BLACK CHURCH CORNERSTONE COLLABORATIVE

The National Association of the Church of God, in partnership with the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, is offering an eight-month cohort program. This initiative is designed to equip, engage, and empower pastors, women in ministry, and ministry leaders to implement practices aligned with Jesus' mandate to make disciples through evangelism. The goal is to help churches adopt creative and empowering evangelism practices. Additionally, this program aims to empower women in ministry by providing innovative practices that help them find or reclaim their voice and value within the church as leaders. The initiative also seeks to reimagine the future possibilities for rural and small-town ministry.

2025 Cohort of Churches

Brockington Church of God, Timmonsville, SC

Rev. Patricia Kirkland, Pastor

Cove Road Church of God, Lafayette, GA

Rev. James Brown, Pastor

Evening Light Church of God, Graniteville, SC

Rev. Trevor Cropp, Pastor

First Church of God, Lenoir, NC

Rev. Jerome Pearson, Pastor

First Church of God, Madison, IL

Rev. Jeanette Cochran, Pastor

Lee Street Church of God, Darlington, SC

Rev. Robbie Shortt, Pastor

Pine Avenue Church of God, Anniston, AL

Rev. David Curtis, Pastor

Pittsboro Church of God, Pittsboro, NC

Bishop Ophelia Livingston, Pastor

Third Street Church of God, Greensboro, AL

Rev. Kervin Jones, Pastor

Wabash Church of God, Dublin, GA

Rev. Reginald May, Pastor

Eligibility Criteria

Attend a Church of God. Participate in congregational or public ministry in a rural or small town (20,000 residents or less).
Participate in monthly cohort meetings.
Identify a project to utilize a $3,000 microgrant for rural and small-town ministry.
Attend a cohort gathering at the 2026 National Association of the Church of God Camp Meeting in West Middlesex, PA (July 27–August 2, 2026).

Next Steps

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE HERE

The 2026 Cohort Application Process Opens on November 3, 2025. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2026.

Start Date

January 2026