The Contemplative Activism & Spiritual Formation Cohorts train PAX Fellows in contemplative activism & spiritual formation, helping them embody love of God, neighbor, & self by tending to inner fractures and becoming agents of reconciliation in a broken world.

CONTEMPLATIVE ACTIVISM

& SPIRITUAL FORMATION

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The PAX Fellowship

In-Person Retreat
The Fellowship kicks off with an in-person retreat August 28-30 in Scottsdale, AZ.

12 Virtual Sessions
Instruction, learning, and connection with others journeying together for peace and justice.

2 Spiritual Direction Sessions
Attend one-on-one contemplative sessions for mental health and spiritual life.

One-On-One Check Ins
Meet with the Fellowship Director each quarter to check in on how you’re engaging with PAX Fellowship.

Monthly Keynotes
Featured voices from world-class speakers on faith, justice, and contemplation.

Mentorship + Instruction
Learn from expert facilitators in your area of focus and contribute to the PAX showcase.

These two cohorts train PAX Fellows in contemplative activism and spiritual formation, helping them embody love of God, neighbor, and self by tending to inner fractures and becoming agents of reconciliation in a broken world.

  • They are designed for leaders, therapists, pastors, and those in helping professions who seek deeper formation, trauma-informed awareness, and spiritual wholeness.

  • PAX Fellows will learn about theological worldview, the contemplative tradition, trauma healing, social justice frameworks, and ultimately craft a personalized Rule of Life rooted in holy alignment and discernment.

  • Due to high demand, there will be two Cohorts for Contemplative Activism + Spiritual Formation, led by two different expert facilitators, who are Christians of color. Facilitators for these cohorts are Jenai Auman and TBA.

  • The cohorts include biweekly sessions with prayer, teaching, activities, and discussion, a themed 12-session progression, showcase dates, and additional support through collaborative groups and online spaces.

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Jenai Auman

Contemplative Activism + Spiritual Formation Cohort A Facilitator

Jenai is a Filipina American writer, artist, and author of Othered: Finding Belonging with the God Who Pursues the Hurt, Harmed, and Marginalized. Drawing from her experience and education, she writes on contemplative activism and holistic spiritual formation. Jenai’s work has been featured on Christianity Today’s Better Samaritan Blog, Red Letter Christians, Christian Courier, She Reads Truth, and The Fallow House. She draws from her years in church leadership as well as her trauma-informed training to write on healing, hope, and the way forward. She received her bachelor's degree in behavioral health science and is currently pursuing a master's in spiritual formation at Northeastern Seminary. Jenai lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Tyler, and their sons, Quinn and Graham.

  • Early Admission is open February 16 to February 27, 2026. Early admission is only offered to those on our waitlist. 

    Open enrollment is open from March 2, 2026 to June 15, 2026, or when enrollment has reached capacity. There are a limited number of spots available in each cohort for a total of 100 fellows.

  • PAX Fellowship In-Person Connection + Contemplative Retreat 

    Aug 28-30, 2026


    Virtual sessions will take place on Tuesdays, 4pm-6pm PST / 7pm-9pm EST. 

    Session 1: Sept 8, 2026

    Session 2: Sept 22, 2026

    Session 3: Oct 6, 2026

    Session 4: Oct 20, 2026

    Session 5: Nov 3, 2026

    Session 6: Nov 17, 2026

    Session 7: Jan 5, 2027

    Session 8: Jan 19, 2027

    Session 9: Feb 2, 2027

    Session 10: Feb 16, 2027

    Session 11: Mar 2, 2027

    Session 12: Mar 16, 2027

    Session 13: Mar 30, 2027 Keynote & Survey

    Session 14: April 13, 2027 Showcase

    Session 15: April 27, 2027 Goodbye Session

  • The PAX Fellowship Connection + Contemplative Retreat kicks off the PAX Fellowship and is an integral part of the experience as a PAX Fellow.

    Start Date: Friday, August 28 at 5:00pm

    End Date: Sunday, August 30 at 1:00pm

    Location: Franciscan Renewal Center
    5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
    Just 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

    Lodging, meals, and materials are included in the cost of tuition. Fellows are responsible for their own travel arrangements to the retreat.

    Additional details will be included upon admittance to the PAX Fellowship. Should you have any questions about the Retreat and the impact it has on your cohort, please reach out to our Fellowship Director, Rachel, at fellowship@madeforpax.org.

  • The cost for tuition per fellow is $2,005.50. While this figure reflects the true cost of architecting the fellowship per Fellow, we believe that opportunity for mentorship and instruction belongs to all Christians of color and we are committed to reducing financial barriers to participation. That’s why we’re offering three tuition tiers, affording you the agency to choose one that best aligns with your current financial circumstance.

    These tiered tuition options are made possible by the generosity of donors and foundations.

    • Early Admission: Must be on waitlist

      • $350 x 2 

    • Tiered Pricing 

      • $400 x 2

      • $450 x 2

      • $500 x 2

    First tuition payment is due within 3 days of Fellowship acceptance. The second payment is due 30 days after the first payment has been submitted. 

