In short, Sean is a very capable and effective leader. He excels in ministry to students, though he certainly has capacity to serve the church in a variety of ways. He is clearly passionate about serving students and has developed keen insight into Gen Z culture. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with middle and high school students and sees himself as a missionary in the field.

Sean works hard. He is responsible and a self-initiator who can be counted on to get things done. He’s strategic, highly administratively gifted and pays attention to detail. At the same time, Sean can also effectively develop and cast vision. He understands the importance of vision-driven leadership and always communicates with vision as he directs his team.

Areas of growth for Sean are related to his greatest strengths in that he is still learning to draw boundaries and not be prone to overwork. He has demonstrated progress in this regard during his time on our Mountain team, and I believe he is on a good trajectory, knowing how important it is for him to remain healthy so that God can get the most out of his many gifts.

Sean is thoughtful and an eager learner. He doesn’t do things haphazardly but is very strategic in every initiative he/the team develops. Sean has done a lot at Mountain to integrate all our strategies for students ministry and really helped us thrive as a multi-site church. Sean’s leadership was instrumental in helping us become a Students Ministry with programming for students at each campus. The ministry has grown under his leadership both in terms of adult volunteers and student involvement, and Sean has garnered respect and admiration from volunteers, parents, and students alike.

Sean would be a strong asset to any church or organization that is trying to make a Jesus-shaped impact in the world. Jesus has shaped Sean’s life, and I know he cares deeply about Christ’s influence on the next generation. Sean is the kind of leader that young people need and a teammate that will raise the level of everyone around him.

Sean is an asset to Kingdom ministry. He has a strong administrative and strategic mind, executing his tasks with a desire for excellence. His personal organizational skills are very strong and he brings that to bear on his ministry leadership. He is always looking to grow and better himself as well as the people and things around him. He's a proactive and articulate communicator.  A team player, he seeks to be collaborative and supportive, not siloed nor territorial. He’s willing to contribute to the success of others and seeks to be on board with broader organizational goals.  I appreciate his faithfulness to the task and the people before him, getting things done but not at the expense of others. He is genuinely "for" others.

Sean is sound in the leadership fundamentals of defining reality, creating and cultivating a vision, and developing and executing a strategy. With that, he gets the importance of grounding all of that in organizational beliefs, mission/purpose, and values. For his age, he's led at a very high level and has been exposed to a strong and healthy organizational culture, providing him with meaningful and formative vocational experience.

Grounding all of this, Sean has a faith that is genuine and continuously maturing. He is willing to admit, own, and learn from mistakes. He's willing to listen to and incorporate feedback from others for the sake of personal and organizational improvement. I consider him above reproach in his character, never having sensed anything duplicitous or conniving about him. I've always had a high level of trust in Sean to do things right and to do the right thing.

Overall, Sean has strong team leadership and executive admin skills and entrepreneurial instincts that can manage and develop larger scale and scope contexts. He would be an asset to any organization and has a lot to offer when it comes to Kingdom work. He's got the character, competency, and calling for it.

I have worked alongside Sean for five years in a couple of different capacities at Mountain Christian Church. First, we worked closely together on a campus team, where Sean and I led the Family Ministry at our church's broadcast campus. It was during this time where I quickly realized that Sean was an expert team builder, strategic planner, and cared deeply for the pastoral work of which he has been called. He leads staff with intentionality and always makes time to foster a strong and healthy team culture.

Later, we had the opportunity to work alongside each other again, but this time on our organization's leadership team. Sean did not shirk at the added responsibility, but instead remained committed to the church's mission and sought ways to take it into the future. In his role as Lead Students Pastor, Sean's excellent management of several strategic shifts led to more effective systems and processes that set his staff team up for success.

Having Sean on your team would only make it stronger. His commitment to creating a strong team culture, eye for detail, relational leadership, and strategic mind makes him an excellent advocate for the church and it's mission of making more and better disciples. I highly recommend Sean Cole for any position he pursues.

