WHOLE LIFE DISCIPLESHIP
WHOLE HEARTS. WHOLE LIVES. WHOLE FAITH.
5-Month Cohort for Urban Youth Leaders
The Reality We're Navigating
Urban youth are growing up in survival mode—facing trauma, injustice, and cultural pressure that often feels louder than the church. Faith can feel disconnected from their daily struggles.
Here's the truth: We've been great at teaching beliefs. But we've missed the mark on showing Gen Z and Alpha how faith speaks directly to identity, pain, purpose, and power.
This program changes that. It's time to disciple youth the way Jesus did—holistically, authentically, and with every part of their lives in view.
What Makes Whole Life Discipleship Different
Discipleship isn’t just about behavior—it’s about transformation. Whole Life Discipleship equips you to nurture every dimension of a young person's life, not just their church attendance.
The 7-Dimension Framework
A framework that looks at nurturing every aspect of a young person's being.
Stewardship
Help youth understand that what they have and who they are is a gift to steward with wisdom for God's purposes.
Physical
Encourage youth to build healthy habits through movement, good nutrition, and rest that strengthen both body and faith.
Emotional
Create safe spaces for youth to process emotions, build resilience, and grow in self-awareness and hope.
Mental
Develop young minds through learning, creativity, and critical thinking that help them engage the world with wisdom.
Social
Foster healthy relationships and empathy through connection, service, and community engagement.
Spiritual
Guide youth to cultivate practices that shape them to be more like Jesus through prayer, scripture, community, and experiences.
Rest/Play
Teach healthy rhythms by valuing rest, recreation, and joy as vital parts of a whole and healthy life.
Gen Z Is Coming to Church—Now What?
New research from Barna shows a surprising shift: Millennials and Gen Z are driving a renewed interest in faith and church engagement. They’re showing up—seeking purpose, belonging, and real connection.
But church attendance alone doesn’t form disciples. Even though most Gen Z identify as spiritual or religious, many aren’t being shown how faith connects to everyday life.
The question isn’t how to get them in the door—it’s how to model a healthy, integrated faith that shapes how they live, grow, and follow Jesus every day.
Whole Life Discipleship helps you meet them where they are with a faith that's integrated into their everyday life.
Join the Movement
Be part of a generation of leaders who disciple with depth, authenticity, and purpose.
Transform your ministry. Transform youths lives.
Now Accepting Applications
XLR8 Online | 2026-27
Virtual (By invite-only cohort)
Begins April 20, 2026
Fall Online | 2026-27
Virtual Cohort
Begins September 14, 2026
Not ready to apply?
Fill out this form and we’ll connect with you to answer any questions!
Your students don’t need more hype. They need a faith that fits
their whole life.
XLR8 Cohort Class Dates
The XLR8 Cohort Meets Weekly (by invitation only).
April 20, 2026
May 18, 2026
April 27, 2026
June 1, 2026
May 4, 2026
June 15, 2026
May 11, 2026
Fall Class Dates
A Five-Month Cohort That Meets Every 3 Weeks.
Sep. 14, 2026
Dec. 7, 2026
Oct. 5, 2026
Dec. 21, 2026
Oct. 26, 2026
Jan. 11, 2027
Nov. 16, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I contact with questions?
Reach out to Vanessa Cruz at vanessa@uywi.org
Reviews
"We are going through Whole Life Discipleship, and the kids are eating it up. They love it! The number of teens attending is growing through Whole Life Discipleship. They are openly talking, and leaders are growing through the curriculum."
