Cohorts & Programs

Questions? Contact Admissions.


enroll@york.edu
402-363-5627

When: September 11-13, 2026

Where: Omaha, Nebraska

We will begin around 5 pm on Friday and will end by noon on Sunday.  Participants will be responsible for their own travel to/from the event as well as any personal, discretionary expenses. More Info

Qualifications for this event are having served as a minister's wife for 5+ years and being in our region (roughly defined as the Midwest, Rockies, and Great Plains States).  Among applicants meeting these requirements, participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Although 10 women will receive this opportunity during our first offering, other qualifying women will be put on a waitlist for this event and will receive advance notification of the next Ministers' Wives Retreat.  If you have any questions, please contact the Smith and Mary Kite Center for Ministry at centerforministry@york.edu.


Registration is closed.

When: September 15 & 29, October 13 & 27, and November 10 & 17. Each session will be 90 minutes. 

Where: Online

This cohort is for women who are active church members from small and rural churches. Participants will receive an introduction to a variety of spiritual disciplines and time to encourage each other. 

Cohort Requirements:
● Submit an application by August 15, 2026.
● Be present for each online group session.
● A willingness to practice assigned spiritual disciplines between sessions.
● Craft a spiritual autobiography.
● Complete one spiritual direction session.

Session Topics:
● What are Spiritual Disciplines and Spiritual Direction?
● Attending to God with Us
● Reflective Prayer
● Art as Prayer
● Prayerful Reading of the Scriptures
● Spiritual Autobiography and Reflection

Facilitator: Jeri Ford holds a B.Ed. from York University and M.Ed. from Freed-Hardeman. She began her career as an elementary teacher before homeschooling her three children. For the past 25 years, she and her husband, Craig, have served in ministry in several states and in Papua New Guinea. They currently live in Billings, Montana. Jeri enjoys long walks with Craig, pickleball, and singing. She trained in Spiritual Direction through Lipscomb’s Institute for Christian Spirituality and is excited to explore spiritual practices with other women.

Register
Registration deadline is August 15th.

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Host: Elders at East Independence Church of Christ

Location: 2020 S 291 Highway, Independence, MO

Theme: Leadership Insights from Jesus

Equip: Kansas City Connection is hosting a special leadership seminar dedicated to investing in spiritual leadership development for current church leaders, those who aspire to be church leaders, and the wives and future wives of leaders to join.

The day will feature sessions on defining, identifying, and training the next generation of leaders, as well as critical keys for healthy spiritual leadership, including maintaining a non-anxious presence and a deep walk with the Lord. 

When: October 22, 2026

Time: 8:00 A.M. - 2:50 P.M. 

Theme: Community as Ministry

Keynote Speaker: Russell Epperson

Where: Miller Room (Mackey Center)

Cost: Free! (Box Lunch Provided)

More Info & Register Here

These programs are sponsored by the Smith and Mary Kite Center for Ministry at York
University, a partner of the Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative, facilitated by
Pepperdine University. The co-directors are Dr. Anessa Westbrook and Dr. Scott Laird.