ACTS XXIX

What ACTS XXIX does

ACTS XXIX Mobilizing for Mission is a 501(c)(3) Catholic nonprofit founded in 2019 by Fr. John Riccardo, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit ordained in 1996, and headquartered at 38695 Seven Mile Road, Suite 110 in Livonia, Michigan. The ministry exists to equip and mobilize Church leaders (bishops, pastors, diocesan leaders, clergy, seminarians, lay leaders, and apostolates) to recover a Biblical worldview, be reconfigured to Jesus for mission, and restore the initiative to God, through a structured three-principle transformation framework. Its portfolio comprises four interlocking missions: The Rescue Project (a free, multilingual evangelization resource available via rescueproject.us and mobile apps), Leadership Immersives (weeklong donor-funded offsites for leadership teams), The Jesus Conference (a sold-out annual gathering held at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan), and Lorraine Cross Media (a publishing arm distributing books and journals through lorrainecross.media/store). Supporting media includes a free streaming channel (web, iOS, Android) and four ongoing podcasts (You Were Born For This, Thoughts from the Trailer, Leaders in Reconciliation, FJR Mic'd Up).

The underlying technology stack is a conventional digital media platform rather than a software product: a Squarespace-hosted marketing site, dedicated streaming infrastructure at watch.actsxxix.org, native iOS and Android apps, and podcast distribution via dedicated RSS hosts. There is no disclosed API, SDK, or proprietary model; the platform's defensibility sits in the curated, multilingual content and the proprietary three-principle methodology rather than in code or data assets.

ACTS XXIX is funded primarily through charitable donations, with all core programs (The Rescue Project, Leadership Immersives, podcasts, streaming) offered free of charge to participants per an explicit "freely we have received, freely we are to give" posture. Monetized surfaces are limited: paid registration for The Jesus Conference, transactional revenue from Lorraine Cross Media store products (e.g., the Speak Lord journal), and stock donations facilitated through the Catholic Foundation of Michigan. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging word-of-mouth referrals inside Catholic leadership networks, sponsored events (OSV as presenting sponsor; Donald D. Lynch Family Foundation and Weingartz as mission sponsors), and an Episcopal Advisory Council of 12 archbishops and bishops. The organization has 1-10 employees and no parent company, outside investors, or institutional funding.

Name

ACTS XXIX

Legal name

ACTS XXIX Mobilizing for Mission

Website

https://actsxxix.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ACTS XXIX is a 501(c)(3) Catholic nonprofit that equips bishops, pastors, diocesan leaders, clergy, and lay leaders through free evangelization resources, weeklong leadership offsites, publishing, and a sold-out annual conference, operating entirely on donor support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Ministry and Faith Formation Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Denominational & Community Periodicals (Church Magazines, Diocesan/Temple Newsletters) (MPAJAHAI)

Keywords

• Catholic ministry services
• Evangelization resources
• Leadership formation
• Faith-based media
• Christian publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Livonia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ACTS XXIX operates entirely on donor support. The organization states 'Freely we have received; freely we are to give' and does not charge for its programs including The Rescue Project, Leadership Immersives, podcasts, or streaming content. Donors cover travel and lodging costs for participants.
2. Product Sales (Lorraine Cross Media): Revenue generated from publishing and selling books, journals, and other materials through Lorraine Cross Media (lorrainecross.media/store). Products include the 'Speak Lord, Your Servants are Listening' journal.
3. Event Revenue: The Jesus Conference sells tickets for attendance. Registration includes access to keynote sessions, daily Mass, meals, evening receptions, and conference materials. Hotel accommodations are separate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACTS XXIX is a Catholic 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry that equips and mobilizes church leaders through free evangelization resources, weeklong leadership formation immersives, an annual conference, and faith-based publishing and digital media. Its core products include The Rescue Project (free multilingual gospel resource), Leadership Immersives (weeklong offsites for bishops, pastors, diocesan leaders, and apostolates), The Jesus Conference, and Lorraine Cross Media publishing. Core programs are provided free of charge, funded by donor contributions.

