How to Lead and Disciple in a Polarized World

Together we’ll explore six aspects of the words, works, ways, and wisdom of Jesus needed to lead skillfully and faithfully in a polarized world. 

Join a diverse learning community from across the U.S., Canada, and beyond in a six-week discipleship and leadership exploration. This community will learn from experienced leaders from a diverse range of expertise in each of the six aspects of this Jesus-centered approach.

This six-week cohort-based learning community features facilitated small group learning, weekly spiritual practices, live interaction with thought leaders, optional one-on-one coaching, interactive online forums, and expert-curated learning resources.

This OLC will focus on the inner and outer worlds of leadership and discipleship to Jesus. Participants will be equipped to understand and address: 

  • The root causes of polarization unfolding in our broader culture 

  • The implications of Jesus’ core message and vocation for discipleship, mission, and nonviolent peacemaking enemy love. 

  • How a centered-set discipleship paradigm can equip new postures and mindsets for approaching polarization in our communities.

  • How Jesus can transform polarization in our own hearts as leaders.

  • How an overly Eurocentric Gospel can stifle ethnic and racial diversity in churches.

  • How a Jesus-centered faith calls us to address systemic polarization across race, economics, and political lines.

# What is an OLC?

Learn more from OLC facilitators Jon Hand and Keith Smith as they talk about this OLC and the impact it can have on your leadership and discipleship.

# Who’s this for?

  • You are a highly motivated person seeking a brave, safe community to be unsettled, challenged, and equipped with the implications of the Jesus-centered way in a polarized world.
  • Learn with other hungry leaders from diverse contexts how to put Jesus back in the center and transform the polarization in you and around you.
  • For pastors, leaders of Christian organizations, kingdom-minded business leaders, and those eager to be uncomfortably renewed in the radical call of discipleship to Jesus.

# What are others saying?

What are other leaders saying about this experience?

The content was great. Challenging and transformative. The interactions with thought leaders were priceless. The relationships gained are ones that will last a lifetime. The transformation brought is beyond words … Jesus has been made more real to me than ever before.” 

- Josh, Young Adult Pastor

The OLC exceeded my expectations. When my friends and family asked me about the class I said it was one of the hardest things I have done in a long time AND I love it. It stretched me theologically and intellectually.” 

-Gail, Church Leader

We got to wrestle through these difficult subjects together and to hear what God is doing around the world through others and the struggles that other leaders are facing … It created a learning environment that was not only safe, but brave.”

‑Christine, Lead Pastor

Over the course of the past several years I’ve felt an increased leadership burden. The Jesus Collective OLC was a game changer for me; I now feel more optimistic in my ministry and leadership.”

‑Evan, Lead Pastor

# What to expect?

  • Weekly Jesus-centered spiritual practices to transform your life & ministry
  • Three optional one-on-one coaching sessions with an experienced Jesus-centered coach
  • A combination of interactive online forums and small group learning
  • Professionally curated learning resources (texts, videos, podcasts, etc.)
  • Jesus-centered equipping you can take back to your ministry context
  • Live weekly engagement with a range of highly experienced practitioner / thought leaders

# Course Schedule

January 25 through March 072024

Time Investment: Approximately 15 hours/​week

  • Zoom Gatherings (Wednesdays from 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET)

  • Bi-weekly facilitated smaller group for peer coaching and deepening the learning

  • 3 high impact coaching sessions (optional)

  • Curated weekly assignments for reflection, communal response, and application in the online platform 

  • Curated weekly learning resources 

  • Spiritual practices

Weekly Focal Points: 

  • Week 1 — Jan 25, 1:00 – 4:00PM ET — Introduction: What do we mean by Jesus-centered?
  • Week 2- Feb 01, 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET — Krista-Dawn Kimsey — What do we mean by Jesus-centered?
  • Week 3 — Feb 08, 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET — Betty Pries — What’s at the heart of polarization? 
  • Week 4 — Feb 15, 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET — Drew Hart — Jesus, Power, and Racial Reconciliation 
  • Week 5 — Feb 22, 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET — Christie Penner Worden — Jesus, Family, and Bridging Gen Z 
  • Week 6 — Feb 29, 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET — Issa Embombolo — Jesus and loving your ideological enemies 
  • Week 7 — March 07, 1:00 – 3:15 PM ET — Greg Boyd — Implications of the cross and resurrection in a polarized world. 

