Welcome 2026 Cultivate Cohort
We are honored that you have chosen to step into this season of growth. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you, invest in your leadership journey, and speak into your life.
Cultivate is intentionally designed with a two-fold purpose:
To invite you into deeper and more expansive expressions of leadership
To cultivate life-giving ministry relationships and a supportive leadership network
Our prayerful expectation is that throughout this journey you will form meaningful friendships, gain a fresh perspective, experience healing and renewal, step more fully into your God-given gifts, and discern clearer pathways of purpose. We anticipate opportunities for connection with trusted mentors and sponsors, collaboration with like-minded leaders, and fresh empowerment through the work of the Holy Spirit.
As we reviewed the applications, we were continually reminded that God is doing something significant. The 2026 Cultivate Cohort reflects a beautiful diversity—across seasons of life, family dynamics, geographic locations, ministry contexts, age, ethnicity, and vision.
What unites us is our shared calling to lead faithfully as disciples of Jesus.
Throughout this seven-month journey, an intercessory prayer team, together with the Cultivate leadership team, will be praying for you by name. We invite you to share any specific prayer requests, trusting that this community will stand with you in faith and expectation.
We enter this season with anticipation and hope, speaking life, grace, and peace over you as you pursue focused growth, spiritual renewal, and greater clarity in your leadership calling.
We believe in you!
With gratitude,
The Cultivate Leadership Team
Meet the Team
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Gretchen Abney
COHORT COORDINATOR
Personal life statement: I am a courageous & contagious ambassador of grace.
A few of my favorites: college football, hiking, sunsets & ice cream!
gretchenabney@gmail.com
404-281-2101
Schedule Appointment -
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Lisa Gordon
COHORT CO-LEADER
Personal life statement: I am God's adventurous daughter living in faith, delighting in Him and seeing His promises fulfilled!
A few of my favorites: Road trips, Duke Basketball, and Disney
lisa.gordon@newhopewc.org
704-953-9888 -
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Stephanie Moore
COHORT CO-LEADER
Personal life statement: I am an advocate for connection that brings hope and healing.
A few of my favorites: quiet mornings, basketball, lunch dates, reading, and snow days
919-632-5985
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Alice Remedios
LEAD COACH
Personal life statement: I am an intimate friend of God, a revealer of his love.
A few of my favorites: Laughter, cooking for family and friends, walks on the beach, and sunsets.
A.remedios@yahoo.com
919-906-0565
Schedule Appointment -
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Brenda Rabb
COACH
Personal life statement: I am a bondage breaker and a bridge builder with the Father’s hands.
A few of my favorites: walking on the beach, enjoying a good latte, & spending time with family
310-647-7932
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Lynn Cooper
COACH
Personal life statement: I am a warrior of His truth to slay the enemy in his harvest.
A few of my favorites: My hubby and kiddos, college football, my dogs, cotton candy and gobstoppers.
217-853-3545
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Lisa Machen
COACH
Personal life statement: I am a passionate encourager, challenging others to live in God’s design.
A few of my favorites: traveling, beaches, makeup and Mexican food
563-321-0534
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Carolyn Smith
SUMMIT COORDINATOR
Personal life statement: I am a genuine nurturer for God’s kingdom.
A few of my favorites: Sunrises, adventures, baking, coffee, and all things cozy and good to the soul.
910-612-9027
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Sue Taylor
PRAYER COORDINATOR
Personal life statement: I am a resilient, resourceful facilitator for transformation and creativity.
A few of my favorites: Creating art, silence and solitude, spending time with hubs, grandchild, and children, the sky
405-815-7928
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Alli Leslie
EQUIP CHURCH ADMIN
A meaningful scripture to me: Psalms 73:26
A few of my favorites: Puzzle games, the beach, road trips, and my cat!
440-396-5267
Cultivate Cohort
Quick Links
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ZOOM INFO: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 833 5706 4903
Phone: 646 931 3860
Participants are encouraged to attend ALL monthly Zoom gatherings, coaching sessions, and the in-person Summit. Your attendance preserves the format and outcome of the cohort. Should an emergency or exception apply, timely communication is requested.
The monthly Zoom calls are usually the first Thursday of every month, beginning February 5, 2026, at 7:00 pm EST. There will be one call a month for five months leading up to the Cohort Summit, then a final call on August 6, 2026.
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Catch Up or Rewatch
Monthly Group Call recordings are uploaded within a few days after the session.
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Need to pay the remaining balance on your Cultivate Cohort payment?
Assignments and Resources
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Download Guide HERE
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Coaching Agreement - Feb. 9
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Read this chapter: Habits of Work PDF
Life Statement Graphic Organizer
Send Life Statement to Lisa Gordon before June 15
Call #4 Resources:
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Item description
Need Prayer? Please let our Prayer Team know how they can pray for you.
2026 Cohort Summit Details
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June 22 - 24, 2026
Travel Days: June 22 & June 25
CrossPointe Retreat Center
936 Life Drive
Christiansburg, Virginia 24073
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Christiansburg is 30 minutes from Roanoke, Virginia.
The closest airport is ROA. However, due to costs, there will also be carpooling groups from RDU and CLT. Once you secure your flights, fill out the travel form. We will send a shared travel document to help coordinate your ground transportation among participants.
We will be staying together in the Residence Hall on the CrossPointe/Life Pacific University Campuses.
Lodging Details: Each room has two TwinXL beds and a private bathroom. Please indicate if a 1st Floor room is preferred.
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Please complete this required form: SUMMIT Registration Form (click link)
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Dates: June 22-24
June 22: Arrive @ 4 pm
June 25: Depart by 10 am
Items to Bring:
• Back by popular demand! Bring your favorite snack to share... sweet, savory, healthy, creative, or just plain fun. Drop these items off at check-in.
• Comfortable Clothing
• Outfit for Professional Headshot (Business Casual)
• Toiletries & Personal Items
• Pillow (if you like multiple or have a specific preference)
• Throw blanket (optional to be extra cozy)
• Sunscreen, sunglasses & summer clothing – We’ll picnic at the lake one evening.
• Bag Chair/s (if feasible with travel accommodations)
• Journal, Bible, Pen
• Toilet Spray (optional)
• Water Bottle (optional)
Arrival Information:
• We will be ready to welcome you at 4 pm at the Holland Lodge Residence Hall. Just follow the signs!
• After arrival, you will have time to meet new friends, freshen up, explore & rest if you desire.
• Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm as our first group activity.
Other:
All meals, snacks, and materials will be provided.
All linens including: bedding, towel set, pillow will be provided.
Questions:
Carol Smith: cvsmith612@gmail.com
Submit Life Statement – Lisa Gordon: lisa.gordon@newhopewc.org
Please feel free to reach out if we can help you in any way.
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Participant Fee - $250, Double Occupancy: includes meals, materials, & lodging
Participant Fee -$150, no accommodation needed/personally arranged offsite: includes meals and materials
Get to Know the Cohort
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Lisa Skaaland
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Wakanda Benniefield
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Amanda Huitt
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Amber Ogle
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Becky Massey
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Diana Yarish
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Jen Weber
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Jessica Kemp
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Lesli Klingenmeier
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Cece Bower
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Saundra Hutchison
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Alli Leslie
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Sarah Twyman