The Contemplative Activism + Spiritual Formation Cohort B 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

JOIN WAITLIST FOR THE 2027-2028 PAX FELLOWSHIP

The PAX Fellowship

In-Person Retreat
The Fellowship includes an in-person retreat August 28-30 in Scottsdale, AZ. Canadian Fellows: August 29 in GTA.

15 Virtual Sessions
Contemplation, instruction, and connection for two hours twice monthly at 4PM PST; September 2026 to April 2027.

2 Spiritual Direction Sessions
Attend one-on-one contemplative sessions for mental health and spiritual life from a spiritual director of Color.

PAX Showcase
Contribute within your cohort to the culminating showcase for the PAX community in April 2027.

Monthly Keynotes
Learn from leading voices on contemplative activism and cultural identity.

Group Facilitation
Learn from expert facilitators in your area of focus to further your craft and call.

Contemplative Activism + Spiritual Formation Cohort B trains 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.

  • This cohort is for those who feel a sense to slow down, heal, explore, reorient, or revitalize their relationship with God with intentionality + honesty, who may be engaged in vocational work in faith, justice, wellness (therapists, doctors, human-focused services), education, non-profit, or corporate contexts.

  • 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.

  • Cohort B is led by Rachel Wahba-Dunkley, previous PAX Fellow and current wellness coach & consultant whose work focuses on Christians of color finding wholeness in the midst of the world’s brokenness.

  • The cohorts include biweekly sessions with prayer, teaching, activities, and discussion, a themed 15-session progression, showcase dates, and additional support through collaborative groups and online spaces.

Rachel Wahba-Dunkley

Contemplative Activism + Spiritual Formation Cohort B Facilitator

HEAR FROM RACHEL

Rachel is a wellness coach & consultant who guides Christians of color as they navigate the journey of uncovering their authentic selves-helping them heal the past, ground the present, and enrich the future. As a Coptic woman (Black & Indigenous people of Egypt) and child of immigrants, Rachel embraces the tension of “already and not yet,” grounded in Jesus’ victory while acknowledging its completion is still to come. Wrestling and wondering with the mystery of God is one of her favorite pastimes, and with her dual-master degrees in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, Rachel's goal is to help BIPOC Christians develop holy + healthy views of self and operate in the fullness of who they're called to be. She lives in New York City with her husband and two plant babies. You can find her sipping boba, petting dogs, reading on her comfy couch, or writing on her blog.

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

    Start Date: Friday, August 28 at 4:30pm

    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.

    Canadian Date: Saturday, August 29
    Time & Location: TBD in GTA

    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 us at fellowship@madeforpax.org.

  • Tuition per fellow is $2,000. While this figure reflects the true cost of architecting the fellowship, we believe that the opportunity for mentorship and instruction belongs to all Christians of color and are committed to reducing financial barriers to participation. That’s why we’re offering tiered tuition with scholarships ranging from $1000 - $1300, affording you the agency to choose tuition that best aligns with your current financial circumstance.

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

    • Alumni: $700 - two payments of $350 (scholarship amount of $1300)

    • Tier 1:$800 - two payments of $400 (scholarship amount of $1200)

      If your financial picture is such that paying more would not be feasible, please select this tuition tier and know that we welcome you with open arms.

    • Tier 2: $900 - two payments of $450 (scholarship amount of $1100)

      Suggested dues for the PAX Fellowship

    • Tier 3: $1000 - two payments of $500 (scholarship amount of $1000)

      If your season allows you to comfortably pay this amount, you'll help offset the lower tier for those for whom tuition represents a greater barrier to access.

    • Tier 4: $800 - three payments at $200, $300, and $300 (scholarship amount of $1200)

      If your financial picture is such that paying more would not be feasible and you’d like a three part-payment plan, please select this tuition tier and know that we welcome you with open arms.

    The first tuition payment is due within 3 days of acceptance into the Fellowship and is non-refundable. A Stripe payment link will be included with your acceptance letter. For all additional payments, your payment method on file will be automatically charged 25 business days after the first payment has been submitted, and is non-refundable. For Tier 4, your third payment will be charged 25 days after your second payment and is non-refundable.


    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 sponsoring your enrollment in the fellowship. Link to a Sponsorship Letter Template will be included with your acceptance letter. 

    Financial Aid

    If tuition continues to be a barrier beyond the scholarship tiers and the sponsorship letter, you may answer the financial aid question in the application to be considered for additional aid toward Tier 1 or Tier 4 tuition. Financial aid requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and awarded as funds are available. You will be notified via email on the status of your financial aid request.

  • Hospitality and Belonging

    PAX draws from 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 syllabus for Contemplative Activism + Spiritual Formation Cohort 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 15 sessions taking place September 2026 to April 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 + Contemplation 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

“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
Fin-Tech Leader
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
Leadership Development
Coordinator @ World Relief
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
University Chaplain
PAX Alumni | 2024-2025 Fellow

“PAX provides a space to learn, grow, and be in community with like-minded Christians of color. There is no other space like it! We share our vision, desolations, and Gospel-inspired dreams for the world based on our unique lived experiences, and we do so in an environment that wants to see the divine work assigned to each of our souls come to fruition and nurture the process. PAX is that soil.”

Jessica Sun
Activist and Organizer
PAX Alumni | 2024-2025 Fellow