Leader
Scholars
Building up the next generation of diverse leaders in the Church
The Leader Scholars Program seeks to equip the next generation of diverse leaders in the Church, from staff to the workplace, in families and small groups, serving locally and abroad. We do this by bringing together passionate young followers of Christ and maximize personal, spiritual and professional growth in communities from Columbus to Central Kentucky and Online.
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“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
- Ephesians 2:10
What Our Alumni are saying about Scholars
Myles Edwards
"Scholars grew me both spiritually and professionally, allowing me to learn new ways of thinking and structuring my life to reflect Christ in all I do."
DaManuel Montgomery
"I’m thankful that Scholars has given me skills that have helped me grow as an individual and in my professional life. This program will help design your life to look like Jesus and unique for yourself."
Olivia Smith
"The Scholars program gave me endless opportunities to learn from Crossroads staff, and receive real responsibility with room to fail. Through the program my eyes were opened to see the leader God has created me to be."
Abbey Erickson
“Scholars allowed me to intern with Crossroads, which helped me realize that I was being called to work in ministry. I was (and still am) a part of a FANTASTIC team, and I get to help bring people closer to a God that loves them.”
Ambers Marks
"The Scholars program gave me a supportive and welcoming community, close friends, and the tools I need to succeed in my life and career as a young adult."
About Us
This one-year leadership development program uses community, mentorship, live-fire experiences and speakers that have really lived it.
Program Components:
- Large Group: Facilitated discussion solidifies Scholars’ pre-group studies
- Small Group: Guided community digs in for personal application, during Large Group breakout sessions
- Mentorship: Individualized discipleship speaking truth in love weekly
- Speakers: Powerful discussion with dedicated leaders of secular industries or pastoral disciplines
- Service Opportunities: Local outreach initiatives empowering Scholars’ leadership, servant-heart and partnership skills
- Internship: Opportunities to access paid part-time ministry experience on Crossroads staff
- Adventure: Guaranteed fun and bonding. Anything from a Scholars retreat to bowling to a GO trip
"Whether a young leader's path leads to full-time ministry or a marketplace career I can't think of a better one-year journey than the Scholar's program. Built on intense study of what works to build Christ-loving leaders of influence, it leverages teaching, mentoring, peer relationships, and internships for a rare experience thats both highly strategic and highly relational."
-Brian Wells
Time Commitment
Kicking off in late August and going through early May with occasional holiday breaks throughout. Every week, there are five basic hours expected from Scholars:
- Two hours for large group, small group or a visiting fellow
- Two hours for pre-group studies, community time or service opportunities
- One hour of mentorship
Off and on time commitments include:
- Adventures like retreats or a GO Trip (Plus driving depending on your location)
- Internships range in dates from Fall to Summer and hours from 6 to 29 hours weekly depending on the Scholar and their ministry manager.
We’re big on rapid-prototyping so all this said, time commitment and content are subject to change.
Meet the Team
Brian Kremer
Director, Scholars
As a visionary leader, Brian believes investing in young leaders is vital. Everyone is given gifts and God intends to use them, so his goal is to get leaders in the spaces & places to be most effective as they develop to their full potential. Brian lives on the East Side of Cincinnati with his wife, Ella, and their sons. If you want to see him light up (and talk too much), just chat him up craft coffee or Liverpool Football Club. You’ll never walk alone.
Andrea Stiles
Project Manager
As a hard worker and a prayerful leader, Andrea is our glue in the Scholars Program as the Project Manager, running our Mentorship program, Alumni Network, Team Coordination and much more. Andrea lives in Anderson with her husband, John and kiddos, Matt, Clare, Sammy and puppy Noble. Her family is all about sports, so in her free time there is a lot of football, cheerleading, lacrosse, tennis and baseball. Go Team!
