Launched in Nigeria

In 2020, Reverend Segun Aiyegbusi and his family relocated from the United States to Jos, Nigeria, as missionaries with a vision to plant a church. Soon after arriving, it became clear that God was redirecting that vision.

As Segun connected with pastors across cities, towns, and remote villages, he began to hear a consistent thread beneath their ministry stories, a quiet cry for help. Many pastors were emotionally exhausted, spiritually dry, and silently burdened with wounds they had no space to name. What began as a church-planting mission quickly became a deeper calling: to care for the hearts of pastors already serving across the country.

That calling led to the birth of The Gathering Faith Leadership Network - Nigeria, a ministry committed to helping pastors and their families experience lasting soul care. Since its launch in 2021, the work in Nigeria has reached 12,000 pastors, pastors’ wives, pastors’ kids, ministry leaders, and seminary students through training programs, retreats, and large-scale conferences.

From Nigeria to America

A few years later, during a sabbatical in New Jersey, Reverend Segun was introduced to John Ballinger, a seasoned leadership coach, and trusted mentor. What began as a conversation turned into a mentoring relationship that lasted over 13 months. John walked with Segun through leadership challenges, spiritual reflection, and organizational growth. Week after week, they uncovered something deeper: the very same emotional and spiritual battles Segun was confronting in Nigeria were also showing up in churches across America.

After months of prayer, discernment, and dialogue, a shared burden began to take shape: a desire to extend the heart and vision of The Gathering to pastors and ministry leaders in the United States. This vision was formalized in April 2025 with the launch of The Gathering Faith Leadership Network USA.