Learning Cohorts

What is a Learning Cohort?

A cohort is a chance to accelerate your spiritual life and ministry, guided by an experienced team leader. The Cohort leader will guide you through our 9 ‘leadership intensives’ in advance of the mission. These are based on video resources that take you through the SOMA core curriculum topics, and will be supplemented by other leadership/spiritual development material the leader tailors to the needs of the group. These leadership intensives impart knowledge, hone skills and develop team. SOMA will provide guidelines for each session and a teaching video for participants to watch in advance, as well as other suggested viewing/reading materials. Some groups will do these as 9 separate online sessions, others will group them together and do some online and some in person.

As the mission approaches cohort members will need to be given different roles and responsibilities on team, from prayer cover, to videography, to logistics, to teaching. A final training session will make sure you are prepared, and the mission is operating in accordance with the SOMA policies around safeguarding and ministering in an international context. This is often best done in person, with time for prayer and ministry as well as answering questions. A SOMA NLT member or National Director will be available to assist in such a day (in person/zoom), and some of these days will be offered centrally for groups to tap in to as numbers and demand grow.

A key aim of a learning cohort is to see transformation in your home context as a result of being on mission. We are praying that the Lord accelerates your gifting, increases your faith and enables you to bring home ‘olive branches of faith’ from your encounter with God in the global church.

Cost

We have a set target of a £1800* for each UK based member of the learning cohorts. This includes all training, international travel costs and insurance cover as well as operational support from the home team, and can be invoiced in instalments. Some team members choose to raise additional funding to help subsidise the mission for others to join the team, (including international team members), and to support the diocese or project you are serving.

As well as your personal sacrificial giving, we encourage you to see this as a faith exercise, to approach your local church/diocese/supporters for help with funding and to see God provide for you before you even get started. It is a wonderful thing to let the need to raise funds build your faith for the mission and your life with God generally.

*a minimum target of £1500 may be agreed with team leader. We do not want cost to be an obstacle to applying so please be in touch if you need help and guidance in fundraising.

Core Curriculum

The nine core sessions equip participants to teach the material for themselves if called on while they are on the mission, and put them into practice on their return home. Each Core Session is designed to be both simple and advanced. Simple in language and easy to follow. Advanced in content, pushing leaders forward in a faith journey in their thinking and practice.

While the topics may look familiar, seasoned leaders find that reflecting on this material and then putting it into practice in a totally different context is life changing for them and for their churches. Watch the videos prayerfully and see where God takes you in your discussions with your cohort. If you are open to God and stepping out in faith you can expect massive breakthroughs in your thinking and practice.

1. Holiness / Repentance - our deepest need

2. Forgiveness - our growth accelerator

3. Keeping step with the Holy Spirit

4. Ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit

5. Prophesy 102. Unlocking doors for mission.

6. Healing the Jesus Way.

7. Your spiritual authority and the spiritual realm.

8. ‘Deliver us from evil’: every Christian’s birthright.

9. Keeping going: Walking in step with the Holy Spirit

An additional playlist gives extended testimonies and content from global members of the SOMA family.

FAQs for Mission Teams

Got a question? Check our FAQs to see if we’ve got it covered