Jamie Simms
Director, Leader Academy
With a passion for developing future leaders, Jamie is leading the charge of the overall Crossroads' Leader Academy and Scholars might be her favorite part of Leader Academy (don't tell!). Jamie is a daughter, sister, aunt, pastor. Rocks some hair. Always ready to learn, push, and challenge, believing that Jesus can AND WILL set us all free. Bring on all the joy!
Application
Apply for the August 2022 to May 2023 Program now.
Apply now
Do you qualify? Well, are you...
- A young adult? Think 18 to 25 years old, give or take
- Following Christ?
- Showing a potential for leadership?
- Engaged at Crossroads? Or willing to commit for the course of the program? (Aren’t sure? Well, come explore who we are)
Please email us at leaderscholars@crossroads.net for questions or updates on future opportunities.
Side note: Parents, please don’t apply for your kid. They’re adults. But still, tell them to do it.
Scholar Diversity
We want our Scholars to represent the Kingdom with diversity of ethnicity, gender, and personality. So we're doing something about it. We are actively pursuing ways to increase representation of Scholars and on staff.
Diversity in Leadership
Crossroads diversity is about more than percentages. It’s about having male and female voices from diverse backgrounds in positions of leadership. We believe we are called to be a multi-ethnic church and our pastors and leaders are living proof.
Check out our Crossroads Jobs Page for more about Staff Diversity, Diversity in Leadership, Foundational Beliefs, Culture and I Promise.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
- Revelation 7:9
Contact Us
Email Us
leaderscholars@crossroads.net
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FAQs
How’d it all start?
In 2016, Kathy Beechum, a strong leader and advocate in Crossroads, felt convicted to establish a pipeline program for diverse young leaders in ministry. With the funding in place, she gave full authority to an original Crossroads founder and current Crossroads Spiritual Board member, Brian Wells. After extensive research and content creation, Brian and his wife, Nancy, launched the Uptown and Oxford hubs in the fall of 2017. Ross and Heidi Mallaley stepped up locally in Oxford and have been caring well for that crew over the years.
What’s the timeline for the application through the rest of the program?
- April: Applications go live
- April-June: Rolling applications accepted followed by reference checks and interviews
- July: Offers extended, internship and mentor matching begins
- August: All onboarding completed for the end of August for the Kick-Off event
- September-December: First semester of content, groups, mentoring, Visiting Fellows, service opportunities and adventure
- Winter Break: Leader Check-ins, Solitude Reflection and rest
- January-April: Second semester of content, groups, mentoring, Visiting Fellows, service opportunities and adventure
- May: Conclusion of the program with celebration and debrief
- May-July: Optional additional content during smaller summer track
Is everyone accepted into the program?
The short answer is no. Really, we take the admission process and our discernment very seriously. This program requires maturity, discipline, availability and a personal relationship with Christ. We want to set Scholars up for success in this demanding program. We also encourage individuals to reapply in future years with feedback.
How many scholars are enrolled in the program?
Around thirty but that’s all up to God.
What is the attendance policy for Scholars?
We work hard to support every scholar and collaborate for optimal time management. However, more than two unexcused absences is grounds for dismissal from the program.
Can I invite my friend to be part of Scholars?
Great question, you absolutely can! Please first consider a couple things. Do they fit the criteria listed? Would you personally go to bat for them?
How can I help support this amazing program?
So glad you asked! Please contact us at leaderscholars@crossroads.net- our needs vary from season to season but we always welcome the support!
Is Scholars a Crossroads thing?
Yes, Scholars is a part of Crossroads Church, submits to its leadership and serves as a pipeline for young leaders to staff.
Do you have to attend Crossroads to apply for Scholars?
Not to apply. All are welcome to apply. We ask folks new to Crossroads to explore who we are and check out the Seven Hills We Die On before applying. If you like what you see, great! Please apply and then during the interview, we will dig into the commitment to the program and engaging with Crossroads during it.
Are there scholarships available?
We strive to eliminate financial barriers for potential leaders. If you have concerns, please still apply and express this in the Financial Need section of the application. We will be able to explore what support could look like in the course of the interview.