View a sample schedule for the year.

Overview

Catalyst is offered as a nine-month hybrid program, which includes 

• two three-day in-person gatherings

• two one-day in-person gatherings

• eight ninety-minute online huddles 

• a minimum of three one-hour coaching sessions
  Each Uptick participant is assigned a leadership coach who will serve as a thought partner to help catalyze what is being learned during the gatherings.

• periodic meetings with a mentor
  A mentor is a seasoned pastoral leader in each region who will share wisdom and insight in the Uptick’s life and leadership.

• a closing ceremony and celebration meal

Three Regions

• There are three regional Uptick Catalyst Cohorts: 

  • DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia)

  • Richmond metropolitan area

  • Tidewater region of Virginia.

• Uptick participants will meet with their regional cohort as indicated in the schedule (i.e., DMV cohort participants will meet on the DMV dates indicated, RVA will meet on their dates, etc.)

• Participants are not allowed to attend a meeting in another region due to the cultural differences in each region and the synergy established in each cohort.

   

Time Required

Catalyst requires on average ten dedicated hours/month in order to fully experience the Catalyst journey. Ten hours includes online pre-work for the sessions, assessments, readings and uninterrupted participation.

The average cost to participate in a nine-month Uptick cohort is $4000. This covers all program materials, session speaker fees, lodging (when applicable), and meals.

However, thanks to the generous contributions from Uptick supporters and our commitment to making this discipleship program accessible, the participation fee is currently set at $1,000. 

• Each participant pays a non-refundable $200 commitment fee.

  • Upon receipt of an acceptance letter from Uptick, this commitment fee is due within ten days.

• The participant's sponsor pays the remaining $800 sponsorship fee.

  • Churches, nonprofit organizations, employers, or individuals may act as sponsors.

  • The sponsorship fee is due 45 days before the cohort's start date (see calendar above).

  • This sponsorship fee may be waived if the sponsor has donated at least $2000 to BGAV (Uptick's parent organization) or to Uptick directly in this or the previous calendar year.

We ask each participant to secure at least one sponsor who will furnish a reference, cover the sponsorship fee, and provide encouragement and accountability during the cohort experience.  

For more information, please read our Sponsorship Guidelines document.

Uptick is a high-invitation, high-challenge experience for young high-capacity leaders. As you prayerfully consider this opportunity, please take a moment to review the Uptick Commitment Agreement we ask participants to sign after being accepted into a cohort. 

We know from experience that Uptickers who are committed can expect to reap great benefits: meaningful encounters with God, friendship with like-minded Christian leaders, tools for living as a disciple who disciples others, access to leaders who are successfully living out the transformative ways of Jesus in their daily lives, and experiences to sharpen what you are learning.