Pastoral Cohorts

Too often, church leaders feel isolated. While surrounded by people, ironically, those of us leading in church can feel emotionally and spiritually alone. It can be hard to get perspective on ourselves and our ministry while immersed in ministry. Yet, in a confidential and supportive environment of like-minded people, God often brings light.

Pastoral Cohorts are available for men and women who are leading in church and their spouses who want to grow. Cohorts meet approximately monthly for in-depth, 3-hour sessions throughout the year. In a confidential environment, the focus is on helping you grow in spiritual formation, self-care, emotional intelligence, leadership, and other areas. Cohorts are led by qualified church ministry veterans in the Greater Sacramento Area and via Zoom. Joining a cohort costs $150 per person per year due at application.

apply to join a cohort

“Too often, pastoral preparation is inadequate for today’s pastoral demands. The Jessup Center for Church Health brings life and lift to pastors and churches. I am grateful for their contribution to the Kingdom!”

Tod Bolsinger

Senior Congregational Strategist & Associate Professor of Leadership Formation, Fuller Theological Seminary; Author of Canoeing the Mountains

Pastoral Cohort Leaders

Meet Brad Franklin

Brad Franklin

In 1987, Brad Franklin launched Lakeside Church in Folsom, CA, and served there until 2023. He now leads a ministry called Church Hope, which provides coverage for pastors enjoying a sabbatical. He has a deep passion to care for the hearts, lives, and ministries of pastors. He loves encouraging pastors in leadership, preaching, and communication. Brad and Donna have been married for over 45 years. He loves baseball, golf, and pickleball—and tolerates running. For fun, Brad and Donna love to pull their teardrop trailer to the mountains or beach for camping adventures.

Brad has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Westmont College, a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Bethel Seminary.

Meet Mike Mitchum

Mike Mitchum

For over thirty years, Mike served as a pastor in local churches. His passion was compassionate outreach to people in the community. In Rancho Cordova, he led the church to start programs to feed the hungry and provide low-cost after-school daycare in a building built for that purpose. His experience enables him to guide pastors seeking to reach their communities.

During the last five years of his ministry, Mike served as the Director of Leadership Development for the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Northern California, Utah, Nevada, and Hawaii. His greatest joy was encouraging pastors in their ministries. He provides pastors with acceptance, confidentiality, encouraging words, and prayer.

Mike has a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley and a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Mike and Robin have two adult children.

Meet Steve & Dana Clifford

Steve & Dana Clifford

Steve and Dana served Bay Area churches for over 30 years, with over 22 years at Westgate Church in San Jose. After ministering as a pastoral team for almost 20 years, they offer a unique perspective. Through their pastoral leadership, Westgate grew from 300 to 2500 people, developed relationships with schools, businesses, and county government, planted two churches, and came to give away $2 million a year. They served other churches through the South Bay Pastors Network (SBPN) and Transforming the Bay with Christ (TBC, where Steve was a founding board member). They are passionate about investing in churches and pastors.

Dana is working on a Spiritual Direction Certificate. Steve graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary and now works on his golf game. You can learn more about Steve here. Steve and Dana are proud grandparents to two wonderful grandchildren they love to spoil.

Meet ron Thompson

Ron Thompson

Ron describes himself as a man on a journey to become more like Jesus. His story includes brokenness, depression, chronic illness, grief, cancer, infertility, and adoption. He has found that spiritual life takes perseverance, and it has never been easy. His mission is to “joyfully engage in God’s eternal purposes as I grow in intimacy with Jesus and others.”

After graduating from seminary, as newlyweds, Ron and Kimberely stepped out in faith. In 1992, they moved from Texas to the California mission field to found Twin Cities Church in Grass Valley, CA, with six families. They pastored there for 32 years, building a church “where hope is found.”

Ron has been married to Kimberly for over 34 years. He was previously married to Darla for six years before she died in an automobile accident. Kimberly and Ron have two adult children (one who was adopted at birth), two grandchildren, and two elderly moms, one of whom lives with them.

For health reasons, Ron transitioned from the Lead Pastor role and recently completed a Spiritual Direction and Coaching program through the ministry of Soul Shepherding and its founders, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere.

Ron trusts that God will use him as Christ’s ambassador in these areas: death and dying, grief and loss, depression, life transitions, personal struggles, addiction, soul care, the enneagram, sabbatical coaching, church health, and pastoral transitions.

Ron has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Canyon College, a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and additional training in Leadership, Church Growth, and Spiritual Formation.

Meet Kim Thompson

Kim Thompson

Kim’s life following Jesus is a fascinating and deeply satisfying adventure. She and Ron helped to start Twin Cities Church in Grass Valley, CA, where they served for the next 32 years. At home, she supported Ron as Lead Pastor of the growing church and raised their two kids, one of whom is adopted, including homeschooling. While on the worship arts staff at Twin Cities, Kim grew in leading, teaching, raising awareness of those with special needs, giving spiritual direction, and coaching.

Kim is deeply grateful that God not only healed her from past hurts through counseling but also equipped her through the spiritual direction training of Soul Shepherding to begin sharing soul care with others. Today, she is invested in caring for the needs of aging parents (Kim’s elderly mom lives with them) and supporting their adult children and grandchildren.

As Kim and Ron have retired from pastoring, Kim is eager to invest in others in ministry, especially those who need to find their voice, as she sees the crucial part healthy and whole servants of Christ in the Church play in rescuing those who don’t yet know Him.

Kim has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University and a Master of Arts degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Meet Esley Simmons

Esley Simmons

God called Esley into ministry, and he preached his first sermon in 1971. Bishop Lester Hughes licensed, ordained, and sent Esley to pastor in the Oak Park area of Sacramento. In 1989, God called Esley to start South Sacramento Christian Center, which he pastored until 2019. The Mayor of Sacramento has recognized South Sacramento Christian Center for its impact on the well-being of the Sacramento region, and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has recognized Esley with the Al Geiger Memorial Award. Esley now mentors pastors on a range of family, church, and pastoral leadership issues.

Esley studied at Simpson Bible College and Patton Bible College. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College and an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from Friendship Bible College International.

Esley and Deborah have been married for over 52 years. They have one daughter, four sons, eighteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The California State University at Sacramento has recognized their contribution to healthy marriage and family relationships in our region.