ConvergeUSA Assessment Center 
ConvergeUSA Assessment Center (formerly TeAmerica) is one of the longest running, most influential and highly trusted Church Planting Assessment Centers in the country. Under the leadership of Paul Johnson and then JD Pearring the Assessment Center touched some of the best church planters in the country. Now a new era for the Assessment Center has begun under the leadership of Dr. Curt Gruber and Marlan Mincks as they build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors by upgrading and strengthening the process.
What is an Assessment Center?
It is an intensive four day event staffed by multiple, trained assessors to encourage and observe Church Planting candidates.
- It is an opportunity for candidates to preach, cast vision and work in team setting.
- It is an opportunity for candidates to meet with counselors and assessors to prepare for life as a Church Planter.
- It is a multi-day process where assessors will provide helpful and thorough assessment of Church Planting candidates.
Why Participate in an Assessment Center?
- The ConvergeUSA Assessment Center is one of the oldest and reliable in the country with 17 years under its belt.
- The ConvergeUSA has a high rate of success in Church Planting, directly related to its world-class Assessment Center.
- Many other denominations & para church organizations have model their process after ours for example: Evangelical Covenant Church, Growing Healthy Churches, etc.
- To find answers to your questions about your possible future involvement in Church Planting, and network with other couples sharing the same interest and passion.
- Based on this intensive multi-day process, the team of assessors will pray, discuss, evaluate and collate their findings to give you the best Assessment possible.
Who Can Participate?
- Pastors in transition
- Restart Pastors
- Church Planters
- Youth Pastors
- Associate Pastors
- Missionaries
- Para-church workers
- Second-career Lay Leaders
How Do I Sign Up?
- First you have to established a relationship with one of our ConvergeUSA certified sending agencies, preferably in the region you are considering planting. They will provide you with additional details and application form.
- Second, fill out application.
- Third, engage in a pre-assessment interview.
- Fourth, the sending agency will register you for the next scheduled Assessment Center.
Sending Agencies Protocol
This document will give you all the details you need for signing up a candidate for the ConvergeUSA Assessment Center Application_Protocols_2008.pdf
Contact Information
Susan Ward is the Assessment Center Administrator
- Phone: (507) 766-3475
- Email: susan@convergeusa.org
2008-09 Schedule
- November 18-21, 2008 – Glenarden Maryland (DC Area)
- January 13-16, 2009 - Chandler, Arizona (Phoenix Area)
- March 24-27, 2009 – Orlando, FL (Tentative)
- June 16-19, 2009 – Denver, CO (Tentative)
Are you a Sending Agency interested in sending a church planter?
ConvergeUSA has been widely recognized as one of the best Assessment Centers in the USA with close to over 17 years of experience our Assessment process has been the foundation for many other organizations. ConvergeUSA has an open door policy for those outside our network if you would like to send a candidate contact Susan Ward for more information.
- Phone: (507) 766-3475
- Email: susan@convergeusa.org
Our Staff Contact Information
Curt Gruber
Co-Director
Email: curtgurber@att.com
Phone Number: 619.337.0024
Marlan Mincks
Co-Director
Email: marlanm4@msn.com
Phone Number: 563.379.4153
