F³ Program: Faith. Focus. Forward.
A year of continuous learning, training, coaching, and support for pastors and associate ministers.
How it works:
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Focus: Your health and your church's care for the community
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Forward: Your new or improved ministry
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Faith: Your preaching
Your year ends with a ministry impact report and a plan to continue forward in ministry.
Applications close November 20.
Photos by Maddy Hunt (Upper House)
Healthy leaders build healthy churches. Healthy churches build healthy communities.
Who is this for?
Pastors
Associate
Ministers
F³ is an extension of the Midwest Gospel Preaching Summit. This program is for pastors and associate ministers who are ready to grow, care for their own health, and lead their church into the community.
What You'll Learn
January 2027
Meet and Greet
Meet the team and the other leaders in your group. Share your goals for the year.
February 2027
Put Your Mask on First (Leadership Wellness)
Put your own mask on first. Build habits that protect your spirit, mind, and body.
May 2027
Community Care Church Certification
Learn to respond to mental health needs, trauma, and crisis. Connect people to local help. Earn certification for your church.
July 2027
Community Ministry Innovation Lab
Strengthen or design and launch one new ministry that meets a real need in your neighborhood. You'll get coaching all along the way.
October 2027
Prophetic Preaching & Communication
Preach hard topics with courage and care. Tell your community's story. Lead people through change.
What You'll Get
Year-long training and coaching
Bible study centered on Luke 4:18–19
A peer group of leaders walking the same road
Meet the team and the other leaders in your group. Share your goals for the year.
Support to build partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and local agencies
A personal wellness plan
Community Care Church Certification
A new or improved ministry launched in your church
What We Ask of You
Join the monthly hybrid sessions
Send a short progress report each quarter
Attend all five sessions, in person or online
Launch or improve at least one ministry that meets a local need
Complete short surveys and reflections
Share what you learn with other leaders
Meet Your Cohort Leader
Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Allen Sr.
Faithful preaching. Practical leadership. Community impact.
Dr. Marcus Allen brings theological training, pastoral experience, and a record of building community partnerships to the F³ cohorts. As Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and founder of the Midwest Gospel Preaching Summit, he helps connect the message preached on Sunday with the needs people face throughout the week.
Bringing People Together in a Crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Allen partnered with Pastor Marcio Sierra Jr. of Lighthouse Church through the Psalm 46 Fund. Together with churches, donors, and community partners, they raised $500,000 to help families facing financial hardship. The effort brought African American and Latino congregations together to provide assistance with rent, utilities, food, and other essential needs.
Building Partnerships Beyond the Church
Dr. Allen’s experience includes bringing faith communities into relationships with financial institutions, health systems, behavioral health professionals, nonprofits, and public agencies. His community work includes connections with Park Bank and SSM Health, along with Mt. Zion’s partnership with Anesis Therapy to make professional mental health support accessible in a trusted community setting.
Turning Vision Into Programs
Through Mt. Zion and MTZ Charitable Organization, his leadership supports work spanning behavioral health, youth mentoring, academic support, food assistance, older adult services, and emergency assistance. He also created the Transforming and Reaching Our Youth (T.R.Y.) program, connecting young people with mentorship, employment, and educational opportunities.
Bringing Education and Experience Together
Dr. Allen holds a Master of Divinity, a Doctor of Ministry, and a certificate in Pastoral Leadership. His background includes seminary teaching, more than a decade of Army service, and authorship of I Got Next: Ten Essential Lessons for Effective Pastoral Transition.
What This Means for F³ Participants
Dr. Allen brings practical experience in identifying community needs, developing partnerships, raising resources, and organizing ministry beyond Sunday worship. That experience informs his work with pastors and associate ministers as they strengthen their preaching, care for their leadership health, and develop ministries that serve their communities.
