Equipping Sacramento’s Emerging Ministry Leaders

Your Calling Matters. Let’s Build It Well.

Sacramento’s Kingdom Ecosystem is growing—diverse, Gospel-centered, and full of potential. But as the work expands, the demand for wise, prepared leadership grows with it. That’s where the Rising Leaders Program comes in.

This 10-month leadership cohort is designed for ministry professionals in their late 20s to mid-30s who are discerning what’s next. If you’re already serving and asking, “How can I lead more faithfully and effectively?”—this program is for you.

We’re investing now in the future of our Kingdom ecosystem by equipping leaders before they step into senior roles—with clarity, confidence, and capacity to lead well for the long haul.

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for you if you:

  • Are 27–35 years old (with flexibility)
  • Have 5+ years of ministry experience
  • Are in or approaching a season of transition or discernment
  • Seek clarity of calling, greater leadership responsibility, and expanded network of Kingdom leaders

What You’ll Gain

  • Clarity in Calling – Discover how your gifts, passions, and potential align with your next leadership step.
  • Leadership Development – Grow in core skills like fundraising, governance, administration, and strategic leadership.
  • Peer Connection – Build lasting relationships with fellow leaders from outside your organization.
  • Exposure & Inspiration – Visit frontline ministries doing high-impact work across the region.

The Rising Leaders Program is an investment in the future of Sacramento’s Kingdom Ecosystem—equipping emerging leaders to take their next step in calling and leadership capacity. It’s designed to help participants grow toward roles of greater influence, including Executive Director-level leadership and broader engagement across the regional ministry network.

Clarity.

Connections.

Capacity.

Kingdom Impact.

Tour Sites & Leader Discussions

Four sessions include extended site visits to some of Sacramento’s most impactful ministries. Each visit features a behind-the-scenes tour, a leadership conversation, and Q&A with the Executive Director. Participants will gain firsthand insight into what it takes to build and sustain high-impact work.

Executive Director: Heidi Matzke

Alternatives Pregnancy Center

Step into the intersection of crisis, compassion, and conviction—where women facing unplanned pregnancies receive holistic care in one of today’s most emotionally and politically charged arenas.

Executive Director Heidi Matzke is a recognized voice for the unborn having spoken in Washington D.C. before the Senate Judiciary Committee and national media outlets and podcasts.

Pastor to the Capital: Frank Erb

Illuminate CA

Walk the halls of California’s Capitol alongside the pastor to its leaders—gaining a rare glimpse into the spiritual lives and pressures of those shaping policy in our state.

Pastor Frank Erb is a trusted confidante to lawmakers, lobbyists and staff members on both sides of the aisle.

More Tours to Be Announced

Check back soon or reach out to learn more.

Format & Commitment

  • 10 Monthly Gatherings (August to May) – Breakfast Meetings, 7:30-10:00 AM
  • 4 Extended Site visits – 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • $1500 Program Cost – Includes all gatherings, meals, materials & site visits.

Each monthly gathering is designed to be relational, practical, and immediately applicable. Sessions include:

  • Breakfast & Connection – Share a meal and build meaningful relationships with fellow emerging leaders.
  • Leadership Teaching – Learn key ministry leadership concepts.
  • Peer Table Discussions – Reflect on the content and engage in guided conversation with your cohort.
  • Practical Tools – Use worksheets, assessments, and frameworks to apply what you’re learning to your own context.

Outside of our sessions, you’ll have minimal additional work—typically less than one hour per month—focused on reflection and preparation.

Healthy ministries require healthy leaders—and emerging leaders need more support and intentional investment than they often realize. The Rising Leaders Program is a strategic and timely initiative that will serve as a catalyst for developing the next generation of leaders and strengthening the organizations they serve.

Brian Dowd has long been a trusted leader of leaders in our region. He’s invested deeply in the lives and work of many of Sacramento’s most impactful ministry players and has a unique gift for bringing people together to multiply Kingdom fruitfulness.

The vision, design, and caliber of this program are exceptional. I believe it will produce lasting impact in both the participants and the Kingdom ecosystem we all care about.

