Missions Leadership Cohort: Strengthening the Foundations of the Church Leader | Spring 2026
Next cohort begins:
March 12, 2026 | Online
Lead with Clarity. Send with Confidence.
Leading global missions in the local church can feel overwhelming. You’re managing missionaries, field partners, short-term trips, a missions budget—and you're trying to do it all while casting vision for sending.
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You don’t have to figure it out alone.
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The Missions Leadership Cohort is a three-month coaching experience designed to help local church missions leaders grow in confidence, strategy, and community. You’ll receive personalized guidance, practical tools, and a peer community that understands what you’re facing—because they’re in it too.
What to Expect
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3 months of support
One Zoom session per month with a small cohort of like-minded missions leaders, led by an experienced Upstream coach.
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One-on-one coaching
Receive a monthly coaching call from one of our Upstream leaders, Larry McCrary, Dave Childers, and Gary Eberly.
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Practical tools and frameworks
Get access to Upstream’s sending church resources and actionable templates you can start using right away.
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Personalized guidance
We’ll help you assess where your church is and how to take your next steps—no matter your size or structure.
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Peer connection
Learn with and from other leaders walking through similar challenges.
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Ongoing support
Between sessions, you'll have access to your cohort for sharing questions, updates, and encouragement.
Who Is This For?
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Missions pastors and directors, current or aspiring
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Volunteer or part-time missions leaders
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Church staff newly tasked with global outreach
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Anyone helping shape a church’s missions strategy
Cohort Schedule
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Intro Session
Thursday, Mar. 12 at 11 a.m. EST
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Session One: The ‘Head’ of a Missions Leader
Thursday, Mar. 26 at 10 a.m. EST
Key Topics: Missiology; missionary tasks; developing missions strategy (local & global); working with the lead pastor, elders, other staff; dealing with a senior pastor’s transition; passing the mission baton; influencing higher level leaders in the church
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Session Two: The ‘Heart’ and ‘Hands’ of a Missions Leader
Part 1 | Thursday, Apr. 16 at 10 a.m. EST
Key Topics: Leadership character and competencies; the importance of a missions pastor mentor/coach; how to develop healthy spiritual disciplines; developing a schedule, calendar, goal setting; leadership multiplication; developing a missions team
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Session Three: The 'Hands' of a Missions Leader
Part 2 | Thursday, May 7 at 10 a.m. EDT
Key Topics: Mission activity; trips; mobilization; communication; budget; education; partnerships with your sent ones or other churches
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What Leaders Are Saying
“The Foundations Cohort was such a blessing to me! I took this within my first year of being on the job and it has helped me have a better foundation of why I am doing what I am doing and who am I doing it for. There is a biblical element to this cohort and understanding better what my role is and how that blesses and challenges the church. I am grateful that I participated and would highly recommend this to others as well.”
—Katy Creasman, Faith Promise Church | Knoxville, TN
Details at a Glance
Start Date: March 2026
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Duration: 3 months
Cost: $750 | Each additional person from your church is only $100.
Upstream Members: Receive 10% off
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Ready to take the next step in building a healthy sending church?
Let’s Build a Better Sending Culture Together
We believe every church can be a sending church. Join a cohort and take your next step with confidence.
Questions? Contact Us