Sean is a seasoned ministry leader who is innovative, highly organized, strategic, detail oriented, responsible and kind. His integrity, attention to detail, work ethic and thoroughness are second to none. Sean is one of the most committed, tenacious, and dedicated leaders I know. He is constantly seeking out ways to grow in his leadership and he delegates very well. He is not a micromanager and aims to understand his team well and how they operate in order to optimize performance and effectiveness.

As a spiritual leader, he is committed to his walk and encourages others along the way. Spiritually, he is very mature. When I worked with Sean, I never had to worry about his areas of responsibility. He was always organized and effectively executed all aspects of his responsibilities. Sean is one of the most honest leaders I know with a strong moral and ethical core. He loves to learn and grow and is constantly being intentional to do so. He is humble and acknowledges the positions of those who lead him, and also those who work under him and around him. He is kind, embracing, listens well, brings up leaders, and teaches young believers very well. You will not regret choosing Sean to join your team. He can only add extreme value to it!

I’ve had the opportunity to work with and serve alongside Sean Cole over the past 18 months or so. I actually first met Sean during an internship about 5 years ago before we were on the same staff team together, and even then, all the outstanding qualities about Sean were present.

He intentionally took time to get to know me and my story and was eager to hear from a perspective that was not his own. I believe this is what makes Sean a great and capable leader. Yes, he is truly excellent with strategy and vision, but what recommends him most from my perspective is the way he sees people and can call them to something maybe they haven’t even seen yet in themselves.

Sean has been my supervisor in various ways since my time at Mountain Christian Church began back in September of 2021. He supervised me first while I was a Resident then as a Students Pastor and then as a member of our Students Ministry Support Team. Over the past three years, Sean has led me to grow in various areas of development such as conflict resolution, event planning and execution, strategic thinking, and what it means to be a good steward of the church's budget. Sean is an absolute rockstar when it comes to strategic thinking and planning. No matter how big or difficult a situation, Sean is always ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done in a timely and professional manner.

With all this being said, it would be easy to assume Sean is just task-driven. This isn't the case. Sean has always been someone who cares more about the people than the tasks, and it has always allowed me to feel empowered and supported by Sean's leadership. It is one of Sean's greatest strengths.

As a leader, Sean has always set realistic goals and expectations, while also pushing me outside of my comfort zone to allow for growth.

One thing I love about Sean’s leadership is that he is committed to any mission that he is a part of. He is always thinking about how our tasks, events, trips, and programming support the mission. If something we want to do doesn't support or point back to the mission, it's not within our scope. This has helped me understand the importance of saying yes to the right things and no to the wrong things. I would gladly welcome the opportunity to work alongside Sean again.

I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Sean Cole for seven years, with five of those years as a volunteer under his leadership and three years as his employee. Sean is not just a phenomenal boss but also a respected mentor and dear friend. His ability to figure out and implement systems is truly remarkable, and his strategic thinking has consistently driven our team's success.

What sets Sean apart is his humility and willingness to work alongside his team. He is never too proud to get in the trenches with us, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Sean's unwavering support and encouragement constantly challenge us to strive for excellence, and his practical feedback improves both individual performance and the team as a whole.

Sean's dedication to his ministry is evident in everything he does. His love for Jesus and commitment to serving others are the driving forces behind his work. Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time to connect with the team personally, ensuring we feel valued and appreciated. Sean knows how to balance seriousness with fun, creating a positive and enjoyable work environment.

On a personal level, Sean is a man of integrity, kindness, and compassion. His genuine care for others and ability to build meaningful relationships make him an exceptional leader and friend. I have learned so much from him over the years and continue to be inspired by his example.

If you are looking for someone with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to both professional excellence and personal integrity, I wholeheartedly recommend Sean Cole. He brings dedication and success to every endeavor he undertakes.

