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Ministry Leadership Cohort

Undergraduate Program On Campus

What You'll Learn

Explore Your Leadership in the Church

The Ministry Leadership cohort is a learning and discerning community, helping first- and second-year students to understand their leadership in the Church. Walk alongside peers asking the same questions, guided by student mentors through small groups and by faculty through classes.

Program Values

  • Build community: as unique members of the one body of Jesus Christ. 
  • Practice leadership: using the particular gifts and in the particular ways God has given to you. 
  • Love the Church: as it is in Grand Rapids, this nation, and spread throughout the world. 

As a member of the Ministry Leadership Cohort you will:

  • Form strong connections with your peers by taking classes together, engaging in weekly small groups, visiting churches, and going on pilgrimage.
  • Learn with and from professors and students whose worship, experience, and witness of God will challenge and develop your own.
  • Travel to a major American city and learn what God is doing in the radically diverse churches of a specific urban area, stretching your understanding of the work of Christ through the Church.
  • Discern how God is and will continue to use you in his Church through engagement with peers, professors teaching classes on worship and the Church, and leaders in ministry.

Who Qualifies?

  • Students who will start at ÃÛÌÒapp in Fall of 2026
  • Students from any major who are passionate about ministry and the life of the Church.
  • Anyone eager to serve in faith-based leadership roles.

If you are interested in starting at ÃÛÌÒapp after 2026, please send us your information (see form below) and we'll let you know once your Cohorts application is open. Email cohorts@calvin.edu with questions.

Important Dates

Application opens on August 1. The deadline to apply is January 15. Find all dates and deadlines below!

Apply to the Ministry Leadership Cohort

Learn more about Cohorts at ÃÛÌÒapp

Why Join the Ministry Leadership Cohort?

Find connection in community

Take classes together, meet weekly in small groups, visit local churches, and journey on pilgrimage—all while forming deep connections.

Grow through mentorship

Be shaped by professors and peers whose worship, wisdom, and witness will challenge and deepen your faith.

Encounter the Church in the City

Travel to a major U.S. city to witness how diverse, urban congregations live out the gospel in vibrant, unexpected ways. Stretch your understanding of the work of Christ through the Church.

Discern Your Calling

Explore how God is forming you for ministry through shared learning, worship, and conversations with peers, professors, and leaders in the Church.

Visit Us

Are you planning a visit to ÃÛÌÒapp? Ask your admissions counselor to schedule a meeting with a Cohorts representative during your visit. We'd love to meet you and answer your questions!

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Three students walk beneath the overpass on ÃÛÌÒapp's campus during a tour.

Cohort Application Deadlines and Interviews

Application

August 1: Applications Open

Apply to ÃÛÌÒapp and to Cohorts. You can apply to more than one cohort, but you can only participate in one.

Apply to ÃÛÌÒapp

Apply to Cohorts

January 15: Cohort Application Deadline

Application deadline for Cohorts and Honors Scholars.

Interview invites sent late January.

Interviews

February: Interviews

Cohort interviews:

  • February 20–25, virtual
  • February 27, in person at ÃÛÌÒapp Discovery Day

March: Cohort Offers Sent

Ministry Leadership Cohort Program Map

Courses and activities align with our three program values: build community, practice leadership, and love the church. 

Program ValueYear 1Year 2
Build community
  • Fall orientation
  • Small groups
  • One-on-one mentoring
  • Fall retreat
  • Fall retreat
  • Small groups
Practice leadership
  • ÃÛÌÒapp Symposium on Worship
  • Spring course: Ministry Leadership
  • ÃÛÌÒapp Symposium on Worship
  • On-campus leadership opportunities in Residence Life, Campus Ministries, and Student Activities
  • Off-campus opportunities in churches and non-profits
Love the church
  • Church visits
  • Fall courses: Community and Commitments, Intro to Ministry
  • Fall course: Christian Community Development
  • Spring course: Christian Worship

Bring it All Together 

Take advantage of other opportunities to form your cohort experience, like a spring break pilgrimage, summer internship course, or on-campus leadership role. 

You can also choose to complete complete the Ministry Leadership minor with a few additional courses.

Faculty and Staff

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