The Better Stories Experience is a brand new formational cohort starting in February of 2024. Through monthly virtual gatherings and a closing retreat with like-minded folks, we are creating a new space for shared community, spiritual direction, and intentional trajectory-setting.

Who’s Leading This?
Justin Bowers, PhD., is a pastor and educator with over 20 years of experience in pastoral ministry, nonprofit leadership, and educational leadership development. He loves the journey of watching others live their potential. He is a pastor at New Community in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Matt Ness, MDIV, is a pastor and spiritual director who is passionate about discovering the narratives that shape who we are, individually and collectively. He is a pastor at One Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

What’s the Structure?
The Better Stories Experience is a two-year formational cohort. We will meet once a month starting in February of 2024 and close the first section with a retreat in October. The second section (optional) will begin in February 2025 and close with a retreat the following October.

What’s the Cost?
We are working hard to keep expenses low. Cost is $900/person, and can be arranged in $100/month payments. This includes all resources, facilitation, and retreat costs (other than your travel). We will determine retreat locations once we know who forms the cohort.

Who is Invited?
Basically, anyone. Specifically, anyone who is a little tired of feeling like life just keeps moving but they’re not finding the meaning they’re made to find. We want to walk with young couples in the throes of raising kids, singles trying to figure out purpose and path, and those who are burnt-out by the everyday ordinary losing its magic.