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The Steady Leader Cohort (2027)

Many leaders are competent but not settled.

Capable but not free.

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A 4-month formation cohort for Christian leaders who want a steadier life with God—especially under pressure.

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This cohort weaves together three streams of formation: spiritual direction, embodied (trauma-informed) formation, and desert retreat immersion—where leaders step away from the noise to be with Jesus and experience real change.

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Cohort Dates: January 13 - April 29 (2027)

What
You'll 
Experience

This cohort includes:​

​• Weekly 80-minute guided digital sessions
• Two in-person retreats at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat center in Carefree, AZ
• Two 1-on-1 sessions with Rusty

• An in-depth personal profile with personal integration

• No homework but tools to keep growing after the cohort ends
• Ongoing community and support with 12-14 leaders like you

3 Rhythms of Connection

A steady rhythm of retreats, online sessions, and personal coaching over four months

1

Step Away with
Two In-Person Retreats

Located at a beautiful retreat center in Carefree, AZ. Lodging and meals are included. 

Travel not included.

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2

Go Deeper Together with
Nine Online Group Sessions

We'll deepen each month's theme with a live group teaching, live group somatic coaching, and live group spiritual direction session.

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3

Integrate Personally with
Two 1-on-1 sessions

Two 1-on1 sessions with Rusty: one to go over your personal assessment and the other to use at any time

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The Need

Leadership rarely collapses all at once. It erodes quietly—through pressure, responsibility, and the slow loss of your joy with Jesus.


Most leaders don’t need more skills.They need a steadier way to live and lead.

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The result of this cohort:

• Less reactivity in meetings

• A quieter mind at night

• Greater awareness of God with you

• A steadier soul for whatever the next season brings

Who This Is For

This is for leaders in churches and Christian organizations who carry real responsibility for people, decisions, and outcomes.

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For men and women who:​

• Feel shaped by long seasons of urgency and want to live differently
• Feel the quiet weight of leadership more than they let on or care to admit
• Want to lead from presence, not pressure
• Are faithful but know their current pace isn’t sustainable
• Sense they need a better footing for what’s ahead

Meet Your Guide

Hi, I'm Rusty McKie. After a decade of experience as a church planter and half a decade working with leaders through Steadfast Ministries, I know what leaders need to thrive.

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My work integrates spiritual formation, whole-person (trauma-informed) spirituality, and embodied practices—drawing from formal training in pastoral ministry, biblical languages, spiritual direction, and somatic coaching—to help leaders not just know the way of Jesus but actually live it. I’ve seen what pressure does to leaders and what actually helps.

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"Rusty is wholeheartedly committed to guiding folks into the still waters of the Trinity. I’m grateful for him!" - Chuck DeGroat (Professor, Counselor, Spiritual Director)

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"Everyone needs trusted companions and friends for the journey of life—who mentor, guide, sit, listen, and connect you to the Friend, Jesus Christ. Rusty McKie is one of those treasured companions." - Jonathan Holmes (Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling)

What leaders actually need

We'll cover these three essentials needs with teaching, embodied practices, and communal support:

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  1. ​Practicing the Presence of God—Learning to live, lead, and make decisions from ongoing awareness of God, not just belief about God.
     

  2. Becoming Secure in Christ—Learning to live from a settled identity in Jesus so you can remain your best self in Christ, even under pressure.
     

  3. Cultivating a Steady Presence—A presence shaped by the Spirit—calm, grounded, steady—that helps others feel safe, especially in moments of tension, conflict, or uncertainty.

How this fits into your life

​Practicing the Presence of God

  • Live Group Teaching (1/13/27)

  • First In-Person Retreat (1/19-21-27)

  • Live Group Somatic Coaching (1/27/27)

  • Live Group Spiritual Direction (2/3/27)

  • Two Weeks Off for Rest + Integration​
     

Becoming Secure in Christ

  • Live Group Teaching (2/24/27)

  • 1-on-1 Session (3/3/27)
    (to process in depth personal assessment around attachment style, strengths, trauma-imprints, conflict style, and more)

  • Live Group Somatic Coaching (3/10/27)

  • Live Group Spiritual Direction (3/17/27)

  • Two Weeks Off for Rest + Integration
     

Cultivating a Steady Presence​

  • Live Group Teaching (4/7/27)

  • Live Group Somatic Coaching (4/14/27)

  • Live Group Spiritual Direction (4/21/27)

  • Final In-Person Retreat (4/27-29/27)

What Now?

You don’t have to be burned out to belong here. Many faithful leaders simply know they need a better footing for what’s ahead.

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My hope is that you leave this cohort more deeply convinced that you are loved by God and that everyone from your family to your church can see the difference.

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If something in you feels drawn to a cohort like this, the next step is not commitment—just a conversation.

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