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A.W. Tozer said, "That our idea of God correspond as nearly as possible to the true being of God is of immense importance to us. Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statements are of little consequence. Our real idea of God may lie buried under the rubbish of conventional religious notions and may require an intelligent & vigorous search before it is finally unearthed and exposed for what it is.”
In other words, if you want to know who a person is (or an organization) and what they really believe, their creeds may not tell you nearly as much as how they live. But, if you are reading this, then you must want some assurance about who we are and that we are not some fly-by-night cult that is seeking armed resistance to the government or that we will not ask our attendees to drink tainted Kool-Aid, so since you can't come live at our houses... here is a snapshot of the Team and the most important parts of who we are.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: The Team
God has long been in the business of transforming loners, posers, screw-ups and cowards into a band of warriors. The team creating the Heart Revolution events is a group of men & women drawn together by The message of Life and Freedom. Our passion is to bring this impact into your world.
After having our lives irreversibly changed at similar events in Colorado lead by the original Ransomed Heart/Wild At Heart team, we knew we had to see this message of freedom multiplied by bringing this experience to men and women in Minnesota and the Midwest region. We are persuaded that God wants to awaken the hearts of men and women, show them the path of Life and teach them how to fight for their own freedom and for the freedom of others in their lives and also to live a life of passion, meaning and adventure.
Please join us and experience your own Heart Revolution. Your life will never be the same.
The members of the Heart Revolution Leadership Team are:
After having our lives irreversibly changed at similar events in Colorado lead by the original Ransomed Heart/Wild At Heart team, we knew we had to see this message of freedom multiplied by bringing this experience to men and women in Minnesota and the Midwest region. We are persuaded that God wants to awaken the hearts of men and women, show them the path of Life and teach them how to fight for their own freedom and for the freedom of others in their lives and also to live a life of passion, meaning and adventure.
Please join us and experience your own Heart Revolution. Your life will never be the same.
The members of the Heart Revolution Leadership Team are:
Enter the name for this tabbed section: DAVID
David Ellis
David has lived in Minnesota for 20+ years and is married (to Jan) & father of a blended family of three sons & one daughter. Founder of Heart Revolution, David's background and training includes participation in many John Eldredge/Ransomed Heart team events, including their Advanced Leadership training, and has served in various supporting roles for them (www.ransomedheart.com). David has also helped host men’s events in British Columbia, Canada. David has his ordination credential thru the Next Leadership Association (NextLeader.org) and his passion is to wake men up to experience life-impacting, catalystic events that bring "irreversible change" to their lives just like he has experienced. David creates much of Heart Revolution's programming and content and serves as the main presenter at our events. Learn more about David HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailDE.
David has lived in Minnesota for 20+ years and is married (to Jan) & father of a blended family of three sons & one daughter. Founder of Heart Revolution, David's background and training includes participation in many John Eldredge/Ransomed Heart team events, including their Advanced Leadership training, and has served in various supporting roles for them (www.ransomedheart.com). David has also helped host men’s events in British Columbia, Canada. David has his ordination credential thru the Next Leadership Association (NextLeader.org) and his passion is to wake men up to experience life-impacting, catalystic events that bring "irreversible change" to their lives just like he has experienced. David creates much of Heart Revolution's programming and content and serves as the main presenter at our events. Learn more about David HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailDE.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: RANDY
Randy Lohse
Randy is a Minnesota native and is married (to Lisa) and has two beautiful daughters. In 2003, Randy experienced God in a way he never imagined during a boot camp event and ever since has been on a search to find other men that have a hunger for discovering a passionate and free Life. Over the past several years, Randy has co-led several small groups and coached many "like-hearted" men to walk together in this journey. Randy has a passionate love for Life and helping others discover and then live in their true identity and purpose. Randy serves in several critical support roles and often shares some of his story at our events. Learn more about Randy HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailRL.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: TERRY
Terry Pernsteiner
Terry has a very intriguing background and one of the most interesting life stories around. He has worked as a steeplejack (you know those crazy guys who climb the towers to change the light bulbs at the very top), a janitor, a factory worker, a cross-country trucker, a small business owner and is now a successful local developer and, on the side, is the guy who sets up the teams' locker room for NFL games at the Dome. Terry is married (to Melissa) with two sons and a daughter and is a talented musician. Terry's life was impacted thru a Wild at Heart boot camp and has attended their Advanced Leadership training. Terry's perspective and ability to jump right past the b.s. brings a unique, contagious enthusiasm to the team. He serves in critical support roles for Heart Revolution and can often be found sharing some of his story at our events (as well as his affection for a really good cigar around a fire). Learn more about Terry HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailTP.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: PAUL
Paul Johnson
Paul, our resident Audio/Visual man, has a heart and a passion that is as large as his 6 foot plus frame. Paul is married (to Loni) and the father of a grown daughter and two sons (and one daughter-in-law) and although he can usually be found behind the sound board at Heart Revolution events, he is our eyes and ears for more than music and movie clips... he can see the needs of others and understands how to help. With the hands of a servant and the heart of a warrior, Paul has a deep enthusiasm for reaching the lives of men through Heart Revolution. Paul also serves as an occasional presenter at our events. Given his size, Paul is also our official event "Bouncer". Believe us... you want Paul on YOUR side. Learn more about Paul HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailPJ.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: DANNY
Danny Anderson
Married over a quarter of a century (to Annie) with 3 adult children, Danny has served in leading a "Wild at Heart-based" men's squadron at his church and has served in other leadership roles within their men's ministry as well. Danny been on this journey for years and has greatly impacted many men's lives. He deeply feels called to bring this message of freedom and relationship to men here in Minnesota. Danny has attended almost all of the Heart Revolution events and actually helped pioneer our very first event in May 2005 (meaning he was one of our guinea pigs). He has served in many crucial roles over the years and in 2012 has officially become a core team member. He continues to come alongside men that not only attend our events, but also offers his substantial gifts and insights to the other members of the Heart Revolution team. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailDA.
