The Junia Network: Cultivating Women’s Leadership for the Church’s Future

In a crowded room at Columbia Church in Falls Church, Virginia, something more than a training was taking place. Church leaders from seven states and four denominations had gathered for the firs t Vital Preschools Project immersion — an initiative helping congregations see weekday preschools and child development centers not simply as childcare programs, but as mission-critical spaces for evangelism and discipleship. The vision is both simple and strategic: what if the church’s most consistent connection to unchurched families isn’t Sunday morning—but Monday through Friday? “Preschool is where the most unchurched families walk through your doors every day,” said co-curator Lora Gravatt. For many churches, that daily rhythm offers trusted, relational access to families who might never initially attend worship but will readily enter the building for their children. Drop-off lines, parent-teacher conferences, chapel services, and seasonal programs become moments of pastoral presence and spiritual invitation. University Methodist Church in San Antonio has experienced this firsthand. “There’s no other ministry that provides greater long-term access to families,” said Lead Pastor Ben Trammell. When aligned intentionally with the church’s mission, preschool becomes not an auxiliary program but a formative on-ramp into congregational life. Following that momentum-building gathering in March 2025, the Vital Preschools Initiative has been developing the capacity to expand its reach. Over the coming year, leaders are working to recruit and connect senior pastors, preschool directors, and children’s ministry leaders nationwide. Plans include launching a tiered consulting model offering coaching, site visits, strategy cohorts, and church assessments—tools designed to help congregations strengthen or realign their weekday ministries. The initiative also aims to curate practical resources—from licensing templates and hiring models to integration guides and training tools—equipping churches to start or re-envision preschools as vibrant ministries rooted in their mission. Rather than prescribing a single model, the Vital Preschools Project seeks to serve as a strategic guide for churches exploring early childhood education as a discipleship and outreach pathway. What unites this growing network is a shared conviction: families are already walking through church doors. The question is whether congregations will recognize the opportunity. As Gravatt puts it, “We’re not just planting seeds in kids—we’re watering the ground their families walk on.”

For Raphael Anzenberger , ministry in Canada means working at the outer edges of Christian presence—and doing so collaboratively. Anzenberger serves as Executive Director of the Quebec Network of Evangelical Churches and Executive Minister of the French Baptist Union, two roles that place him at the center of mission and church-planting efforts across French-speaking Canada. Quebec, where Anzenberger focuses much of his work, is home to more than seven million French speakers—yet fewer than three percent are connected to Christian congregations of any tradition. That reality makes French-speaking Quebec the largest unreached people group in North America. “Our approach,” Anzenberger explains, “targets four types of evangelical deserts—geographic, ethnic, cultural, and humanitarian.” Across each of these spaces, the goal is the same: to plant reproducible, disciple-making congregations.  The challenge is not only spiritual distance, but institutional resistance. In Quebec particularly, Anzenberger describes an aggressive posture by the provincial government toward religion. His organizations are currently engaged in legal battles to preserve the freedom to practice and express faith in the public square. Ministering in this context requires courage , creativity, and sustained cooperation. Yet Anzenberger is quick to name the unexpected advantages. In highly secular environments, Christian leaders often find themselves working together with renewed urgency. Across Quebec, evangelical churches and agencies—often separated by tradition elsewhere—are partnering closely in evangelism, church planting, and public theology. “There is an unprecedented level of collaboration,” he says, born not of convenience, but necessity. That spirit of collaboration shapes how Anzenberger sees the future of ministry. Drawing on the idea of rupture in cultural and spiritual life, he argues that churches must respond collectively to the shift from a Christian to a post-Christian era. He quotes Prime Minister Mark Carney, from his recent speech in Davos, as a warning: “If we are not around the table, we will be on the menu of secularism.” This conviction has led to increased investment in innovation, mission strategy, and new models of theological education. Anzenberger first connected with Ascent through a Canadian partner ( Canadian Baptist Ministries ) and immediately resonated with its emphasis on collaboration and mission. For him, Ascent reflects a posture the church urgently needs. “Ascent is an opportunity to do ministry not from a place of certitude,” he says, “but from a place of learning—a place for friends to journey together in mission .” From Quebec and beyond, Anzenberger believes Canada offers a glimpse of what lies ahead for the North American church. In that sense, learning together is not optional—it is essential.