Sean is a very gifted leader who is perfectly suited to exemplify and craft healthy, thriving and holistic NextGen ministry in the Local Church. He not only is perfectly suited in this regard, but is experienced and has spent the better portion of a decade actualizing a philosophy of ministry that has led to Mountain Christian Church experiencing a season of flourishing in Students (6-12th grade) under his leadership. He leads with vision, purpose and clarity—he is intimately aware of what it takes to not only structure ministry in a multitude of different contexts, but he is also able to soberly evaluate ministry with an eye toward where God is taking it. He is extremely dependable and consistent, and his teams become benefactors from the stable structure and solid work environment he creates. He is by far one of the most adept administrators that I have ever met in any vocational field, and his tireless work ethic comes from his God-given calling and conviction. That calling and conviction also informs Sean's diligence: he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to becoming an expert with the latest data, trends and statistics that pertain to the Next Generation as it comes along. In all of these ways and more I have seen Sean glorify God, magnify his Church, and bear witness to the inbreaking Kingdom through the changed lives of countless Students and his humble service.

But it is not just his abilities that make him a viable candidate. It is his character. Sean epitomizes steadfastness and commitment—without a doubt, these two pillars of Christ-like character shine through him and his ministry in ways that I have been very grateful to witness and benefit from. He is emotionally aware, self-reflective and mindful. He is humble and meek, yet assertive and strong. He cherishes his family and he values community. And overall he is a bastian and lighthouse for the culture and DNA of a thriving Church. Sean is gifted, he loves God, he is passionate, and will be a true blessing to the Next Generation of God's Church for years to come.

I was Sean's supervisor for nearly three years at Mountain Christian Church, and it has been a joy to maintain a relationship with him since he stepped into the position of Lead Student Pastor after me.

Sean is a strategic doer. He has an uncanny ability to see patterns when most people see a complex blob of details. Sean can sort through the clutter and find the best route—given the time and resources—even in areas in which he is not the expert. But Sean also puts it all into action. When Sean is responsible for something, it takes shape and maximizes in a well-planned direction.

Sean works hard and takes radical ownership. He is disciplined in all areas of his life and owns his mistakes well. He is a great organizer, but he also has a flexibility that complements his ability to bring structure to any goal.

Sean is aware and accepting of the growth areas he has been challenged in, specifically in unchecked seasons of effort that bleed personally into exhaustion. I've only seen a commitment to improve and have well-trusted people in his life who will speak the truth to him in this area. Sean will thrive in an environment where he has the opportunity to create routines and structure in his daily work life that are well respected. That is not to say Sean can't manage change, adapt to a fast-paced decision, or lead himself—that is categorically untrue.

Sean has a unique ability to recognize the potential in people and foster their growth. He does so by personally investing in them and challenging them directly, all in a remarkably pastoral manner. Sean is adept at spotting even the smallest signs of improvement and finds satisfaction in the evidence of progress, even when it may not be immediately visible. If you are fortunate enough to be in Sean's orbit, you will undoubtedly be better for it.

I believe Sean could succeed in several different ministry roles. While much of his experience to this point has been with students, he could certainly function in other spheres.

I have known Sean since 2017, when I first came to Mountain Christian Church. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving alongside him in various settings, from Kids Ministry all the way to Students Ministry. This extensive collaboration has allowed me to witness Sean's exceptional leadership skills firsthand, particularly in vision and strategic planning.

From the very beginning, Sean has stood out for his dedication and passion for serving others. His ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds is truly remarkable, and he consistently creates an environment that fosters growth and development. Sean’s leadership is characterized by his forward-thinking approach and his unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for everyone involved.

In 2020, when I joined the staff, I had the unique opportunity to observe Sean's continual growth as a leader. His development has been nothing short of impressive. Sean excels in strategic planning, process creation, and process improvement. He has an innate ability to identify areas for improvement and implement effective solutions that drive progress and efficiency.

One of Sean’s greatest strengths is his capacity for strategic planning. He has a clear vision for the future and is adept at setting goals and devising plans to achieve them. His strategic mindset enables him to anticipate challenges and proactively address them, ensuring that projects stay on track and objectives are met.

Additionally, Sean is a master process creator. He understands the importance of having well-defined processes in place and is skilled at developing systems that streamline operations and enhance productivity. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence are evident in every project he undertakes.

