Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Project Portfolio

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Mindy Smith, DMin

Second Advisor

Sunggu Yang, PhD

Third Advisor

Leonard I. Sweet, PhD

Abstract

NPO statement: Volunteers within Cedar Hills Church feel unsure of what we believe, unclear on their purpose, and unprepared to disciple others in their specific ministry contexts. Without intentional training and equipping, these barriers keep capable people on the sidelines instead of stepping confidently into the mission of Jesus.

Key benefits or insights that emerged: Research and early implementation showed that volunteers engage more when equipping is relational, practical, and connected to real life. Adults were more willing to participate when they could share from their own experiences and practice their faith, rather than sit through content-heavy teaching. Participants gained confidence by spending intentional time with Jesus, engaging Scripture together, and better understanding how they fit into the mission of the church. An ongoing digital connection helped the formation continue beyond in-person gatherings and strengthened relationships over time.

Ministry or vocational context: Cedar Hills Church is a growing, outward-focused church located in Sandpoint, Idaho. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly attendance has increased significantly, resulting in expanded gatherings and a greater reliance on volunteers across ministries. While growth has created momentum and opportunity, it has also reduced relational proximity and revealed the need for a more intentional and scalable approach to formation and equipping.

Description of the Project: This doctoral project developed and piloted Equip, a hybrid ministry development process designed to develop confident, Christ-centered volunteers. Equip combines quarterly in-person gatherings with an ongoing online community to support spiritual formation, theological clarity, and mission alignment. Emphasizing relationship, practice, and cultural clarity over information transfer alone, Equip created accessible pathways for volunteers to grow in confidence and readiness to disciple others. Participant feedback and observations indicate increased engagement, clarity, and confidence, demonstrating that Equip is a sustainable and scalable approach to formation in a growing church context.

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