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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

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What does a Chapter 4 Fellow do?

Work with national leaders who are shaping and implementing best practices for community engagement success.

Build a network of peers who support and challenge one another in the pursuit of broad change and effective delivery of the gospel in the neighborhood.

Apply grounded and innovative strategies to meet existing challenges in their home communities.

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The Year-long fellowship includes:

Four Multi-Day Modules facilitated by thought leaders and community organizers from across the US, sharing proven strategies for effective change implementation. Includes extensive hands-on time working in small groups with peers and mentors, and an experiential learning opportunity to journey in the way of Jesus.

A Project that offers participants a structured process—with feedback from peers and mentors—for crafting and extending their own distinct ministry perspective on community engagement, culminating in a presentation to peers and mentors at the one-year mark of the program. Includes a rigorous analysis of data and testing of the community/church experience, the development and refinement of a vision for home community engagement, and the advancement of the Fellow’s ability to engage and build urgency around a vision for collective impact.

Mentorship by exceptional current or former ministry and community leaders who engage participants in a dynamic exchange of ideas and help them draw connections across the modules, projects, and their own ministry experiences. Includes formal and informal support and guidance throughout the year, including a series of interactive webinars.

An Elective Trip to Ireland will provide the environment for spiritual renewal and the opportunity for Fellows to reflect on their own spiritual journey with Jesus. Please note: This elective trip is not included in the cost of tuition and is subject to international travel restrictions.

Modules

MODULE 1: Theology Foundation

The church in America is receiving a message from culture that says the church has lost moral authority and is considered non-essential when solving the vexing problems of today’s time. How would Jesus respond to this? Jesus centered his teachings on the kingdom of God, often beginning his parables by saying, “This is what the kingdom of God is like” or describing the choice to follow him as “entering the kingdom.” 
In this module, Fellows begin their journey rooted in an understanding of kingdom theology. Fellows will discuss what is needed now for community to live the life of the future in the present, and why it is crucial to realign the church’s mission with God’s ultimate kingdom agenda.

MODULE 2: Action Lab

There is no shortage of leaders with good ideas, and when all is said and done… most of it is just said. This module walks Fellows through an action lab where they will learn a five-step process on how to take a good idea and bring it to life. 
Fellows will learn how to build the case for action, write a plan for a demonstration project, employ budgeting strategies and tools, and develop a logic model to predict and remain accountable to outcomes. Fellows will find that the action lab offers practical tools and a collective approach that have proven outcomes of mobilizing community and life change in the neighborhood. 

Module 3: From Ideas to Actions

This module marks the moment when the Fellows collectively “press PLAY” on their projects. Fellows will engage in one-on-one consultations with national leaders who have experience in community organizing and effectively launching projects.  
This module will include the development of timelines and workplans, and topical building sessions including budgeting, fundraising, change management, and bridging the generation and gender gap when launching something new. Fellows will leave this module having been placed in accountability groups with established goals for the launch of their demonstration project. Time to “press PLAY!”

Module 4: Storytelling Workshop

Your community, your congregation, and even you as a leader have a story to tell. The story of God is one that is unfolding as we speak. The Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus, and Fellows will be invited into an examination of how the structure of the Bible leads to an invitation for them to change the world.  
Fellows will learn from seasoned storytellers about the importance of telling the story of your congregation to your congregation. They will learn practical tips on how to leverage storytelling tools and technology available to tell a story to the masses and will leave this module with a tailored messaging strategy to implement.

The Faculty

Geremy Dixon

Pastor Geremy has served as an associate and now Lead Pastor for over 18 years at Center of Hope LA in Inglewood, CA. Known for his approachable demeanor, and common sense approach to Kingdom living he has the unique ability to connect with

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individuals from all walks of life. Pastor Geremy’s particular blend of humor, inspiration and sound biblical grounding has opened doors for him to be a guest facilitator and a sought after speaker for churches, conferences, and conventions both nationally and internationally. Articulate, passionate, and driven; Geremy is one of the emerging voices proclaiming God’s desire to establish His Kingdom in the market place.
Married to Adrienne Dixon, they have the joy of parenting four wonderful children, Kennedy, Micah, Roman and Jordyn.

