Founded in 2013 by Josh and Georgie Kelsey in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood and Manhattan, Fount Church began as a small, relational experiment. The Kelseys did not start with a large platform or a complex structure. They started with dinner tables.
Their early gatherings were informal and intentional. Friends and neighbours met in homes to share meals, conversation, and faith. Over time, those dinners became the operating model for what would grow into Fount Church, a city-based organisation now impacting thousands of people across New York City and beyond.
Josh and Georgie lead Fount Church with a clear belief that leadership is built through presence, not scale. Their focus has remained on young people, young families, and couples navigating life in a fast-moving city. Rather than chasing rapid growth, they prioritised trust, culture, and consistency.
The name “Fount” comes from the hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It reflects their core belief that Jesus Christ is the source, not the organisation itself. This clarity shapes every decision. Their stated vision is Jesus Christ. Their mission is people. Their cause is love.
Under their leadership, Fount Church has developed a decentralised, community-led structure. Dinner parties continue to act as entry points, leadership incubators, and relationship anchors. Mission and impact work flow naturally from this same foundation.
Today, Fount Church stands as a case study in values-driven leadership. It shows how a people-first approach, applied with discipline and patience, can create lasting cultural impact without losing focus.
Inside Fount Church: A Conversation on Leadership, Community, and Long-Term Vision
Q: Let’s start at the beginning. How did Fount Church actually begin?
Fount Church: It started very simply. In 2013, we were living in Williamsburg and inviting people into our home for dinner. There was no formal plan to build a church. We were responding to a need we could see around us — people were busy, connected digitally, but often disconnected in real life.
Q: Why dinner parties? That’s not a typical organisational model.
Fount Church: That’s exactly why it worked. Tables remove pressure. They level people. You don’t need a title to belong. We saw trust form naturally through shared meals. Over time, those dinners became places where people felt safe enough to talk honestly about their lives.
Q: When did you realise this was becoming something larger?
Fount Church: It happened gradually. People began hosting their own dinners. Relationships formed across different parts of the city. We realised the model could scale without becoming impersonal, as long as we protected the culture.
Q: How did you think about growth at that stage?
Fount Church: Slowly and carefully. Growth without depth doesn’t last. We focused on building leaders, not events. If people felt ownership, the community could grow without us being at the centre of everything.
Q: Your primary audience has remained young people and families. Why that focus?
Fount Church: New York can be isolating, especially in transitional life stages. Young adults, couples, and families often feel they’re navigating everything alone. We wanted to create spaces where people felt known, not managed.
Q: The name “Fount” carries meaning. Why was that important?
Fount Church: Names shape culture. Come Thou Fount speaks of Jesus as the source. That keeps us grounded. The organisation isn’t the answer. It’s a conduit. That perspective helps us avoid building around personalities or platforms.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style today?
Fount Church: Relational and decentralised. We trust people. We invest in them. Leadership is shared. That allows the community to be resilient rather than dependent on a small group at the top.
Q: Mission and impact work are part of what you do. How do those fit in?
Fount Church: Impact isn’t separate from community. It flows from it. When people feel supported and grounded, generosity follows naturally. We don’t see impact as a department. It’s an extension of who we are.
Q: What challenges have shaped you the most?
Fount Church: Learning when not to grow. Saying no to good opportunities to protect long-term health. In a city that rewards speed, patience is often the harder choice.
Q: How do you define success now?
Fount Church: Depth over visibility. Strong relationships. People walking in freedom. If those things are happening, the organisation is healthy.
Q: What do you hope Fount Church represents going forward?
Fount Church: A reminder that sustainable leadership starts with people. Culture first. Trust first. Everything else builds from there.
Read more:
Fount Church on Building Community in a Fast-Moving City
