Prepare the Way Ministries

What Prepare the Way Ministries does

Prepare the Way Ministries is a Bend, Oregon-based Christian nonprofit organization (church under Internal Revenue Code 26 USC 508(c)(1)(A), EIN 71-1001294) founded in 2006 by Stephen and Sarah Williams. The ministry equips Christians — primarily youth (middle school through college), Christian parents, public school educators, and church leaders — with biblical worldview training, apologetics, and practical guidance for engaging secular culture. Its core offerings include donation-based speaking seminars at churches and organizations, the annual Christian Youth Summit (in its 19th year in 2026 with approximately 500 attendees at New Hope Church in Bend), the Standing Firm video curriculum (nearly 8 hours of free video teaching distributed via YouTube and Google Drive), and the co-authored book 'Navigating Public Schools' (sold via the ministry website and Christian Book Distributors). Sub-initiatives include American Heritage Girls Troop OR 3131 (girls aged 5-18), Book Angels (a literacy program lending faith-based books to families), and periodic Worldview and Apologetics conferences. The ministry does not develop technology products; its "platform" is content (video curriculum, books, presentations) and live event programming.

The revenue model is entirely donation-based: the ministry is financially supported by tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations (one-time or recurring via credit card, debit card, ACH, or check). Secondary revenue streams include Christian Youth Summit sponsorships ($250–$3,000 tiers from churches and allied ministries) and book sales. Speaking engagements are offered by donation with no set fee; the annual summit is free to attend with optional donations (approximately $75 per attendee suggested). No revenue figure is publicly disclosed, and there is no parent company, private equity, or venture capital involvement. The ministry's go-to-market is event-driven and referral-based — seminars scheduled at churches and organizations across the Pacific Northwest (and occasionally nationally), the annual flagship summit, social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, YouTube), a weekly email newsletter, and a network of partner churches and allied ministries (Alliance Defending Freedom, Christian Educators Association International, Gateways to Better Education, MavenTruth, Ambassadors Forum, Classical Conversations, Promise Keepers). Stephen Williams serves as the primary public-facing speaker and director; Sarah Williams is co-founder, co-author, and Troop Coordinator; the broader team includes named volunteer leadership for the AHG troop. The ministry's credibility is anchored in Williams' background as a former Cupertino Union School District teacher who filed a 2004 federal court case (with Alliance Defending Freedom) over censorship of Christian references in primary source documents, generating national media coverage across The New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, Focus on the Family, and FamilyLife.

Name

Prepare the Way Ministries

Legal name

Prepare the Way Ministries

Website

https://preparetheway.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Prepare the Way Ministries is a Bend, Oregon-based Christian nonprofit founded in 2006 that equips Christian youth, parents, educators, and church leaders with biblical worldview training via donation-based speaking seminars, the annual Christian Youth Summit, a free Standing Firm video curriculum, and the book 'Navigating Public Schools.'

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education and Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Christian ministry services
• Biblical worldview education
• Apologetics training programs
• Faith-based youth programs
• Christian speaking engagements

Headquarters

HQ city

Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Tax-Deductible Donations: Prepare the Way Ministries is financially supported entirely by tax-deductible donations. The ministry is recognized as part of the Church under Internal Revenue Code 26 USC 508(c)(1)(A) (EIN 71-1001294). Donations are accepted as one-time or recurring contributions via credit card, debit card, or ACH bank transfer, or by check.
2. Christian Youth Summit Sponsorships: Corporate and church sponsors support the annual Christian Youth Summit at various contribution levels ($250 to $3,000), receiving branding, program placement, and event recognition in return.
3. Book Sales: Co-authored book 'Navigating Public Schools' sold directly through the ministry website and via Christian Book Distributors.
4. Offerings for Speaking Engagements: Speaking seminars at churches and organizations are not charged at a set fee; an offering is requested to support the ministry. Presentations range from 15-55 minute talks to multi-session workshops of several hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Prepare the Way Ministries is a faith-based Christian educational ministry that equips Christians to defend and live out a biblical worldview through speaking seminars at churches and organizations, an annual Christian Youth Summit conference, a multi-hour Standing Firm video apologetics curriculum, the co-authored book Navigating Public Schools, and supplementary youth programs including American Heritage Girls Troop OR 3131 and the Book Angels literacy initiative. The ministry is funded entirely by tax-deductible donations and operates from Bend, Oregon.