Contact Information

Email: GDixon@firstchurchofgod.com

Website: www.go2hope.com

Kimberly Majeski

Dr. Kimberly Majeski has been in full-time preaching ministry for more than twenty years. She is an ordained pastor in the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana and serves as the Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries

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at Anderson University. Kimberly’s scholarship is featured on the History Channel, A&E, and in many books, articles and publications. She lives at the heart of the justice movement as an activist and the leader of Stripped Love, a non-profit serving victims of sex trafficking. A widely sought after preacher herself, Kimberly brings her years of academic preparation and front lines experience to the Preacher Girl School, a dynamic online community and digital course founded in 2019. Kimberly is married to Kevin and mama to Max, they live in Anderson, IN.

Contact Information
Email: ksmajeski@anderson.edu
Website: www.kimberlymajeski.com

Natalie Royer

Energized by solving complex problems with an innovative and collaborative approach, Natalie has led organizations to places of new health and vitality over the course of her career. From building program and systems solutions for the

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Department of Defense, to leveraging emerging marketing and communications tools to strategically turnaround businesses in the music business industry, Natalie has demonstrated an ability to innovate, create solutions, and build new momentum in places that have experienced stagnant or diminishing impact.  Looking for a new idea and ways to implement it?  Natalie is your teammate.

Ben Sand

Convinced that now is a time for pioneers, Ben serves as the CEO of a venture operating foundation—The Contingent—focused on bringing big ideas to life to serve children and families. Ben is a collaborator, connector, and convener.

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Contact Information

Email: ben.sand@portlandleadership.org

Website: www.portlandleadership.org

Jim Lyon

Jim Lyon grew up in Seattle, where he served as an Associate and then Senior Pastor of the Fairview Church (1977-1991). In 1991, he moved to Anderson, Indiana to become Senior Pastor of the Madison Park Church of God. After 22 years at Madison

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Park, he accepted the invitation to become General Director of Church of God Ministries, providing leadership for the Church of God in the United States and Canada (and networking with the church in 84 other countries).

Lyon studied at Seattle Pacific University and the University of Washington Law School. Always fascinated by politics and the public interest, he has worked in many civic and church-related fields, including representing northwest Seattle as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives. The conviction that Jesus is at work in the world, redeeming and transforming us, has molded his life and vocation more than any other. Articulate pastor, teacher, and motivational speaker,he became the host of CBH ViewPoint, the English language broadcast of Christians Broadcasting Hope, in 1996; the program is heard worldwide on air and online each week.

In 2011, Lyon released his first book, Go Ahead, Ask Anything. Based on a sermon series delivered at the Madison Park Church, the book addresses the top ten questions posed in a community survey asking, “If you could ask anything at church, what would it be?” A second book, Jesus B, was released by Warner Press in 2015.

Contact Information
Email: JLyon@chog.org
Website: www.jesusisthesubject.org

Reggie McNeal

Dr. Reggie McNeal enjoys helping people, leaders, and Christian organizations determine and experience epic wins with Kingdom impact. He currently serves as City Coach for GoodCities of Minneapolis MN. As City Coach Reggie works with community

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leaders around the country to build cross-domain collaborative efforts that can move the needle on big societal issues.  He provides coaching and consultation for individuals and teams in becoming more missionally-focused and Kingdom-biased in their ministry approaches. Reggie has helped to shape the church leadership conversation through his extensive speaking schedule and work as an author. His books include Revolution in Leadership: Creating Apostles for Tomorrow’s Church (Abingdon Press, 1998), A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders (Jossey-Bass, 2000), The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church (Jossey-Bass, 2003), Practicing Greatness: Seven Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders (Jossey-Bass, 2006), Get A Life! (Broadman & Holman, 2007), Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church (Jossey-Bass, 2009), Missional Communities: The Rise of the Post-Congregational Church (Jossey-Bass, 2011), Get Off Your Donkey! Help Somebody and Help Yourself (Baker, 2013). Reggie’s Kingdom Come: Why We Must Quit Our Obsession Over Fixing the Church and What We Should Do Instead (Tyndale, 2015) challenges the church to shift its narrative from a church-centric to a kingdom-centric ministry agenda. His latest book, Kingdom Collaborators: 8 Signature Themes of Leaders Who Turn the World Upside Down (IVP, 2018), details the character and competencies of effective kingdom leaders.

