Jesus Culture began with the “Yes” of one young man — Banning Liebscher — from Redding, California — with a dream in his heart to raise a generation to love and serve the Lord by discipling nations.

In the summer of 1999, our youth group at Bethel Church in Redding, California, pastored by Banning Liebscher, launched the very first Jesus Culture Conference. With staff included, about 500 attended. God showed up in a powerful way. We continued to host gatherings and each year the conferences continued to grow. Always at these conferences, Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala and Melissa How, who were the worship leaders in our youth group, would lead. Their heart was to serve and be a part of what God was doing.