Cohort

Why a Cohort

One of the greatest dangers for pastors is isolation. Left unchecked, it can lead not only to burnout but to collapse. At SOLA, we long to come alongside ministry leaders by creating a place for you to truly belong. Healthy pastors lead to healthy churches, and healthy churches cultivate a gospel culture.

The Ministry Leader Cohort is designed to give lead pastors a space where they can belong to a community of peers. Through assessments, mentoring, and resources—but most importantly, through genuine relationships—this cohort provides a place for encouragement and support. The groups are collaborative in nature, depending on one another to walk together through both formal and informal time.

Goals:

This group should be a place you can find…

  • Safety – Pastors, especially in senior roles, need a safe and understanding space to discuss personal and professional questions. This cohort offers a safe environment where pastors can openly process their thoughts and concerns with other lead pastors who understand their unique pressures.
  • Sharpening – Regular interaction with knowledgeable and experienced leaders is crucial for professional growth. The cohort provides opportunities for pastors to engage in meaningful discussions on relevant topics, helping them to grow in their calling.
  • Solutions – Ministry comes with its share of mundane questions. The cohort fosters a community where pastors can seek and share practical solutions to everyday ministry questions.
  • Support – Lead pastors, in general, have a lonely existence. We need others to cheer us on as friends.

Expectations:

  • Commitment – Participants are expected to attend at least 50% of the scheduled meetings to ensure consistent engagement and contribution to the group.
  • Facilitation – Though the groups will have a seasoned facilitator, to lead the group. The facilitator(s) may ask different members to lead discussions at times. A ministry-related question will be distributed prior to each meeting to guide the conversation.
  • Communication – Participants are encouraged to respond to each other’s group texts, where the group can quickly and in real time answer easy questions and simply listen.
  • Hosting – If the cohort meets in person, each participant’s church is responsible for offering to host one lunch which will include space (church, restaurant, home) and lunch.
  • Contribution – While there is no cost to join the cohort, participants are asked to bring to its leadership the possibility of supporting the work of SOLA Network in its mission of partnering with churches to make gospel faith normative for the emerging generation of Asian Americans and beyond.

What makes SOLA Ministry Leader Cohorts different?

  • Shared Ministry Stream – Each cohort is formed around a similar context (e.g. lead pastors, youth directors, children’s directors, etc.), allowing for relevant peer dialogue and support.
  • On-Going Friendship – These cohorts meet monthly for the duration of the year and its members can renew yearly. Some have been meeting for five years.
  • No Cost to Join – We remove financial barriers so that any qualified leader can participate.
  • Collaborative – Leaders learn from each other, not just from a single facilitator.

Cohort Facilitators

The SOLA Ministry Leader Cohorts are facilitated by seasoned ministry leaders who care about other leaders. Here are a few of our leaders:

Partnerships

SOLA Network partners with the following groups in order to provide cohorts:

  • Transforming the Bay for Christ Asian American Pastor’s Network

Testimonial

“Five years later, I’m still in the same cohort. The pandemic has passed, but ministry always brings new challenges. The group has become a place where I can be honest, receive wisdom, and walk in faith with others who understand. Ministry can be isolating, but the cohort reminds me I’m not alone.” (Eliot Luongo, The Vine Church)

“Being part of the SOLA Pastor Cohort has been so life-giving to me as I finally get to take off the hate of being a leader and a pastor and just be human-be myself-and be real with fellow brothers and co-laborers.” (Paul Kim, Good Vision Church)

“It has been such an encouragement to witness other leaders pouring their lives into the next generation- especially when it can feel like such a hard and unseen task.” (Janet Kim, Hana Church)

“There are things you just can’t really share with your congregation, and there are ideas you just have to be able to have a soundboard to help you process. And I think these cohorts provide that opportunity, not just for fellow pastors, but I believe it will be so valuable for fellow ministry leaders as well.” (Tony Nguyen, True Love Community Church)

How to Join a Cohort

In 2026, we anticipate adding the following:

  • Associate Pastor #1 So Cal
  • Associate Pastor #2 Online
  • Children’s Ministry #2 So Cal
  • Lead Pastor #1 So Cal
  • Lead Pastor #2 So Cal
  • Lead Pastor #3 So Cal
  • Lead Pastor #4 Online
  • Lead Pastor #5 So Cal
  • Lead Pastor #6 So Cal
  • Lead Pastor #7 Online
  • Lead Pastor #8 So Cal
  • Seoul Pastor #1 Seoul, Korea
  • Women’s Ministry #1 Online
  • Youth Ministry #1 So Cal
  • Youth Ministry #2 So Cal
  • TBC-AAPN: East Bay #1 Nor Cal
  • TBC-AAPN: East Bay #2 Nor Cal
  • TBC-AAPN: Peninsula Nor Cal
  • TBC-AAPN: San Francisco Nor Cal
  • TBC-AAPN: South Bay Nor Cal

Click here to express interest in joining a SOLA Ministry Leader Cohort