One president wrote regarding his experience at CRDI:
“We involved 4 team members in the process so the cost involved a major commitment financially. The trustees and I decided it was important enough to borrow the money if necessary to attend. It has already exceeded our expectations.”

Another:
“Even after just one session, it is already evident that the cohort is well worth the investment. It is just the right balance of theory, practical application, and motivational encouragement.”

What Recent Alumni Are Saying About the Strategic Leadership Institute, predecessor to the Cohort Resource Development Institute.

“Strategic Leadership Institute (SLI) has helped me clarify my life purpose. SLI challenged me to risk asking hard questions about the reasons for my choices. Had I planned for this or did I fall into it? God has called us to be intentional about responding to His call. Strategic Leadership Institute provided the challenge of going back into my life purpose and clarifying the hope and vision placed there by God for His Glory.”

Al Patterson, Executive Director
Love In the Name of Christ of Southwest King County

(Al has since resigned Love Inc., and become the Chaplain for Tukwila Police and Fire Departments; the direct representative of the Church of Tukwila to the City)

“I just wanted to thank all of you at Strategic Leadership Institute for the time and resources that you have afforded to the Pastors of Tukwila. Since we began our journey with SLI, our relationships have been greatly strengthened, and the vision for the city where God has placed us is really starting to intensify! It is good to see how the Body of Christ can work together to spread the Gospel–each of us in the unique way that He created us.
“I pray that the Lord will continue to bless all that you do, and I also pray that the Lord will open other doors for your team to build pastors in cities all across our country!”

Your brother in Christ,
Gary Vanderhoff
Senior Pastor, Neighborhood Life Center of the Assemblies of God

“For over two decades I have ministered in Tukwila, during which time I have developed relationships with the other pastors and churches. Although we were not competitive, there was little in the way of cooperation – and relatively little fruit. Last summer we began to experience a longing to seek God together for our community. As we began meeting and praying together in the fall, the concept of SLI was presented to us. We were excited and began our seven month SLI journey in December. I cannot overstate the impact this has had on our lives together. Corporately, the Lord has knit our hearts together and given us a unified desire to impact our community for Christ. Individually, we are being challenged and encouraged in very practical ways to be the leaders the Lord has called and designed us to be. It is my prayer that the SLI tool be used by the pastors of other communities as a catalyst for unity and leadership maturation.”

Nick Krantz,
Pastor, Foster Presbyterian Church
Tukwila, WA

“Strategic Leadership Institute proved to be a very timely vehicle in strengthening our own personal leadership skills and strategic plans as well as providing vital cement for the bonding of relationships between the churches of Tukwila and the pastors.  The Institute provided Biblically based equipment and enrichment on all levels.  It forced us to scrutinize and effectively improve our own personal relationship with the Lord, strategically think through and articulate our ministry plans and goals, connect us in the community with key leadership and organizations, and deepen our relationships with fellow pastors and churches in our community.

“SLI is a very effective catalyst, which I would highly recommend to any other individual or group of pastoral leadership who is serious about knowing God’s direction and plan and doing it.  I consider it a great privilege to be partners with you in that which God wants to do to advance His Kingdom program!  Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this transformational experience.”

Rev. Dr. Kent Murahashi
Pastor, Grace Point Community Church (Conservative Baptist)

“Strategic Leadership Institute has made a significant impact on our fledgling organization.  The information, skills and perspective we gained enabled us to better define our vision and focus and have given us the confidence to move forward with realistic but exciting goals for the future… We will always be deeply grateful for the empowering training we received at SLI.”

Sylvia Foth, KIDZANA MINISTRIES

“Congratulations on your new group.  If it is even half as good as the group I was privileged to be a part of, it will be wonderful!  I still have so much more to do in order to implement the strategic plan I did two years ago.  But I have also made significant progress.  I learned so much and I still have so much TO learn.  I pray God’s blessings on you and on each member of the new group and on the organizations they work with.”

Virginia King, Western WA
Catholic Charismatic Conference

“The Strategic Leadership Institute course helped me recognize that, to make headway toward the vision, you must sometimes step away from the functional tasks and make a plan for the future.  When you focus on steps to achieve the goal, work is more meaningful and the functional tasks still get done.”

Carolyn McNerney. WWCCR

“Strategic Leadership Institute has made a significant impact in helping to guide and empower Mangrove Action Project at this very critical time in our organizational history.  After nearly a decade of work, MAP is needing the kind of good guidance and support offered by SLI.  This has helped us through an otherwise very difficult and challenging time.

Working with you, and having the privilege of attending your excellent sessions has enabled me to better define MAP’s vision and focus.  Restructuring MAP to include a more involved and dedicated Steering Committee/Board has benefited greatly by your sage advice.  I look forward to continuing our working relationship with both of you into the future.”

Alfredo Quarto, Executive Director
Mangrove Action Project

“I can assure you that we in the (Northwest Graduate School) and the Bakke Center are very interested in what you plan to do.  It parallels what we have been thinking about for some time… I am convinced you are on the right track.”

Don Dewey, Bakke Center
International Urban Associates

“The Institute is one of the best things that’s happened to me in my professional career.  Thank you for considering and accepting my application and participation in the group this year.  A big thank you!”

Naomi Nguyen, Program Director
The Children’s Project

“I would like to commend John Savage for assembling a very good curriculum of materials and speakers to help those in non-profit ministries grow in their ability to administrate and manage with greater knowledge, perception and skill.”                                           

Dr. Tom Adelsman, President
Northwest Graduate School (now Bakke Graduate University)

“As a group of participants in SLI, we have been able to form a kind of community – all leaders in the provision of non-profit services who are struggling with the same issues, such as balancing budgets, retaining employees in today’s marketplace and sustaining a vision that inspires ourselves as well as those around us.  I know that I have found a group of like-minded friends who will continue to support and challenge me beyond our six-month experience in the Strategic Leadership Institute.

“I just can’t say enough good things about the Strategic Leadership Institute!  I would be pleased to discuss my experience with SLI to anyone who is interested and would enthusiastically encourage others to participate without any reservation.”

Karyn Andriesen
Corporate Relations Officer
Union Gospel Mission

“I am the director of a private family foundation and a ministry that connects local churches with human service nonprofit agencies in the Redmond/Eastside area of Seattle.  John Savage (and staff) have tailor made their consultations with me in such ways that have been sensitive to my unique calling.  They helped me understand the kind of organization I could build and then they helped me begin to chart a course that moves me and my organization in that direction.  I heartily recommend the work of the Strategic Leadership Institute.”

Jamie Bohnett, Executive Director
Bohnett Memorial Foundation

“The Strategic Leadership Institute brought me to a quiet, structured place in myself where I could reconnect with my personal passion and recommit myself to the call of non-profit leadership.  (SLI creates) a learning environment for leaders that encourages transparency, accountability and community while we find our balance in an ever demanding, often lonely career field.”

Ken Scholes, Executive Director
University Heights Community Center