#106: Beer Church and Beyond: Creating Spiritual Community in Breweries, Parks, and Public Spaces

Discover how Beer Church and Trail Church redefine spiritual community in everyday spaces with Bryan Willkom of Jesus Fit.

What does church look like when it moves from traditional sanctuaries to breweries, hiking trails, and pizza shops? In this episode, Bryan Willkom, founder of Jesus Fit, shares how Beer Church and other innovative gatherings are creating authentic spiritual community in everyday spaces. From monthly Beer Church gatherings where diverse groups share stories around brewery tables, to Trail Church walks that combine movement with meditation, Bryan is pioneering fresh expressions of church that meet people exactly where they are.

Beer Church isn’t just about the location—it’s about reimagining how we build spiritual community. Bryan shares why public spaces create natural opportunities for spiritual conversation, how to create judgment-free zones for faith exploration, and practical ways to practice Jesus’ habits of hospitality and table fellowship in modern contexts. Whether you’re looking to start alternative forms of church or simply want to better understand how to reach those who feel disconnected from traditional religious spaces, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of spiritual community.

Resources Mentioned

Featuring

Headshot of Bryan Willkom

Bryan Willkom

Bryan Willkom is a former Seeds Project Fellow, and the founder and director of GetJesusFit – a nonprofit empowering spiritual wellness through innovative forms of church - like, Beer Church, Trail Church, Yoga Church and Pizza Church. Each church gathers in a shared public space like a brewery, park, library or community center and is structured around a practice or habit of Jesus. Bryan is an ecumenical faith leader, entrepreneur, coach and content creator on a mission to make space for those who can’t find the right church fit.

Meet Your Host

  • Dr. Dwight Zscheile

    Dr. Dwight Zscheile is vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary. His latest book is Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress Press, 2023).

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