Developing Leaders: Join Ascent’s Prayer Initiative

Developing Leaders

Pray that Ascent will make and equip disciples through an authentic spiritual formation that leads to a robust biblical worldview.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when we dwell together in unity.” - Psalm 133:1, a song of Ascent

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Preparing leaders today for the Church of tomorrow is challenging. Students who feel called to vocational ministry—whether early in their educational pursuits or as career switchers later—face rising costs of living, tuition, previous school debt, and many other obstacles. And once these young leaders enter professional ministry, they face a whole new set of challenges, both personal and professional. Training, developing, and retaining church leaders is key to the future Church surviving and thriving.

Ways that Ascent is focused on this prayer initiative

Seminary Network: Ascent is fostering the formation of an emerging network of seminaries. While many brick-and-mortar seminaries and divinity schools have seen a decline in their enrollment for years, others that have focused on alternative methods of instruction have seen increases. The Seminary Network aims at making a seminary education affordable and attainable in nearly any situation. Several seminaries are in the process of discerning how they will join the movement to become a part of Ascent.

AXIS: BGAV's AXIS Ministry Academy and Resource Network offers new possibilities to laypersons who seek theological education and training for ministry but aren't pursuing a seminary degree. AXIS participants benefit from a rich, growing network of experts in their field—providing ongoing, current, and relevant resourcing and support.

Uptick: BGAV's Uptick, an Ascent partner, is a robust ministry in which small cohorts of young adults in ministry come together for an intensive, one-year opportunity with mentors, peers, and instructors to learn from each other and find support during their first years of vocational ministry. Uptick alumni often recall their experiences as not only formational but foundational in helping them find life balance and strength amidst their challenging vocational callings.

Ways you can join us in this prayer initiative RIGHT NOW

As part of our prayer initiative, Ascent is asking for everyone to join us in prayer for this and our other main initiatives. Specific ways you can pray for Developing Leaders include:

• Pray for courage and endurance for current students pursuing vocational ministry in graduate school and for those who are exploring that route, as they make decisions about seminary options and degree programs while considering God's call on their lives.
• Pray for discernment among laypeople who feel God calling them to different types and places of ministry in the Church, as they seek out appropriate training and preparation for future ministry opportunities.
• Pray for strength and wisdom in Uptick's young ministers who are in their early years of vocational ministry, and pray for them to encourage and support each other as well as their mentors.
  

You can also commit to pray over these Ascent initiatives with us by joining the movement at https://www.ascentmovement.org/prayer.  

More information and resources are available to share with your church, family, and friends.

Read more about the specifics of how to pray, sign up for the prayer initiative, and join the movement.

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