– Don Proctor, Director, City Pastors Fellowship

I have committed my life to equipping high impact Kingdom leaders for the glory of God. As such, I know firsthand how critical it is to support leaders early in their journey. The early to mid stages of a ministry career are formative—setting the trajectory for long-term faithfulness and effectiveness.

The Rising Leaders Program is designed precisely for that moment. It offers the kind of intentional development that shapes not only individual leaders but the future of the ministries they serve. It is, in short, a high impact Kingdom of God ministry.

Brian Dowd is a trusted and gifted guide—a leader of leaders who consistently brings out the best in others and strengthens organizations for God’s glory and the good of our region.

– Dr. John Jackson, President of Jessup University

In our work with organizations serving vulnerable kids and families, one thing is clear: no leader flourishes in isolation, and no organization reaches its potential without strong, collaborative leadership at the helm.

What excites me about the Rising Leaders Program is that it not only equips emerging leaders with essential tools and clarity of calling—it also invites them into a broader Kingdom network where shared learning and cross-organizational collaboration are the norm.

Brian Dowd has a rare ability to connect leaders across silos and draw out the kind of wisdom and unity that strengthens an entire ecosystem. This program reflects that strength and will directly benefit our region for years to come.

– Tiffany Loeffler, Founder and Executive Director of The Alliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’m slightly outside the 27–35 age range?
The Rising Leaders Program is designed for ministry leaders who are approaching the next chapter of their calling—ready to grow, take on more responsibility, or gain clarity for what’s ahead. While the typical age range is 27–35, we recognize that leadership seasons vary. If your experience and stage align with the purpose of the program, we encourage you to apply. We evaluate each applicant thoughtfully and holistically.

Is this only for people working full-time in ministry?
Not at all. While many participants are in full-time ministry roles, a full-time position is not required. What matters most is that your current season aligns with the purpose of the program, which we’ll explore together through the application process.

What is the time commitment for the program?
The program includes 10 monthly gatherings (August–May). Four of those sessions will be extended site visits, typically lasting four hours. Outside of these meetings, participants can expect less than an hour per month on average for reflection or preparation.

What if I have to miss a session? Are the sessions recorded?
Sessions are not recorded, as the program is designed to be a highly relational, in-person experience. However, we understand that occasional absences happen. If you miss a session, you’ll receive the content slides, key materials, and tools to stay engaged with the cohort.

Can my employer pay on my behalf?
Absolutely. Many ministries consider this an investment in their staff’s development. If your employer or church is covering the cost, we’re happy to send an invoice or provide documentation to support the process.

When will I find out if I’ve been accepted?

After we receive your application and references, you can expect a response within 7–10 days. In some cases, we may schedule a brief Zoom conversation to confirm that the program is the right fit. Our goal is to finalize the participant group by mid-July.

About the Facilitator: Brian Dowd

Brian Dowd is the President of Next Step Coach, a leadership development and executive coaching firm that helps business and ministry leaders grow in performance, clarity, and capacity for greater impact.

He also serves as the Managing Partner of The Barnabas Group Sacramento, a community of Kingdom-minded business leaders who bring their expertise to solve real-world challenges facing Christian ministries.

In 2025, Brian directed the Kingdom Ecosystem Summit, which gathered over 100 ministry and business leaders from across Sacramento to foster collaboration and strengthen the region’s growing network of Kingdom leaders.

Brian’s leadership sits at the intersection of business and ministry. He draws from a rich background that includes seven years with a church-based college campus ministry in Santa Barbara, a degree from Fuller Seminary, and co-founding NorCal Refuge, a crisis response initiative to serve the 8,000 Afghan refugees resettling in Sacramento in 2022.

He is also coordinating the Every Campus in Sacramento initiative—a regional collaboration that includes Young Life, Youth for Christ, FCA, Decision Point, Urban Youth Collaborative, and local churches—working toward a consistent Gospel presence on every high school campus.

Brian lives in Folsom, California, with his wife Amber and three children. His passion is clear: to raise up faithful leaders and build bridges that unlock high-return Kingdom fruitfulness.

Ready to Invest in Your Future?

Leadership isn’t a solo journey. It’s a calling shaped in community.
Let’s prepare you for what’s next—together.

Apply Now

Have questions? Contact us directly at [email protected].