A two-year community where young Christian leaders, ages 18-35, grow personally, professionally, and spiritually alongside mentors who have walked the road ahead of them.
One generation is leaving the formal church just as another generation of experienced leaders is stepping away from the workforce. Ascend Leadership exists at the intersection of both.
Barna Research found that as of 2019, 64% of young people ages 18-29 who grew up in church had stepped away from regular attendance as adults.
U.S. Census Bureau data. As experienced leaders retire, companies are losing decades of relational and institutional knowledge faster than they can replace it.
Ascend focuses on young and ascending leaders in the first 10-12 years of their career, preparing them for the next level of entrepreneurship, management and leadership.
Every cohort meeting starts the same way: food on the table and real conversation before anything else. Curriculum matters, but the relationships are what carry members through two years.
"And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." Psalm 78:72
David was a flawed leader, yet the Bible says he was "a man after God's own heart." At Ascend, we help flawed young leaders become men and women who pursue the Lord with all their heart.
David shepherded with integrity. We help emerging leaders live and lead with Christian integrity.
David led with skillful hands. Ascend equips participants with cutting-edge leadership and skills development so they can thrive in their work and careers.
Equipping emerging young leaders who are men and women after God's own heart in all areas of their life and work.
Shepherded with integrity of heart. Equipping emerging leaders to integrate their Christian faith in their work and careers by building and leading with biblical principles.
Skillful hands. Helping emerging leaders lead and work at the top of their game, setting themselves apart from others in the marketplace.
Every Ascend member is supported by a mentor, a cohort, and a proven curriculum.
A seasoned Christian leader assigned to you, available as needed to help you work through personal, professional, and spiritual questions.
6 to 12 emerging leaders meeting 8 times a year for 3 hours, plus a quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors session to go deep.
A proven content path covering your Personal Operating System in Year One and life and leadership skillsets in Year Two.
As an international bestselling author, speaker, coach, and Founder of Kingdom Factor, Ray has invested the last 30 years of his life working alongside Christian business leaders and entrepreneurs. Blending his passion, experience, and expertise, Ray combines proven business acumen and unwavering faith to guide leaders at the intersection of business and faith. Following his passion and calling to build into the next generation of leaders, in 2024 he launched Ascend Leadership, and today is working to build Ascend as a national program impacting hundreds of emerging Christian marketplace leaders.
Ray Hilbert · Founder and CEO, Kingdom Factor/Ascend Leadership
Whether you're an emerging leader looking for community or a seasoned leader ready to invest in the next generation, there's a place for you here.
