THE STORY
A WALK ON THE BEACH
I was on sabbatical, trying to understand why ten years of church planting had left me burned out. I decided to visit my sister in California, and one evening, while walking on the beach, the Lord spoke a simple phrase. "Son, the Great Commission isn't to plant churches or grow churches. It's to make disciples". It was a loving reminder that, somewhere along the way, in my desire to grow the church, I had forgotten my primary mission...make disciples.
Watching the tide roll in and out that evening, I began to reflect on how my perspective of ministry needed to change. A picture began to emerge: a ministry that would come alongside pastors and leaders to mobilize more disciple makers. A few years later, that vision gained traction after a conversation with Ryan, a friend planting churches among surfers in Southern California. He compared mobilization to a "groundswell," a long-distance wave that starts deep in the ocean and builds momentum as it moves toward the shore.
In 2020, I launched a ministry with that same name. Along the way, we've partnered with hundreds of churches to mobilize more disciple makers and pioneer leaders, and we believe the best is yet to come!
Jon Wiest
Groundswell Founder
OUR TEAM
LEADERSHIP
JON WIEST
Director Groundwell
Mobilize the Church
DWIGHT NASH
Founder 1000 Churches
Mobilize the Church
SHARI NASH
Development Director
Mobilize the Church
MISTI SHORT
Finances
Accounting
TRAINERS
JERVIE WINDOM
Trainer
Prayer Director
JEREMY SUMMERS
Trainer
Pioneer Leaders
MIKE CLINE
Trainer
Pioneer Leaders
JOSH COOPER
Trainer
Disciple Makers
OUR DISTINCTIVES
WE ARE A MOBILIZATION MINISTRY.
We mobilize the body of Christ for ministry. We equip individuals to make disciples and pioneer new works. We serve pastors by training and resourcing them to mobilize their congregation for ministry. We partner with network leaders to create a culture of mobilization among their churches.
WE ARE IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION.
We serve all denominations, districts, and churches, but we trace our roots to the awakenings of British and American Methodism and the incredible disciple-making and church-planting movements they initiated. We believe God wants to raise up a new generation of leaders, both women and men, clergy and laity.
WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE LOCAL CHURCH.
We want to serve as a catalyst for local churches to create movement. Our passion is to serve pastors and leaders who are hungry to take the next steps in equipping their congregations for ministry. Although we often partner with district leaders, we keep the local church in mind.
WE ARE A PREMIERE TRAINING MINISTRY.
We offer workshops, conferences, and practical resources, but we specialize in training. Our coaches and trainers are experienced practitioners, and we utilize high-quality training platforms for each of our courses.
WE HAVE A HEART FOR THE INCARCERATED.
We are a ministry catalyst that comes alongside local churches to inspire, equip, connect, and resource them to engage local jails and prisons.