I first heard about the Ascent movement through its founding director, Chris Backert, when he approached me to share about a new kind of missional network that he and some others had been exploring and praying about. The goal was not so much to create a new network as it was to spark a catalytic movement of God among similarly kingdom-minded individuals. Despite my initial skepticism (I had heard of similar attempts from others that had either failed or were really no different in orientation than other such entities), I became intrigued by what I learned about Ascent. Rather than a top-down approach being imposed by a few individuals, I sensed a much more organic, grass-roots reality that closely resembled other times in history where God’s Spirit moved among the people. Rather than Ascent belonging to one denomination, I witnessed a variety of individuals responding to Ascent from across denominational lines through a myriad of gospel-centered tribes and traditions—all with the goal of living out the kingdom of God through the local church. And in a time when division seems to be occurring at every turn, I experienced a wonderful (and refreshing) spirit of unity among those in the Ascent movement. Perhaps most significantly, I have been blessed to observe those seeking to serve God through the Ascent movement do so with genuinely humble, faithful, and focused hearts on the Lord. I increasingly believe that Ascent is needed for a time such as the one we find ourselves in. I say this because in a time of increased division and religious fracturing, Ascent is proactively providing a wonderful alternative—which is a unifying movement for God’s church focused on the missional impulse of the kingdom of God, grounded in the love of Christ, and enlivened through the Holy Spirit in today’s local church. Ascent is uniquely responding to real needs that today’s local churches are facing, without getting caught up in institutional baggage and machinery. I have found there to be a reciprocal relationship between Ascent and its partner organizations in that Ascent recognizes we can do more together than apart. Thus Ascent can provide immediate disaster relief, relevant formational opportunities, significant leadership resources, and meaningful connections for local churches that local churches on their own cannot do. At the same time, Ascent benefits from partner organizations as those organizations invest in the missional movement that Ascent fosters, allowing Ascent to serve as a counter-cultural witness to the world of what is possible when Christians from various backgrounds come together with the commonality of a kingdom-minded approach. I’ve now had the privilege of serving on the Ascent Steering Council for the last three years. It gives me great joy to be a part of Ascent, because I believe the world needs the encouragement and witness of what can happen when God’s people are motivated by commonality of purpose for God’s kingdom, rather than our own. I look forward to how the Lord will continue to use Ascent in the fostering of God’s kingdom in the days ahead. Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake currently serves as lead pastor of First Church in Williamsport, PA.

Most followers of Jesus have encountered the common perception that local churches and the Christians who comprise them are “narrow minded”. In a world where there are few commonly regarded absolutes in matters of faith and belief, Christians can often be perceived as both exclusive and “old fashioned”. Yet, the historic Christian faith is one of the most inclusive realities that the world has ever experienced. Faith has transcended thousands of years across every continent and received and lived among vastly different groups of people. It knows no bounds of race, ethnicity, or gender, and includes those who have failed both miserably and morally throughout the course of their lives. It is incredibly inclusive – yet in a profoundly exclusive kind of way. Of course, this is not surprising because Jesus himself, in perhaps some of his most famous words, reminds us that “broad is the road that leads to destruction, and narrow is the way that leads to life”. One of the foundational principles of the kingdom of God is the great irony that the way of Jesus is hard to find, but it is meant to be found. Within this simple axiom is a directive that stands at the core of the mission of the church, particularly in this moment in history. We must help people discover something that is hard to find. But, of course, we must find it ourselves before we can show others how to get there. At the upcoming Multiply Summit , held February 24-26 just outside Washington D.C., we will explore the ways of Jesus that lead to life, even though in our modern world they can be hard to find. Yet, life is the goal that we are striving toward, and that pursuit is true at the depths of almost every person. It is that common search that holds the key to more people finding life in the kingdom of God. Therefore, we need to explore every possible way to help our friends and neighbors discover the narrow way. Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, NY and bestselling author, will be our special guest for the Multiply Summit . Along with Rich helping us discover the life-giving way of Jesus, we will also have workshops and conversations that address the practical realities of carrying each of us forward in our mission of multiplication within the communities where we find ourselves. Due to a special contribution from the EverBless Foundation , we are able to make registration for first-time attendees available at the low early-bird price of only $99. Register between now and November 30 th to receive this phenomenal price if you are first-time participant. The Multiply Summit is hosted by both the Ascent Movement and its partner for church planting, the Ecclesia Network . This discounted registration rate is available to those connected with both ministries.

