Cultivating Deep Discipleship

Through Formative Communities and AI-Powered Guidance

We Are Solving  The Great Omission

“The governing assumption today, among professing Christians, is that we can be ‘Christians’ forever and never become disciples.

Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, and power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil.

In short, nondiscipleship costs you exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10).”

- Dallas Willard -

The Evidence

Fewer than 5% of U.S. churches have a reproducing disciple-making culture.
Key terms like discipleship lack standardized definitions, making assessment difficult.
Only 17% of the church knows what The Great Commission is and what it means.¹
The divorce rate among Christians is nearly 30%.²
Over half of Christians admit they use pornography.³
7 in 10 women who have had an abortion identify as Christian.⁴
There is a profound difference between “accepting Jesus” so we can escape the earth and get to heaven versus “apprenticing with Jesus” for the purpose of joining Him in redeeming the earth.

The Consequences

Shallow Faith and Character
Cultural Irrelevance
Burnout and Cynicism
Church as a Gathering, not as a Transformative Community

Back to the Beginning

We believe people are best formed to be more like Jesus in small, intimate communities. This results in an abundant inner life that spills over into all aspects of culture and creation, leading to greater human flourishing around the world.

The Five Elements of Formation
as Jesus Taught and Modeled

Extended Time

Modern life tends to be frenetic and disconnected. Greenhouses invite us to slow down and enjoy time with God and others as we journey together.
(Mark 3:14)

Practicing Habits

We cooperatively nurture specific habits intended to deepen our faith, understand our stories, and become more like our King.
(Luke 5:16)

Consistent Community

Our small gatherings are formed on a few principles, including the importance of dialogue, allowing and honoring doubts, and patiently loving and encouraging one another.
(Acts 42-47)

Trusted Intimacy

Spiritual formation requires trust, appropriate vulnerability, and a willingness to explore our joys, sorrows, obstacles, and stories.
(John 17:21)

Deepening INSTRUCTION

Teaching is most formative when allowed to be tested, explored, and discussed. Greenhouses follow a guided instructional journey that fosters dialogue in an open environment.
(Matthew 5-7)

Five Elements & Formative Ecosystems

	Time	Habits	Community	Intimacy	Instruction
College/University	x	x	x	x	x
Early Childhood	x	x	x	x	x
Sports Teams/Clubs	x	x	x	x	x
Military	x	x	x	x	x
Cults	x	x	x	x	X

Worship Service		X			X
Small Group		?		?	X
Bible Study		X			X
Retreats/Camps	x			X	X
Mission Trips	x
Greenhouses	x	x	x	x	X

Greenhouse Stories

“I never really understood what it meant to ‘become like Jesus’ until the Greenhouse. I thought being a disciple just meant I agreed with the right doctrine.”

“The Greenhouse has been impactful on many areas of life, but mainly our marriage. We are far more attuned to God and each other.”

“I never realized how important my personal story was to discipleship. Jesus has met me in my past pain and suffering and is healing me through our Greenhouse.”

“I didn’t know it, but I was routinely splitting my faith from the rest of my life and work. Not anymore. Because of the five elements and rhythms of the Greenhouse, I experience Jesus in all aspects of life. And I see Him transforming all aspects of life.”

Plant
Reaching the Curious

We reach out to those curious about their faith through online engagement, using our podcast and digital content to spark interest. By offering accessible resources, we create spaces for exploration and dialogue, inviting individuals to begin their journey toward deeper understanding. This step plants the seeds of faith, opening the door for transformation.

Nurture
Building Bridges with Ai

In the Nurture phase, we leverage AI technology to guide individuals deeper into their faith and community. By using personalized content and interactive tools, we move engaged individuals towards stronger spiritual practices and deeper connections. This stage builds a bridge between initial online engagement and an invitation into a Greenhouse, where deep discipleship is cultivated with other people.

Deepen
Cultivating Formation in Greenhouses

In our Greenhouse Communities, individuals experience transformation through deep connections and intentional discipleship. We foster spiritual growth through shared stories, intentional habits, prayer, and exploring discipleship, intentionally becoming people more attuned to God, others, and ourselves. This step strengthens roots, deepening faith and commitment to God’s Kingdom.

"Spiritual formation prepares us for a life in which we move away from our fears, compulsions, resentments, and sorrows, to serve with joy and courage in the world.”