Married over a quarter of a century (to Annie) with 3 adult children, Danny has served in leading a "Wild at Heart-based" men's squadron at his church and has served in other leadership roles within their men's ministry as well. Danny been on this journey for years and has greatly impacted many men's lives. He deeply feels called to bring this message of freedom and relationship to men here in Minnesota. Danny has attended almost all of the Heart Revolution events and actually helped pioneer our very first event in May 2005 (meaning he was one of our guinea pigs). He has served in many crucial roles over the years and in 2012 has officially become a core team member. He continues to come alongside men that not only attend our events, but also offers his substantial gifts and insights to the other members of the Heart Revolution team. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailDA.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: ADAM
Adam Hoekstra
Adam has lived in Minnesota for most of his life except for a couple of years in Kansas while he attending college. Adam is married to Krista who he claims is a thousand times better then him. (We have met her and she is.) He has four young children, and is currently back in school to become an Elementary Teacher. Adam is our homegrown product who first attended a Heart Revolution Boot Camp in the fall of 2005 where he woke up to the reality around him. He has also attended several of our Boot Camps, Advanced Camp, Ignite, and Exploration retreats. His true passion is to fight for others and to make a difference in this world for the next world. He loves to see when men come alive and their relationships are restored. Learn more about Adam HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailAH.
Adam has lived in Minnesota for most of his life except for a couple of years in Kansas while he attending college. Adam is married to Krista who he claims is a thousand times better then him. (We have met her and she is.) He has four young children, and is currently back in school to become an Elementary Teacher. Adam is our homegrown product who first attended a Heart Revolution Boot Camp in the fall of 2005 where he woke up to the reality around him. He has also attended several of our Boot Camps, Advanced Camp, Ignite, and Exploration retreats. His true passion is to fight for others and to make a difference in this world for the next world. He loves to see when men come alive and their relationships are restored. Learn more about Adam HERE. Contact him at ObscureMyEmailAH.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: JAN
Jan Ellis
Married to David, which frankly, can make most days a combination of patience and adventure, Jan is a Minnesota native and founding member of Heart Revolution. Mother to two of her own plus step-mom to David’s two sons, Jan is an avid reader, accomplished horseback rider (she chases cattle with her husband in a western rodeo-style event called Team Sorting) and is a gifted event planner and occasional speaker. She serves in multiple critical administrative capacities for Heart Revolution events and has shared her story at our events. Learn more about Jan HERE. Contact her at ObscureMyEmailJE.
Married to David, which frankly, can make most days a combination of patience and adventure, Jan is a Minnesota native and founding member of Heart Revolution. Mother to two of her own plus step-mom to David’s two sons, Jan is an avid reader, accomplished horseback rider (she chases cattle with her husband in a western rodeo-style event called Team Sorting) and is a gifted event planner and occasional speaker. She serves in multiple critical administrative capacities for Heart Revolution events and has shared her story at our events. Learn more about Jan HERE. Contact her at ObscureMyEmailJE.
Heart Revolution Event Support Team
In addition to the leadership team above, we have an outstanding group of individuals who take care of a myriad of details who serve on our Event Support Team. We couldn't do what we do without them.
Event Crews
In addition to the “official” team, for every event, we offer several interested and available alumni a spot on the Event Crew and in return give a discount on their registration fee. This crew helps out with critical activities from parking assistance, loading/unloading gear, setting up/manning our Resource Table, and much more AND most are usually able to fully participate in an event (although some areas are not). If you are an alumni and are interested in being on an Event Crew, please proceed HERE. We will be in touch to discuss available areas to see if there is a match to your skills and interest.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: What We Are
Heart Revolution is a small mission delivering a big message.
