What is the history of the program?

In 2003, Pine Cove recognized that the future of ministry would not be limited by money or opportunity, but by the lack of leadership. The deficit loomed large - not just within Pine Cove, but throughout the Christian world. So, the senior leadership formulated a team of employees that began brainstorming what leadership development could look like at Pine Cove.

By 2004 the team had decided on the name for the program and that it would be a full 8-month program based at Pine Cove and began advertising the opportunity to summer counselors. The response from the staff was positive and the first class of 12 Forge students was selected and began the first year of the program in the fall of 2005.

Since then, the Forge has more than doubled from its original size to 24 students, added an Associate Director, and begun a regular trip to Israel for each class. Looking forward, the Forge hopes to continue to partner with more universities and seminaries that would be willing to offer our students partial credit towards a master's degree for their investment of time here at Pine Cove. To view our current partnerships, please click here.