The Public Leader programme

This is a 10-month leadership development journey that equips and encourages Christians like you to intentionally and strategically take the lead so that you can make a difference wherever you are. 

We have all experienced the shaking our society has suffered over the past few years. But in this moment, as we take stock and prepare for what might be next, we know we have a real need for Christians to step up and serve in the wisdom and power of God. 

The Public Leader programme is for young professionals and emerging leaders serving in a variety of vocations or roles, because we want to see every aspect of our culture transformed by the good news of Jesus. Whether your interests lie in the creative, civic, financial, community or elsewhere – as long as you want to know Jesus more deeply, serve Him more fully and see His kingdom come wherever you are – we want to hear from you.

The Public Leader programme is a 10-month journey which has been developed and delivered by the Evangelical Alliance to equip emerging leaders to follow Jesus and make a significant impact in every walk of life.

This year we will deliver Public Leader programmes in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as we help each of our participants grow into their unique roles of leadership as they seek to follow Jesus wherever they are called.

Programme content

Programme content will vary slightly across each nation of the UK. You can find out more about the programme content for each nation on their specific pages below.

However, wherever you take part, the core of the programme includes:

• three weekend retreats (usually Friday evening to Saturday evening) including biblical teaching, nation-specific cultural analysis, leadership development, prayer and time spent with senior Christian public leaders;
• online teaching and content jointly held across all four nations’ programmes;
• visits to national cultural, business and political institutions;
• a mentoring relationship with an experienced public leader; and
• access to a growing alumni network of Christian public leaders who have gone through the programme (120+).

Retreat Dates:

• 4 – 5 November 2022
• 27 – 28 January 2023
• 9 – 10 June 2023

Online Event Dates:

• 18 October
• 17 January
• 18 April

The retreat and online event dates are the same across all three national programmes.

Each application is handled by the relevant national team. Once we receive your application, there will be an interview process before offers to the programme are extended. 

The deadline for applications has now passed, although we still have some places left for last minute applicants. Please apply ASAP if you would like to be considered.

Price

Standard fee: £600, payable in £200 instalments throughout the year.

Bursaries are available to help those who wouldn’t be able to participate on the programme otherwise. We welcome you to discuss this with us at the interview stage.

Read our FAQs for more information.

The Evangelical Alliance’s vision for the Public Leader programme is to bring long-term, nation-changing cultural transformation to the UK by investing in Christian leaders in every sector.

The Public Leadership programme initiative is part of the Evangelical Alliance’s work to speak for Jesus in society. You can support the work of Public Leadership for as little as £3 a month by becoming a member of the Evangelical Alliance. Join us today as together we make Jesus known.