That message is the life-changing, revolutionary treasure of the Christian Gospel – not the tired story of church attendance and good manners, but rather The love story of all ages, set in the midst of fierce war zone. As Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). It is life we are after, each one of us. And it is Life that God offers through the original revolutionary, Jesus Christ.
We accomplish this primarily through one-time events (versus ongoing ministry) designed by men, for men, that provide a place to recover what it means to be a Fully Alive Man- believing that to discover & recover our hearts as men is synonymous with becoming the man God intended.
But this message has been lost and shrouded by religion. We are committed to helping others rediscover its beauty and power. For the true Gospel is able to set men and women free to live from the heart as God’s intimate allies. As St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” That’s what we are devoted to – seeing men and women come fully alive as the image-bearers of a breathtaking God and then taking this Life and Freedom into their worlds.
Heart Revolution is based in Minneapolis and our events are indirectly modeled after the events started by author of Wild At Heart, John Eldredge, and his ministry Ransomed Heart. Our primary mission is to offer this message of Freedom and Life through our events to the men and women of the Midwest region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.
That message is the life-changing, revolutionary treasure of the Christian Gospel – not the tired story of church attendance and good manners, but rather The love story of all ages, set in the midst of fierce war zone. As Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). It is life we are after, each one of us. And it is Life that God offers through the original revolutionary, Jesus Christ.
We accomplish this primarily through one-time events (versus ongoing ministry) designed by men, for men, that provide a place to recover what it means to be a Fully Alive Man- believing that to discover & recover our hearts as men is synonymous with becoming the man God intended.
But this message has been lost and shrouded by religion. We are committed to helping others rediscover its beauty and power. For the true Gospel is able to set men and women free to live from the heart as God’s intimate allies. As St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” That’s what we are devoted to – seeing men and women come fully alive as the image-bearers of a breathtaking God and then taking this Life and Freedom into their worlds.
Heart Revolution is based in Minneapolis and our events are indirectly modeled after the events started by author of Wild At Heart, John Eldredge, and his ministry Ransomed Heart. Our primary mission is to offer this message of Freedom and Life through our events to the men and women of the Midwest region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: How We Operate
Our tenets will give you a good glimpse into the way we are choosing to live and work together in the mission of the Freeing and Life-Giving Gospel thru Heart Revolution. You’ll better understand who we are and why we do what we do. Furthermore, if we disappoint you in some regard, these tenets may explain why we don’t do some of the things we don’t.
Clarity of Mission
There is so much to be done. It’s a given that we can’t do it all. But we know what our part, our role/mission is, and upon that we focus our resources and plans (because of our clarity and focus we refuse to be or do that which is someone else’s mission).
We are a message-centered mission. That message is about the revolution of the heart – walking with God from a new, good and free heart that we receive in exchange when we decide to give our lives to Jesus Christ. This good heart, in daily relation with God, is our means of motivation to renew our minds with the Truth that brings Freedom and a life-changing Revolution.
Irreversible Change
Our events, resources and decisions have the goal of "Irreversible Change". It’s not education, though that certainly happens, it’s not inspiration though that may be a result; it’s not encouragement though we hope it happens…. It’s irreversible change, transformation of hearts and lives. Hence the name "Revolution"... we believe the True Gospel is so radical that it literally changes everything.
Walk with God – follow the Wild Goose
Early Celtic followers of Jesus Christ referred to God's Spirit as the “Wild Goose”, a name rightly describing the unfettered, free and wild nature of God [John 3:8]. We submit our decisions to God and listen for His affirmation or counter-intuitive direction.
Crawl, Walk, Run
We view our development as an organization in stages: crawl, walk and run. This assumes a progression over time that requires patience, anticipation, and dreaming/planning/hoping. We are not now all that we will be.
Leadership Model
Heart Revolution strives to move forward by a community of leaders sharing their gifts, perspectives and the weight of their lives in a unified voice and direction. Final direction and decisions are left to a core leadership team, led by Heart Revolution founder David Ellis.
Team & Mission Model
We live and work together with the deep belief that our hearts are good. We are a New Covenant mission that believes God’s promise to “take away our heart of stone” and to “give us a new heart” has been accomplished by the work of Jesus Christ. We have good hearts. We appeal to the deepest and truest parts of one’s being, believing that as a Christian our deepest and truest desires are for that which is true, honorable, good, pure, & beautiful.
We will take the time to care for our own heart and not sacrifice our own heart nor the hearts of the ones we love for the mission. We will care for our hearts and those of our family. We may say “no” to a genuine opportunity, believing it is necessary for our own intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, for those we love most and for real life to flow from us. We want to give from abundance, not out of our desperation.
