Lead Pastors Fellowship

Program Size

15 Lead Pastors

Cohort Size

5 People, + 1 Host

Program Length

14 Months

Applications Open

Fall 2025

The Lead Pastors Fellowship is designed to foster meaningful relationships while helping pastors sharpen their craft, reclaim their pastoral calling, and lead their congregations with renewed vigor.

The program consists of:

  • In-Person Launch Retreat: A soul enriching and refreshing retreat to launch the program, hosted at Barnabas Landing, located on Keats Island, just off the coast of BC’s Howe Sound.

  • Online Gatherings: Monthly Online Gatherings with cohort discussion opportunities. Intentionally designed to deepen relationships and learn from pastors in the Canadian context while hearing from global thought leaders.

  • City Meetups: Two inspiring City Meetups, designed to learn from and connect with other pastors in a variety of church contexts. 2026-2027 meetups will take place in Southern California and Vancouver, BC.

  • Peer Relationship: The program is designed to create opportunities for participants to have intentional personal time with both facilitating pastors and peers in the program.

Hear how The Lead Pastors Fellowship has shaped James’ story.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Lead Pastors Fellowship is for:

    1. The pastors who desires to have a faithful and fruitful ministry, ending their time in ministry still in love with Jesus.

    2. The pastor who longs to be a faithful disciple of Jesus, a good friend, spouse, parent, leader, and colleague.

    3. The pastor who has found that ministry can be lonely and is looking to build friendships with other pastors.

    4. The pastor who desires and intentional space to process vocation, calling, and personal life with like-minded peers.

  • Participants in the Lead Pastors Fellowship are currently a Lead Pastor of a church in Canada and intend to remain in their position for the entirety of the 14 month program.

  • Monthly Online Gatherings: One two hour online session every month on a Thursday morning.

    Launch Retreat on Keats Island, BC: February 3-5, 2026.

    City Meetup #1: Southern California - September 26-30, 2026

    City Meetup #2: Vancouver - February 23-26, 2027

    Outside of the above time commitments, time for personal reflection and opportunities for 1:1 touch points with cohort peers are optional.

  • Total Program Cost: $4,500

    Semester #1: $1,500

    • Orientation Call

    • Launch Retreat (Keats Island, BC)

    • Online Gatherings

    Semester #2: $1,500

    • Online Gatherings

    • SoCal City Visit

    Semester #3: $1,500

    • Online Gatherings

    • Vancouver City Visit

    Travel and accommodation costs for the city visits are not included in the program costs.

    Payment can be made in one transaction or though quarterly instalments.

    *Our program costs are subsidized thanks for to generosity of partners, donors, and churches who believe in pastors and support our work.

  • Applications for the Lead Pastors Fellowship will open on October 1, 2025.

    To receive an application link when the intake opens, please fill out our interest form.

  • Bursaries are available thanks to the generosity of partners, donors, and churches who believe in pastors and support our work. Email us at contact@thepastorate.ca to find out more about our bursary options.

  • January 22, 2026 - Orientation Gathering (Online)

    February 3-5, 2026 - Launch Retreat @ Barnabas Landing

    March 12, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    April 16, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    May 14, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    June 11, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    July 16, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    September 26-30, 2026 - City Meetup (Southern California)

    October 22, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    November 19, 2026 - Monthly Gathering

    January 14, 2027 - Monthly Gathering

    February 23-26. 2027 - City Meetup (Vancouver)

    March 18, 2027 - Monthly Gathering

    April 15, 2027 - Final Monthly Gathering