your church.

Bring DLI into

Most churches don't have the time, the faculty, or the curriculum to build a robust internal leadership pipeline from scratch. DLI gives you that pipeline — proven, turnkey, and tailorable. You keep your church's culture and mission. We bring the academic, theological, and ministry-training structure that makes the pipeline real.

Why partner with DLI

Churches that have one or two people in DLI and want to support them — without adding new program infrastructure.

Best for:

  • Your leaders enroll in DLI's online program.

  • They complete required internship hours at your church.

  • As pastor or supervisor, you sign off on their internship.

  • Minimal administrative lift on your team.

  • Students get the full DLI curriculum and cohort experience.

For churches supporting a few students.

Affiliate Site

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Churches that want DLI to be part of their ongoing leadership pipeline, not just a place where a few leaders happen to be enrolled. This is where we'd love most partner churches to land.

Best for:

  • A formal partnership agreement between your church and DLI.

  • Additional resources for your leadership team — cohort support, extended curriculum guides, and coaching.

  • We help you design and launch a formal internship program inside your church.

  • Option to add custom coursework tailored to your church's context, culture, and goals.

  • Your church becomes a local expression of DLI — shaping future leaders in your specific mission.

For churches building leaders on purpose.

(Recommended)

Extension Site

Two ways your church can partner with Destiny Leadership Institute:

DLI
Church Partnership

DLI Church Partnership

  • A formal Memorandum of Understanding between your church and DLI.
  • Dedicated cohort support from the DLI team throughout the academic year.
  • Extended curriculum guides for your pastor or staff supervisor.
  • Quarterly coaching calls with the DLI Director and the Director of Partnerships.
  • Optional custom coursework. Courses you and DLI design together for your church's specific context.
  • Joint recruiting support. DLI helps you fill cohorts from within your church and community.
  • Access to all standard DLI student resources (Canvas classroom, webinar archive, instructor support).

What an
Extension Site partnership includes

How to become a partner

A call with Jonathan Buckland, Director of Recruiting and Partnerships, to talk through your church's goals and which partnership level fits.


A simple, written agreement that clarifies what your church provides and what DLI provides.


Our team will help you recruit students to become future leaders.


Your first cohort begins at the start of the next semester — Fall or Spring.

1. Schedule a conversation

2. Sign the partnership agreement. 

3. Recruit your students

4. Launch your cohort

schedule a call

“Instead of sending people away for training, we're able to raise up leaders right where they serve and live. If you're looking for a sustainable way to invest in the next generation of ministry leaders, becoming a DLI Extension Site is one of the best decisions you can make.”

- Joe Hunt Compass North Church Akron, OH

FAQ

What size church does Destiny Leadership Institute Partnership work for?

Both affiliate and extension sites work at any size. From a church with one or two leaders ready to grow, to a multi-site church developing dozens of staff. The right level depends on your goals, not your size.

How much time will be required from my staff to partner with Destiny Leadership Institute? 

Affiliate sites require minimal staff time. Primarily the sign-off on internship hours each semester. Extension sites require more involvement (cohort facilitation, internship supervision, optional custom curriculum work) but DLI provides the structure.

Can we customize the curriculum when partnering with Destiny Leadership Institute?

Yes. Extension sites can add custom coursework tailored to their church's context, theology, and mission. We work with you to design it.

Do students still pay tuition under a partnership?

Yes students are still required to pay tuition in both affiliate sites and extension sites. 

What if our church already has an internship program? 

Even better. DLI can integrate with what you already do — adding academic structure, accountability, and a pathway toward a degree on top of your existing program.

Can we start as an Affiliate Site and become an Extension Site later on?

Absolutely. Many of our extension sites started with one or two affiliate site students before deciding to deepen the partnership.

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