How Life Surge Serves Christians in Major U.S. Cities.
Thousands gather in convention centers and arenas across the United States for Life Surge’s events that participants describe as both spiritually transformative and financially inspiring. As humbling speakers take the stage from Life Church Pastor Craig Groeschel to global speaker, author, and entrepreneur Ed Mylett, Life Surge’s in-person events offer a nonstop roster of moving stories, uplifting Christian music, and plenty of moments for divine self-reflection. These speakers go deeper with their messages showing audiences they’re not alone and that every person is on a journey filled blessings and challenges.
Who Is the Owner of Life Surge?
Joe Johnson is the owner of Life Surge, having founded the organization after emerging from a personal financial crisis that saw him overcome more than $1 million in debt through real estate investment strategies rooted in his Christian faith.
A former missionary kid who grew up in Brazil, Johnson spent nearly three decades as an entrepreneur before launching Life Surge. His journey included multiple business hurdles, with the most devastating occurring in 2012 when he acquired a struggling business and personally guaranteed its debt. When the lender seized the business as collateral, Johnson retained the full debt burden with no income stream to service it.
“I remember putting this on a spreadsheet one day, asking how long it’s going to take for the average person to pay off a million dollars in debt,” Johnson recounted during a Life Surge event in West Palm Beach. “I saw that, and I thought, ‘No, I’m not going to live that long.’ So I got a little bit more aggressive with the payment structure, and I found out if I do well, it’s going to take me 30 years to pay it off.”
The turning point came when Johnson attended a financial education seminar led by James Smith, who would become his mentor. Through creative real estate financing techniques, Johnson eliminated his debt within an impressive time frame and subsequently felt called to share similar strategies with others through large-scale events that blend worship, motivational speaking, and practical financial instruction.
A Growing Movement Blending Faith With Finance
Life Surge has evolved into a movement that merges faith with finance, drawing crowds that can exceed 5,000 attendees per city. The organization has set a goal of 100,000 decisions for Christ for 2026, positioning its events as opportunities for both spiritual transformation and financial education.
“Amazing event! Life Surge at the West Palm Beach Convention Center was inspiring, well[-] organized, and packed with powerful speakers and practical takeaways. Faith-based, motivating, and truly impactful. Highly recommend!” Ann Richards shared in a Google review.
Life Surge reviews frequently highlight the dual focus on Christian worship and marketplace principles. Charles Platte wrote in a Google review, “The event was amazing and gave a lot of value towards not only wealth and wisdom, but the heart of the gospel putting our faith in Jesus Christ. The plethora of different speakers made it awesome to have an opportunity to connect with many different people.”
The events typically feature multiple speakers addressing topics ranging from real estate investment and business development to personal transformation and biblical stewardship. Life Surge President Shawn Marcell often serves as a co-host and interviewer during the main stage presentations.
Ticket pricing for Life Surge events varies by market, with pricing levels ranging from promotional rates starting at $19 to premium packages reaching $349. The tiered structure offers different levels of access, with higher-priced tickets providing front-row seating, exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities, and additional educational resources. Visit the FAQ page for ticketing details.
Lawrence Jaramillo wrote in a Google review, “Amazing stories and presenters. Very inspirational and meaningful. Beautiful spiritual belief in Jesus and God! I’ve been a believer in God and [c]ompassion, even [more so] with the depth of the program. Thank you.”
From Rock Bottom to Kingdom Impact
Johnson’s personal narrative forms the backbone of Life Surge’s messaging. During the West Palm Beach event, he described a pivotal moment during his debt crisis when he experienced what he characterized as divine intervention. After informing his employees that the business had failed, Johnson returned home and spent time in prayer.
“As I’m crying out for help, all of a sudden, I see this picture. God was about to speak to me. All I see is James 1:2,” Johnson said. “I stand up, I go to my desk, I grab my Bible… and here’s what I read: ‘My brothers and sisters, consider it pure joy when you go through trials of many kind.'”
That scriptural passage, which continues with an exhortation about perseverance producing maturity and completeness, became a turning point in Johnson’s mindset despite his circumstances continuing to deteriorate financially. Johnson maintained that his anxiety dissipated even as his debt situation worsened, allowing him to pursue solutions with clarity rather than panic.
“Even though things got worse and my circumstances were horrible, I decided to believe the word of God over my circumstances,” Johnson explained. “Eventually, I just had peace. Supernatural peace. And when I had that peace, that’s when I got a vision for Life Surge.”
Johnson credits his wife, with whom he has six children, as a stabilizing force during his financial collapse. “When everybody lost faith in me — myself included — she did not,” he said. The couple navigated the challenging conversation about pursuing real estate investment despite Johnson’s destroyed credit rating and lack of capital.
Within four months of attending James Smith’s seminar and learning creative financing techniques, Johnson completed his first real estate deal. The following year, he completed more than 20 transactions, creating a financial snowball that accelerated debt repayment. Johnson attributes this rapid turnaround to divine provision rather than personal acumen.
“If God calls you to do something, no matter how hard or how impossible it may seem, he will make a way,” Johnson told attendees. “That million dollars in debt… I was able to pay it off in three years. Only God can do that.”
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