Cultivating Diverse Leadership for Churches in California Central Valley
Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary’s (Fresno Pacific University) project, “Cultivating Diverse Leadership in California’s Central Valley,” will allow the seminary to cultivate deeper relationships with diverse ministry leaders in California’s Central Valley. The seminary will accomplish this through dissertation fellowships, partnerships with church leaders, raising funds for student scholarships, and reimagining our curricular offerings.
Mariah Cushing, the Pathways Grant Program Director, details the project’s progress.
Briefly describe the project.
The project, “Cultivating Diverse Leadership for Churches in California Central Valley,” focuses on enhancing diversity in church leadership and supporting diverse leaders. Among its key initiatives is fundraising for scholarships, and to advance this effort, we’ve hired a full-time fundraiser to connect with donors and raise funds for ministry students going to the seminary.
Additionally, we’re strengthening our partnerships with local churches to better connect students with their congregations. To lead this effort, we’ve appointed a Director of Partnership and External Relations, who is actively engaging with church leaders, from local communities to national figures, and providing tailored training for students that directly ties into church initiatives. This integrated approach is uniting our institution, churches, and students in a dynamic network of support and collaboration.
We host the Visiting Pastors Series, where distinguished pastors – often national directors – lead a full schedule of events. This series brings together local churches and students in seminar-style sessions, fostering dynamic discussions among students, university leaders, and local pastors.
Additionally, we’ve overhauled our on-campus ministry programs by redesigning our curriculum into a cohort-based model. Recognizing that many of our students are already serving in churches and seek further guidance, we now offer weekly evening sessions throughout their degree. This format not only addresses the real-world challenges they face in ministry but also builds a supportive learning community.
By actively listening to our students and understanding the current issues within the church, we’re tailoring our offerings to better prepare them for ministry. Our marketing efforts are integral in sharing the benefits of these innovative cohort-style seminary programs.
What have you learned so far?
One of the key lessons we’ve learned is the growing need for change in seminaries. By focusing on a student-centered approach, we’re seeing positive responses both academically and in terms of enrollment. Students are drawn to a program that meets them where they are in their ministry. This approach is new for us and truly refreshing. Several alumni have visited and expressed how much they wish this model had existed during their time, noting how the structure helped them balance work, life, and family. The cohort model, which fosters a sense of community and mutual support, has proven to be incredibly enriching and valuable. for 10 seconds
What has surprised you along the way?
We’re pleasantly surprised by how well the students have responded to the change. Not only are they actively participating, but they’re also recommending the program to others, and our enrollment has returned to pre-COVID levels – a truly significant outcome.
We had a hunch that holding a cohort meeting on a weeknight would work, even though we only had anecdotal evidence to go on. Many students mentioned that they couldn’t attend the 9:00 a.m. Thursday sessions because of work, so a weeknight alternative made sense. We’re delighted to see that this approach has exceeded our expectations.
What have been a few of your successes?
Our success with the cohort model is truly noteworthy. Transforming the curriculum into a cohort-based format required significant time and energy, along with learning how to effectively run the new class structure. Securing faculty buy-in was a major achievement. Additionally, the fundraising position we established has proven to be a unique success. I haven’t heard of any other institution that has allocated funding to create a role solely focused on raising funds. Although our goal was to raise $200,000, we’ve already generated $70,000 in one year – all of which goes directly to students. This is an innovative way to leverage the grant.
What aspects of the project are you hopeful about?
We remain optimistic that this fundraising position will continue to engage new donors, alumni, and churches. We believe it will pave the way for long-term sustainability while also better equipping future church leaders to serve their communities. So far, it’s working well, and we’re very encouraged by its progress.
What are you learning that could help other schools?
As an embedded seminary for nearly 15 years, we’ve come to appreciate the tremendous support from the wider university community. Our encouraging president has played a crucial role in making this possible and has truly made a difference. The shift toward a student-centered approach has also been embraced by the broader University of Fresno Pacific, which has facilitated change within the seminary. The response from students has been positive, and it’s an exciting time as we see the positive outcomes. In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, moments of hope like these are incredibly valuable. At Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, we’re excited about continuing to meet student needs, actively listen to them, and collaborate with faculty to provide the resources necessary to help them thrive. for 5 seconds
Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary develops Kingdom-minded leaders for the church and the world by offering accessible and affordable educational programs that integrate spirited inquiry, transformative reflection and practical know-how. Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary