I want to accomplish great things for the cause of Christ.
This is Holy Ambition
A godly balance of authentic humility and mission accomplishment
Welcome!
THE SKINNY
We are looking for 12 pastors each semester with holy ambition. There is a:
- Deep desire to accomplish much for the cause of Christ — not content with maintenance, but hungry to see the gospel advance and lives transformed.
- Passion to grow closer and more sensitive to Jesus while helping others do the same — prioritizing intimacy with God and genuine spiritual formation.
- Longing to run with a band of brothers — committed peers who will spur one another on in courageous, obedient faith and action.
TELL ME MORE
As a master’s- or doctorate-level pastor leading a congregation, you’re called to more than maintenance, you are built for mission.
Our J3 Challenge equips servant-leaders like you overcome ordinary and extraordinary obstacles to fulfill the mission that the Lord has for you.
It’s high-level pastoral training for those who:
- Contend for the faith
- Strive to stay close to God
- Shepherd healthy congregations (or want to get there)
- Aspire to equip their people to fulfill The Great Commission
We will help you examine limiting assumptions, clarify competing priorities, and address core issues, enabling you to pursue God’s calling with renewed clarity and faith-filled resolve and action.
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THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE COURSE
We find a strong parallel between Joshua’s story and pastors with holy ambition.
- Both were called by God to serve him, inadequacies and all.
- Both rose the occasion with strength and courage despite not knowing the future.
- Both have faced obstacles too big to overcome on their own ingenuity, intelligence, and strength.
- Both were empowered to equipped to fulfill God’s mission as they remained faithful and obedient.
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Joshua: Rise with strength and courage
You might think that the death of Moses would have been a major setback for the people of Israel. In God’s plan, though, the mantle of leadership passed smoothly to Joshua, and Joshua quickly proved to be the next generation key leader. God challenged Joshua to be strong and courageous and enabled him to be so.
That’s how it works: God raises up a leader, and that leader rises to the occasion with holy ambition.
Like Joshua, you’re God’s next-generation leader. We challenge you to claim that same strength and courage.
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Jordan: Overcome obstacles by God’s grace and power.
To set foot in the Promised Land, the Israelites had to cross the Jordan River, a major obstacle for Joshua but no problem for God. The crossing must have been long and laborious but was successful, memorialized by stacking stones to remind Israelites for generations to come that God is the God of power.
That’s how it works: God calls a leader with holy ambition, obstacles arise, and God equips and empowers that leader to succeed.
Like Joshua, you will face big obstacles. As a next-generation leader you will develop the skill and steadfastness to overcome them.
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Jericho: Conquer with obedient action
In the J3 Challenge, Jericho represents the many objectives that must be met in successfully fulfilling God’s mission – the Missio Dei. Once across the Jordan River, the first major objective in the conquest was the mighty fortified city of Jericho. Under Joshua’s leadership and in the power of God, the walls came tumbling down.
That’s how it works: God defines an objective, and a faithful leader with holy ambition is equipped and empowered to reach that objective.
Like Joshua, God has defined objectives for you to complete. He has ordained you and your church as his instrument to make it happen. Are you ready?
SOUNDS INTERESTING, WHAT’S THE GOAL?
A Stronger You, A Thriving Church
THAT’S A LOT, HOW DOES IT WORK?
It’s doable, not draining
The Lord’s work is a lot. That’s why it requires holy ambition.
We are in a spiritual battle that requires:
- Prayerful reliance over human effort
- Steadfastness over a quick fix
- Personal growth over personal comfort
The Lord’s work is doable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called you to do it.
Over two semesters (Spring, Fall or Fall, Spring) you will advance through six modules designed to strengthen your character and develop your skills as you face obstacles in fulfilling God’s call on your ministry.
- Instruction and Accountability: Bi-weekly Zoom sessions for teaching and progress shares.
- Peer Sharpening: Join a triad of like-minded pastors for encouragement and iron-on-iron growth.
- Action Over Theory: Minimal reading, maximum doing-build skills and character through real ministry tasks.
It’s battle-tested for leaders like you:
- Prayer > Hustle
- Steadfastness > Shortcuts
- Growth > Comfort
WHAT ARE THE SIX MODULES?
1. Decision-Making and Dependence on God
Emphasizes the critical role of leadership in modeling dependence on God, humility, faith-driven decision-making to set the church’s trajectory.
2. Discovering Scriptural Alignment and Mission Clarity
Underscores the importance of a Scriptural-based framework to unify the church’s mission and ensure all efforts align with disciple-making.
3. Instilling Healthy Congregational Spiritual Disciplines and Rhythms
Embeds the spiritual disciplines into the congregation’s life to maintain momentum and foster transformation.
4. Mobilizing and Inspiring the Congregation
Highlights the role of leadership in mobilizing your congregation for active participation in God’s mission for your church.
5. Developing Leaders and Multiplying Your Ministries
Focuses on the long-term goal of multiplying disciples, leaders, and ministries to sustain and expand God’s mission for your church.
6. Transforming Lives and Impacting Your Community
Emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel and a healthy church on individuals and their broader sphere of influence.
Each of these modules will have elements for you to:
- Respond to challenges with courage and strength.
- Overcome obstacles with God’s power and grace.
- Met objectives to fulfill God’s mission for you and your church.
I’M INTERESTED, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
We are selective. Only pastors who match the characteristics of a pastor with holy ambition, need to apply.
Read this profile of a pastor with holy ambition.
If you say “Yes, this is me!”, then you are good candidate for this course.
If so, there will be instructions on the bottom of the profile of next steps.
MEET OUR J3 CHALLENGE COURSE LEADERS
REV. DR. KEN PRIDDY
FOUNDER
Ken is the Founder and President of The Go Center. He has spent over 25 years as a practitioner and researcher in church revitalization and multiplication.
He has consulted with hundreds of churches and pastors across 15 denominations; taught at seven seminaries; and worked with churches in six countries. His journey began with turning around a church from 13 people to over 350 people in seven years. He and his wife have four adult children and four grandchildren.
He received his DMin (RTS) and PhD (Newburgh), one focused on revitalization and the other on multiplication. He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He holds certifications in Change Management, Innovation Management, and Corporate Training.
REV. DAVID ZOOK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
David is a second career pastor. After serving 11 years in a variety of sales and marketing management roles in corporate America, he received his MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
For 14 years he served as a lead or co-lead pastor in two Phoenix urban churches. Up to 90% of the people under his watch grew significantly in the Lord. One congregation grew 50% in two years. He also developed several strategic initiatives to minister through the church to the city involving public schools, the working poor, city and state government, church networks, and Fortune 500 companies.
He helped lead three church plants and was on a team for a fourth. He and his wife have two adult sons – one plays professional soccer and the other just started his first business. They were also foster parents.
He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.