We are living on the epicenter of missiological shifting plates. Long-held beliefs that once defined mission in the 20th century - theologically clear sending centers, physical receiving fields, established ecclesial structures, and culturally dominant forms of Christianity - no longer align with the shifting landscapes we face. Migration, demographics, and the decentralization of influence are seismic plates reshaping the mission in every generation. Mission today is less from the hub to the outskirts and more from the outskirts to the hub. The margins are now bubbling epicenters of global missions - a hotspot of evangelism and discipleship brimming with theological insight, spiritual depth, and missionary innovation. Those from the two-thirds world possess centuries of faithful mission activity behind them, and the missiological tremors they send throughout Christendom demand that the Church reimagine how we together embody ecclesia on mission. The Jerusalem church experienced a profound transformation as the missionary movement in Antioch ignited a dynamic shift in the mission and life of the early Church. Key assumptions about who sent, who received, who led, and who defined the mission were turned upside down. The Ascent Movement understands the new dynamic flourishing across the New Testament and throughout church history. For that reason, our Sending and Receiving framework serves as an ecclesiological immediate response. Our framework envisions a reciprocal mission grounded in the Missio Dei. It reflects the realities present in Latino churches across North America, including revival-oriented spirituality, authentic discipleship, apostolic flexibility, and contextual innovation. Sending and Receiving both names what the Spirit is already doing through Latino churches and invites the broader Church to respond in humility, partnership, and openness to being changed by Latino leaders. Latino churches are the miraculous power of revival and are called to multiply that revival , sending not just to receive ministry from others but to generate a gospel movement. Many first-generation Latino churches come to faith, comingled with experiences of displacement, economic marginalization, and cultural negotiation. Other Latino congregations have been prayerfully rooted and gathering throughout generations, centered around familial or cultural ties. What many of these communities have in common is that their faith has been cultivated and stretched through life - driven by Spirit-led resilience. Leaders emerging from these contexts are forged through life-and-death faith situations and the anxieties of persecution. Instead of relying on an imported discipleship program, these communities have mastered transmitting faith through testimony, discipleship through mentorship, and spiritual practices woven into the fabric of everyday life. Simply put, many Latino churches operate according to ecclesial models that value the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, evangelism at all costs, a highly relational approach, and spiritual formation. At Ascent, I believe Latino churches stand at the epicenter of missional transformation - redefining what it means to be the Church in North America. Rev. Dr. Eliseo A. Mejia is the National Director of Ascent Missional Engagement.

Over the last two-plus years I have been asked on multiple occasions, “Why Ascent? Why Now?” While the answer to these two questions could be lengthy, it can essentially be distilled around three clear ideas. First, we are unequivocally in a time of decline and rebirth when it comes to the vitality of the gospel in and through North America. We need fresh attempts at re-engaging the continent with the gospel. It’s clear this is something the Holy Spirit is already doing in our midst; the church must cooperate more fully in this moment. Second, cooperation has always been essential for a broad and wide impact on the continent. The era of non-denominationalism and congregations and leaders operating in isolation, disconnected from one another, has not had the effect of growing the church on the continent. Yet at the same time, the primary historic means of cooperation that have come through more denominational structures have clearly faltered and are no longer capable of achieving the faithful ends we seek. Finally, the landscape of church and mission has shifted drastically . In our broader social context, we are in an era of rupture and realignment. This is true just as much ecclesiologically as it is geo-politically or technologically. The old alliances of cooperation have largely died, and we believe the time for new alliances, built on a shared theological and missiological foundation that is not encumbered by former denominational polities or non-denominational impulses, has arrived. Ascent is an example of the realignment the Holy Spirit is maneuvering throughout the church. In our leadership, and together in presence at this inaugural Ascent Summit, are Methodists and Baptists, Anglican/Episcopalians and Mennonites, Charismatics and Congregationalists. There are Canadians and Cubans, United States Americans, and Latin Americans. There are those focused domestically and those focused globally. We are from large churches and small, urban and rural. Yet, we share a common DNA grounded in a generous and generative joyful evangelical witness, conviction with compassion, and coherence without control. We invite you to explore deeper engagement with the Ascent Movement. Our hope is that you’ll find encouragement for the mission of re-engaging the continent with the gospel and discover meaningful ways to connect with Ascent’s people and initiatives. If you long to see gospel renewal grounded in a global evangelical witness, consider how your path might join ours in Christ’s mission. Chris Backert is Senior Director of the Ascent Movement.

