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The Program

A Two-Year Path, Built On A Proven Model

Eight cohort meetings a year. Four Spiritual Board of Advisors sessions. One mentor in your corner the whole way. Here is how the two years unfold.

01

The Rhythm of a Cohort Year

Every Ascend cohort runs on the same dependable cadence, adapted from Kingdom Factor's peer group model, refined over more than 25 years.

8x
Cohort meetings per year

3 hours each, with 6 to 12 committed emerging leaders

4x
Spiritual Board of Advisors

2 hours each, one per quarter, to go deep in a small group

2 yrs
Full program length

Including a kickoff retreat and two additional full-day retreats

An Ascend Leadership cohort meeting around the table

An Ascend cohort meeting in session.

A mentor meeting with a small group of emerging leaders for a Spiritual Board of Advisors session

A Spiritual Board of Advisors session, going deep in a small group.

A mentor meeting with a small group of emerging leaders for a Spiritual Board of Advisors session

Mentors and emerging leaders working through life and leadership together.

02

Sample Morning Agenda

Every cohort meeting follows the same structure. Evening groups run the identical agenda on a shifted schedule.

9:00 - 9:15am — Community Building / Networking / Food Served
9:15 - 9:30am — Prayer Requests / Praises
9:30 - 9:45am — Imperatives (Commitments / Accountability)
9:45 - 10:30am — Content / Curriculum Discussion or Kingdom Leader Guest Speaker
10:30 - 10:40am — Break
10:40 - 11:50am — Issue / Discussion / Solution
11:50am - Noon — Summary / Takeaways / Prep for Next Session

Evening groups follow this same 3-hour structure, typically starting in the early evening. Your Group Coach will confirm exact times when you're placed in a cohort.

03

Year One: Developing Your Personal Operating System

The first year builds the foundation: who you are, what you believe, and how your faith shapes your work.

The Kingdom Factor Personal Operating System Workbook cover

The Personal Operating System Workbook, the curriculum every member works through in Year One.

An Ascend Leadership member receiving her personalized Kingdom Factor Ascend Leadership binder

Every Ascend member receives a personalized copy of the program journal to work through during Year One.

Kickoff Retreat
Life-Line Exercise, DISC Personality and Spiritual Gifts Assessments, and a Biblical Worldview of Work.
Month 1
Developing Your Personal Mission Statement and Personal Core Values.
Month 2
Creating Your Personal and Professional Development Plan.
Month 3
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
Month 4
Kingdom Leader Guest Speaker.
Month 5
How to Know the Bible Is True, and Maintaining Your Faith in a "Cancel Culture."
Month 6
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
Month 7
Abundance vs. Scarcity in Life and Business.
Month 8
Kingdom Leader Guest Speaker.
Month 9
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
Month 10
Understanding and Developing Biblical Decision-Making Models.
Month 11
The Importance of Grit and Overcoming Life's Setbacks.
Month 12
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
04

Year Two: Developing Your Life and Leadership Skillsets

The second year turns inward growth into outward practice, with a sharper focus on decisions, conversations, and career principles.

Ascend Leadership members gathered around the table for a Year Two cohort meeting
Guest speakers from BlueTrust leading a biblical financial planning session at an Ascend retreat
Guest speakers from BlueTrust lead a session on biblical financial planning during a Year Two retreat.
Full-Day Retreat
Guest speakers on understanding investments, tax planning, buying insurance, and the role of a personal attorney or banker. Review and update your Personal and Professional Development Plan.
Month 1
Leadership and Self-Deception.
Month 2
Keys to Giving and Receiving Godly Counsel.
Month 3
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
Month 4
Kingdom Leader Guest Speaker.
Month 5
Developing Your "Non-Negotiable" Business and Career Principles.
Month 6
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
Month 7
Emotional Intelligence and Lifelong Learning, and the Power of Curiosity.
Month 8
Kingdom Leader Guest Speaker.
Month 9
Quarterly Spiritual Board of Advisors Meeting.
Month 10
Difficult Conversations: How to Receive and Navigate Tough Issues.
Month 11
Kingdom Leader Guest Speaker.
Final Retreat
Summary, takeaways, and key learnings. Each participant writes an exit paper.
05

What Ascend Leaders Say They Get Out of It

A typical Ascend cohort represents well over a century of combined business experience and walking with Jesus, in one room, every month. Hear it in their own words.

Emma Willner
Ascend Member
Dalton Rogers
Ascend Member
Mark Harding
Ascend Member

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