Equipping and connecting leaders of good faith and good will for transformational impact.
Urban Ministry Leadership Training in Cleveland
EQUIP Urban Ministry Leader Institute prepares people to serve faithfully and effectively in urban ministry through biblical formation, practical training, and shared learning. Designed for everyone from those exploring a call to city ministry to experienced practitioners, EQUIP brings together seasoned voices from across Greater Cleveland to equip participants with proven frameworks, practical tools, and a network of peers committed to serving their neighborhoods with perseverance.
EQUIP Initiatives
Leading in Faith Together (LIFT)
Leading a faith-based organization is hard work, and no one should have to figure it out alone. Through coaching and consulting, we come alongside leaders of emerging organizations, sharing hard-won experience and practical support. It is our way of paying it forward, growing a citywide network of leaders and ministries that are rooted in the strengths of their communities and working together toward lasting, Christ-centered renewal.
Mission Smiths
Mission Smiths bring leaders together to explore God’s heart for the city, engage in meaningful conversations about community challenges, and discover practical ways to pursue transformation through learning, connection, and action. These events are designed to:
Forge sharper ideas and insights for mission
Increase our awareness about the challenges faced by some communities throughout our city
Provide a safe and welcoming environment to ask questions, discuss, and learn about real issues that are often avoided
Offer practical opportunities to become more activated in drawing closer, helping, and learning form the pain of others
Connect with others interested in seeking God's heart for the city and being a part of transformation
Torchbearers
Torchbearers are experienced ministry leaders who have faithfully served Christ in Cleveland's underserved neighborhoods. EQUIP creates opportunities for them to invest in the next generation of leaders. These Torchbearers have courageously built bridges, cultivated lasting transformation, and faithfully led their communities for years. Through mentorship, intergenerational relationships, and shared wisdom, they equip and encourage emerging leaders to carry God's mission forward and shape the future of our city together.
Go & See tours are guided visits to ministry groups doing effective work across the city. Go & Sees give leaders a firsthand look at how others structure programs, engage volunteers, and serve their neighborhoods, so they can bring fresh ideas back to their own context.
Go & See Tours
Why?
God is in the business of raising up leaders, yet none of us are meant to do it alone. When people build and leverage relationships, urban leaders such as small business owners, pastors and nonprofit visionaries can more deeply impact and sustain long-term change in their communities. We develop city ministry leaders throughout the Greater Cleveland Area, seeking to unite leaders from the east and west sides of the city.
Our Approach:
EQUIP is rooted in the philosophy of Christian Community Development (CCD), which recognizes that lasting transformation begins with a deep commitment to Christ and to our neighbors. Rather than seeking solutions from the outside, CCD starts with listening, building relationships, and partnering with communities to discover where God is already at work. Through principles like relocation, reconciliation, redistribution, leadership development, empowerment, and a wholistic approach, EQUIP helps leaders and churches cultivate sustainable change from within their communities.
