Cohorts

Building the
Relational
Foundations
of Awakening

After more than a decade of fellowship in conferences, events, and discipleship bands, we at New Room are convinced that awakening moves at the pace of relationship.

With that in mind, we’ve designed a new Cohort experience that will build a collaborative community of awakening-hearted leaders seeking deep wholeness in people, the renewal of the church, the evangelization of a generation, and the transformation of society.

Each cohort will focus on sowing for awakening in your local church or ministry, bridging the gap between annual gatherings and the realities of ministry at home. Structured to be both practical and transformative, these cohorts will be spaces where leaders can discuss their experiences, challenges, hopes, and insights. 

Participants can expect a vibrant environment for learning, collaboration, renewal, and encouragement, with the aim of developing a rich theology of awakening and leadership.

  • January to October (10 months)
  • City meetups in January, June, and October
  • Attendance at 2 of 3 required
  • Space is limited; 60 spots available
  • Pastor's Cohort: 15 people (2 groups)
  • Worship Leaders: 15 people
  • YA/College Leaders: 15 people

Join us, as we lock arms in pursuit of awakening.

Program Summary

  • Three in-person city meetups (Must attend at least 2)
  • Seven teaching and equipping sessions with seasoned practitioners
  • Monthly coaching call with your cohort group of 15
  • Monthly banding call with 3-4 other cohort participants
  • Shared spiritual rhythms
  • Personalized ministry project for your local context

COHORT groups

Worship leaders

intended for:

• Worship leaders who are
actively leading in churches
• Directors of worship ministry programs

Pastors

intended for:

• Senior & Associate Pastors
• Church Planters
• Pastors in the early-to-mid stages of their ministry

ya/college pastors

intended for:

• Leaders working with college students,
young professionals, or emerging adult ministries
in a campus ministry or local church setting.

2025 COHORT GUIDES

Anna Grace Legband

New Room

Pastor track

Brenna Bullock

Bristol House

Worship track

David Thomas

New Room

Pastor track

Helen Musick

Arise Church

Pastor track

Jessica Avery

Awakening Project

Ya/College track

Jonathan Tremaine Thomas

Speaker, Advocate

Pastor track

Josh Lavender

Indiana Wesleyan University

Worship track

Mark Benjamin

New Room

Cohort leader

Tom Tanner

RiverStone Church

Ya/College track

TIMELINE

January

In-person meeting in New York, NY

June

In-person meeting in San Francisco, CA

October

In-person meeting in Lexington, KY

Participants should aim to attend at least 2 of our 3 in-person meetings.

APPLICATIONS

Program cost: $1999 + travel expenses

Scholarships of $1000 and $500
are available based on need.

APPLY for 2026 HERE

NOTE: Applications must be submitted by November 15.

Deposit of $500 due Dec. 8 with full tuition due on January 15.

Cohorts aren’t a new concept—just look at Jesus choosing twelve disciples to join him in his ministry. The relational foundation built in that group went on to establish the church and carry a Spirit-empowered movement into the entire world.

FAQs

The Cohorts are designed for pastors, worship leaders, and young adult leaders who desire to grow deeper in their leadership and ministry, particularly with a focus on Awakening. Each cohort will have a limited number of participants. Our ideal candidates are those who:

  • Are actively engaged in ministry in a pastoral, worship, or young adult leadership role
  • Have a desire to grow in their personal spiritual life and leadership
  • Are ready to embrace the challenges of leading in and building an Awakening culture
  • 7 online zoom sessions with guest practitioners
  • 3 in-person experiences anchored in a local church (a community of encounter, formation and mission)
  • Monthly zoom sessions for coaching and peer feedback
  • A monthly band meeting in a group of 4-5

Accommodations, travel, and some meals will be covered by the participants. We will cover 2 meals, snacks and refreshments for our in-person experiences.

We meet online for 2.5 hours every other Thursday.

  • 2.5 hours per month in coaching zoom call with banding follow-up
  • 2.5 hours per month on training zoom calls (on the months we’re not meeting in person)
  • Several hours per month in personal formation practices of prayer and reading scripture (time will vary)
  • Travel to at least 2 out of the 3 in person meet-ups (these run from Tuesday to Thursday)

There are three basic criteria in order of importance:

  • Application received by deadline
  • Articulation of Financial need
  • If those two criteria are met, then the applicant’s age and stage of life will be considered

Due to high demand and limited space, we will base acceptance on the following criteria:

  • Application by November 15, 2026
  • Length of time in ministry
  • Demonstrated spiritual readiness for this season of growth
  • Current ministry role and context

Pastor Track: Preference given to senior pastors, church planters, or pastors in the early stages of their ministry.
Worship Leader Track: Preference given to worship leaders actively leading in churches and directors of worship ministry programs.
Young Adult Leader Track: Preference given to leaders working with college students, young professionals, or emerging adult ministries in a campus ministry or local church setting.

Yes, your spouse is welcome to apply for admission in the cohort program, however we cannot guarantee their acceptance.

For spouses who will not be fully participating in the cohort, but wish to travel with and accompany you to the in-person gatherings, they are welcome to join us for shared meal times and evening sessions.

Contact

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to Mark Benjamin, our Cohorts Director via the form below.

New Room is an ecosystem of relationships,
founded and supported by Seedbed.

seedbed.com

Explore New Room and Seedbed's other initiatives:

discipleshipbands.com
awakeningproj.com
awakeninglibrary.com
seedbed.com/wakeupcall
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