Who This Program Is For
Are you actively serving or ready to begin serving?
Do you have a desire to grow in leadership and spiritual maturity?
Formed to Lead is a leadership development experience for individuals ready to grow in both spiritual formation and practical ministry leadership within Christ Church.
Through a hybrid format of in-person and virtual sessions held on six select Saturdays throughout the year, participants engage in a structured journey designed to develop both the heart and skill of a leader.
Throughout the program, you’ll be equipped to:
Throughout the journey, you'll be developed by a team of trusted Christ Church senior leaders who bring decades of combined ministry and leadership experience, offering practical insight you can apply immediately.
This program is for those who are ready to grow and lead.
Before registering, take a moment to confirm:
If yes—you’re ready.
Register Today
Lead Pastor, Christ Church
Dr. David Ireland is founder and lead pastor of Christ Church, a 13,000-member multisite congregation in North Jersey representing over 70 nationalities. Former diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association, Dr. Ireland has led chapel services for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and at the U.S. Pentagon. Dr. Ireland is the author of over 30 books including Raising a Child Who Prays and One in Christ.
The Rev. Ireland holds graduate degrees in engineering, theology, organizational leadership, and social innovation having completed post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cambridge in England. He and his wife, Dr. Marlinda Ireland, have been married since 1984 and have two adult daughters and a son-in-law.
Dr. David Ireland is founder and lead pastor of Christ Church, a 13,000-member multisite congregation in North Jersey representing over 70 nationalities. Former diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association, Dr. Ireland has led chapel services for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and at the U.S. Pentagon. Dr. Ireland is the author of over 30 books including Raising a Child Who Prays and One in Christ.
The Rev. Ireland holds graduate degrees in engineering, theology, organizational leadership, and social innovation having completed post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cambridge in England. He and his wife, Dr. Marlinda Ireland, have been married since 1984 and have two adult daughters and a son-in-law.
Pastor Anthony Franklin serves as the Montclair Campus Pastor. He is passionate about shepherding the congregation through teaching and has a strong commitment to mentoring and training emerging leaders. He and his wife, Barbara, provide leadership to the church’s Small Group and Marriage Mentoring ministries. For more than 25 years of pastoral ministry, they have enjoyed helping to restore and strengthen hundreds of marriages through conferences, retreats, and workshops. He is a graduate of Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY, and he and Barbara have been happily married since 1981.
Erika Gerena is a senior executive leader and trusted advisor with more than 25 years of experience strengthening mission-driven organizations across local, national, and international contexts. With a deep focus on people and organizational development, she partners with leaders and teams through seasons of growth and change—building healthy cultures, aligning strategy and systems, and fostering sustainable impact. Having worked at every level of an organization, Erika brings a practical, grounded approach to leadership and operations, along with a passion for developing others, strengthening organizations for scale, and leading with humility, clarity, and care rooted in her faith.
Pastor Ryan Faison serves as the Lodi Campus Pastor, leading a diverse and multigenerational congregation. He has served in several roles at Christ Church—from worship leader to Student Ministries Pastor to producer of Prayerfest—while also creating digital content and resources as Digital Content Pastor to equip people in their faith and leadership journey. He holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Nyack Alliance Theological Seminary, serves on the Board of Directors for BASIC College Ministries, and is an adjunct professor at Pillar College, helping to develop transformational leaders.