Product overview

ACTS XXIX is a Catholic ministry (501(c)(3) nonprofit) offering a unified portfolio of evangelization and leadership development resources. The core mission is to equip and mobilize leaders to rescue, renew and transform the human family into the family of God. Key products include: The Rescue Project (free multilingual evangelization resource), Lorraine Cross Media (publishing), The Jesus Conference (annual event), and Leadership Immersives (weeklong training offsites). Supporting these are Digital Media offerings including podcasts (You Were Born For This, Thoughts from the Trailer, FJR Mic'd Up), streaming content available on web/iOS/Android, and the Speak Lord discernment series. The ministry does not operate as a software platform but rather as a content and training organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• You Were Born For This Podcast: Weekly podcast hosted by Fr. John Riccardo and Mary Guilfoyle discussing Biblical worldview topics
• Thoughts from the Trailer
• Leaders in Revolution
• FJR Mic'd Up
• Speak Lord: The Art of Synodality
• The Jesus Conference

Products and services

• ACTS XXIX (Mobilizing for Mission) Umbrella Catholic ministry (501(c)(3) nonprofit) that equips and mobilizes leaders to rescue, renew and transform the human family through evangelization resources, formation programs, media, and events.
• The Rescue Project Free gospel proclamation initiative available in multiple languages that helps people encounter the gospel, surrender their lives to God, and get mobilized for mission; used by individuals, small groups, and parishes.
• Leadership Immersives

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of participants Strongly Agree with experience; 5.0/5.0 average score for Leadership Immersives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OSVcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Presenting Sponsor of The Jesus Conference. OSV (Our Sunday Visitor) is a Catholic publishing and media company serving parishes and dioceses across the United States with resources for liturgy, catechesis, and church management.
• WeingartzcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Mission Sponsor of The Jesus Conference. Family-owned outdoor power equipment company with Michigan roots, supporting Catholic mission initiatives.
• The Catholic InitiativeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Supporting Sponsor of The Jesus Conference. Catholic organization focused on advancing the mission of the Church through strategic partnerships and initiatives.
• Pilgrimages by Corporate TravelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Supporting Sponsor of The Jesus Conference. Travel company specializing in Catholic pilgrimages and group travel for Church organizations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Word on Fire Catholic Ministries: Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire is a Catholic media and evangelization ministry producing video content, books, and a digital platform to share the gospel. The peer overlap is strong on media-driven Catholic evangelization and formation content targeting both leaders and laity.
• Catholic Answers: Catholic Answers operates apologetics media, podcasts, and training resources for Catholics and those inquiring about the faith. Overlap with ACTS XXIX centers on Catholic media production, evangelization content, and formation of leaders and laypeople.
• FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students): FOCUS is a Catholic outreach organization that trains missionaries and equips leaders for evangelization, primarily on university campuses. It is comparable in missionary structure, training-of-trainers formation, and explicit mission to mobilize leaders.
• St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Founded by Dr. Scott Hahn, the St. Paul Center produces Biblical theology studies, online courses, and media aimed at Catholic evangelization and Scripture formation. Comparable given its emphasis on biblical worldview recovery combined with Catholic faith-formation content.
• Dynamic Catholic: Founded by Matthew Kelly, Dynamic Catholic is a Catholic nonprofit that produces programs, books, and events aimed at parish renewal and personal spiritual growth. It is the closest direct peer to ACTS XXIX given the overlapping mission of equipping Catholic leaders for transformation and mission.
• Formed (Augustine Institute): The Augustine Institute's Formed platform delivers Catholic video studies, podcasts, and books to parishes and individuals on a subscription basis. It is comparable in providing structured Catholic formation content delivered digitally to parishes and faith leaders.

Emerging players

• Squires Catholic Media / Lighthouse Catholic Media: Squires (formerly Lighthouse Catholic Media) is a Catholic nonprofit producing and distributing talks and media on DVD, CD, and digitally to parishes and groups. It is comparable as a smaller Catholic-media formation peer focused on parish-level evangelization content.

Broad incumbents

• EWTN Global Catholic Network: EWTN is the largest Catholic media broadcaster in the world, operating TV, radio, and digital channels for Catholic evangelization globally. It functions as the broad incumbent in Catholic media that ACTS XXIX competes against for audience attention and donor share.
• Our Sunday Visitor (OSV): OSV is a long-established Catholic publishing, media, and parish-services company serving dioceses across the United States. It is a presenting sponsor of The Jesus Conference and a natural broader-incumbent peer with overlapping publishing and parish-formation products.

Others

• Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ): Cru is a large interdenominational Christian ministry focused on evangelization, discipleship, and leadership development globally, with comparable leadership-formation and training-of-trainers methodologies. It is a thematically adjacent peer illustrating similar scale ambitions, not a direct faith-tradition competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/actsxxix
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACTSXXIXmission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acts-xxix

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 ACTS XXIX