Ministry Leadership Cohort

Explore How Your Gifts Intersect with the Life of the Church

Join a community of learning, discernment, and formation as you explore ways to lead in the Church both locally and globally.

Walk alongside peers from many backgrounds, guided by student mentors and faithful faculty. Whether you’re considering pastoral ministry, nonprofit leadership, or simply want to grow in your faith and service, the Ministry Leadership Cohort will help you:

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.

Who can Apply?

Those entering Calvin as a first-year student in Fall 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 Calvin 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 Calvin

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 Calvin? 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!

Check out our upcoming visits

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

Cohort Application Deadlines and Interviews

Application

August 1: Applications Open

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

Apply to Calvin

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 Calvin 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 Value	Year 1	Year 2
Build community	Fall orientation Small groups One-on-one mentoring Fall retreat	Fall retreat Small groups
Practice leadership	Calvin Symposium on Worship Spring course: Ministry Leadership	Calvin 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.