Sean is also highly proficient in process improvement. He is constantly seeking ways to refine existing processes and make them more efficient. His analytical skills and innovative thinking allow him to identify inefficiencies and implement changes that result in significant improvements.

Sean's qualities make him an invaluable asset to any organization looking to create new processes and refine current ones. His leadership, strategic planning abilities, and expertise in process creation and improvement are second to none. Sean is a dedicated and insightful leader who consistently drives positive change and improvement. I am confident that he will continue to excel and make a meaningful impact wherever he goes.

I am the Director of Student Ministry at Crossroads church, and I have worked alongside Sean for over 5 years now through an organization that helps youth pastors called Student Ministry Coach. Over these years, I truly got to see Sean grow in his ability to lead teams, organize products, build systems, run social media, and be an overall team player. There is something incredibly special about Sean and he would be an unbelievable blessing to any team he is a part of.

Additionally, Sean is disciplined, tentative, and organized. He has great relationships with his co-workers and peers. I believe Sean would thrive in whatever setting or workforce that he is placed in, rather that is very postmodern, permissive and socially liberal, conservative, spiritual, or secular. He has a great head on his shoulders, and I am excited to see how God uses his gifts and personality traits in the years to come. 

I have had the privilege of working alongside Sean over the last 7 years and have witnessed firsthand his exceptional strengths, skills, and achievements.

Sean is an extremely hardworking individual who always goes above and beyond to ensure the success of the team. His strategic mindset and organizational skills, paired with his wealth of knowledge has been instrumental in the growth of the student ministry.

Sean is also highly relational and is able to lead and care for his teammates (and their families), volunteers, and students on a personal level, earning their trust and respect.

One of Sean's greatest strengths is his leadership abilities. He is able to effectively lead a team of student pastors at our multi-site church, encouraging a positive and collaborative environment. He is a hard worker, a team player, and is adaptable to change. Sean's dedication to serving others and his strong leadership skills make him an invaluable asset to any team.

I am confident that he will excel and make a significant impact in his next role.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside of Sean for the last 8 years. I was new in ministry myself, and while we have not served in the same ministry area, we have grown up in our ministry leadership together. When I think of Sean, the first things that come to mind are hardworking, conscientious, and a servant. Sean and I have worked on several projects around onboarding leaders, developing discipleship strategies between students and adults, and most recently, on implementing online training platforms. He thoroughly does his research and brings a lot to the table for planning and development. He's diligent at learning and thoughtful in his creation of strategy.

Sean has also offered to go out of his way to serve in other ministry areas to help build and strengthen Mountain as a whole. When I was responsible for leading our Young Adult Ministry through a strategy shift in 2017, Sean offered himself up to serve and develop teams to help execute the strategy. This was outside of his role, but he believed in the importance of this ministry and wanted to play a role in helping us succeed. If you are looking for a hardworking, servant leader who will pour himself fully into whatever is asked of him, Sean is your person.

I met Sean when he came on our team in 2016. He was the Middle School Pastor while I served as the Student Worship Pastor, so we worked a lot in designing services for our middle school ministry. From the start, Sean has always pursued excellence, and his thoughtfulness has always stuck out to me. His ability to collaborate and bring people together in spades can set him apart because he doesn't just want to bring people together but he desires their best for them, too.

He served as my supervisor for almost five years, and during that time he demonstrated to be a compassionate leader, a willing learner, someone who wasn’t afraid to stand on his morals, but ultimately willing to let the best idea win.

I’d highly recommend Sean, and if you’re a team that is looking for strategic leadership, high character, and someone who wants to put the needs of his team ahead of his, you’ll be happy you considered him.

I have had the privilege of knowing Sean for the past eight years. During this time, I initially worked with him as a volunteer, transitioned to a staff role, and have most recently had the honor of working under his leadership as my boss.

Sean is an extraordinary individual whose ambition and authenticity are evident in every task he undertakes. His high level of competency, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence, sets him apart as a leader who not only envisions greatness but actively works towards it. His modesty and charitable nature make him approachable and relatable, while his dedication to continual improvement ensures that he’s always reevaluating to make things the best they can be.

