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
Jeremiah Raible
Facilitator
Bob Jones
Facilitator
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 2025
ACTS 2 JOURNEY
Bob Jones
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.
YOUNG LEADERS
Kevin Janzen
Facilitator
Bert Faulkner
Facilitator
Facilitator: Kevin Janzen - Young Leaders Network Director, ABNWT PAOC
Context: 60-minute, once-a-month meetings. Guest speaker and discussion. 5-month commitment. Participants discover practical ways to lead and last in ministry.
HEALTHY PASTORS
Facilitators: Bert Faulkner, Bob Jones - ABNWT PAOC
Context: Heathy pastors lead healthy churches. Healthy Pastor cohorts are an invitation to grow a holistic pastoral lifestyle leading to robust thought processes, resilience, and fruitful church practices. Participants learn in community, develop a growth mindset, and build relational equity. Online meetings from September – November, January – May and in-person in February at Minister’s Gathering.
CHILDREN’S aND FAMILY MINISTRY
Kathy Zelman
Facilitator
Facilitator: Kathy Zelman - Children’s Ministry Specialist, ABNWT PAOC
Context: 60-minute, monthly meetings; support, sharing of programs, ideas, and collaboration in Children and Family Ministry.
CHAPLAINS, COUNSELLORS, MISSION CANADA
Al Downey
Facilitator
Facilitator: Al Downey - Pastoral Care, ABNWT PAOC
Context: 60-minute, 1st Wednesday of the month meetings. Guest speaker and discussion.
BOOK CLUB: THE PASTOR’S SOUL
Doug Phaneuf
Facilitator
Facilitator: Doug Phaneuf - Lead Pastor, Living Springs Church
Context: The focus of the cohort is on the pastor’s soul. Participants start by reading the book, “When Everything’s On Fire” by Brian Zhand and then meet in person or on Zoom to discuss the pastoral takeaways.
WORSHIP LEADERS (NORTH OF RED DEER)
Brennan Jenkins
Facilitator
Facilitator: Brennan Jenkins - Worship Pastors, Eaglemont Church
Context: Cohort will meet through Worship Central - Quarterly meetings; seminars.
WORSHIP LEADERS (SOUTH OF RED DEER)
Mark Cole
Facilitator
Facilitator: Mark Cole - Worship Pastor, Neighbourhood Church
Context: Worship pastors/leaders; quarterly meetings, webinars.
NORTH OF 60
James Clarence
Facilitator
Facilitator: James Clarence - Lead Pastor, Cornerstone Pentecostal Church Yellowknife
Context: Pastors working in churches north of the 60th parallel; Support; Fellowship; Training; Prayer.
LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR
Kristen Morris
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.
PASTORAL WIVES
Yvonne Downey
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.
PARACHURCH AND ITINERANT MINISTRY
Charity Mongrain
Co-Facilitator
Vahen King
Co-Facilitator
Facilitator: Charity Mongrain - Coach, & Vahen King - Motivational Speaker
Context: For men and women; 60-minute meeting, 5 times a year; one in-person meeting; connection, collaboration, development.
LOCATION PASTORS
Hunter Gillis
Facilitator
Facilitator: Hunter Gillis - Campus Pastor, First Assembly Seton
Context: For Campus Pastors or Satellite Pastors; 60-minute, 6 online meetings and 1 in person meeting September - June. Best practices on site management, leadership development, community relationship.
PASTORAL HUSBANDS
David Cornock
Facilitator
Facilitator: David Cornock - Hope City Church
Context: For husbands of pastors; 60-minute meeting, 3-4 times a year; one in-person meeting; connection.
SHE LEADS
Katherine Wong
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.
100 OPPORTUNITY
Bob Jones
Facilitator
Facilitator: Bob Jones - Advancement Coach, ABNWT PAOC
Context: Online, monthly meetings for pastors wanting to break the 100 barrier by mobilizing their congregation to pray, reach their community, and make disciples who make disciples.
200+ OPPORTUNITY
Mark McMillan
Facilitator
Facilitator: Mark McMillan, Bob Jones - ABNWT PAOC
Context: You’ve broken barriers and know that God has more. The 200+ Opportunity is for pastors who want to see their growing churches reach more people, build capacity, and structure, and simplify ministry. Skill up with other pastors in delegating, mobilizing, evangelizing, and leading. Online meetings from September – November, January – May and in-person in February at Minister’s Gathering.
MULTI-CULTURAL PASTORS
Joachim Chisanga
Facilitator
Facilitator: Joachim Chisanga, Lead Pastor, Claresholm Pentecostal Church
Context: For pastors leading multicultural congregations or those with diverse cultural backgrounds, navigating the challenges of ministry in Canada. This group meets for 60 minutes once a month from September to November and January to May, starting in September.
THE CREATIVE COHORT
Jessica
Sanchez
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.
KINGDOM INNOVATORS COHORT
Facilitator: Multiple Ministry Leaders
Context: One 60-minute online meeting per week for 4 consecutive weeks, starting at 1:00pm, Thursday April 3, 2025. For those in evangelistic, bi-vocational, Mission Canada, or church planting ministry. Outcomes are resources for evangelism, fundraising, networking, and best practices. Register here
THRIVING LEADERS COHORT
Joel Pukalo
Facilitator
Bob Jones
Facilitator
Facilitator: Joel Pukalo, Founder Family LIfe Psychology & Wellness
Context: : Creating space and health in ministry and life for leaders to thrive. In person meeting in September; quarterly online meetings and an in person connect at Minister’s Gathering
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 Office.
