Future Of Faith

What Future Of Faith does

Future of Faith is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and resource organization based in Greeley, Colorado, co-founded by applied sociologists Josh Packard (Ph.D., formerly founding Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute) and Megan Bissell (M.A., formerly Head of Research at Springtide and VP of Research at NCEA). The organization develops and disseminates a proprietary methodology called Sacred Listening — a framework integrating theology (Imago Dei), communication (Alignment), and sociology (Patterns) — designed to help faith-based organizations engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha through relationship-centered ministry in an era of declining institutional trust.

Its product and service surface comprises three layers: free downloadable Sacred Listening Tools (licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), a national Sacred Listening Study with 884 adult and 1,138 teenage respondents plus 20 qualitative interviews (published as a whitepaper with data graphics and fact sheets), and paid services including custom research consulting, bespoke listening tool development, and keynote speaking/workshops. Adjacent offerings include the Faithful Futures book by Josh Packard (Baker Academic), a bi-monthly newsletter, a podcast, branded merchandise via Printify, and three multi-year initiatives: the Stories of Hope and Renewal ecumenical storytelling campaign (Lilly Endowment-funded $5M grant via Virginia Theological Seminary, the largest in VTS history), the Digital Missionaries Project (funded by Porticus), and the One Thousand Sacred Listeners campaign.

Revenue is generated through professional services fees (custom research, custom tools, speaking), book royalties (print/ebook/audiobook via Baker Academic, Barnes & Noble, Amazon), merchandise net proceeds (donated back to the 501(c)(3)), and project grants routed through institutional partners. Distribution is community-led and event-driven: free Creative Commons resources drive top-of-funnel awareness, conference keynotes and workshops convert ministry leaders, and a national partner ecosystem of 19+ organizations (including Princeton Theological Seminary, Flagler College, NFCYM, Ashoka, Vibrant Faith, Goodfaith, TryTank, Ideos) amplifies reach. The team is intentionally lean (~10 named staff including co-founders, a research director, an associate researcher cohort, ministry practitioners, and an intern) and operates as a distributed organization rather than a traditional scaled enterprise.

Name

Future Of Faith

Legal name

Future of Faith LLC

Website

https://futureoffaith.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Future of Faith is a 501(c)(3) research and resource organization that develops and disseminates a proprietary Sacred Listening framework, free Creative Commons tools, national faith-formation research, and custom consulting services to help faith-based organizations engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha through relationship-centered ministry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Research and Ministry Consulting

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Media, Publishing & Broadcasting (Radio, TV, Digital, Press) (BPAGAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL)

Keywords

• Sacred listening research
• Faith formation consulting
• Ministry engagement services
• Religious research resources
• Sociology of religion

Headquarters

HQ city

Greeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Research Services: Research consulting for mission-aligned organizations designing and implementing research programs, measuring impact, and applying insights into action
2. Speaking and Workshops: Keynote talks and Sacred Listening workshops for faith-based and mission-driven organizations, with 15% of proceeds donated to Faithful Futures Fund
3. Book Sales: Sales of 'Faithful Futures' book (print, ebook, audiobook) through Baker Academic, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon
4. White Paper Collaboration: Produced Relational Discipleship in Ministry with Youth white paper for TENx10 Research Advisory Board
5. National Storytelling Initiative: Collecting and sharing stories of Christian faith through Lilly Endowment-funded Stories of Hope and Renewal initiative

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Future of Faith provides research-backed Sacred Listening Theory and a portfolio of Sacred Listening Tools designed to help faith-based organizations and ministry leaders engage Generation Z and Generation Alpha through faith formation. Its commercial offerings include custom research consulting engagements, custom-built Sacred Listening Tools, and paid speaking and workshops for churches, seminaries, and denominational bodies. It complements these paid services with open-access resources including a book (Faithful Futures), a podcast, downloadable tools, and research studies.

Product overview

Future of Faith operates as a research and resource collective focused on sacred listening practices for faith formation. The core offering consists of Sacred Listening Theory (a theoretical framework integrating theology, communication, and sociology) and Sacred Listening Tools (downloadable facilitation resources). Supporting products include the Sacred Listening Study (national research on listening's impact on faith), Faithful Futures book, and the Future of Faith Podcast. The organization provides services including Custom Research consulting, Custom Listening Tool development, and Speaking/Workshops. Key initiatives include the 1k Sacred Listeners Campaign, Stories of Hope and Renewal (Lilly Endowment-funded storytelling initiative), and the Digital Missionaries Project. Additional offerings encompass a newsletter, blog content, a merch store, and the Relational Discipleship White Paper produced with TENx10.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sacred Listening: A framework and theory developed by Future of Faith for attentive, empathetic listening rooted in the recognition of the divine image in each person, involving three integrated principles from Theology, Communication, and Sociology.
• Faithful Futures
• Stories of Hope and Renewal

