
ABNWT PAOC
KEVIN SHEPHERD
CEO
Crossroads Christian Communications
KAITLYN CEY
Pastor & Educator
Inspire our Nation
CODY MATCHETT
Scholar | Pastor | Writer
Calgary
SUSAN WENDEL
Dean of Seminary
New Testament Horizon College & Seminary
JASON BALLARD
Pastor
The Way Church Vancouver
JOYCE REES
Co-Lead Pastor
Epic Vineyard Church Calgary
JONATHAN SMITH
Lead Pastor
One Church
Toronto
VAN JOHNSON
Dean
Master’s Pentecostal Seminary
BRENT INGERSOLL
Senior Pastor
Kings Church, NB
PATTI MILLER
Lead Pastor
Evangel Pentecostal Church, QC
ROBIN WALLAR
Lead Pastor
LIFT Church, ON
EMMA NARAYANAN
Lead Pastor
Avant Life, BC
FACILITATORS
PAUL FRASER
Director
PAOC Multiply Network
MANDI GILLIS
Seton Campus Pastor
FA Church Calgary
HUNTER GILLIS
Seton Campus Pastor
FA Church Calgary
KATIE NGUYEN
Discipleship Pastor
Hope City Edmonton
KEVIN JANZEN
YLN Director
ABNWT District
RETREATS
Included in the admission fee are three in-person retreats. Logistics and cost for travel to and from the retreats are the responsibility of the individual’s supporting organization.
Nov 4-7, 2024
Streams Church
Red Deer, AB
Feb 8-10, 2025
King’s Fold Retreat Centre
Cochrane, AB
May 26-29, 2025
TBA
WHAT oTHERS ARE SAYING
“I recommend the Accelerator to pastors who desire to learn because the program immerses you in an environment that fosters healthy habits foundational for anyone who wants to pastor sustainably in this secular age.”
— AFOPE SANYADE
Youth Pastor, BP Church
“You get to learn from a wide variety of faithful and gifted leaders alongside friends who are on the same journey.”
— DEVAN GREEN
Youth Pastor, Hope City Church
“Developing your leadership—when it comes to character, skills, and gifts—within community is pivotal. That’s exactly what the Accelerator gives you. There’s a depth of conversation, accountability, and encouragement to grow together that I haven’t found since College.”
— AMY LANG
Program & Ministry Coordinator, Vanguard College
FAQs
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The fee is $1200 per person, which includes three retreats, coaching, materials, and other resources throughout the program. (An additional $1300 of program expenses have been subsidized by generous donors and the ABNWT Resource Centre, giving high value to this opportunity.) Scholarship applications may be available by request.
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The fee includes three retreats and accommodations, coaching, materials, and other resources throughout the program. Participants will be responsible for the cost of travel to the retreats and some meals.
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The monthly meetings in 2024-2025 will be on these dates:
o Oct 24 – Online Session
o Nov 4-7 – Retreat (Mon-Thu)
o Nov 28 – Online Session
o Dec 12 – Online Session
o Jan 16 – Online Session
o Jan 30 – Online Session
o Feb 8-10 – Retreat (Sat-Mon)
o Feb 10-13 – Ministers Gathering (registration and accommodation costs not included in Accelerator fee, however this is a required event)
o Feb 27 – Online Session
o Mar 13 – Online Session
o Apr 3 – Online Session
o Apr 24 – Online Session
o May 15 – Online Session
o May 26-29 – Retreat (Mon-Thu)
o Jun 12 – Online Session -
Yes, scholarships are available. Please contact kevin@abnwt.com for more information.
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The ideal candidate is an ABNWT pastor, leader, or global worker in their 20s or early 30s. They have completed a couple of years of ministry but are not yet a lead pastor.
HOW TO APPLY
To start the application process, please begin by completing an Interest Form.
After that we’ll send you the application form and set up a time for one of our team to interview you. We plan to have our participants list finalized by mid-August.
For any inquiries on the program, please reach out to kevin@abnwt.com.