WHAT IS CIRCLES + SPACES?
WHAT IS CIRCLES + SPACES?
A transformative leadership cohort for the next generation of youth ministry leaders.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
*Registration fee covers some of the costs that we incur to develop content and provide the cohort with the best experts in youth ministry.
WHY SHOULD I REGISTER?
Circles + Spaces empowers youth ministry leaders through a network of experts and peers, fostering lasting connection, collaboration, and culture.
To connect with like-minded youth leaders and begin to build relationships, community, and a shared sense of purpose.
To collaborate with experienced Christian leaders within the church and marketplace as we listen to, and learn from, one another to develop effective ministries.
To embrace a culture that is reliant on the Holy Spirit, while pursuing unity, appreciating diversity, and becoming self-aware of our strengths and weaknesses together.
CIRCLES + SPACES 2025
CIRCLES + SPACES 2025
WHO IS IT FOR?
WHO IS IT FOR?
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We work with youth leaders of all ages and all experience levels. However, it is essential that all youth leaders carry a posture of humility and teachability throughout the Circles & Spaces journey.
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We work with youth leaders who want to prioritize evangelism and discipleship within their ministries. Be ready to explore new ways to innovate in order to pursue that mission.
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We work with youth leaders of all backgrounds. The only prerequisite is an openness to the Holy Spirit and being challenged and stretched in that relationship.
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We work with youth leaders who are committed to the mission to identify, develop, and release young people into their calling.
THE STAFF
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Jordan Biere
National Alpha Youth Director
Holland, MI
Jordan has been leading in local youth ministries for over 15 years and is passionate about serving other youth minsters to see even more young people discover and develop a relationship with Jesus. Husband to Amy and dad of four, you can find him with his family spending time outdoors. Jordan loves a cup of craft coffee and is a self-proclaimed crypto currency expert. -
Josh Penwell
National Alpha Youth Associate Director
Ann Arbor, MI
Josh Penwell is the National Associate Alpha Youth Director. He has been married to his wife Brittany for 12 years and lives near Ann Arbor, MI. He has spent over a decade in vocational youth ministry and currently enjoys filling his time traveling with his wife, drinking cold brew coffee, running marathons, and watching reality tv. -
Leah Edwards
National Alpha Youth Training Manager
Detroit, MI
Leah has spent the last 9 years in student ministry in the local church alongside her husband, Zach. When she’s not spending time with Zach and their two kids, you can find her baking sourdough + watching Survivor.
THE COACHES
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Amie Schmidgall
Senior Coach
Long Beach, CA
Amie Schmidgall has served in youth ministry for over 10 years and lives in Long Beach, CA with her husband Matt & three small kids. Currently, Amie is serving as the Area Director for Long Beach Young Life. -
Jake Marsh
Coach
Santa Monica, CA
Jake Marsh currently pastors at Vintage Church LA. Originally from the UK, he moved out to the US 6 years ago to enjoy the local delicacies of In N Out and Chick Fil A. -
Hannah Chaparro
Coach
Columbus, OH
Hannah, and her husband Santos, are the Student Pastors at Vineyard Columbus in Columbus, OH. Graduating from Ohio State University, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Social Work. -
Santos Chaparro
Coach
Columbus, OH
Santos Chaparro, alongside his wife Hannah, are the Central Youth Pastors at Vineyard Columbus in Ohio. Santos graduated from Trinity International University in Deerfield with a degree in Christian Ministry and Counseling. Santos also serves on the Kingdom Multi-Ethnicity Sub Team for his church to continue to seek after God’s desire for Kingdom multi-ethnic communities. -
Raissa Kubandi
Coach
Denver, CO
Raissa Kubandi is a student pastor in Denver Colorado and has been doing student ministry vocationally since 2012. Raissa loves sports, sneakers, music, and domestic travel. -
Graham Varnell
Prayer Coach
Naalehu, Hawaii
Graham currently lives in Naalehu, Hawaii alongside his wife. Together, they are staffing a ministry school focused on prayer, discipleship, and missions. Graham’s heart is for young people to know the depth of the call to walk with Jesus for a lifetime, and for a new movement of young people transforming society and the church.
THE EXPERTS
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Brad Griffin
Expert
Pasadena, CA
Brad M. Griffin is the Senior Director of Content & Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based resources for youth ministry leaders & families. A speaker, writer, and volunteer pastor, Brad is the coauthor of over fifteen books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager & 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future, Growing Young, and Sticky Faith. Brad and his wife, Missy, live in Southern California and share life with their three teenage and young adult kids. -
Hannah & Alex Absalom
Experts
Long Beach, CA
As young church planters in London, and then as pastors in the northern industrial English city of Sheffield, Hannah & Alex have learned many significant lessons about how to go and make disciples in the power of the Spirit in a culture that was rapidly becoming post-Christian. For 6 years they have been serving through Dandelion Resourcing, working with a huge range of leaders, churches, and denominations. Alex has served as an Adjunct Professor in Spiritual Formation, and taught in D.Min programs at 4 other universities.
*pictured from left to right: Isaac, Hannah, Joel, Bekah, Alex, Jilli, Samuel
CITY GATHERINGS
LOS ANGELES - JAN 23-26, 2025 -
LOS ANGELES - JAN 23-26, 2025 -
LONDON - MAY 3-8, 2025 -
LONDON - MAY 3-8, 2025 -
REGISTRATION SCHEDULE
JUL 8, 2024
Registration Opens
NOV 18, 2024
Registration Closes + Payment In Full Due
DEC 1, 2024
Onboarding Begins
JAN 5, 2025
Cohort Launch
Alpha is a nonprofit organization, and we value giving everything away for free whenever possible. Although we can’t currently provide this experience for free we are striving to make it as affordable as possible and never want money to be the reason that a youth leader is unable to participate. Limited scholarship opportunities are available
SCHOLARSHIP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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We’re looking for a diverse group of youth leaders who want to navigate areas of personal growth in their role, broaden their knowledge of youth ministry practices, and collaborate with other like-minded leaders across America.
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This cohort is led and organized as a collaborative experience by the Alpha USA Youth Team, with content and experiences put together by expert collaborators in youth ministry such as Fuller Youth Institute.
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In an effort to make Circles & Spaces more accessible, we are offering three tiers at $900, $600, and $300.
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Tier one, at $900, you will receive 3 Zoom Collaboration Sessions, Curated content prior to each session, 1x1 coaching, + LA & London Experiences,
Tier two, at $600, you will receive 3 Zoom Collaboration Sessions, Curated Content Prior to each session, 1x1 coaching
Tier three, at $300, you will receive monthly curated content packages.
Registration fee covers some of the costs that we incur to develop content and provide the cohort with the best experts in youth ministry.
Alpha is a nonprofit organization, and we value giving everything away for free whenever possible. Although we can’t currently provide this experience for free we are striving to make it as affordable as possible and never want money to be the reason that a youth leader is unable to participate.
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We’ll have a small number of need-based scholarships, and we’re working on finding additional partners to help offset the costs of the program. Apply for a scholarship here.
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We invite you to (1) raise the funds from family, friends, etc. (2) allocate it as part of your church’s leadership development budget, or (3) invest in part of it out of pocket, like an educational opportunity. Should you still need assistance, we invite you to apply here for a scholarship. Limited scholarships are available.
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As a tier one participant, you are invited to join us for two in person gatherings, one in LA and one in London. You’ll get the most out of this cohort experience if you plan to attend both city gatherings. If you can’t make it to both city gatherings, we’d recommend registering for Tier 2 or Tier 3.
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Cancelations that occur on or before September 1 will receive a 100% refund minus a 4% transaction fee. Cancelations that occur on or between September 2 and September 14 will receive a 50% refund minus a 4% transaction fee. Cancelations that occur on or after September 15 are not eligible for a refund.