Ministry Leaders’ Intensive

“I wouldn’t know how to start talking to our women about work.”
Discipleship leader at a large metropolitan church

Maybe you can relate… 

  • You’re in a leadership role at a church and long to see the women of your congregation walk with Christ in every area of their lives, but what they experience during their working hours remains a mystery to you.

  • You lead or work in organizational development for a nonprofit or parachurch ministry and would like to integrate biblical principles for women’s work and leadership into your existing strategies.

  • You work at a Christian college or lead an independent women’s group and want to add tools for vocational discipleship to your programming.

  • You may not have the title of “ministry leader,” but you disciple women for work.

Women, Work, & Calling’s Ministry Leaders’ Intensive connects your work developing female leaders to biblical principles and practical tools for vocational discipleship.

What is it?

A 5-month cohort-based experience designed to give you a biblical/theological framework and tools for vocational discipleship. The intensive draws from WWC’s years of experience equipping women for influence in public life and is built around 5 key themes:

  • Work and the Mission of God: Connect women’s work, in any form, to God’s work in the world.

  • Gaining Clarity about Calling: Every day, women hear messages about what they should—and shouldn’t—do with their gifts. We’ll help you develop a clear understanding of calling, so you can help women step confidently into their roles.

  • Tools to Disciple Women for Work: From cultivating redemptive imagination to growing in godly influence, you’ll gain practical tools to build on a biblical foundation for women’s work and leadership.

  • Soul Care for Busy Women: God invites us to walk with him in all of life, but we may neglect our inner lives on the job. You’ll learn spiritual formation practices to refresh your soul and support the women you serve.

  • Networks for Flourishing: We long for connection with like-minded women and to gain wisdom for our roles. You’ll benefit from the relationships that form within our cohorts and gain a vision for strengthening your community's relational networks.

Who can participate?

You might be a fit for the Ministry Leader Intensive if:

  • You are a church leader focused on discipleship, spiritual formation, women’s ministry, etc. You don’t need to be in a gender-specific role, but you do need to shape programming serving women.

  • You serve in a parachurch ministry or faith-based nonprofit in a role that involves ”people and culture”, spiritual formation, or leadership development.

  • You work at a Christian college or university and would like to strengthen vocational discipleship for your students.

  • You lead independently organized “women and work” programming. You don’t need the title of “ministry leader” to participate, but you DO need to develop Christian women for work.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026

APPLY FOR THE SPRING 2026 COHORT

What to expect:

  • 5 monthly, 90-minute cohort calls + 1 Kick-off call to meet your cohort

  • 2, 60-90 minute group coaching calls with members of the WWC team

  • Homework: Readings, audio content, and exercises tailored to your ministry context. Approximate time commitment outside of the cohort calls: 6-8 hours/month.

  • Practical takeaways and tools that can be adapted to your context. A deeper understanding of the needs and perspectives of women in your network through in-person interviews or surveys.

  • Relational connections with like-minded leaders.

  • Participants receive a Certificate in Women & Vocation from Denver Institute for Faith & Work.

  • COST: Valued at $950, your tuition will be determined by the size and scope of the group you lead. Please don’t let financial concerns keep you from applying!

Meeting Dates:

SPRING 2026 COHORT DATES

Monthly sessions meet via Zoom from 11:30 am-1 pm (US Mountain Time).

  • Thursday, February 12 - Kick-Off Session

  • Thursday, February 26 - Session #1

  • Thursday, March 26 - Session #2

  • Thursday, April 23 - Session #3

  • Thursday, May 24 - Session #4

  • Thursday, June 18 - Session #5

    Consistent attendance is essential for your cohort experience. Participants may miss ONE monthly session during the five-month intensive.

Questions? Please contact us at: women@denverinstitute.org

  • “I’m beginning to see the women in my care through a new lens—vocational discipleship, not just general discipleship. The needs of working women are nuanced, and many don’t even realize how much they long to connect their faith with their work. With intentionality, the Church has a powerful opportunity to meet that need.”

    Michele Bowden - Gateway Community Church (South Riding, VA)

  • “There is such a need to have theologically deep content for working women that speaks specifically to the purpose of their gifts and their work. The cohort has grounded me in biblical concepts, drawn me closer to the Lord, and given me tools and resources to use to disciple women in my life toward a relationship with Him that includes his role in their working lives.”

    Jaci Gustafson - Grace Chapel (Lincoln, NE)

  • “The Intensive was not only helpful to provide language, resources, and frameworks for vocational discipleship within my community, but was helpful to remind me of and encourage me in the very things I desire to share with others. I think this intensive was just as much for me to learn as it was for learning to teach others.”

    Mel Pipkin, Faith Co-Op (Chattanooga, TN)

  • "This was a very encouraging experience! [It] combines smart learning techniques, community building, and warm hospitality. I would definitely recommend!"

    Hannah Eagleson - Director of Partnerships & Innovation, American Science Affiliation (National)

  • "The Ministry Leaders' Intensive came at a pivotal time to prepare me for leading the Faith@Work initiative at our church. The content, teaching, and learning was excellent. It's material that I can come back to repeatedly and will help set our programming."

    Kathy Woodliff - Faith @ Work, Eastern Hills Community Church

  • “The Ministry Leaders' Intensive Cohort model encourages learning in a communal context, which sparked interesting, formative conversations and ideas that will continue to impact the way that I lead and serve in my ministry context for years to come.”

    Autumn Gardner, Fellowship Denver Church (Denver, CO)

  • “[It was] a really powerful and impactful time and learning in the foundation of God's calling. A worthwhile investment of time, resources, partnerships, and prayer in building the future of this ministry to change and support our individual and collective calling to change the world.”

    Alison Pond (College Station, TX)

  • "The curriculum, discussions, and individual work breath life into a space that is often overlooked. [The] approach and winsome style create a welcome and engaging experience that breeds thoughtful contemplation and growth."

    Jill Going - Chief People Officer, CRISTA Ministries (Seattle. WA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026

apply for the spring 2026 cohort