A Leadership Institute That Cares About You

Innovating the Future of Christian Leadership Training

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Our Story

Founded in 2018, Cultivate Leadership Institute was born out of a passion for empowering mature and healthy Christian leaders to discover their unique God-given purpose. Our founder, Dr. Eric Freeman recognized the need for a more personalized approach to leadership development that included instruction, practical training, and guidance for individuals on their developmental journey.

2018 – Our Beginning: We started with a small group and a vision to create effective leadership training at Definition Church. Our initial programs focused on the practical aspects of leadership that are not taught in most educational institutions. This approach proved to be effective, resulting in the advancement of those leaders and ultimately causing more individuals to be interested in this developmental process.

2020 – Expansion: As our reputation grew, we expanded our offerings to include additional developmental tracks (Ministry, Gap Year, and Essentials) and began to deliver our curriculum digitally to allow us to expand beyond Definition Church allowing us to reach a broader audience and address a wider range of leadership challenges.

2021 – Innovation: We created our own custom learning management software, Develop.Me. This software allowed us to reach individuals from the convenience of their phones or desktops. It also empowered other organizations to disperse their customized content with a branded user experience. Develop.Me further enhanced our ability to deliver cutting-edge leadership development experiences designed for the modern learner.

2024 – Today:  Now we are a Christian leadership institute that provides leadership training courses for individuals, churches, and Christian-based companies around the United States, continuously refining our developmental tracks and technology to equip leaders in a modern digital environment.

Our Principles & Mission

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Our Vision

We exist to cultivate the purpose and passion for leadership that God has placed in each individual.

Our Mission

We equip individuals to become mature, healthy leaders through instruction, training, and guidance.

Our Verses

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."

Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

Our Core Values

01

Jesus is our focus

02

People are our priority

03

Authenticity is our aim

04

Generosity is our privilege

05

Amen is our attitude

Meet Our Team

Meet the dedicated team at CLI, passionate about helping you discover your purpose on your leadership journey. Our experienced staff is committed to guiding and supporting you every step of the way.

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President
Dr. Eric Freeman
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Academic Director
Tyresa Foster
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Development Director
Jen Knust
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Graphic Designer
Elizabeth Mitchener
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Content Writer
Emily Currence

Contact Our Team

Contact Us

Meet Our Instructors

Discover our dedicated CLI instructors, skilled academic professionals committed to developing your character and personal leadership skills development. Each instructor offers extensive knowledge, practical experience, and a passion for nurturing future Christian leaders.

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Learn More About CLI

Discover what to expect, frequently asked questions, and our partnership to understand how we can support your leadership and personal development journey.

What To Expect With CLI

Explore the comprehensive experience CLI provides, including the benefits, structure, and support you’ll receive throughout your CLI experience.

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View Our FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our tracks, policies, and procedures to help you make informed decisions.

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View Our Partnerships

Learn about our strategic partnerships with leading organizations and institutions that enhance the value and impact of our CLI tracks.

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