For leaders: Cohorts

Transformative retreats for leaders

Our core approach to helping cultivate Asian American faith leaders involves retreat-based cohort offerings. These experiences are specifically designed to foster the formation and flourishing of leaders, provided at minimal cost to participants as a reflection of Christ's gracious and generous love.

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Embark on a Journey

Journey of Wholeness (JOW) is a five-month, retreat- based cohort experience designed specifically for Asian American pastors and ministry leaders. These experiences are specifically designed to foster the formation and flourishing of leaders, provided at minimal cost to participants as a reflection of Christ’s gracious and generous love.

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our offering

Journey of Wholeness (JOW) is a five-month, retreat-based cohort experience designed specifically for Asian American pastors and ministry leaders.

We understand that a church or ministry's ability to flourish rises and falls with the health of its leaders, which is why our aim is to help leaders move toward greater wholeness and flourishing. We provide a space where leaders can step back from their regular responsibilities and respond to Jesus' invitation to "come away" and receive His gracious offer of rest for their souls. Through this unique and transformative journey, participants will cultivate a deeper life with God and experience renewal in both their faith and calling.

JOW is offered to a small cohort of ministry leaders and space is limited. All retreats take place in-person in the Southern California area.

Our next cohort begins January 2027. To apply, click the button below. If you have any questions or need help deciding whether this cohort is right for you, please contact us at info@barnabasandco.org.

SUBMIT your application

Flourish again

Go Deeper with God

When your relationship with God is enmeshed with work, it’s easy to get caught up doing ministry for God rather than cultivating a deeper life with God.

Nourish Your Soul

Ministry is hard, stressful, and lonely. While pastors and ministry leaders are entrusted with the responsibility of pouring into others, there are few who are readily pouring into them.

Find Clarity Again

We are living in uncertain times where restlessness, anxiety, and confusion abound. Leaders today are confronted with deep questions and looking for greater clarity around their identity, purpose, & calling.

Lead Out of Renewal

In a weary and broken world, we need leaders who can lead out of a place of wholeness, healing, and renewal.

Each Retreat Provides:

Valuable teaching around concepts related to formation & soul care

Opportunities to engage in life-giving spiritual practices

Space for you to recover the rest & stillness your soul seeks

Meaningful conversations with fellow pastors & leaders

Time with a dedicated guide who will listen & help you process

SUBMIT your application

FAQ

Answers to your questions

Why cohorts?

According to Barna, one of the leading reasons pastors and ministers consider leaving full-time ministry is the experience of isolation and loneliness. We believe that deep and lasting formation happens in the context of community and relationships. Our aim is to create safe, shared spaces for Asian American ministry leaders — for meaningful, life-giving connection with God and with others. To that end, we keep our cohort sizes intentionally small to foster genuine community and deeper relationships.

How much does it cost to participate?

Thanks to our generous donors, who cover the substantial majority of the cost, the participant fee for the entire cohort experience is $250, which can be paid in full or in five monthly payments. This includes all meals, overnight lodging, and materials for the five retreats. Because of the financial commitment we make upfront for each participant, this fee is non-refundable once it has reserved your spot in the cohort. Scholarships are available.

The other cost to participate is your time. The time commitment includes attending all five retreats, a one-hour Zoom call between the monthly retreats (four Zoom calls in total throughout the cohort), plus practicing prayer and reflection exercises between retreats.

What if I cannot commit to all 5 retreats in-person?

The five retreats are the core of the Journey of Wholeness experience. This is where the cohort forms, deepens, and does its most meaningful work. That is why we ask participants to commit to attending and participating in all five retreats. If you already know of a conflict with any of the retreat dates, you may note that on your application or consider applying for JOW at a later time.

Who can apply?

This cohort experience is for Asian American Christian leaders (both men and women), including pastors, ministry leaders, parachurch leaders, and missionaries. This cohort is also open to those who do not identify as Asian American but work in an Asian ministry context. Whether you serve full-time, part-time, or are currently in transition, if you are interested in taking part of this cohort experience, we encourage you to apply.

How do I apply?

Click the "Submit Your Application" button and fill out our application form. One of our team members will reach out to you to schedule a 20-minute interview call to get to know you more and answer any questions you may have. Following the interview, we'll let you know whether you've been offered a spot in the cohort.

SUBMIT your application

Testimonials

Stories of transformation

Journey of Wholeness felt like stumbling across an oasis after being lost in the desert for a long season. The content, leaders, and fellow cohorts provided a safe space to be seen as a person and not just a minister. I found healing and restoration in unexpected areas of my soul thanks to JOW.

CEO — FRANCO®

I loved JOW and know that my experience of Jesus, ministry, and family will be forever blessed because of the spiritual formation I experienced in this cohort. Within JOW, I experienced God’s love, healing, and restoration in tangible and practical ways.

CEO — FRANCO®

I am so grateful for JOW! I was so close to giving up after more than 30 years of ministry. I found hope and help for healthier engagement in the future.

CEO — FRANCO®

I began my cohort experience heavy-hearted, running on low with a lot of burdens. Each retreat was insightful, but I did not experience much change. But as we end, I see how God used ALL of the sessions to bring me to where I am now — having a healthy view of God, being hopeful about the future, and feeling so loved and seen by people. I had to trust the process, and the fruit was so worth it!

CEO — FRANCO®

JOW has invited me into heart spaces that have been very uncomfortable, but it has allowed me to be honest with myself and with others around me who have had similar experiences in ministry. It has made ministry feel less isolating and lonely.

CEO — FRANCO®

I came into JOW guarded, stuck, hurt, and confused about ministry and the character of God. JOW has given me the gift of space, tools, support, and companions to help move me forward in this healing and more hopeful journey.

CEO — FRANCO®

“Because our souls can get distracted by all the voices fighting for our attention, the space of our souls can be healthy or unhealthy. When our souls are healthy, we have a clear view of ourselves and God. When they are unhealthy, our views of self and God become distorted.”

Transformative retreats for leaders

Embark on a Journey

Journey of Wholeness (JOW) is a five-month, retreat-based cohort experience designed specifically for Asian American pastors and ministry leaders.

Flourish again

Each Retreat Provides:

Answers to your questions

Stories of transformation

“Because our souls can get distracted by all the voices fighting for our attention, the space of our souls can be healthy or unhealthy. When our souls are healthy, we have a clear view of ourselves and God. When they are unhealthy, our views of self and God become distorted.”

– Cindy Lee, Our Unforming