By the NA Pastoral Cohort Committee (Kevin Albright, Joshua Hong, Augustine Suh)
By the grace of God, we are thrilled to announce that the North American Pastoral Cohort (NAPC) officially launched on August 6! This new season of ministry training brings together 10 dedicated leaders from across North America to sharpen our focus on biblical discipleship. During the opening, Pastor Ron Ward emphasized the vital importance of deep biblical theological study for effective ministry leadership, while participants established a beautiful foundation of fellowship by sharing their diverse backgrounds and mission hearts.
Over the next four years, they will complete more than 24 courses. The journey has already begun with the first course, Jesus’ Radical Discipleship, led by Dr. Mark Yang, which establishes a foundational tone of holistic growth and deep biblical discipleship.
We invite our UBF community to cover these members and instructors in prayer. Please pray that as they read, write, and discuss throughout this term, their hearts would be set ablaze with renewed passion for Christ and his kingdom. May this intentional time together be a catalyst for spiritual revival and effectiveness across North America.
The first class of the Pan-EU/CIS Pastoral Cohort was conducted under the theme, Hermeneutics & New Testament Introduction (I), by Dr. Ezra Cho. This course was an essential part of the cohort curriculum, designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the Scriptures in their original language, interpret the biblical text faithfully, and preach God’s Word effectively.
The Pan-Europe/CIS Pastoral Cohort has begun its second semester of 2026 with the course, Basic and Intermediate Biblical Greek, by Dr. Ezra C. The second course commenced on June 25 and will continue through September 3, consisting of six instructional modules.
Through the Pan-Europe/CIS Pastoral Cohort, we are praying that local European and CIS leaders, together with second-generation leaders, will be equipped with sound theological knowledge and pastoral leadership, enabling them to serve as future pioneers and shepherds of their respective ministries.