About Us

You weren’t made to blend in — you were made to transform the world.

Jesus didn’t say, “You’re a pretty good influence.”
He didn’t say, “You’ve got potential to impact your buddies.”

No — He said something far more powerful:

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

Pause and let that sink in.

In the Greek, “world” is kosmos. Jesus isn’t talking about the planet — He’s talking about the system.
The culture. The mindset. The worldview. The way the world thinks, dreams, builds, and loves.

So when Jesus says you’re the light of the kosmos…
He’s not just calling you to be a moral example.

He’s saying:

  • You are the radiant challenge to the darkness.

  • You carry heaven’s answers into broken systems.

  • You are God’s beautiful solution to shattered families, distorted leadership, and hopeless thinking.

This is not small.
This is not safe.
This is revolutionary.

And it starts with Jesus.

When we rise up in Him, marriages are healed. Families thrive. Leaders are shaped. Communities are transformed. And ordinary people step into extraordinary destiny.

Jesus is calling us to rise up — to live Spirit-led lives, to dream Kingdom-sized dreams, and to build a culture that looks like heaven.

Christ changed the world with twelve.
He will do the same again — through you.

Join us as we rise, as we grow, and as we carry the light of Jesus into every sphere of life.

FAQ

  • The Rise Up Culture is a movement dedicated to helping people rise into their God-given identity, freedom, and purpose. Through a unique ecosystem of leadership development, faith-based coaching, and professional counseling, we equip individuals, churches, and organizations to live healed, whole, and impactful lives.

    We do this through three connected branches:

    • The Rise Up Culture, LLC — Equipping leaders through assessments, courses, books, and coaching. Partnering with churches, schools, and universities to help people rise in their calling.

    • The Rise Up Culture Foundation, Inc. — Extending hope and healing through leadership and counseling scholarships. We also provide Freedom Coaching and training through church partnerships.

    • The Rise Up Culture Counseling, PLLC — Owned and operated by Dr. Moriah Thomas. It’s an honor to contract our faith-based professional counseling and EMDR therapy for deeper emotional and spiritual healing. Scholarships available through the Foundation.

    Together, they form one unified mission: helping people rise.

  • The Rise Up Culture exists to bring healing and activation through Jesus Christ. We help people embrace freedom, grow in intimacy with Him, rise as Kingdom leaders, and step into their God-given calling.

    • Faith
      Christ is the center of everything we do. We believe lasting transformation only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus and the truth of His Word. Every program, session, and conversation is rooted in His presence and led by His Spirit.

    • Holy Spirit Guidance
      We partner with the Holy Spirit in every decision, conversation, and moment of ministry. His wisdom, power, and presence bring true breakthrough, healing, and direction. We follow His leading above all else, trusting that He knows the way forward for every person we serve.

    • Freedom
      We believe every person can be set free from lies, shame, trauma, and anything that keeps them bound. Freedom is not just a destination but a way of life found through Jesus and the renewing of the mind.

    • Purpose
      Each person carries a God-given calling. We help people discover, develop, and walk confidently in who they were created to be, leading from a place of wholeness and divine assignment.

    • Wholeness
      True healing happens when spiritual, emotional, and practical growth come together. We integrate faith, counseling, and leadership principles to restore the whole person: spirit, soul, and body.

    • Integrity
      We lead with humility, excellence, and authenticity. We honor God and people by doing what is right, even when it is unseen, and by serving with genuine care.

    • Community
      We believe transformation thrives in connection. We cultivate environments of belonging, accountability, and encouragement where people can grow together and call each other higher.

  • Yes. Everything we do is rooted in Biblical truth and the belief that true transformation happens through Jesus Christ.

  • You can give financially to the Foundation to help provide scholarships for counseling, freedom coaching, and leadership development. You can also partner with us by connecting us to your local church and by sharing about The Rise Up Culture on social media.

  • Absolutely. We offer leadership development, freedom coach training, assessments, workshops, coaching, and faith-based mental health resources for ministries and teams. We would love to speak to you more about how we can join with you to help your organization rise.

 

Meet the Founders

Pastor Drew and Melissa East

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Speaking Inquiries

Drew and Melissa East are available for conferences, church services, leadership trainings, retreats, and special events. With more than twenty years of ministry experience, Drew speaks with a prophetic, pastoral, and deeply practical voice that helps people experience freedom, identity, and Holy Spirit-led transformation. Melissa speaks with the heart of a fierce shepherd, bringing compassion, authenticity, and empowering messages of hope, resilience, encouraging those to rise in who God calls them to be. Together or individually, they love equipping churches, leaders, families, and organizations to pursue emotional and spiritual wholeness, activate their calling, and build a Rise Up Culture wherever God has placed them.

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