One of Sean's most remarkable qualities is his deep care for his team. As both a boss and a friend, he ensures that everyone feels valued and supported. He leads with a godly character, always prioritizing the integrity and health of both himself and his team. Sean's leadership style is collaborative; he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and work alongside his team to achieve their goals. When faced with challenges, he remains adaptable and resourceful, quickly devising solutions to keep projects on track.

Sean's organizational skills and mastery of time management have been pivotal in his success. He is a meticulous planner who foresees potential obstacles and prepares accordingly, ensuring smooth execution of plans. A notable example of his leadership prowess was during the COVID-19 pandemic when he overhauled the vision and strategy of our ministry to focus on small groups. This strategic pivot resulted in a big growth in Mountain Students, demonstrating his ability to lead effectively even in the most challenging circumstances.

Furthermore, Sean has significantly expanded our summer camp attendance, with more students participating this year than ever before in our church’s history. His innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community have yielded remarkable results.

In summary, Sean Cole is a dedicated, hardworking, and compassionate leader who excels in creating positive and impactful change. I am confident that he will be an invaluable asset to any organization he joins. I highly recommend him for the position he is seeking and am certain that he will continue to inspire and lead with excellence.

I am delighted to provide a strong recommendation for Sean Cole based on our fruitful seven-year acquaintance, particularly within the realm of student ministries. Sean's exceptional organizational skills have always been a standout attribute during our time together. His innate talent in arranging, planning, and coordinating tasks with systematic precision showcases his formidable ability to manage diverse responsibilities efficiently. Sean's dedication to orchestrating seamless initiatives underscores his unwavering commitment to excellence, making him an invaluable asset in any team setting.

Throughout our shared experiences in student ministries, Sean consistently demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for orchestrating events and activities with finesse. His keen attention to detail, coupled with his thoughtful approach to task delegation, not only streamlined the operations but also ensured the success of our projects. I have always been impressed by Sean's unwavering dedication to executing tasks with precision and timeliness, underscoring his reliability and effectiveness.

In conclusion, Sean Cole's exemplary organizational prowess and strong work ethic make him a highly commendable individual, and I am confident that he will continue to excel in any future endeavors he undertakes. I wholeheartedly recommend Sean for any roles or opportunities where his dedication to excellence will be valued and appreciated.

I have known Sean Cole for almost 8 years where I first met Sean as a student pastor at Mountain Christian Church, and then later I got to know Sean better as part of our Area Leaders team, which is a leadership team composed of all of our different ministry leaders at the church.

Sean has been incredibly active in his role at the church especially when it comes to serving and leading in regards to students.  Sean has also been very active in pouring into his student’s lives and is highly regarded as a conscientious and respected leader on our staff team.

I have also been able to see how Sean cares and loves his wife and now their first child.  Everything Sean has had a hand in has been done with excellence and thoughtfulness.

He will be reliable, dependable and trustworthy in almost any role and I look forward to hearing how God is going to use him in this next season of ministry.

I've enjoyed working alongside Sean Cole for the past 7 years in a ministry support capacity. While Sean oversaw the student team, I managed the communications team. Throughout this time, we've collaborated extensively to ensure clear and consistent communication of student ministry initiatives across our church's four campuses.

Sean is a rare individual who excels in both strategic thinking and pastoral care. He possesses a keen eye for detail and logistics but also fosters strong relationships built on trust and compassion. He's always open to innovative ideas that benefit the church's mission and readily adapts his approach to foster collaboration and achieve common goals.

Impressively, Sean crafts well-defined processes to achieve objectives. He leverages planned steps and timelines to deliver on key performance indicators, ultimately driving success toward the overall goal.

Beyond his professional competence, Sean is a man of high integrity. He generously shares his insights and offers unwavering support, even when not directly required. He understands that the team's success hinges on individual triumphs and consistently encourages those around him.

