Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Spurgin.
Hi Keith, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m one of the few people around here who actually grew up in the DFW metroplex. I was raised on a farm, went to Allen High School, and graduated with a business degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. After college, through a crazy story I ended up at Youth With A Mission in Tyler, where I met my wife. We lived in Hong Kong for five years and did what is now called “Business as Missions” (BAM).
In 1999 we started a church called New Hope in Wylie. It’s been an amazing adventure with thousands of lives changed (marriages restored, addicts set free living productive lives, and so many people moving from isolation to genuine community. That all led to leaders from around the world reaching out for help with their organizations. In 2008 we formed a leadership network called The Growth Resourcing Group (GRG) that stretches from Texas to Europe and Africa.
I have a book being released February 10 called “Unknown–finding connection in a disconnected world.” The premise is that we are more technologically connected than ever and more relationally disconnected than ever and how we bridge that gap.
I am married to Susan and we have four adult children and 12 grandchildren.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I always say, “Everyone wants to be a leader until they become a leader!”
Yes, there have been many challenges along the way. Lots of moments where my motives have been questioned, friends decide to go a different direction, and attacks on social media.
At one point I got so consumed with leading, building, and giving my all that I almost lost my marriage. My wife felt like everything and everyone else were more important than she was. At the time, I would have said that she and my kids were the most important people in my life. However, they didn’t feel that way. It took a multi-month sabbatical and much input from friends, coaches, and mentors to help us find our footing and begin building the marriage we both really wanted.
I submitted my book 23 times before a publisher said, “Yes.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about New Hope Church and The Growth Resourcing Group?
New Hope is known as a church for the unchurched. Our focus is on helping those who feel far from God to realize how close he really is. So often people will come to us and say that they can’t believe how welcome and wanted they feel, even if they haven’t been in church in years or aren’t even sure they believe in God. I will be stepping down from my Lead Pastor role on November 2 and handing off to the next generation of leaders. I am super excited about that.
GRG is known for the eclectic mix of business leaders, church leaders, artists, educators, ministry leaders, and more. The issues of leadership really cross all barriers. We believe that as we come together with people from other fields there is a cross pollination that happens that you can’t get anywhere else.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Like best:
I like the diversity that has come in the last 20 years. I like the friendliness and hospitality. I like the can-do attitude and ingenuity of our people.
Like least:
Traffic. Divisiveness that pops up sometimes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.newhopechristian.org, www.growthresourcing.org, and www.keithspurgin.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.spurgin.3
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-spurgin-807056278/
