ABOUT US
Institute for Christian Leadership
Our Mission & Story
Institute for Christian Leadership (IFCL) is a group of pastors, ministers, counselors, and church administrators dedicated to providing the fundamental resources for effective Christian leadership in an effort to uplift the Kingdom of God.
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After the resurrection of Christ and before the ascension to Heaven, Jesus commanded the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, also known as the Great Commission, to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them of the things of God. This challenge has been the mission statement and focus of the Institute for Christian Leadership (IFCL) church since its inception in January 2022 and remains the vision of the organization today. While IFCL continues to meet this challenge successfully, the urgent need to formally teach, train, mentor, and develop new leaders has been left undone by many churches. It is crucial to the future success of the church that a training program for new leaders is established.
The IFCL leadership program is meticulously designed to align with the mission and vision of each individual church and the Great Commission, to strengthen and equip leaders with biblical, theological, and spiritual foundations, significantly enhancing the church's growth and impact in the community.
Many leaders in the church are quietly unsure of what leadership means, lack an understanding of biblical and theological themes, and struggle to edify and interact with the congregation. This lack of foundational leadership knowledge further exacerbates the situation.
One of the primary roles of church leaders is offering spiritual guidance. Leaders are tasked with interpreting religious texts, doctrines, and teachings and conveying them in a manner that’s understandable to the congregation. IFCL addresses these needs by providing robust coaching, counseling and curriculum designed to develop spiritually, biblically, and theologically strong church leaders. The IFCL program also educates participants on the value of working together as a team thus creating constructive interaction while solidifying and empowering relationships within ministry teams.
Our Founder
Rev. Dr. Arlene J. Hopkins
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Dr. Arlene J. Hopkins is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Christian Leadership, LLC. An organization inspired by a calling to equip believers with leadership skills based on biblical principles.
For over 25 years, Dr. Hopkins has served in many ministry and leadership roles. These roles include Non-profit Executive Director, Director of Leadership Training and Education, Youth Education Minister, and Pastoral Assistant.
Dr. Hopkins, an ordained minister, holds a Master of Counseling Psychology from Cairn Biblical University (MS), a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Seminary (MDiv), and a Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership from Liberty University Theological Seminary (EdD) where she works with doctoral candidates preparing for dissertation in the EdD program at Liberty Theological Seminary.
Witnessing the challenges Christian leaders face and the impact of leadership development that integrates spiritual maturity and practical competence was the inspiration behind this endeavor. The goal is to help others clarify their calling, build leadership skills and make a lasting impact in their community.
Outside of developing courses and mentoring leaders Dr. Hopkins is the author of From Laity to Leadership: An Essential Guide for New Leaders in the Christian Church. When not developing transformative leadership resources or coaching emerging leaders, Dr. Hopkins enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Hopkins invites you to join the Institute for Christian Leadership community and embark on a journey of spiritual and professional growth. You can connect with her directly at ajhopkins@instituteforchristianleaders.com.
Our Values
God’s Word: The Bible is the undisputed truth from God and is the Word by which we live.
Christ-centered: All thoughts, actions, and desires align with the life and the will of Jesus Christ.
Integrity: What you do when no one is watching. Doing the right thing all the time, even when it is difficult.
Excellence: Operating at a level acceptable to God. Going above and beyond just being good to being excellent
Why Choose Us
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Led by a diverse team of Master and Doctoral-Level Counselors.
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Known for making complex theological and biblical principles clear and practical.
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Built upon the unique SSHAT Leadership Model — integrating Servant, Shepherd, Authentic, and Transformative leadership into one powerful framework for growth.
