The church is reawakening in the heart of America’s cities – not through massive crusades or slick marketing, but through gritty, ground-level discipleship.
At Nitrogen, we believe one thing is proprietary to the church: starting more churches. And church multiplication is most powerful when it’s rooted in discipleship that transforms individuals and communities. That’s exactly what we are doing through our THRIVE initiative across 18 zip codes in four states. That’s over 260,000 souls to impact for Jesus.
Empowering the Underserved Through Discipleship and Digital Access
Through the THRIVE initiative, urban leaders are being equipped to lead with courage, contextual clarity, and cutting-edge tools. What’s unfolding is remarkable: these leaders are not only sustaining their ministries, they’re multiplying them. Discipleship isn’t just a theory, it’s happening in real-time, from addiction recovery centers to public schools.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the impact is palpable. Our local hub, led by Pastor Darrell Williams of Core Church, has launched a unique partnership with a Title 1 high school. Initially, the focus was on equipping students with AI and digital access training. This small investment of bridging the digital divide has birthed something far more profound.
As students gained technical skills in film and media, relational bridges formed. This created space for spiritual engagement. Today, we sponsor a weekly Bible study for young ladies at the same school. What began as digital training has become a discipleship movement.
The Bible study is thriving. More young women want to join each week. Ms. LaPrade, the teacher who facilitates the group, recently requested more study books to meet the growing need. In an environment often marked by scarcity, hope is multiplying to teachers and students alike.
Discipleship Is Multiplication
This is what THRIVE is all about: multiplying disciples who multiply disciples. Through our 6-month cohorts, or Huddles as we call them, urban pastors receive coaching, tools, and support to develop holistic, multiplying ministries. In Detroit, 45 people recently completed our discipleship intensive. In Atlanta, 15+ new ministries have launched in underserved communities. And across our network, over 52 pastors have been trained, with 85% reporting they feel less isolated and more equipped to lead.
We believe technology, particularly AI, has the power to serve the church when used wisely. That’s why “AI & the City” is one of our core initiatives. We train urban leaders and youth to leverage AI for storytelling, outreach, and employment. But we’re not just teaching tech, we’re using it to create onramps to discipleship.
Innovation Is a Means, Not the Mission
Innovation, for us, isn’t about flash. It’s about faithfulness. When you give a young person the tools to tell their story, they begin to see that they matter. When you equip a pastor with discipleship resources and soul care, their church doesn’t just survive, it multiplies.
As Troy Evans, our co-founder, often says, “THRIVE is a necessity.” We’re watching leaders who were ready to quit rediscover their call. We’re seeing disciples raised up in places where hope once seemed impossible.
Church multiplication in the urban context isn’t a dream, it’s happening. And THRIVE is proving that when leaders are equipped to disciple well, the church doesn’t just grow, it thrives.
Be a part of fueling THRIVE in prayer and giving.
This ministry was featured at the NEXT Ventures Pitching Deck at Exponential Global 2025 and received a grant. For more information about NEXT Ventures, please visit https://exponential.org/ventures/.