We deeply believe in the need to live this journey together as small "bands" of brothers and sisters, a place where genuine relationship and honesty can flourish, not as "accountability partners" but as men and women who practice their faith in a daily walk with God and call out the glory of each other to live "worthy of the call of Jesus Christ."
Operate by both Wisdom and Revelation
We live and work using the wisdom we’ve gained and listening to God, who at times may guide us in counter-intuitive directions. “…Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3). “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17)
At times, that results in decisions that leave some disappointed or wondering what happened. We don’t pretend to know all the answers, but our role is to act with wisdom & experience yet always open to God’s direction in every decision.
Humility, Love and Forgiveness
All we have has been given to us as a gift from God… we remember this and pray that in all our dealings with people, whether they be for us or against us, would be marked by genuine humility, love and forgiveness.
Clarity of Mission
There is so much to be done. It’s a given that we can’t do it all. But we know what our part, our role/mission is, and upon that we focus our resources and plans (because of our clarity and focus we refuse to be or do that which is someone else’s mission).
We are a message-centered mission. That message is about the revolution of the heart – walking with God from a new, good and free heart that we receive in exchange when we decide to give our lives to Jesus Christ. This good heart, in daily relation with God, is our means of motivation to renew our minds with the Truth that brings Freedom and a life-changing Revolution.
Irreversible Change
Our events, resources and decisions have the goal of "Irreversible Change". It’s not education, though that certainly happens, it’s not inspiration though that may be a result; it’s not encouragement though we hope it happens…. It’s irreversible change, transformation of hearts and lives. Hence the name "Revolution"... we believe the True Gospel is so radical that it literally changes everything.
Walk with God – follow the Wild Goose
Early Celtic followers of Jesus Christ referred to God's Spirit as the “Wild Goose”, a name rightly describing the unfettered, free and wild nature of God [John 3:8]. We submit our decisions to God and listen for His affirmation or counter-intuitive direction.
Crawl, Walk, Run
We view our development as an organization in stages: crawl, walk and run. This assumes a progression over time that requires patience, anticipation, and dreaming/planning/hoping. We are not now all that we will be.
Leadership Model
Heart Revolution strives to move forward by a community of leaders sharing their gifts, perspectives and the weight of their lives in a unified voice and direction. Final direction and decisions are left to a core leadership team, led by Heart Revolution founder David Ellis.
Team & Mission Model
We live and work together with the deep belief that our hearts are good. We are a New Covenant mission that believes God’s promise to “take away our heart of stone” and to “give us a new heart” has been accomplished by the work of Jesus Christ. We have good hearts. We appeal to the deepest and truest parts of one’s being, believing that as a Christian our deepest and truest desires are for that which is true, honorable, good, pure, & beautiful.
We will take the time to care for our own heart and not sacrifice our own heart nor the hearts of the ones we love for the mission. We will care for our hearts and those of our family. We may say “no” to a genuine opportunity, believing it is necessary for our own intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, for those we love most and for real life to flow from us. We want to give from abundance, not out of our desperation.
We deeply believe in the need to live this journey together as small "bands" of brothers and sisters, a place where genuine relationship and honesty can flourish, not as "accountability partners" but as men and women who practice their faith in a daily walk with God and call out the glory of each other to live "worthy of the call of Jesus Christ."
Operate by both Wisdom and Revelation
We live and work using the wisdom we’ve gained and listening to God, who at times may guide us in counter-intuitive directions. “…Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3). “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17)
At times, that results in decisions that leave some disappointed or wondering what happened. We don’t pretend to know all the answers, but our role is to act with wisdom & experience yet always open to God’s direction in every decision.
Humility, Love and Forgiveness
All we have has been given to us as a gift from God… we remember this and pray that in all our dealings with people, whether they be for us or against us, would be marked by genuine humility, love and forgiveness.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: What We Believe
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God.
- We believe in the One True God, The Sovereign, eternal Creator of all that exists, both seen and unseen. God is eternally existent in three persons, yet one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His atoning death on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.
- We believe God created mankind in His image. Adam and Eve, the first human beings, chose to rebel against God and go their own way. As a result, all of mankind and creation itself became separated from God, the image of God in man distorted, he became subject to the power of the devil, and the sinful nature passed on to all humanity. Because of this, human beings are incapable of pleasing or commending themselves to God. The only remedy for mankind’s hopeless predicament is redemption & restoration through faith in Jesus Christ.
- We believe that when a person exercises saving faith in Christ he passes immediately out of spiritual death into spiritual life, and from the old creation into the new, a new nature and a new heart imparted (i.e. a heart revolution); being justified freely by grace, accepted before the Father according as Christ His Son is accepted, loved as Christ is loved, having his place and portion as linked to Him and one with Him forever.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the Christ-follower and the unbeliever, they who followed unto the resurrection of life and they who are didn't unto the resurrection of damnation.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
"If a man hasn't discovered something to die for, he isn't ready to live."