Products and services

• Sacred Listening Tools A downloadable set of free, open-access resources licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 that helps faith-based organizations and ministry leaders implement sacred listening practices for faith formation.
• Sacred Listening Theory The foundational theory and process framework developed by Future of Faith to guide organizations in applying sacred listening as a methodology for engaging Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
• Sacred Listening Study A national research study produced by Future of Faith providing empirical findings on faith engagement and sacred listening, made available as a free resource to faith-based organizations and ministry leaders.
• Faithful Futures (book) A published book by Future of Faith offering the organization's perspectives on faith formation, distributed through Baker Academic, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon for purchase by individual readers and institutional buyers.
• Future of Faith Podcast Audio content series distributed via major podcast platforms, featuring conversations and insights on sacred listening, faith formation, and generational engagement for ministry leaders and laypeople.
• Custom Research Services Custom research engagements delivered to faith-based organizations, seminaries, and ministry networks, producing tailored research outputs on sacred listening and faith engagement; priced via custom quote.
• Custom Listening Tools Bespoke sacred listening tools designed and built for individual faith-based clients based on the Sacred Listening framework; delivered as custom engagements.
• Speaking and Workshops Fee-based speaking engagements and workshops delivered by Future of Faith leaders on sacred listening, faith formation, and generational engagement for faith-based organizations and ministry conferences; pricing varies by engagement.
• Relational Discipleship White Paper A collaborative white paper on relational discipleship produced with partner organizations, available as a downloadable resource for faith-based organizations and ministry leaders.
• Future of Faith Merch Store Online merchandise store operated via Printify on-demand, selling branded apparel and accessories to support the organization's mission and brand visibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81% of adults and 74% of teenagers feel more connected to someone who listens without judgment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2025Primary collaboration partner for Stories of Hope and Renewal - a five-year $5M Lilly Endowment-funded initiative collecting and sharing personal narratives about Christian faith and life. VTS's Lifelong Learning department leads with Future of Faith as key collaborator.
• The Episcopal ChurchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenominational partner in Stories of Hope and Renewal ecumenical initiative, contributing leadership to collect and share stories of Christian faith and life.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenominational partner in Stories of Hope and Renewal ecumenical initiative, contributing leadership to collect and share stories of Christian faith and life.
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenominational partner in Stories of Hope and Renewal ecumenical initiative, contributing leadership to collect and share stories of Christian faith and life.
• TENx10 Research Advisory BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced Relational Discipleship in Ministry with Youth white paper tracing how relational approaches have grown across diverse communities and identifying gaps in youth ministry practice.
• Ashoka Spiritual ChangemakersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner committed to creating and supporting a church that leans into relationships as a source of trust, vitality and connection.
• Princeton Theological SeminarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting Sacred Listening Study with Abigail Visco Rusert (Associate Dean for Continuing Education) providing testimonial endorsement.
• Flagler CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom research collaboration for Missing Voices Project and Fostering Congregations Initiative. Commissioned the Identity Series of Sacred Listening Tools.
• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOur Sacred Table initiative collaboration - generative listening spaces for parents, bishops, and ministry leaders around faith formation for the next generation.
• Vibrant FaithminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner supporting Sacred Listening Study and committed to creating vibrant faith communities through relationship-centered approaches.
• GoodfaithminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner in Sacred Listening Study ecosystem, amplifying research and tools for faith-based ministry.
• TryTank Theological InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner providing platform for research dissemination and ministry resources through monthly newsletter distribution.
• Ideos InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Fostering Empathy and Unity Sacred Listening Tool for 31 Days of Unity campaign - scripture-driven initiative for empathy during election season.
• Lighthouse FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director Catherine Montgomery provided testimonial on partnership experience with Future of Faith for custom listening tools development.

Scale indicators6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• St. Lydia's: Small faith-based community experimenting with dinner-based listening and faith formation. Shares Future of Faith's listening-centered approach to building belonging and modeling relational ministry, though at a much smaller community scale.
• Center for Youth and Contemplation: Smaller, emerging faith-based organization focused on youth spirituality and contemplative formation. Ministry Practitioner Kris Jordan has consulted for them. Partial overlap in audience and methodology around youth spiritual development.

Direct peers

• Cardus: Faith-based think tank producing research on religion, education, and social architecture. Both organizations produce research used by faith-based and policy audiences, with similar modes of distribution via reports and public engagement.
• Barna Group: Research and insights company producing studies on faith, leadership, and culture, with strong overlap in youth and Gen Z research. Both organizations publish data-driven reports sold to faith-based clients and serve overlapping ministry and denominational buyers.
• Springtide Research Institute: Non-profit research organization studying the religious and spiritual lives of young people. Co-founder Josh Packard was Springtide's founding Executive Director, and multiple Future of Faith researchers came from Springtide. Direct overlap in mission, methodology, and target audience.
• Youth Ministry Initiative at Princeton Theological Seminary: Academic initiative producing research and resources for youth ministry leaders, housed within a major seminary. Overlap with Future of Faith's research and resource work targeting ministry practitioners and faith formation for younger generations.
• Fuller Youth Institute: Research arm of Fuller Theological Seminary focused on youth ministry, faith formation, and adolescent spiritual development. Both organizations publish research, develop ministry resources, and equip churches to engage younger generations.
• Vibrant Faith: Faith-based organization creating resources to foster vibrant faith communities through relationship-centered ministry. Both organizations serve ministry leaders and denominations seeking to deepen intergenerational connection and spiritual formation.
• Search Institute: Research and consulting organization focused on youth development, relationships, and community assets. Associate Researcher Brandon Wong previously worked at Search Institute. Both organizations produce research-backed frameworks and tools adopted by youth-serving organizations.

Broad incumbents

• Pew Research Center - Religion & Public Life: Major nonpartisan research institution producing large-scale studies on religion in America. Both organizations publish national surveys on faith and demographics, but Pew operates at much greater scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/wix
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Wix
• Facebookfacebook.com/wix
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/future-of-faith
• Instagraminstagram.com/wix

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Future Of Faith