Product overview

Prepare the Way Ministries operates as a Christian ministry offering educational programs and resources rather than a technology product platform. The organization provides a portfolio of ministry services including the annual Christian Youth Summit event, the Standing Firm video curriculum, the Navigating Public Schools book, speaking/seminar services, youth programs (American Heritage Girls Troop), literacy initiatives (Book Angels), and periodic youth gatherings. These offerings are standalone ministry programs rather than an integrated software platform or tech product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Christian Youth Summit: Annual conference empowering the younger generation in the Pacific Northwest to stand firm in their faith
• Book Angels
• American Heritage Girls Troop OR 3131
• Standing Firm Curriculum

Products and services

• Christian Youth Summit Annual flagship conference (free to attend, donations welcomed) equipping Christian youth and parents in biblical worldview, apologetics, and cultural engagement. Targeted at Christian teens through college age and their parents across the U.S. Pacific Northwest and beyond.
• Standing Firm Biblical Worldview and Apologetics Curriculum Approximately 8 hours of free downloadable video teaching organized into 7 modules covering reliability of the Bible, worldview foundations, historical revisionism, science and Christianity, sexuality and discipleship, influencing culture, and applying a biblical worldview to hot-button topics. Includes slides, outlines, discussion questions, book suggestions, and homework. Targeted at Christian adults, youth groups, and small groups seeking structured apologetics training.
• Navigating Public Schools (Book) Co-authored book by Stephen and Sarah Williams empowering Christian parents to navigate the public school system, protect their children's faith and biblical worldview, and exercise constitutional rights on campus. Sold as a one-time purchase directly from the ministry website and via Christian Book Distributors.
• Speaking Topics and Seminars Donation-based speaking engagements covering four main seminars (Standing Firm Biblical Worldview/Apologetics, America at a Crossroads, Navigating Public Schools, and Leading with a Pure Heart) plus 15-55 minute standalone topics. Formats range from short overviews to multi-session workshops. Targeted at churches, organizations, retreats, and schools across the U.S. Pacific Northwest and nationally.
• American Heritage Girls Troop OR 3131 Central Oregon's only American Heritage Girls troop, chartered under Prepare the Way Ministries, offering Christ-centered leadership and character development for girls aged 5-18 through badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences.
• Book Angels Literacy Ministry Literacy initiative under Prepare the Way Ministries that lends free faith-based and character-building books directly to families. Accepts donated books and financial contributions. Targeted at Christian families seeking to build home libraries of worldview-affirming reading material.
• Worldview and Apologetics Conference Recurring worldview and apologetics conference presented by Prepare the Way Ministries in partnership with the Ambassador's Forum at Southwest Hills Baptist Church, featuring Stephen Williams as a speaker on biblical worldview and apologetics topics for Christian adults.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 500 attendees at the 19th annual Christian Youth Summit (2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Alliance Defending Freedom provided legal representation for Stephen Williams in his federal court case (2004-2005) concerning the censorship of primary source documents with Christian references in the Cupertino Union School District. ADF helped file the federal lawsuit in November 2004, and the case was settled out of court in summer 2005 with a written policy allowing Christian-referencing primary source documents in classrooms.
• New Hope Church (Bend, OR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Hope Church hosts the annual Christian Youth Summit at their facility (20080 Pinebrook Blvd, Bend, OR 97702) and is a sponsor of the event.
• American Heritage Girls (AHG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrepare the Way Ministries serves as the charter organization for American Heritage Girls Troop OR 3131 in Central Oregon, the only AHG troop in the region. AHG serves girls aged 5-18 with leadership and character development programs.
• Community Bible Church SunriverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch sponsor of the Christian Youth Summit.
• Classical ConversationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsoring partner of the Christian Youth Summit.
• Promise KeepersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromise Keepers (Men of Integrity) is listed as a sponsor of the Christian Youth Summit.
• Oregon Right to LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsoring partner of the Christian Youth Summit.
• Living In His Name MinistriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsoring partner of the Christian Youth Summit.
• Crosswalk MinistriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsoring partner of the Christian Youth Summit.
• High Desert Baptist AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsoring partner of the Christian Youth Summit.
• The Ambassadors Forum (Southwest Hills Baptist Church)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ambassadors Forum organizes worldview and apologetics conferences each fall. Stephen Williams speaks at these events. They represent a strategic partnership for extending worldview education beyond Prepare the Way's own events.
• Christian Educators Association International (CEAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEAI is featured as a key partner resource on the Navigating Public Schools page. Their ministry initiatives include Teach with Faith (Not Fear), LIFT America, and The Daniel Project — all relevant to Prepare the Way's mission of equipping Christians in public schools.
• Gateways to Better EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGateways to Better Education helps public school educators, parents, and school leaders teach about the contribution of the Bible and Christianity to the world within legal boundaries. Their resources are linked from Prepare the Way's Navigating Public Schools page and share the ministry's mission.
• Brett Kunkle / MavenTruthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrett Kunkle, Founder/CEO of MavenTruth, is a keynote speaker at the 2026 Christian Youth Summit. He covers apologetics topics including why he is a Christian and introduction to apologetics.
• Shawn Hart / The Ambassadors ForumcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShawn Hart, President of The Ambassadors Forum, is a keynote speaker at the 2026 Christian Youth Summit and also hosts Stephen at speaking events through the Ambassadors Forum.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Focus on the Family: National broadcaster and publisher of biblical worldview resources, parenting curriculum, and youth content — overlapping with Prepare the Way's family/parent audience but operating at a vastly larger, multi-platform scale.

