Nitrogen was launched out of Impact Church and the West Michigan District of The Wesleyan Church in 2008 by Phil Struckmyer. Originally started as a church planters boot camp, Nitrogen began developing the Chain Re.A.C.T.N. (Recruiting, Assessing, Coaching, Training, and Networking) as it came alongside 5 districts in The Wesleyan Church Denomination. With the five original churches of the Impact Network, and by coming alongside those original districts, Nitrogen helped launch more than 30 churches. In 2012, Nitrogen became an official part of The Wesleyan Church Denomination, as it began to help all of the Districts of The Wesleyan Church across North America. Troy Evans joined the Nitrogen Team, serving as Urban Catalysts. While a part of the efforts at the denominational headquarters, Nitrogen began to take on an urban focus as part of the Urban Urgency campaign centering on major cities across the U.S. In 2016, Nitrogen moved back to the local church by partnering with The Edge Urban Church in Grand Rapids, MI as it continues to see lives changed and urban communities transformed through disciples making churches.
"We are creating a sustainable movement of urban church multiplication & economic development."
We would love to hear about your goals & how we can help you!
In 1995, PE, a former gang leader, left the street life to become a Disciple of Jesus while living in Detroit. He married Dawn, and they share 4 biological and 4 non-biological children. He moved from selling drugs and violence to starting a professional career as an IT Engineer & later was the owner of an IT & marketing company. During his time in the marketing industry, he provided services for several international recording artists and national organizations. PE has planted and served as pastor of 4 urban churches. The EDGE Urban Church (a hip-hop church) was the first of its kind in Michigan, where he served for 14 years.
Nitrogen Co-Founder and Network Catalyst
Phil is a movement-minded leader who has been a catalyst for dynamic disciple-making and church multiplication for the past 18+ years.
In 2003, Phil and his family planted the church IMPACT with a vision to plant 3 churches in 5 years and 10 in 10. As IMPACT multiplied churches and grew to a church of over 1,000 lives, Nitrogen was birthed as a network helping The Wesleyan Church denomination further its movement of multiplication across North America. Having recently completed his Doctorate of Ministry in Leadership and Global Perspectives, Phil focuses on a vision of church multiplication that transforms lives and restores urban communities across North America and beyond.”
Alyson Evans is a 27 year old wife and mom of 2. She has been leading worship for over 10 years and currently serves at the Edge Urban Fellowship in Grand Rapids, MI. Prior to that, she served at Abundant Life Church in the small town of Radcliff, Ky., where she was a Youth Leader, Youth Worship Leader, and Youth Dance Instructor.
Along with being a worship leader, Alyson works as a Certified Doula in the Grand Rapids area. She spends her professional career as a Personal/Virtual assistant. She spent time working as Admin for the Christian Reformed Church of North America and soon after worked for the Commonsense Childbirth Institute.
Originally from Indianapolis, IN, Rev. Tisa Herbert now lives in Grand Rapids, MI with her husband and daughter. Growing up, she felt an absence of ministries reaching street hip hop culture. After high school, she had the opportunity to combine creative arts and evangelism as she toured with an outreach team as a spoken word artist while getting her Bachelors in Social Justice Ministries. Now after a decade of experience working with at-risk youth, she started 3D Influence to coach young adults to develop their own unique way of living out their God given purpose. She is passionate about activating individuals and organizations to implement creative strategies to build the Kingdom of God and reach urban culture. As an advocate for Gospel-driven social change and dynamic truth teller, Tisa is devoted to equipping the Church to impact cities for Jesus Christ.
