Nelson Searcy

• Spouse: Kelley
• BA/BS - Gardner Webb University
• M.Div - Duke University
• Additional study: North Carolina State University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Nelson Searcy is the founder and lead pastor of The Journey Church of the City, an innovative, multicultural church located in New York City. Founded in 2002, The Journey has grown to over 1,200 people in weekly attendance and more than 1,400 involved in weekly small groups during its first six years. A multi-site church with locations across the metro New York City, The Journey continues to grow and innovate and serve the people of NYC.

An experienced strategist, coach and speaker, Searcy serves as a regular consultant to churches across America. He is the author of dozens of articles and training resources on leadership, evangelism, church planting, and church growth. In addition, he is an author of many Christian books on church leadership and numerous resources for pastors and other church leaders. He is also the founder of Church Leader Insights, an organization that provides training and resources for pastors.

Prior Ministry Experience

After becoming a Christian while in college, Searcy entered full time ministry in 1990.

Searcy served with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and pastored churches in North Carolina from 1990 to 1999.

Searcy went on staff with Rick Warren in 1999. There he was the founding director of the Purpose Driven Community at Saddleback Church, with more than 5,000 member churches, and a key architect for Warren’s PurposeDriven.com.

Honors

• 2004 Purpose Driven Church Health Award
• 2008 Alumni of the Year - Gardner-Webb University
• 2006 Top 100 Fastest Growing Churches in the US (Outreach Magazine)
• 2007 Top 10 Most Innovative Churches in America (Outreach Magazine)

Conference Speaking Highlights

• Willow Creek Community Church
• Saddleback Church
• Fellowship of the Woodlands
• Outreach Convention
• On Target Evangelism Conference of the California Baptist Convention
• Assembly of God National Church Planting Conference
• Baptist Convention of Ohio
• Florida Baptist Convention Pastors Conference
• Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference
• Church Planters.com National Conference
• Easum Bandy & Associates
• Purpose Driven Church Conference
• Preaching for Life Change Conference
• Liberty University Convocation Speaker
• General Baptist Convention
• National Servant Evangelism Conference

Bibliography

• LAUNCH: STARTING A NEW CHURCH FROM SCRATCH
• FUSION: TURNING FIRST TIME GUESTS INTO FULLY ENGAGED MEMBERS OF YOUR CHURCH
• ACTIVATE: AN ENTIRELY NEW APPROACH TO SMALL GROUPS
• IGNITE: SPARKING IMMEDIATE GROWTH IN YOUR CHURCH