I’m Alan Pastian. I am a Pastor, Coach, Author and Optimist. :) I have enjoyed over 23 years of speaking, mentoring, coaching, fundraising, developing and leadership training.  I specialize in excavating potential, organizational strength, culture creation, and personal inspiration.

My wife and I have been married for over 25 years, we have 2 children (my “ray of sunshine” Anja and my “mighty warrior” Magnus) and we live in Minneapolis, MN. In addition to MN, we have lived in cities around the US including Mobile AL, Washington DC and Phoenix AZ encouraging and strengthening the church and community. I have traveled the world (over 25 countries) sharing my heart for Jesus, people and my enthusiastic approach to “live life to the full.” I believe coffee and community are inseparable, a picture speaks a thousand words, I celebrate films as modern-day parables and desire collecting experiences more than collecting things. You can follow me at @alanpastian.

I discovered my faith in Jesus Christ while in the university setting. I began my journey of pastoring students and young adults in the local church for over 20 years. I am on staff at River Valley Church. One of the best churches in the world. My responsibilities have ranged from leading multi-site youth ministry, young adult ministry, creative department to currently leading as Campus Pastor, developing more leadership content and inspiring those in his church community to make a difference.

I started The Forward Co. My mission: To help you advance in faith and life. My passion for life and love of leadership has given me a powerful focus to build a life-giving alliance between coach and client to inspire career and calling to advance in life. I hold a B.S. in Business and another in Pastoral Ministry giving me a unique range of experience and education.

I am the head coach of Forward Leadership Coaching. Our mission is to help you take yourself further personally and professionally in all areas of life. Forward Leadership Coaching helps leaders, teams and organizations advance in personal development, team performance and organizational productivity. I am an independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker with The John Maxwell Team, a certified Clifton Strengths Coach, Enneagram Coach, DiSC Personality and most recently certified in Working Genius.

I am the founder of The Forward Disciple. We are a discipleship platform dedicated to spiritual formation and personal inspiration as we live our faith ‘Forward as a modern believer.  I have been leading and pastoring for over two decades in the church. I have focused my enthusiasm and determination towards creating The Forward Disciple. I believe this is done by living in your calling, living for your community and living from the culture.

I also am an author. I have written a few books with my latest book being, The New Young Christian Field Guide: Practical Advice for the Modern Disciple. If you are trying to navigate your life as a Christian in this wild world, this is your “fieldguide” to help you advance. I am determined to help others follow Christ beyond a one-time decision towards a life of ‘Forward Discipleship.

I am a writer and have been featured as a published author in publications such as:  Outreach Magazine, Influence Magazine, Qara Magazine and other publications.  If you want to see some of his recent publications, check out the following outreach articles by clicking the link above.