# Contributors

Meet a few of the contributors… 

Pries Betty lo res sqr

Betty Pries

Co-Founder and CEO at Credence & Co

With over 28 years of experience coaching, mediating, training, facilitating, and consulting, Betty is highly regarded as a Conflict, Change, and Leadership Specialist. Betty specializes in working with complex challenges, supporting leaders and their organizations to be at their best. Additionally, Betty is a specialist in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), leading anti-racism/anti-prejudice workshops, supporting EDI related challenges. 

Christieupdated

Christie Penner Worden

Chief Mission Officer - RaiseUpFaith

Christie serves as the Chief Mission Officer for RaiseUpFaith, a faith-based media platform dedicated to inspiring and equipping children and leaders to lead joy-filled lives centered on Jesus for the Kingdom. She passionately shares her vision for children’s ministry with adults, encouraging innovative methods of discipleship and paving the way for children to embrace their Kingdom purpose. 

Issa photo2

Issa Ebombolo

Peacebuilding Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)

An expert in peace and conflict transformation. Issa spent years building a highly transformational approach to conflict resolution called Peace Clubs. Peace Clubs are now in multiple countries in Southern Africa and are invited by governments to run in schools, prisons, and conflict hot spots. Issa currently holds the position of Peacebuilding Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Zambia and Malawi. MCC is a global relief and development agency focused on transformation through peace building.

Greg Boyd

Greg Boyd

Senior Pastor - Woodland Hills Church, St. Paul, MN

Greg is a former atheist, theologian, author, and senior pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary and has authored or co-authored 18 books, including the best-selling and award-winning Letters From a Skeptic and The Myth of a Christian Nation.

Krista

Krista-Dawn Kimsey

Co-Founder, Director of Learning and Innovation of Servant Partners Canada

Krista-Dawn Kimsey is a Ukrainian-German Canadian settler living on Treaty 6 territory and homeland of the Métis. She serves on the Executive Team of Servant Partners Canada as a Co-Founder and Director of Learning and Innovation. For 27 years her vocational passion has been to facilitate creative and transformational learning experiences within the small c and big C Church to disciple, train and coach leaders towards greater global justice.

Drew hart

Drew Hart

Theology professor, author, and activist with extensive pastoral experience

Drew G. I. Hart holds degrees in biblical studies, divinity with an urban focus, and a PhD in theology and ethics. Drew teaches theology at Messiah College and actively partners with community groups and churches nationwide, conducting anti-racism training, seminars, and lectures on various topics. He is known for addressing the intersections of white supremacy, racism, and Western Christianity, alongside discussions on Christian discipleship, liberation, peacemaking, and urban ministry. Drew hosts the blog Taking Jesus Seriously’ on Christian Century and occasionally writes for The Mennonite. He is the author of two books including, Who Will Be A Witness: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance’ and resides in Harrisburg, PA, with his wife and three sons.

# Investment


Early Bird Rates — Ends December 01

Regular: $540 CAD** (Approx. 400 USD)

Jesus Collective Partner Rate: $150 CAD


Regular Rates — 

Regular: $600 CAD** (Approx. 440 USD
Jesus Collective Partner Rate: $200 CAD
**We have high impact coaching available from trained coaches who know Jesus Collective and excel at catalyzing leaders professionally, personally, and spiritually. For an adjustment to the price a Coaching Bundle with three sessions is available to OLC participants. Traditionally, in our OLCs, coaching has been a high ranking component of the OLC experience. 
*plus the purchase of two books
***USD rates are approximate based on current exchange rates


Curious about Jesus Collective Partnership? Let’s talk.

Stretched financially? Let’s talk.

# Course Leaders

Who’s leading this Online Learning Collective?

Jon Hand app

Jon Hand

Online Learning Collective Course Facilitator

I’m the Leadership Formation Pastor at Jesus Collective, which means I give point leadership to our equipping, training, and developmental environments. I’ve been in leadership of Jesus Collective leadership since our beginning in 2019 and am passionate about equipping and creating highly impactful spaces for leadership to experience a deeper Jesus-centered formation. I’m a third-generation pastor and life-long student of local church ministry. I’ve been in pastoral ministry for over 25 years, working as a youth pastor, church planter, and denominational leader.

Keith Smith OLC

Keith Smith

Online Learning Collective Course Facilitator

I’m a storyteller, speaker, and the Senior Pastor of Gateway Church in Wooster, Ohio. I come alive when sharing about the mystery and beauty of the gospel and the finished work of the cross.