About Us
Helping You Become a Fully-Devoted Follower of Jesus Christ
What is Leadership Development?
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:12-13 gives a foundation of the Leadership Development Instutute at Hope Community Church:
To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.
LDI, is specifically designed to equip all followers of Christ to explore and grow their leadership skills for service both inside and outside of the church.
Ultimately, good leadership blesses others and brings honor to God, while poor leadership has great potential to harm. LDI provides a place for everyone to grow their leadership biblical thinking, Christ-like character, and ministry skills.
Why Church-Based Leadership Development?
We believe that churches are uniquely equipped and commissioned for the work of raising-up future Kingdom leaders. This is because leadership development in a church context allows for an ongoing 360º view of the leader’s life by staff, peers, and members of the congregation throughout the length of an internship and in a variety of settings.
What’s the Difference Between Church-Based Training & Seminary?
Classical training, like seminary, tends to create a fairly rigid learning environment to which a student must conform. Church-based training, on the other hand, seeks to adapt to each intern and craft an environment that will result in maximum growth and transformation.
Pillars of LDI
God’s word informs all that we do and think. Christian leaders need to develop sound theology and understand how to read and interpret Scripture in order to navigate a world flooded with input and information.
Character is critical for leadership. It is important that leaders know and take on the character of Christ. Through the church-based training of LDI, we provide an environment for this process that requires knowledge, persistence, and guidance.
All followers of Jesus are called to be ministers of the gospel in the church and in the world. Learn more about how to practice ministry while receiving guidance from experienced leaders allows participants to grow in their own practical leadership skills.
History of the Leadership Development Institute
Since its founding as a church in 1996, Hope Community Church has been committed to church-based leadership development. The Leadership Development Institute started in the fall of 2000, with the first class of interns graduating in the spring of 2001. Since then, church-based leadership development has continued to be a key priority of Hope Community Church.
Over the past 22 years we’ve had over 140 interns who have completed our 10-month long internship program. About 30 of those interns felt a desire to work in ministry, plant churches, or other related spheres and so continued on for a second and third year. We have had 16 church planters participate in the program who have gone on to plant domestic churches and pursue international cross-cultural church planting, including amongst unreached people groups.
Staff
Naty Severson
Senior Director of LDI
Kaelyn Larson
Associate Director of Connection and Discipleship Associate
Paul Stiver
Pastoral Resident