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A Cohort Experience for NextGen Ministry Leaders

"You care deeply about the next generation." —Led by Brian Aaby

LET'S TALK

Cohorts for Pastors & Ministry Leaders

Better ministry starts with better community.

LET'S TALK

Cohorts for Pastors & Ministry Leaders

Better ministry starts with better community.
LET'S TALK

A Cohort Experience for NextGen Ministry Leaders

"You care deeply about the next generation." — Led by Brian Aaby

LET'S TALK
START YOUR JOURNEY WITH A FREE GIFT COPY OF MINISTRY CANCER: DYING TO SERVE → 
THE COHORT EXPERIENCE

Coaching, Community, & Space to Breathe

Group of pastors.

Peers Who Understand

Each cohort brings together 8–12 ministry leaders serving in NextGen — Youth, Kids, College/Young Adults, and Family. For once, you're not the one responsible for everyone else in the room. No needing to explain ministry culture, difficult parents, volunteer struggles, or the weight of caring for students and families well. Just honest conversations with leaders who get it.

Reseting retreats.

Retreats That Reset

Every cohort opens and closes with in-person retreats in comfortable homes around the country. No packed schedules or nonstop sessions. Just space to slow down, breathe, reflect, and connect with other leaders who understand the weight and pace of ministry. You'll leave with greater clarity, deeper relationships, and renewed energy for the road ahead.

Monthly coaching discussion.

Monthly Coaching

Your cohort meets monthly by video for honest conversations around leadership, ministry, relationships, and personal growth. Every participant also receives a monthly one-on-one coaching session with Brian Aaby focused on your unique challenges, goals, and next steps. This isn’t generic leadership content—it’s coaching built around your real life and ministry.

Group of pastors.

Peers Who Understand

Each cohort brings together 8–12 ministry leaders serving in NextGen — Youth, Kids, College/Young Adults, and Family. For once, you're not the one responsible for everyone else in the room. No needing to explain ministry culture, difficult parents, volunteer struggles, or the weight of caring for students and families well. Just honest conversations with leaders who get it.

Retreats that reset.

Retreats That Reset

Every cohort opens and closes with a 3-day, 2-night retreat in comfortable homes across the country. No packed itineraries. Just space to slow down, reflect, and catch your breath. You'll leave with more clarity and energy than you came with.

Monthly coaching discussions.

Monthly Coaching

Your cohort meets by video once a month. It's a space to process, think out loud, and hear from people walking the same road. Every member also receives an individual coaching session each month — tailored to your unique challenges.

Extras Along the Way

Throughout the cohort, you'll receive additional resources, content, connections, and occasional surprises designed to encourage and support you between gatherings.

OUR APPROACH

More Than a Leadership Group

Most NextGen and ministry leaders don't join a cohort because they're failing. They join because they've realized that leading the next generation — whether that's toddlers, teenagers, college students, or everyone in between — alone isn't sustainable. You care deeply about the people in your ministry. But leading kids, students, young adults, families, volunteers, and staff can feel isolating fast.

This 6-month cohort gives NextGen pastors and ministry leaders a trusted circle, personal coaching, and space to grow without carrying everything alone.

This cohort is built around the core challenges every NextGen ministry leader faces — regardless of the age group you serve. Each month, we go deep on one of those real-world elements: communication, volunteer development, navigating conflict, curriculum and teaching, working with parents and families, and building a healthy team culture. You're not learning theory. You're working through the actual stuff that's sitting on your desk right now.

That's why this isn't just networking, leadership content, or another ministry mastermind. It's a guided coaching experience led by someone who understands the unique pressures of NextGen ministry — and knows how to help you move from where you are to where you need to be.

THE DETAILS

6-Month Cohort Experience

  • Start Date: Oct 5-6 (Seattle, WA) — Spring 2027 (Orlando, FL)*
  • Cohort Size: 8–12 NextGen Pastors and Youth Pastors
  • Retreats: 2-Day, 1-Night Retreats (Opening/Closing)* 
  • Group Coaching Session: 75-Minutes Monthly
  • Individual Coaching Session: 60-Minutes Monthly
  • Meals: Included at both retreats
  • Flights, Lodging, Ground Transportation: Not Included

*Participants may arrive the evening before the retreat begins & stay the night the cohort closes—giving you 2 extra nights for easier travel plans. Spring Date TBD.

A group of pastors playing cards at at cohort retreat.
A group of NextGen pastors having a discussion about their 6 month experience.
A group of pastors in the woods of Michigan
A group of pastors cooking dinner together
A group of NextGen pastors.
Pastor engaged in a morning discussion session
A group of NextGen pastors at their retreat.
A group of NextGen pastors at their retreat.
THE DETAILS

6-Month Cohort Experience

  • Start Date: Oct 5-6 (Seattle, WA) — Spring 2027 (Orlando, FL)*
  • Cohort Size: 8–12 NextGen Pastors and Youth Pastors
  • Retreats: 2-Day, 1-Night Retreats (Opening/Closing)* 
  • Group Coaching Session: 75-Minutes Monthly
  • Individual Coaching Session: 60-Minutes Monthly
  • Meals: Included at both retreats
  • Flights, Lodging, Ground Transportation: Not Included

*Participants may arrive the evening before the retreat begins & stay the night the cohort closes — giving you 2 extra nights for easier travel plans. Spring Date TBD.

Curt Jordan

COHORT ALUMNI

"Brian's one-on-one coaching has helped me greatly in ministry leadership, and the group allowed for connection and collaboration that wouldn't be possible otherwise. You meet people who understand and care for you far beyond your position, title, or life circumstance. I could not recommend this Cohort enough."

Jamie Lane

COHORT ALUMNI

"Brian is fantastic at what he does — encouraging us in our roles and calling, while also challenging us and not allowing us to stay 'stuck.' The investment of resources and time was well worth it, and if you're even just thinking about joining the next one, just do it."

Bryan Cobley

ARBOR CHURCH

"You do not have to do Youth Ministry on your own anymore."

Johnathon Welch

ST. ANDREWS CHURCH

"The cohort was life-giving. I learned about myself, how to become a more complete leader, and I identified and worked on blindspots — all while growing in my relationship to Jesus and other amazing Youth Pastors."

Taylor Lowrey

FELLOWSHIP BIBLE

"I would encourage anyone in student ministry to join a Coaching Cohort, no matter how long you've been in ministry. I made lifelong friendships and learned indispensable lessons that will apply directly to my ministry for years to come."

ABOUT US

Your Cohort Leader

Brian leads our cohorts, and he is supported by a team that few organizations can match. You can meet all of them on our about page.

Brian Aaby and his role in Cohorts.

Brian Aaby

CHIEF STRATEGIST

Brian has spent over 20 years helping pastors and churches figure out where they’re going and how to actually get there. He’s led local church ministry, coached leaders nationally, and brings a clarity to hard conversations that most people spend years trying to find. He’s married to Elisabeth, dad to three kids, and you’ll usually find him hiking in the Pacific Northwest or catching a baseball game somewhere.

                                

LET'S TALK

Only a Few Spots Left

The only 2026 NextGen cohort is limited to 8–12 leaders. October is approaching quickly. If you've been thinking about this, now is the time.

Or give us a call: (989) 214-3849‬

Or give us a call: (989) 214-3849‬