As an update to Strengthening Pastoral Formation grantee Revelation University’s program, “Next Generation Leaders,” Rev. Iris de Jesus shared that in the initial phase of the program, a diagnostic survey was conducted to understand the specific needs of the Hispanic pastor community in South Miami and select program candidates. Although the participation did not reach the original goal, since the number of surveys collected was 61 when they aspired to collect 100. From this analysis, 20 pastors were initially identified to participate in the program, of which 16 were able to acquire the commitment to attend in person. During the development of the program, 2 continued online and 5 left due to work commitments. 11 participants completed this educational axis.
To accommodate the time available, they reduced the duration of each class by one hour and extended the number of classes from 4 to 5 to meet the objectives. In addition, they have paused to be able to continue the recruitment of additional participants. Since all classes were recorded, the newly recruited participants may be able to catch up, and then all of them will be on the same track. The project team met to rework and accommodate the schedules of busy pastors.