Trellis Churches - Exponential

Project: Trellis Churches
Leader: Cliff Forbes
Website: trellischurches.com

Purpose

Educating, Empowering and Equipping the next generation of church leaders.

Project Categories

Innovative Approaches to Church Planting

Innovative Approaches to Disciple-Making

Big Idea and Overview

We’re empowering the next wave of church leaders to initiate fresh cycles of growth within local congregations. Our network compromises 22 (and still growing) local churches deeply committed to nurturing this emerging generation. Trellis operates on three fundamental pillars: Empowering, Education, and Equipping, all aimed at bridging the gap for those called to ministry by providing essential training and resources. Collaborating closely with local churches, we establish Hubs where aspiring pastors gain hands-on experience alongside pursuing ministry degrees at our partner universities. Graduating pastors emerge with accredited degrees, be it Undergraduate or Master’s, FREE of debt and enriched with 2-3 years of invaluable practical experience.

Customer / Mission Field Context

Those called into pastoral ministry who desire to earn their ministry degree while being mentored and trained in the local church.

Goals and Desired Outcomes

To grow from 22 to 120 students in the next 3 years.
To partner with 100 hub churches.
To send 40 pastors into local ministry with the support they need to be successful in the next 4 years.
To change the way the local church sees itself in the calling and raising up of those called into ministry.
To raise the necessary funds to cover our costs until we are self-sustaining.

Results and
Impact

This spring marks the graduation of our inaugural class, consisting of three students. Since our inception, we’ve experienced remarkable growth, expanding from 3 hub churches to a network of 22, with a total student body of 22 individuals and 12 more beginning this fall. Beginning as a team of dedicated pastors united by their vision, they took a significant step forward by appointing a full-time Executive Director (Cliff Forbes) in January 2023, along with a full-time administrative assistant, and a part-time finance director.

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