- Henri Nouwen -

"All change comes from deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out the changes that understanding creates in your heart."

- Tim Keller -

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead -

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Bach, Nightingale, Benedict of Nursia, Kuyper, Tutu, Lewis, Mother Teresa, King, and Wilberforce. What do all of these individuals have in common? They are powerful examples of deep disciples whose lives were so profoundly transformed by Christ that they went on to change the world. Their stories remind us that true discipleship doesn’t just shape individuals—it ignites movements that transform culture and history.

Your Investment Fuels 5 Key Projects 
$1.6m a year for three years

1. Distribute existing content via podcast, books, articles

2. Launch digital outreach strategies

3. Develop the AI discipleship engine

4. Recruit and train Greenhouse facilitators

5. Build a sustainable donor base for long-term growth

100k → 1M

Substack Audience

1.5m

AI Interactions

100k

Email List Size

60

Greenhouses

3+

Countries

meet the team

BRIAN FISHER

FOUNDER, HOST

Brian Fisher (Founder, Host) spent his early career in various executive roles in both for-profit companies and non-profit Christian ministries. He has spoken around the country on issues such as cultural engagement, media, bioethics, and apologetics, and is the author of four previous books and various published articles. He is also a Colson Fellow, having completed the Colson Center’s extensive training program on Christian worldview, and is the host of the Soil and Roots podcast.

Brian lives with his wife, Jessica, in the Dallas area and they have two young adult sons.

KYLE MOODY

Community-Building and Co-Host

Kyle Moody (Community-Building and Co-Host) is a long-time educator in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area with a Master’s Degree in Education. His background in theater and acting (including time in L.A.) prepared him for a life of distilling complex information into bite-sized chunks, and discovering our stories as a means of growing in Jesus. A consummate encourager and lover of people, Kyle joins the Soil and Roots podcast around Episode 40, and models what it means to explore difficult ideas and concepts in the context of our spiritual formation.

He lives with his wife, Michelle, and their three children in the Dallas area.

DR . TIM BOSWELL

Content Development and frequent podcast guest

Dr. Tim Boswell (Content Development and frequent podcast guest) earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas and is the managing editor of an international, peer-reviewed scholarly journal associated with UNT. He has developed over 50 books in a variety of fields, and helps to develop the themes, ideas, concepts, and topics for both the Soil and Roots podcast and its Greenhouses. His developing interest in spiritual formation continues to flow over into the depth and breadth of the podcast and Greenhouse experiences.

He lives with his wife, Kristi, and their four children in Ft. Worth, Texas.

ZACH LEIGHTON

Marketing/Communications Advisor

Zach Leighton is the Founder and Principal Creative at Reliant Media Group. Since 2011, he and his team have provided high-quality creative content and marketing services to ministries nationwide, including major partners like Cru. Zach is passionate about helping the Church use storytelling to glorify God and push back darkness. He holds a degree in business administration from Vanguard University and has started ten companies. Zach lives near Boise, Idaho, with his wife, Becky, and their three children.

Tristan Schaeffer

Strategic Gifts Engagement Officer

Tristan Schaeffer is a Kingdom-centered operator and investor, currently serving as a strategic Venture Partner at SPLYCAP and the Founding Managing Partner at Worldview Capital. A serial entrepreneur, Tristan successfully exited his first company at just 22 and has since built a distinguished career driving growth, forging strategic partnerships, and creating transformative value across multiple sectors. He has achieved two successful exits, built a $120M+ credit portfolio, and played a pivotal role in tripling revenue at a nationally leading nonprofit. With an extensive network and deep expertise in the venture ecosystem, Tristan excels at identifying exceptional investment opportunities and delivering outsized value. He is a recognized leader in the Heartland Economy and is passionate about Kingdom-driven impact.

Test Out Our Ai Spiritual Formation Facilitator

This AI-built prototype demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be shaped by biblical wisdom to support spiritual formation. Through Scripture-based reflection and guided prompts, the chatbot offers a taste of what’s possible when technology meets Kingdom purpose—with the ultimate goal of helping you take a next step into a Soil and Roots Greenhouse for deeper, community-rooted discipleship.

Help us solve the great omission.

We’d Love to Share More With You About Cultivating Deep Discipleship Worldwide