Sean's work ethic is truly commendable. He embodies a "whatever it takes" attitude and demonstrates unwavering tenacity in achieving objectives. Furthermore, he's a devoted family man, a trusted confidant, and someone who prioritizes prayer and faith. His unwavering commitment to the church's mission is truly inspiring.

While Sean's expertise lies in student ministry, I firmly believe he's prepared for greater challenges. I highly recommend him for nearly any ministry role, and I'm confident he will excel in any position he pursues.

I first met Sean about eight years ago, as he was the incoming Students Pastor at Mountain Christian Church and I was stepping away from my role as a volunteer. Sean met me where I was with grace and kindness, as I shifted from that area. About four years later, I began volunteering in students’ ministry again, and Sean was a key part of that transition. Over the course of Sean’s time at Mountain Christian, I have seen him rise from the Students Pastor of one of the campuses to the Lead Students Pastor of our multi-site church.

Sean is a forward thinker that can cast a vision and execute it, while making each member of the team feel heard and respected. I personally have watched him deal with student crises and personnel issues, both with compassion and fortitude, all while maintaining professionalism. It is a fine balance to be both a pastor and a manager, and yet Sean executes this balance perfectly.

In my experience, Sean is a team player and approachable. When I have brought him issues and ideas, he has listened and respected my opinions. Sean will make a great addition to any ministry team. He puts God first and he sees his flock for who they are and where they are. His ability to size up a situation is unmatched. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Sean next.

I had the pleasure of working with Sean for 3 years during my time on the students team at Mountain Christian church. Sean proved time and again his dedication to the teams he led. Sean consistently goes above and beyond.. He approaches tasks with enthusiasm and a strong work ethic, always striving for excellence. His commitment to his team and students is truly commendable, and he is not one to shy away from challenges.

Sean always has a strategic approach to problem-solving. He has a unique ability to see the bigger picture and develop innovative solutions to complex issues. His forward-thinking mindset and analytical skills have made him a valuable asset to any team or project he’s apart of.

Sean is a caring individual who is always willing to lend a helping hand. He creates a supportive and inclusive environment wherever he goes, fostering positive relationships with those around him. I am confident Sean will be a great addition to any team.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Sean Cole for the past 7 years on Mountain Christian Church’s Staff Team. We have worked alongside each other in family ministry as Kids and Student Pastors, and on a campus team together during his time at Mountain. I’ve always admired and appreciated Sean’s drive for excellence and his heart for teenagers’ lives to be transformed by the Gospel. He comes to life in mentoring conversations and is gifted at equipping leaders to invest in the lives of students.

Sean is a dedicated, hardworking, and highly motivated leader. He leads his team to get the job done and ensures the mission is being moved forward. All the while, Sean knows how to laugh at himself, have fun, and truly cares for people. Sean would make a great addition to a team that is looking for a high caliber leader, passionate about their calling, and would bring with him the skills of efficiency, organization, and vision. It’s a great joy to have him as a teammate and friend.

I have known Sean since he started working for Mountain Christian Church. I was a volunteer for student ministries under his leadership and also was blessed to have Sean serve as a supporter and volunteer with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I have always been impressed by the way Sean continues to grow his knowledge and competency for the ministry God has called him to.

Sean displays the unique ability to be a visionary while having the gifting to administer that vision. Part of his vision was to see his team involved outside the church walls, which led to strategic partnerships with other organizations and churches.

Sean comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be benefit the church or organization he serves.

I first met Sean when I was a student at Mountain Christian Church in Maryland. He was my Student Minister for several years. When I was in my last two years of high school, Sean connected me to several serving teams within the student ministry. Additionally, he coached and developed my leadership style, my communication skills, and my overall understanding of ministry. He is a natural equipper and developer.

As a former student that Sean mentored, I deeply appreciate his leadership and his heart to teach others how to lead. Sean balances his strategic mind and his love for people in a wonderful way. I am really grateful for Sean’s impact on my life and how he encouraged me to pursue vocational ministry. I now work as a student pastor at a church in Tennessee, and Sean played a big part in my journey into ministry. If I ever got the opportunity to work with Sean, I’d be thrilled!