Although Christmas may still feel a long way off, the season of Advent will be here before we know it. While Christmas is often filled with celebration, traditions, and activity, Advent invites us to slow down and turn our hearts toward a God who has come near - who was present in the past, is with us now, and is still to come. Advent reminds us that God is near to our wonderings and wanderings, our anxieties and hopes, our hurts and longings. Often, He makes His nearness known through His people. This makes Advent both personal and collective: we draw near to God while also drawing near to the people and places where He is already at work. This year, we invite you to sign up for the Ascent Advent journey - a daily opportunity to prepare your heart for Christmas and reflect on the God who draws near. Each day, you’ll receive a short devotional and a story from one of our Ascent Global partners, offering a glimpse of how God is at work around the world. Along the way, you’ll also have the opportunity to support this work through a special Advent gift. Or, perhaps your congregation would be willing to be part of the Ascent Advent Journey and share the daily devotional resource and consider participating in the offering? If so, please indicate your interest here . Our 2026 goal is $50,000, with the potential to impact thousands of lives. We invite you to join us this Advent as we celebrate the God who has come near and seek to carry His presence into our world. Chris Backert Senior Director, The Ascent Movement

Purpose Church is a young and growing congregation taking root in Magnolia, Delaware, just south of Dover. Planted by Pastor William A. Guy and his wife, Tramaine. Purpose Church was launched with a clear conviction: that every person has a God-given purpose waiting to be discovered and lived out in everyday life. The church’s early growth reflects that clarity. What began as a small gathering in a local fire hall soon outgrew its space, leading the congregation to relocate to Robinson Elementary School. That move signaled not only numerical growth, but a widening sense of engagement within the surrounding community. Purpose Church has quickly become a place marked by warmth, accessibility, and cultural diversity - intentional qualities in a region shaped by both longstanding roots and steady change. Pastor Guy’s own journey informs the church’s posture. He came to faith while attending Delaware State University, where he was active in campus ministry and athletics. Over more than two decades of ministry, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as an Air Force chaplain and a board-certified life coach. Those experiences shape a pastoral approach that attends to spiritual formation while also addressing emotional and relational wholeness. At its core, Purpose Church seeks to be practical and invitational . Worship gatherings emphasize clear teaching, meaningful relationships, and a sense of belonging for people from a wide range of backgrounds. “We want to help people uncover their purpose,” Guy explains, “and live it out in their families, workplaces, and communities.” As an Ascent–affiliated congregation, Purpose Church is part of a broader effort to plant churches that are both locally rooted and thoughtfully supported. That connection provides space for collaboration, shared wisdom, and long-term sustainability as the church matures. Still early in its journey, Purpose Church is focused on building a healthy foundation—one shaped by clarity of mission, strong relationships, and a steady commitment to helping people live into the purpose God has placed within them. Learn more about Ascent’s Genesis Church Planters Cohort here .

As we witness the great unraveling of the Church in the West, the institutions and structures that have held our ecclesial expressions together for centuries no longer feel as sturdy and sure as they once did. In the midst of this slow and painful disintegration, the threads of love and shared mission that weave together the followers of Christ now feel strained at best. We have likely all experienced Christian unity becoming a casualty of competing worldviews. As I try to do my small part in preventing the shards from splintering further, mostly with little success, I admit there is still a longing for something intangible from our past reality. While the past was likely never as idyllic as my faulty memory suggests, I find myself wondering: What is it that I still long for? I suspect I’m not alone in wishing that the very best parts of who we were might somehow miraculously survive this current fragmentation. I think it is this: our triune God reminds us that we were made for community . Relationship is not incidental to our faith; it reflects our deep need for one another. We long for companions who will walk with us and pray for us, who will celebrate and grieve alongside us. We need people to learn from and to listen to, people who will offer wise counsel, and people who will love us enough to tell us when we’re wrong. Perhaps some of us who have eagerly stepped into the Ascent Movement have felt the absence of that shared tether - the common rope that binds us together in witness and service in our neighborhoods, countries, and the world as we proclaim and demonstrate our shared faith to build God’s kingdom. As its name suggests, Ascent calls us toward something higher . As CBM, we have found unexpected fellowship and shared purpose within this network, which brings together a surprising mix of like-hearted churches and organizations united through the task of reimagining possibilities for the Church in North America in this generation and the next. To join Ascent is to make an intentional choice to share life with other disciples, rooted in the conviction that it is still possible to remain bound together by love and hope even amid profound diversity. Together we bear witness to choosing faithfulness over efficiency, committing ourselves to continue saying yes to joining God in the work he is already doing in this time and place, despite our differences. As companions forging a new shared path forward, the road at times may feel unfamiliar, yet we hold on with certainty that God is doing something new and greater than we can possibly hope or imagine. Jennifer Lau is executive director of Canadian Baptist Ministries and serves as a council member for Ascent.