the story
As most stories go, so goes this one. It began with a man, a woman, and a dream to change the world.
Ten years prior to the launch of Resonate Church Keith Wieser felt God speak deeply to his heart in three specific areas; love, education, and calling. He knew he was to marry a radiant young woman named Paige, to seek a degree from seminary, and the most frightening one of all: to be a missionary to his generation.
Eight years prior to the launch of Resonate Church, Keith Wieser and his lovely wife Paige move to Vancouver, Washington to further their education at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.
Four years prior to the launch of Resonate Church Keith and Paige move to Pullman, Washington where Keith assumes the role as northwest collegiate minister at Washington State University. This begins the process of Keith and Paige investing their lives into the 30 or so students they were soon calling their own.
Three years prior to the launch of Resonate Church singer/songwriter/worship leader Josh Martin and illusionist Drew Worsham graduate from East Texas Baptist University. They hit the road together and venture throughout the states performing at any venue available, one of which being on the campus of Washington Sate University. (This due to the fact that the summer before Josh and Keith met through a camp ministry called Centrifuge. You see where this is going don’t you.)
Two years prior to the launch of Resonate Church a conversation begins between Keith, Josh and Drew about planting a church designed to meet the needs of a seeking generation of college students. These conversations go well, some would even say very well. Keith begins to feel this passion in his heart for church planting come alive, and he feels a team is coming together for this task. (Which by the way was a part of the “no team, no dream” deal he made with God a few years back.)
One year prior to the launch of Resonate Church Josh and Drew move to Pullman and Keith’s collegiate ministry associate (a recent Geology masters grad) Megan Gerseny comes on board for the journey.
10 months prior to the launch, Resonate Church begins to meet in a local bookstore and share a meal and a vision together on Sunday nights.
6 months prior to the launch of Resonate Church Amy Rush (now Martin, she later marries Josh, imagine that) moves to Pullman and is pulled on board the staff.
4 months prior to the launch of Resonate Church recent WSU grad Kim Klein decides to join the team as a ministry intern of sorts, thus completing the seven person super team.
1 week prior to the launch of Resonate Church 30 volunteers invade Pullman to help hand out fliers, send e-mails, run events, and ultimately make nearly 5000 contacts.
1 night prior to the launch of Resonate Church Keith, Paige, Josh, Drew, Megan, Amy, and Kim have a hard time sleeping.
08.19.07 The night Resonate Church launched 190 people showed up.
08.20.07 Staff is still not sleeping well. This was more people then they imagined.
Following the launch, community is built, villages grow and multiply, Jesus is sought, preached and worshiped, and a strange thing happens: people keep showing up.
04.27.08 Resonate Church baptizes 11 college students.
04.27.08 Everyone on staff sleeps well except for Keith. (His back hurt.)
08.24.08 Resonate 2.0 launches in Pullman.
08.31.08 Resonate launches a Moscow, ID. worship service. (Sundays, 8:30 p.m. The Nuart Theatre)
And that is the story thus far of Resonate church as best as it can be remembered.