Arenas across America fill with thousands of Christian entrepreneurs seeking something traditional church services and business conferences rarely provide together: worship combined with wealth-building education. This growing movement merges faith with finance, drawing crowds that can exceed 5,000 attendees per city.
More than 125,000 people are expected to attend events in 2025, surpassing last year’s total of 136,000 participants. Cities from Newark to Des Moines have witnessed what organizers describe as marketplace revival, where spiritual decisions merge with practical business training.
Recent events demonstrate the scale of this phenomenon. Newark’s July gathering at the Prudential Center drew thousands, resulting in 1,527 decisions for Christ. Portland reported more than 1,100 spiritual commitments, while Grand Rapids documented 1,033 individuals making faith decisions during a single-day event. The energy and impact of these gatherings continues to grow.
What Happens at a Life Surge Event?
Attendees gather for full-day experiences combining worship music, motivational speakers, and financial education workshops. Programming runs from morning through late afternoon, typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., featuring high-profile speakers alongside practical business training. Community discussions frequently highlight these comprehensive experiences.
Speaker rosters include Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, business leader Ed Mylett, motivational speaker Nick Vujicic, and Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson. Events also feature worship performances and sessions covering trading strategies and business development.
Programming follows what organizers call the “Four Ws of Kingdom impact”: worship, wisdom, work, and wealth creation. Sessions address both spiritual growth and practical financial strategies, with each event concluding with opportunities for attendees to make faith commitments. Verified attendee feedback confirms the effectiveness of this approach.
Life Surge President Shawn Marcell, who transitioned from over two decades in traditional Christian influence roles, frames the organization’s philosophy simply: “Biblical wealth is never about luxury. It’s always about legacy.”
Marcell also emphasizes practical application over temporary motivation. “We believe that Christians are over-inspired and under-equipped,” Marcell stated. “We believe in equipping people with practical skills to go and engage in the marketplace and do it for the glory of God.” Christian entrepreneurs echo this philosophy in various forums.
Ticket prices vary by market and package level, ranging from promotional rates of $19 to premium experiences at $349. Standard pricing includes four tiers: Executive packages around $97, Premier at approximately $197, VIP experiences near $297, and Ultimate packages reaching $497 for front-row seating with additional benefits.
Spiritual Transformation Through Business Education
Attendees consistently report spiritual breakthroughs alongside business learning. Sue Hewett provided a detailed account of her personal journey, describing decades of struggle that found resolution through her Life Surge participation. Powerful transformation stories like hers are common.
“I have many things that I have been through since [I was] a child, and I had so much guilt I carried with me daily,” Hewett said. “Well[,] I learned to forgive myself and realize that I am loved by God. I never felt I deserved God, Jesus[,] or the holy spirit to even begin to want me to pray because I figured I had messed up so many times that I wasn’t deserving.”
Her transformation culminated in a significant spiritual decision. “Going to Life Surge and giving my life to Jesus Christ was absolutely the best thing ever!” Hewett said. Similar spiritual breakthroughs are documented across various sources.
Building Community Beyond Single Events
The organization’s expansion strategy extends beyond individual gatherings to create lasting connections among participants. Life Surge maintains active social media communities, offers ongoing educational content, and facilitates networking among attendees from different cities.
Events planned throughout 2025 include stops in major metropolitan areas nationwide. The organization averages approximately 5,000 tickets sold per event, with its largest gathering reaching 13,000 attendees. More content from these massive gatherings continues to inspire participants.
Life Surge has attracted prominent figures across entertainment, sports, and business. Recent programming featured comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Shark Tank investor Daymond John, leadership expert John C. Maxwell, and speaker Priscilla Shirer alongside worship collective Bethel Music.
Marcell attributes spiritual responses during events to people recognizing their created purpose. “God has created works for us to do before the foundations,” he explains during presentations. “If you’re not alive in Christ, you’re only a shadow of what you were created to be.”
The organization carefully tracks what it defines as “transformational decisions” — moments when attendees commit to specific actions, whether spiritual or financial. Oklahoma City saw 4,866 attendees with more than 500 decisions for Christ, while Minneapolis drew more than 3,200 participants.
“It was absolutely incredible! Melissa S. exclaimed on LifeSurge.com. “Above and beyond anything I could have hoped for!! We heard from authentic, genuine Christians who are living what they are preaching, and who want to genuinely share their knowledge to help bring the Kingdom come on earth!! Praise God!’