Shepherding Prayer Cohorts

Rev. Jon Hoekema has been guiding a handful of pastors and church leaders on a prayerful journey to seek the face of God in the hope of bringing renewal to their congregations.

Hoekema, a pastor at Horizon Community Church (Downers Grove, Ill.) and the Christian Reformed Church’s prayer shepherd, has been doing this through prayer cohorts that began meeting earlier this year. 

“These cohorts are very interactive, and we have conversations about the challenges we face,” Hoekema said. “Overall, we are leaning into what God has for us and our congregations, even in the midst of our difficulties.”

The genesis of this program, which participants say has been very helpful, began last year at a pastor’s conference in Albuquerque, N.Mex., when Hoekema mentioned to another pastor his idea of beginning what he now calls Prayer Coaching Cohorts. 

“A month later, the pastor emailed me and asked when the cohorts would begin, because he was looking for mentoring and guidance in building a culture of prayer in his church,” he said. 

In connecting with other pastors and leaders to see if they were interested, said Hoekema, he soon found they had a common desire to enhance how they were working with and serving their congregations through prayer. 

“They told me they have a longing for God to move in and through them,” Hoekema said. 

In response, Hoekema launched two online Prayer Coaching Cohorts last spring with 13 participants. And two new groups this fall have 14 participants. 

“These coaching groups are helping church leaders revitalize their own prayer connection and relationship with God while teaching and modeling how to build cultures of prayer in their own congregations,” said Hoekema. 

Participants in the cohorts have indeed found that growing deeper in prayer is crucial. 

“In the prayer cohorts, Jon introduces or reinforces the importance of prayer steeped in the power of Scripture and the Spirit,” said Paul De Vries, lead pastor of Brookside CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“By praying directly from the biblical text, the prayers are anchored in God’s truth and message. By praying through the Spirit’s voice in the text, one’s heart and soul are opened to the very words and values of the faith. Plus, since the cohorts are filled with other pastors and church leaders, one is supported by the presence and experience of others.”

Nicole McLeod, pastor of worship at Hope Fellowship Church in Courtice, Ont., first heard about the prayer cohort as she was returning to work from a seven-month maternity leave following the birth of her son.

“As I leaned into the reality of this new season of life, I recognized an opportunity to be intentional about establishing healthy rhythms and routines. Prayer quickly emerged as a key component of that,” she said.

Being part of the prayer cohort last spring, she added, reinforced things she had learned before about prayer: “It reminded me of the importance of surrendering my will to God’s, of seeking his leading and direction, and of the fruitfulness that flows from relationship with him.”

Through the readings and times of discussion, she said, she was able to grow in her prayer life, was provided with practical resources that she can use in her ministry, “and was inspired to be a leader who seeks God’s kingdom above any other goals or desires.”

In addition, she said, the prayer cohort equipped her to face some of the challenges occurring in the denomination “from a place of trust and faith rather than from a place of fear and anxiety.”

Ashley Bonnes, pastor of Highland CRC in Marion, Mich., said being part of the cohort has helped her to move through some challenges in her ministry by allowing her to stand stronger in a faith bolstered by regular prayer.

“Jon has done an excellent job of showing us how to pray in community—and the great value of that practice,” she said. 

“As a result of Jon's leadership, both through the cohort and by leading prayer sessions for the denomination, I find myself being transformed. When I pray in community, I find myself deeply loving and caring for the people who I'm sharing this intimate practice with.”

In May 2021 the Council of Delegates endorsed a plan that led to asking Hoekema to guide the denomination in prayer prior to and during Synod 2022. 

Early in 2022, Hoekema was officially named prayer leader or prayer shepherd for the CRC. In this role he has overseen a range of prayer initiatives linked to COD meetings, synod meetings, prayer coaching in various settings, and now these cohorts.

Hoekema said he has his own story of being able to develop his prayer life and how that has made a big difference in his ministry. About eight years ago, he said, his small church in Downers Grove, Ill., lost a few families, and that caused the church, as well as Hoekema, to question what might come next.

For his part, he stayed at the church but also connected with and eventually began working for the 6:4 Fellowship, an international prayer ministry developed by Daniel Henderson, a longtime pastor and now president of strategic renewal and global director of the organization.

“Being part of the ministry helped me to learn how to be quiet to hear the voice of God and to hear what the Spirit is saying,” said Hoekema. 

“I learned that prayer is about discerning and following instead of debating and deciding. I also learned how prayer is relational and not transactional. It is not about what I can get out of God. Instead, in prayer we long to hear God and follow God.”

While his role as prayer shepherd is limited to 16 hours per week, Hoekema has poured himself into the job. He has been especially busy during synods and COD meetings, as well as being on hand to pray and lead others in the practice of prayer. 

In his own church, prayer has become a significant part of their community life. Every Sunday, for example, they hold 30 minutes of prayer before the service. Every Wednesday, they hold a prayer gathering. 

“We do spend significant time in prayer. We may be a small church, but we believe that a small praying church can make a big difference in our denomination,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Hoekema would like to see the prayer cohorts grow. By inspiring and forming church leaders, the cohorts can help a congregation find its way forward in times of trouble, to rejoice in times of joy, and to ultimately grow closer to the God to whom they pray and from whom they gain guidance.

Participants in the Prayer Coaching Cohorts are using the books Transforming Prayer and Old Paths, New Power by Daniel Henderson. They also find themselves slowly praying through and learning about the Lord’s Prayer – the prayer Jesus left for his followers.

Reflecting on the cohorts, De Vries said: “As we navigate challenging conversations around potentially divisive issues, what an amazing gift it is to know that at the end of the day God holds our church in his hands!”

For more information about Hoekema’s work in prayer ministry, contact [email protected].