General Missiology Cohort

Application Deadline: August 7, 2026

Overview

Fuller’s Doctor of Global Leadership (DGL) program equips Christian leaders to integrate missiological theory with practical research, culminating in a personally tailored action plan for transformational change within their ministry context.

This cohort is designed for ministry leaders who are actively leading change and seeking to ground their efforts in a robust, research-informed framework. Throughout the program, students will engage in personal leadership development, spiritual formation, and in-depth organizational assessment and analysis. Each participant embarks on a unique research journey within a supportive, collaborative learning community. Together, students seek to discern and participate in God’s redemptive mission—the missio Dei—and bring gospel-shaped transformation to the communities, cultures, and systems they serve.

Cohort participants may serve in a wide range of contexts, including (but not limited to) churches, mission agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, community development organizations, and transformational businesses.

The four-year curriculum is designed around key themes:

Year 1 explores the interdisciplinary nature of missiology and the theological foundations of global leadership.
Year 2 focuses on contextualization in both local and global settings, with particular attention on cultural intelligence and adaptive ministry strategies.
Year 3 centers on leadership and organizational development, including systems thinking, innovation, and change management.
Year 4: Students synthesize their learning and research into a contextualized applied research dissertation that addresses a critical issue in their ministry context and contributes meaningfully to the broader field of missiology.

Schedule

Year One: Missiology: Anatomy of an Interdiscipline (14 units)

Fall (Sep–Dec) 2026: Research Methods, 4 units, online
Winter (Jan–Mar) 2027: Missiological Foundations, 4 units, online
Spring (Mar–Jun) 2027: Missiological Foundations and Research Applied, 6 units, online

This first year lays the foundation for doctoral research by exploring missiological frameworks: interdisciplinary constructs that draw from a range of fields including biblical theologies of mission, the social sciences (e.g., cultural anthropology, political science, communication theory), and area studies (e.g., Latin American studies, urban studies). Students will begin with a broad survey of relevant literature and then design an individualized course of study focused on missiological questions pertinent to their ministry context. Throughout the year, they will gain proficiency in academic research and writing, including library methods, scholarly citation, and familiarity with the overall dissertation structure. By the end of the year, students will have developed an in-depth understanding of the scholarly literature related to their research focus, identified gaps in the field, and constructed conceptual frameworks that will guide their field research in Year 2.

All coursework in Year 1 will be delivered fully online. Students will work asynchronously through Canvas and meet regularly via Zoom. The structure includes:

Fall Quarter: One-week Zoom intensive (live online) during the third week, followed by six weekly two-hour Zoom sessions.
Winter & Spring Quarters: Each includes a two-day Zoom intensive, followed by six weeks of weekly two-hour Zoom sessions.

Year Two: Contextualization and Mission (14 units)

Fall (Sep–Dec) 2027: Studying Contexts, 4 units, online
Winter (Jan–Mar) 2028: Issues of Context, 4 units, online with in-person intensive TBD
Spring (Mar–Jun) 2028: Contextual Analysis Applied, 6 units, online

The second year focuses on theories of culture and the processes of contextualization. Building on the missiological frameworks developed in Year 1, students will become equipped to analyze cultural dynamics at local and global levels that influence their ministry context and research focus. Students will be introduced to a variety of theoretical approaches—including ethnography, case study, thick description, and praxis—as well as commonly used research methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, and participant observation. These tools will enable them to conduct meaningful fieldwork to deepen their understanding of the cultural and organizational context in which they serve. During this year, students will begin collecting and analyzing data that will provide greater insight into the complexities of their ministry context; directly inform the design and implementation of their applied research project; and offer original contributions to the broader field of missiology.

Year Three: Church, Mission, and Leadership (14 units)

Fall (Sep–Dec) 2028: Change Dynamics, 4 units, online
Winter (Jan–Mar) 2029: Leadership Change, 4 units, online with in-person intensive TBD
Spring (Mar–Jun) 2029: Leadership and Change Dynamics Applied, 6 units, online

Year 3 centers on the vital relationship between the church and its missional calling, with a particular focus on the leadership required to guide the church faithfully and effectively in the 21st century. Drawing from their research findings in Year 2, students will engage in theological reflection and critical analysis to understand how their insights inform leadership development at the personal, ecclesial, and organizational levels. This year invites students to identify specific areas where leadership growth is needed—whether in strategic thinking, adaptive capacity, spiritual formation, or systems change. These insights will shape a deeper engagement with church leadership and missional spirituality, laying the groundwork for sustainable and transformative ministry in complex cultural contexts. The conclusions drawn in Year 3 will guide students into a refined vision for leadership that is both contextually grounded and theologically informed, preparing them for the integration and application work of the final year.

Year Four: Integration (12 units)

Fall (Sep–Dec) 2029: Missiological Integration, 4 units, online
Winter (Jan–Mar) 2030: Dissertation Writing Part A, 4 units, online
Spring (Mar–Jun) 2030: Dissertation Writing Part B, 4 units, online

In Year 4, students will synthesize their learning and research developed throughout the program, drawing on the frameworks of missiology, contextualization, and leadership from Years 1, 2, and 3. The primary focus of this final year is the completion of a contextualized applied research dissertation that reflects both scholarly rigor and practical relevance. Building on previously drafted chapters—such as the literature review, research findings, and conclusions—students will now develop a detailed implementation plan, articulated in the application chapter of the dissertation. This plan will translate research insights into actionable strategies for ministry transformation. Students will then revise, defend, and publish their dissertation, offering their work as a resource to their ministry partners and as a contribution to the broader field of missiology.

Cohort Mentor

Dr. Anna Morgan has been in pastoral ministry since 1999. She co-pastors Word of Life Church in metropolitan Washington, D.C. and is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. She is also vice president of academics at Ascent College. Dr. Morgan authored Growing Women in Ministry: Seven Aspects of Leadership Development, available from Baker.

Dr. Todd Korpi is a Pentecostal missiologist, researcher, and writer. In addition to work consulting with churches on organizational effectiveness and missional engagement, Dr. Korpi serves as lead researcher of the Digital Mission Consortia at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center and as an adjunct instructor in mission and leadership at several institutions.