    Beyond our tiered tuition, if finances prohibit your participation, then we encourage you to consider asking your family, church, mentor, or employer to support your continued education by using the sponsorship letter provided.

  • Hospitality and Belonging

    PAX holds to Franciscan spirituality rooted in radical hospitality for all God’s image bearers. We honor each person’s God-given uniqueness, background, story, and identity, believing they can encounter the Divine through the created world, others, and experiences. We strive to uplift voices from diverse perspectives through embodied faith expressed under the tent of belonging. We welcome, accept, and affirm every individual’s worth as a reflection of God’s love made plain in creation. Our Franciscan way embraces the primacy of Christ and the richness of Christian faith expressed through incarnational presence. In our effort to pursue justice, peace, and care for all creation, we reject supremacy that harms image bearers or God’s beloved world.

    Wonder and Tension

    We understand that with diversity comes disagreement and tension. Therefore we value thoughtful dialogue and embrace tension, as these are key components of contemplative Christianity. We challenge PAX Fellows to wonder with the topics presented in the PAX Fellowship, and encourage thoughtful prayer and reflection. Our aim is to support Fellows in a deeper relationship with the Divine and others. Fellows are expected to interact constructively with those holding different denominational and theological perspectives. We recognize the difference between healthy disagreement and harmful behavior, therefore we do not allow bullying, harassment, hatred, or violence.


    Contemplation and Action

    We are contemplative activists. Our practice holds silence and stillness as sacred tools for transformation; personally and collectively. We draw from Black and Brown Christian faith traditions that have long practiced deep reflection, communal prayer, and creative resistance first practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers of North Africa and later embodied by the Civil Rights Movement. Contemplation for us is not withdrawal from the world, but a way of grounding our action in love, justice, and presence. Rather than emptying our minds, we fill our mind and heart with the knowledge and presence of Christ in our contemplative practice.

  • View the full syllabus for the Contemplative Activism & Spiritual Formation A here.

    View the full syllabus for the Contemplative Activism & Spiritual Formation B here.

  • The PAX Fellowship is for you if you…

    • identify as a Christian of color, are between the ages of 25-45, and practice a non-syncretic* expression of Christianity

    • can commit to attending the in-person PAX Fellowship Retreat in August 2026 in Scottsdale, AZ 

    • are able to attend and engage in 12 virtual sessions between September 2026-May 2027

    • desire to be with Christians of different theological and denominational backgrounds with the shared values of justice, peace, and contemplation

    • maintain your sense of self in spaces with people of differing perspectives

    • engage in civil discourse and disagreement respectfully

    • wish to learn practical ways of Christian contemplation and apply these principles into your everyday life

    • seek opportunities to deepen your relationship with God

    • are committed to upholding the PAX values statement for the entirety of your engagement with our community and programming

    *We define non-syncretic expression of Christianity as an expression of Christianity that does not blend, incorporate, or combine elements of other religions or belief systems, and is exclusively Christian in nature.

  • Each cohort will vary in size, but each cohort will have a minimum of 5 people and a maximum of 15 people. Last year, the Contemplative Activism & Spiritual Formation Cohort had 9 Fellows.

  • The PAX Fellowship kicks off with an in-person retreat in Scottsdale, AZ.

    The PAX Fellowship Connection + Contemplative Retreat is the time to meet in-person with your Cohort and Facilitator, engaging in fellowship, instruction, worship, and community. You will also be able to connect + grow with other PAX Fellows and leaders in PAX community.

    Lodging and meals are included in the PAX Fellowship tuition.

    More details included upon admission to the PAX Fellowship.

  • Please reach out at fellowship@madeforpax.org and the PAX Team will get back to you as quick as we can!

FELLOWSHIP FAQ

Here are the most frequently asked questions about The PAX Fellowship.

TESTIMONIALS

Here is what PAX Alumni have to say about the Songwriting Cohort and the PAX Fellowship experience as a whole.

“Everything I was learning in my cohort and having the safe space has helped me have the confidence and boldness to share more about more own journey, family, and how I am making peace and advocating for justice in my personal sphere. My creative process for writing and creating is so much more grounded because I have rhythms of rest & reflection and training in contemplative activism.”

Christine Saffold
PAX Alumni | 2024-2025 Fellow

“It's an overlap with my spiritual life. I entered into this fellowship already leaning into the freedom and love that Jesus offers us — and this cohort truly gave me a foundation that solidified the joy I get to have. To quote someone from my cohort after the showcase "you don't often get to be in such a unique space of joy".”

Irene Martinez
PAX Alumni | 2024-2025 Fellow | 2025-2026 Fellow

“During my time in the PAX Fellowship I have felt safe, seen, and cared for. It’s been encouraging to meet with my amazing cohort and listen to our various experiences, fears, and wonders of the world we live in and what the Lord longs for us. Having access to various tools and resources holds such a great value. I’m grateful for the leadership, wisdom, and opportunity to walk alongside other Christians in this Fellowship!

Raichel Franklin
PAX Alumni | 2024-2025 Fellow

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