Explore Your Leadership in the Church
The Ministry Leadership Cohort is a learning and discerning community, helping first- and second-year students to understand their leadership in the Church. Walk alongside peers asking the same questions, guided by student mentors through small groups and by faculty through classes.
Program Values
- Build community: as unique members of the one body of Jesus Christ.
- Practice leadership: using the particular gifts and in the particular ways God has given to you.
- Love the Church: as it is in Grand Rapids, this nation, and spread throughout the world.
As a member of the Ministry Leadership Cohort you will:
- Form strong connections with your peers by taking classes together, engaging in weekly small groups, visiting churches, and going on pilgrimage.
- Learn with and from professors and students whose worship, experience, and witness of God will challenge and develop your own.
- Travel to a major American city and learn what God is doing in the radically diverse churches of a specific urban area, stretching your understanding of the work of Christ through the Church.
- Discern how God is and will continue to use you in his Church through engagement with peers, professors teaching classes on worship and the Church, and leaders in ministry.
Who Qualifies?
- Students who will start at ÐßÐßÊÓÆµ in Fall of 2027
- Students from any major who are passionate about ministry and the life of the Church.
- Anyone eager to serve in faith-based leadership roles.
If you are interested in starting at ÐßÐßÊÓÆµ after 2027, please send us your information (see form below) and we'll let you know once your Cohorts application is open. Email cohorts@calvin.edu with questions.
Important Dates
After you apply to ÐßÐßÊÓÆµ, you can find the Cohorts application in your . The deadline to apply is January 15. Find all dates and deadlines below!
January 15: Application Deadline
Deadline to apply for Ministry Leadership Cohort consideration.
Why Join the Ministry Leadership Cohort?
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Find connection in communityTake classes together, meet weekly in small groups, visit local churches, and journey on pilgrimage—all while forming deep connections.
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Grow through mentorshipBe shaped by professors and peers whose worship, wisdom, and witness will challenge and deepen your faith.
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Encounter the Church in the CityTravel to a major U.S. city to witness how diverse, urban congregations live out the gospel in vibrant, unexpected ways. Stretch your understanding of the work of Christ through the Church.
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Discern Your CallingExplore how God is forming you for ministry through shared learning, worship, and conversations with peers, professors, and leaders in the Church.
Visit Us
Are you planning a visit to ÐßÐßÊÓÆµ? Ask your admissions counselor to schedule a meeting with a Cohorts representative during your visit. We'd love to meet you and answer your questions!
Cohort Application Deadlines and Interviews
Application
August 1: Applications Open
After you apply to ÐßÐßÊÓÆµ, you can find the Cohorts application in your .
January 15: Cohort Application Deadline
Application deadline for Cohorts and Honors Scholars.
Interview invites will be sent in late January.
Interviews
February: Interviews
Cohort interviews:
- February 10 - Deadline to RSVP for in-person Cohorts Preview/Interview Day
- February 19 - Cohorts Preview/Interview Day
- February 15-26 - Cohorts Virtual interviews
March: Cohort Offers Sent
- First week of March - Final program offer decisions sent out
Ministry Leadership Cohort Program Map
Courses and activities align with our three program values: build community, practice leadership, and love the church.
| Program Value | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Build community |
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| Practice leadership |
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| Love the church |
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Bring it All Together
Take advantage of other opportunities to form your cohort experience, like a spring break pilgrimage, summer internship course, or on-campus leadership role.
You can also choose to complete complete the Ministry Leadership minor with a few additional courses.