(Originally posted at Marko's Blog ... edited a wee bit for my site)

2014 has been a banner year for the Youth Ministry Coaching Program, with 6 full cohorts operating in Nashville, Orange County, CA (Women in YM), South Carolina (UMC), North Carolina (UMC), Pittsburgh (PCUSA), and the new SoCal Presby cohort (PCUSA) kicking off in Pasadena, CA in a couple weeks. But we’re actively working to open up cohorts (a cohort is a word used for “learning group,” in this case, is 10 youth workers) for 2015.

YMCP, in case you don’t know, is a whole-life personal and leadership development program for youth workers. You’ll find a safe group of peers who listen and speak into your life, as well as training and personal application from the lead coach. it’s full of variety and customization. Most cohorts meet six times, for two days each time, with online interaction and coaching phone calls in-between meetings. After the current cohorts wrap up, we’ll have more than 200 grads who unanimously say it was one of the most significant growth experiences they’ve ever been through. Learn more about YMCP, and download an overview document, here.

Here’s what we have open now for 2015, with a few extras that we’re considering…

San Diego cohort Location: San Diego (duh) Launch date: Hopefully January 2015 Coaches: Mark Oestreicher and April Diaz (two coaches for the price of one!) Approach: full ‘open’ cohort (anyone can be in it), with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month) Price: $3000 (We only have 2 or 3 spots still open in this cohort. Contact April Diaz at april@theyouthcartel.com)

North Carolina cohort Location: Charlotte area Launch date: January or February 2015 Coach: Mark Oestreicher (but with the possibility of April Diaz leading a 2nd cohort in the same location, pending interest) Approach: full cohort, with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month). Open ONLY to youth workers from churches in the Western NC Conference of the UMC. Price: $500 (the Conference graciously covers the rest of the cost) (This cohort is currently accepting applications. Contact Caroline Wood in the Conference office for details: cwood@wnccumc.org)

Women in Youth Ministry cohort Location: Orange County, CA, Asheville, NC, and online Launch date: Hopefully January 2015 Coach: April Diaz Approach: This is a hybrid cohort. First and last meetings will be 2 days in Orange County, CA. 3rd or 4th meeting will be attached to (and include) the Women in Youth Ministry Campference in Asheville, NC. 3 additional meetings (in between face-to-face meetings) will take place online. Price: $2250 (includes registration for the Women in Youth Ministry Campference!) (See more info here. We are currently accepting applications for this cohort. Contact April Diaz at april@theyouthcartel.com)

Middle School Ministry cohort Location: Orange County, CA Launch date: Hopefully February 2015 Coaches: Kurt Johnston and Katie Edwards from Saddleback Church (two coaches for the price of one!, plus Mark Oestreicher and April Diaz will lead sessions at some meetings) Approach: full ‘open’ cohort (anyone can be in it), with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month) Price: $3000 (We are currently accepting applications for this cohort. Contact Katie Edwards at katiee@saddleback.com, or April Diaz at april@theyouthcartel.com)

Canadian cohort Location: Calgary, Canada Launch date: First quarter of 2015 Coaches: Matt Wilks and Jason Frizzell (two coaches for the price of one!, plus Marko will attend 2 of the 6 meetings) Approach: full ‘open’ cohort (anyone can be in it), with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month) Price: $2250 (We are currently accepting applications for this cohort. Contact Jason at jasonfrizzell@yahoo.com)

In addition to all that awesomeness, we’re currently in conversations about a few more cohorts, including:

New England cohort, led by Jake Kircher and Mark Orr (with Marko and/or April also involved)
Large Church cohort, led by Marko and April (this cohort would be limited to participants on staff at church of 2500 or more in weekly attendance)
SC/Holston Conferences cohort, led by Marko (probably) (this cohort would only be open to youth workers in the South Carolina and Holston Conferences of the UMC)

If you have interest in any of these last three, please contact April Diaz (april@theyouthcartel.com).