The Be Free Cohort is a 3-month journey designed to help pastors and ministry leaders move towards rediscovering who they are in Christ and find greater freedom from the pressures of ministry, performance, and the constant need to meet people’s expectations (including their own).  

We’ve designed this cohort to be a space where leaders can deeply connect with God and with other fellow leaders. We will go through the Be Free material through a series of three retreats - an opening 2-night/3-day retreat and two full-day retreats that follow.  Along the way, they will also be meeting mid-month in their small groups for mutual support and encouragement.  

Throughout the 3-month experience, each participant will receive individual care and direction from a Be Free team member - so that they can better guide them on a life-giving journey to greater freedom.
 

• Be Free Pastors & Ministry Leaders Cohort (March-May 2025)
   
• P23: An All-Women's Cohort for Pastor's Wives & Women in Ministry (September 2025-January 2026)
   

In our experience of coming alongside Asian American pastors and ministry leaders, we've come to discover that one of the primary issues contributing to the high rates of burnout, anxiety/depression, and thoughts of leaving the ministry - isn't simply due to the rigors of ministry or the immense stress of their jobs.  But rather, we've learned that isolation and loneliness are two of the primary drivers that are contributing to the malaise that many pastors and ministry leaders are reportedly experiencing.

This past year, we've had the incredible opportunity to offer not just one, but two different cohort offerings through Barnabas & Co. (Journey of Wholeness & Be Free).  Through these two cohorts, we were able to offer Asian American pastors and ministry leaders a space of their own - where they can connect deeply with God and with others.  We saw firsthand just how powerful cohorts can be - especially in comparison to standalone retreats and even one-on-one shepherding. Through the JOW & Be Free cohorts, we were reminded that the best formation actually occurs in the context of relationships and community. 

Here are three more reasons as to why we are investing so heavily into our cohort offerings for the 2025 ministry year:
 

• Belonging & Connection: Because cohorts allow participants to engage in shared experiences, discussions, and activities - it creates a greater sense of belonging and connection within the group.
   
• Amplifies Learning & Understanding:  A cohort-based approach to learning actually amplifies and enriches the learning experience because it allows participants to draw from the insights, perspectives, and experiences of others in the group. 
   
• Catalytic & Transformational:  Shared experiences not only foster a greater sense of belonging, it actually catalyzes and deepens the formational process for participants.  

As with all of our ministry offerings through B&C, our desire is to offer these experiences to Asian American pastors and ministry leaders as a grace (no-cost) - as a tangible expression of God's gracious and generous love for us.  We are looking to raise an additional $55,000 for our cohort offerings for the 2025 ministry year.  As a 501c3 religious non-profit organization, your charitable gifts and contributions are 100% tax-deductible.  

We will be sending out more detailed information regarding these two cohort offerings from now until the end of the year.  But until then, would you prayerfully consider giving towards our year-end campaign for our 2025 cohort offerings?