What if there were a space for NextGen ministry leaders to regularly connect with others who are hungry to pursue personal and ministry health in a community with others who get it?
The NextGen Ministry Leader Cohort (MCUSA Edition) is a 4-month small group experience for NextGen staff (full-time, part-time, or volunteer responsibilities over children, youth, and/or college age) in the Missionary Church denomination. Offering supportive community, coaching, and resources, these cohorts will: gather bi-weekly via Zoom for 90 minutes (supplemented by smaller group meetings), receive 1:1 coaching, gather for a retreat mid-session, and connect on other online platforms for continued connection.
ENVIRONMENT
A safe and confidential gathering of like-minded peers. You are not "in charge," but you are a full-fledged participant. Facilitated conversation will focus on...
...Nurturing your heart for Jesus.
...Growing your mind to think strategically about next gen leadership & ministry.
...Equipping your hands for the work of ministry.
VALUES
Community - With loneliness being at pandemic levels among youth ministers, we will focus heavily on WHO we are journeying with over what we are journeying toward.
Conversations - This cohort will not be driven by a workbook or book study. Instead, our collective stories, the challenges, and opportunities we are facing serve as the curriculum.
Coaching - Whether individual or with the group, individuals will want to enter with a teachable and hungry heart to contribute and learn.
Content - We will tap into some specialists to learn over specific topics as well as provide tons of resources to help equip participants.
COHORT MAKEUP
Members must fall under the umbrella of “NextGen ministry staff” in a local or para-church setting inside the MCUSA denomination.
The goal is for the cohort to be 8-10 individuals (participants + facilitators).
Open to men and women.
Applications are submitted and cohorts are selected based on availability, group dynamics, and applicant responses.
Participants must agree to be in participation of 80% of online gatherings and in attendance for the full retreat.
SCHEDULE
Cohort calls will take place 2x a month via zoom for 90 minutes at a set day and time (ex. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday 1:30-3:00 pm EST).
In the weeks between smaller groups of 3-4 will be assigned to get together for conversation and connection, and the cohort facilitator will meet 1:1 with one member for a coaching call (every cohort member gets one coaching call)
There will be a 3-day in-person retreat midway through the cohort experience that will have ample time for fellowship, rest, renewal, and training.
FACILITATORS
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DERRY PRENKERT
Derry has 26 years of ministry experience in the local church. 23 years of that time was spent at one church, and 3 years at the other. He has experienced the joys of longevity and the power of diving in for a short assignment at a church in need of a transitional leader. He has also faced the challenges, pains, and pitfalls that come with pouring his life into the next generation and those who invest in them. In 2022, he and his wife Janelle responded to shift in calling from pastoring in the local church serving those who pastor local churches across the US. They live Wakarusa, Indiana with their 4 kids. He’s also an author, speaker, and volunteers as a 7th Grade Small Group Leader at the church where he pastored for 23 years,
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TRAVIS GEISEL
Travis currently serves as the NextGen Ministries Coordinator for The Central Region of The Missionary Church. His role involves providing care and support for those that lead kids/students/college ministries, engaging/equipping/empowering the next generation of leaders, and helping the local church in their efforts to do the same. Before that, he spent 10+ years serving in middle school ministry and kids ministry. Travis and his wife Lindsay live in Fort Wayne, Indiana with their 4 kids. In his free-time, Travis coaches baseball for his son’s rec league and USA Prime Indiana North.
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GEOFF COCANOWER
Geoff has been married to Tara since June 2018, pastoring students at Hope Missionary Church since 2013, and in vocational student ministry since 2008. In his own journey, Geoff has wrestled with the questions and tensions of burnout, leading from a second chair, and clarifying personal anointing and calling in ministry. As part of his work with students, he has networked, cared for, and coached nextgen leaders of all kinds. Geoff’s heart for nextgen leaders is to build resilience, grow proficiency, and encourage long term impact.
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BRAD BULLOCK
Brad has served as a youth pastor for 18 years and has been on staff with Pathway Community Church in Fort Wayne, IN for the past 14 years, first as a High School Pastor and now as the Executive Pastor of Next Generation Ministries overseeing ministries to kids, youth, and college students at PCC. His greatest passion in ministry is developing leaders, and he lives by the motto, "every student deserves an incredible leader!" Brad is passionate about training and coaching next generation leaders and loves every opportunity he gets to listen, encourage, and guide individuals who are investing in young people in the local church. Brad is a graduate of Bethel University (Mishawaka, IN) and Wesley Seminary. He is married to his High School sweetheart, Kelsey, and has 3 kids ranging from 12-16 years old.
COST
$50
to cover resources and retreat