The Westward Cohort
15 guys. 12 months. Real friendship, not networking.
A year-long cohort for pastors and ministry leaders in hard places who want theological depth, real brotherhood, and brothers who actually get it.
This isn't a program. It's not another conference. It's 15 guys committed to walking together for a year—carrying each other through the weight of ministry in hard soil.
A community for pastors in hard places
If you're serving in a challenging context—church planting, revitalization, missions, or post-Christian soil—you know the isolation. Westward provides ongoing theological training, pastoral fellowship, and a supportive community of brothers committed to faithful ministry for the long haul. This cohort is designed to help you avoid burnout, stay theologically sharp, and keep going when it's hard.
what you get
Two 45-Minute Calls Per Month
24 calls over the year. Book discussions, case studies, real conversation, and pastoral application. We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 1pm EST. Calls are recorded so you never miss one.Four Books. One Year.
Each quarter we work through a carefully selected book together covering pastoral identity, preaching, leadership, and sustainable ministry. All four books ship to you in your welcome package before the cohort starts.Private Community (Discord)
Year-round access to your cohort brothers. Ask questions, share wins, process struggles, pray for each other. This isn't just twice-monthly calls—it's ongoing brotherhood.Quarterly Leadership Resources
Four practical toolkits (20-40 pages each) covering pastoral foundations, preaching, leadership, and sustainable ministry. Real tools you can use Monday morning. Not content for content's sake.Welcome Package
Before the cohort starts, you'll receive all four books plus a welcome package shipped to your door. Everything you need to hit the ground running in September.Direct Access
You're not consuming content from a distance. You have direct access to the Westward Team and the other guys in your cohort. Real relationships built over 12 months of walking together.How the Year Works
The cohort runs from September 2026 through August 2027.
Kickoff
Your welcome package arrives with everything you need. We gather on Zoom before the first official call—put faces to names, get oriented, and get started.Quarter 1: Foundations
Two calls per month. First book. First quarterly resource. We start with identity before strategy—who you are as a pastor before what you do as a pastor. You're getting to know the guys and realizing you're not as alone as you thought.Quarter 2: Preaching
Two calls per month. Second book. Second quarterly resource. Your primary work is the Word. We go deep on preaching faithfully to people in hard soil. By now the brotherhood is real and conversations get honest.Quarter 3: Leadership
Two calls per month. Third book. Third quarterly resource. Leading in hard places means old maps don't work. We wrestle with shepherding, developing leaders, and staying the course when it's slow.Quarter 4: Endurance
Two calls per month. Fourth book. Final quarterly resource. The long game. Sustainability, sabbath, and what it looks like to still be standing in 20 years. Year-end debrief and renewal decisions for Year 2.Who This Is For
The Westward Cohort is for pastors and ministry leaders who:The Westward Cohort is for pastors and ministry leaders who:
- Affirm our Statement of Faith
- Are gospel-centered and committed to the local church
- Are leading in hard places—church planting, revitalization, missions, post-Christian contexts
- Want depth and brotherhood, not quick fixes or networking
- Are in it for the long haul
This includes:
- Lead/Senior Pastors
- Church Planters
- Missionaries
- Associate Pastors
- Bivocational Pastors
Only 15 spots. We keep it small so it stays real.
Investment
$999/year
This includes everything: monthly calls, private community, quarterly resources, in-person gathering (all meals), welcome package, and direct access to your cohort brothers.
Payment Options:
Pay in full: $999
Monthly: $99/month (12 months)
Split payment: $549 now + $549 in March 2027
For Churches: Many pastors have their church cover this as a professional development investment. We encourage you to ask your elders if the church can support your participation. $999/year = $83/month—less than most churches spend on coffee.
Scholarships: We know many pastors in hard places are bivocational, church planting, or in contexts where finances are tight. We don't want cost to be a barrier. If $999 is genuinely prohibitive, indicate on your application that you'd like to be considered for a scholarship. Limited spots available.
FAQs
What if I can't make a monthly call?
1
Every call is recorded. You'll have access to the recording within 24 hours. Life happens—we get it.
What if my church can't pay and I can't afford it?
2
Apply for a scholarship. We have limited spots for pastors in contexts where $999 is genuinely prohibitive. Don't let finances keep you from applying.
Is this only for senior/lead pastors?
3
No. It's for anyone in pastoral ministry—lead pastors, church planters, missionaries, associates, worship pastors with pastoral responsibilities, bivocational leaders. If you're shepherding people and leading in a hard place, you're welcome.
What if I need to drop out mid-year?
4
Life happens. If you need to leave the cohort, just let us know. We can't offer refunds, but we'll support you however we can.
Yes. At the end of Year 1, you'll have the option to renew for Year 2 with the same cohort. We expect high retention because real brotherhood is built over years, not months.
Pray about it. Talk to your wife, your elders, your trusted brothers. If you're in a hard place and need depth and brotherhood, this is probably for you. If you're looking for quick growth strategies or networking opportunities, it's not.
Will there be a Year 2?
5
How do I know if this is right for me?
6
Ready to Join?
Applications open June 2026. Only 15 spots available.
Get on the waitlist and we'll email you when it's time to apply.
This isn't a quick decision. Take your time. Pray about it. But if God's calling you into this, don't wait.