Building Discipleship Cultures
For Jesus-centered leaders and churches, EQUIP is an innovative and leading ministry helping to build discipleship cultures that prepare people to experience, live, and share God’s Story.
Who We Serve
EQUIP seeks to serve leaders who are making Jesus disciples.
Our approach is particularly compatible with those who are spiritually hungry, eager, and committed to the next generation of leaders and to people of all races and colors around the world.
Our approach is particularly compatible with those who are spiritually hungry, eager, and committed to the next generation of leaders and to people of all races and colors around the world.
EQUIP's Vision
Our vision is to see a discipleship culture in every church.
EQUIP's Mission
Our mission is to inspire and provide Christian leaders with the training, resources, and support to build discipleship cultures.
EQUIP's Values
EMPOWERMENT
We are leaders who equip leaders to lead.
MASTERY
We are masters of our craft, always improving and never complacent.
ADVENTURE
We are risk-takers who courageously step into the unknown.
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO
We challenge conventional paradigms and stretch others beyond the dominant culture's assumptions.
RELATIONSHIPS
We are focused on people over products.
PERSONAL GROWTH
We are consistent in our journey of becoming free from the old self and embracing the Ways of Jesus.
TRUST
We are people who cultivate trust in our team, partners, and God.
Our History
The Creation of the Kingdom Story
The Kingdom Story Experience curriculum was authored by John Lewis in 1994. The primary audience was students, interns and staff involved in the University of Puget Sound college ministry (1994-2001). John then served in the local church and a non-profit organization called Leadership Foundations (2001-11); in between John and his family did a two-year stint in Beijing, China, working with young adults. During this phase, the Kingdom Story Experience was taught and experienced by over 500 people of all ages and denominations in the U.S. and China. It was translated into Chinese, two English versions were developed (group & personal study) and an introduction seminar called The Bible Reframed was created.
The Birth of the Kingdom Story Mission
In 2012, John launched Kingdom Story Ministries to focus on the Kingdom Story approach and to serve churches and faith-based organizations. Over the years this has led to providing vital resources for kingdom impact in the Tacoma, Washington area through partnerships with organizations including the Tacoma Rescue Mission, Young Life and Youth for Christ, as well as in worldwide communities in China and East Africa. During these years, Kingdom Story trained over 70 people in the U.S., China and Africa to facilitate the distribution of various Kingdom Story curriculum; developed several adaptations for local and global audiences; and developed the Discipleship ReFramed seminar to help churches develop cultures of discipleship. In March of 2024, Kingdom Story changed its name to EQUIP.