Reggie served in local church leadership for over twenty years, including being the founding pastor of a congregation. His experience also includes being a denominational executive and leadership development coach. Reggie has lectured or taught as adjunct faculty for multiple seminaries, including Fuller Theological (Pasadena, CA), Southwestern Baptist (Ft. Worth, TX), Golden Gate Baptist (San Francisco, CA), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL), Columbia International (Columbia, SC), and Seminary of the Southwest (Austin TX). He has also resourced the United States Army Chief of Chaplains Office (the Pentagon), The Chaplains’ Training School (Ft. Jackson), Air Force chaplains, and the Air Force Education and Training Command. Reggie’s work also extends to the business sector, including The Gallup Organization, in addition to his role as an advisory board member for several ministry organizations. Most recently he served for ten years as the Missional Leadership Specialist with Leadership Network, remaining connected with the organization as Senior Fellow.

Reggie’s education includes a B.A. degree from the University of South Carolina and the M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Reggie and his wife Cathy make their home in Columbia, South Carolina.

Contact Information

Email: Reggie.Mcneal@leadnet.org
Website: www.leadnet.org

Noel Castellanos

Noel Castellanos, founder and president of Camino Alliance, has worked in Latino barrios in the US as a youth worker, church-planter, and community developer to address the holistic needs of immigrants struggling to be integrated into our American society.

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Over the last 35 years, Noel has became a leading evangelical voice for the Latino community and has challenged the church to address our immigration crisis from a Christian perspective.

April 13 – 16, 2021

Dates: April 13 – 16, 2021
Location: Nashville, TN (subject to change)
Module I: Theology for This Time / Theology of Place

Faculty and Staff

mcneal
lyon
majeski
dixon
June 24-25, 2021

Dates: June 24-25, 2021
Location: Denver, CO
Module II: Action Lab | The Change Process | C4 Cohort #1 and Cohort #2 Gathering/Dinner

Faculty and Staff

lyon
majeski
dixon
Dates: June 26 – 29, 2021

Dates: June 26 – 29, 2021
(directly following Module II)
Location: Denver, CO

We want to invite you to stay with us to participate in the CHOG General Assembly and Convention Worship Services.

Dates: September 7 – 10, 2021

Dates: September 7 – 10, 2021
Location: Boston, MA (subject to change)
Module III: Building Workshop | From Ideas to Action

Faculty and Staff

lyon
majeski
dixon
weigel

**Possible Ireland trip would leave directly following the Module III gathering. More information on this elective trip will follow after acceptance to the program.

Dates: March 15-18, 2022

Dates: March 15-18, 2022
Location: Tampa, FL (subject to change)
Module IV: Storytelling Workshop

Faculty and Staff

lyon
majeski
dixon

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the application process like?

It’s easy! Click “Apply” above to download the grant proposal form. Complete the form and e-mail it to ChangetheStory@chog.org. The Proposal Review Team will vet and respond to the proposal within an estimated 5 business days. If the proposal is approved, we will connect with you about how to proceed. If the proposal is not approved, the team will offer feedback on how to strengthen it for the future.

Does our church have to pay for anything? Do we pay back the funds?

No! Our goal is to support the local church in caring for and engaging their community. The money is a grant given to start the project. There is no requirement to return the funds, only to share your story with us on how the funds were used.

Is the Change the Story grant only for pandemic recovery?

No. This grant process deals with issues arising from the pandemic as well as issues related to racial injustice. There will be another process for funding to encourage community engagement by churches in general which will be available in the fall of 2020.

How much can I request?

In order to expedite distribution and get relief on the ground, we are limiting the first round of the Change the Story pandemic grants to a maximum of $2,500.

When are the proposals due?

Proposals can be sent in now! We will support projects on a first-come-first-served basis, so we encourage you to apply quickly!

Who spoke into the creation of this fund?

This fund was born out of collaborative conversations between Church of God Ministries, our partners in ministry, and the local church. We are leveraging our communication platforms to amplify the stories of impact from the local church, and we are committed to distributing the funds received through these efforts back out to the local church for continued and enhanced kingdom impact.

Program Costs & Dates

TUITION

$1,500 / Fellow

Fellows are expected to pay travel expenses associated with getting to each gathering. However, lodging/meals will be provided for each Module. 

2022 DATES

Module I: April 2022
Module II: June 2022
Module III: September 2022
Module IV: March 2023

Exact dates to be confirmed soon.

Contact Us

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