Direct peers

• Gateways to Better Education: Gateways equips public-school educators and parents to teach the biblical foundations of Western history and law — overlapping directly with Prepare the Way's 'Navigating Public Schools' book and speaking track. Listed as a strategic content partner.
• Summit Ministries: Summit Ministries (Dr. Jeff Myers) runs the largest U.S. student apologetics and biblical worldview conference (Weekender/Simulcast), serving the same Christian youth/parent demographic with worldview curriculum. Most directly comparable peer to Prepare the Way's Christian Youth Summit and Standing Firm curriculum.
• Stand to Reason: Stand to Reason trains Christians to think clearly about biblical worldview, ethics, and cultural engagement — directly paralleling Prepare the Way's apologetics seminars and 'America at a Crossroads' speaking track.
• Josh McDowell Ministry: Josh McDowell Ministry produces apologetics content, youth curriculum, and resources such as 'The Truth Project' and 'Evidence That Demands a Verdict,' directly overlapping with Prepare the Way's Standing Firm apologetics curriculum and Navigating Public Schools book endorsements.
• Christian Educators Association International: CEAI is the primary U.S. association supporting Christian teachers in public schools via 'Teach with Faith,' 'LIFT America,' and 'The Daniel Project.' Strategic content partner to Prepare the Way and serves the same Christian educator segment.

Others

• Alliance Defending Freedom: Faith-based legal advocacy organization that represented Stephen Williams in his 2004 federal religious-liberty case and endorses the Navigating Public Schools book. Adjacent ecosystem partner in religious-express-in-public-schools advocacy.
• Promise Keepers: Men's Christian ministry that co-hosts events such as the 'Wake Up Call' in Central Oregon with Prepare the Way — strategic marketing partner in the men's integrity and worldview space.
• American Heritage Girls (national organization): National Christ-centered character and leadership program for girls 5–18, of which Prepare the Way's OR 3131 troop is a chartered member. Provides the broader umbrella and adjacent programming context.

Emerging players

• Turning Point USA: Activates young people around conservative Christian worldview and cultural engagement — adjacent to Prepare the Way's youth worldview training, but focused on political/civic engagement rather than apologetics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/preparetheway
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/StephenWilliamsPTW
• Facebookfacebook.com/PrepareTheWayMinistries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prepare-the-way-ministries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Prepare the Way Ministries