The Full Story
About
Who We are
Clergy Connect is a national initiative designed to unite and equip clergy leaders. Built on the foundation of the Coffee & Conversation series—an ongoing dialogue with clergy across the country (from 2020-2024) for the past four years—Clergy Connect formalizes these relationships into a movement of faith leaders committed to spiritually growing their congregations and transforming their communities together.
Bernie & Sharleatha Collins
In February of 2020, Sharleatha “Shar” Collins organized the first Quarterly Pastor’s Breakfast at the mission organization where she is employed. But the very next month, in March of 2020, the world shut down, and the in-person pastor’s breakfast needed to transition to an online format. In those days, the virtual space was new to most clergy, and we were all trying to “figure it out”. What is now Clergy Connect began in June of 2020 as a way to keep pastors connected during the pandemic. In its former life, it was known as “Coffee & Conversation”, a monthly pastor’s Zoom call that featured relevant topics and experienced speakers, providing its pastoral audience with valuable information for both their personal lives and their Holy calling.
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In April of 2025, it became clear that there was a need for more than just a monthly call, and so, Clergy Connect was born. Offering inspiration, training, and ministerial resources, Shar Collins and her husband, Bernie Collins, desire to assist and equip those who work in ministry and care for God’s sheep. Bernie and Shar are the pastors of Aspen Community Church, an online ministry based in Saint Cloud, Florida. They are the parents of three grown daughters and have been in full-time ministry for over 40 years.
Mission
To connect clergy, foster collaboration across ministries, and cultivate leaders through training, resources, and investment— empowering churches to thrive as anchors of community change. Clergy will be equipped with transformative ministerial resources that will strengthen their godly calling and advance kingdom growth.
Vision
To cultivate a national ecosystem where churches operate not only as spiritual homes, but as part of a strong, thriving, ecclesiastical community that is well prepared for ministry, equipped for service, and passionately committed to building the Kingdom of God.
