Faith Meets Finance at Packed Events
Life Surge, a series of Christian-themed financial seminars, has rapidly expanded since its 2021 debut. With over 250,000 attendees across 70 events, the one-day conferences feature Christian celebrity speakers such as Tim Tebow and Priscilla Shirer. The events promise spiritual inspiration and financial empowerment under the banner of “Kingdom impact.”
Yet attendees report being caught off guard by aggressive sales pitches sandwiched between worship sessions. Classes are marketed for $97, but many lead to upsells costing tens of thousands in mentorship programs.
Financial Promises, Real-World Consequences
Don Speer and Cassie Cox invested over $60,000 in Life Surge programs. The financial strain led to marital breakdown and deep regret. “They manipulate and lie to you,” Cox said. Others emptied retirement accounts or went into debt. Some cite emotional pressure using religious language to secure sales.
While Life Surge posts disclaimers warning of potential losses, many say those come too late to matter.
Supporters Credit Life Surge With Real Change
Not all stories are negative. Danielle Umpierre, a single mother, said her investment in Life Surge’s trading program more than doubled in months. She credits the experience with lifting her family out of debt and enabling her to support others.
Aprille Balangue, another supporter, quit her engineering job after finding success in trading and now volunteers extensively. Life Surge leaders point to such stories as proof of “Kingdom impact.”
Other supporters highlight the sense of purpose and community that the events foster. They believe the classes provided tools that aligned with their faith and changed their lives financially and spiritually.
Leadership’s Troubled Past Raises Questions
Founder Joe Johnson and President Shawn Marcell have past ties to companies accused of fraud and ethics violations. Welfont Group, once led by Johnson, was ordered to pay $7 million in damages for fraudulent property deals. Johnson says these legal issues are unrelated to Life Surge’s mission.
A former employee also sued Life Surge in 2025, alleging religious discrimination and deceptive marketing practices targeting Christians. Johnson disputes the claims, asserting that Life Surge operates transparently and delivers on its promises.
Debate Over Mixing Ministry With Money
Supporters view Life Surge as a bold attempt to merge faith with financial empowerment. Critics see spiritual manipulation used to market overpriced programs. Life Surge insists it’s offering an educational experience aligned with Christian values, but many remain skeptical about the methods and messaging used to reach the faithful.
Source:
Life Surge: Christian Wealth-Building or High-Pressure Sales with a Christian Veneer?
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Myself and 4 other family and friends (met at the event) can testify the Life Surge events are deceptive in that they “pretend” they are Christians doing God’s work equipping like minded Christians to further God’s kingdom for their families and generations to come. They have focused marketing on using the 60 (in total), Christian very popular successful well known and trusted legitimate believers. However, it seems the big name Christians don’t stick around to watch the event play out. Some of the speakers (athletes mostly), are paid for their appearance. However, all 60 very well respected and trusted names, all appear to be completely asleep at the wheel while their reputation is being forever tarnished as a trustworthy servant of God. Myself, my family, and friends all personally witnessed the same behaviors that I now read about it in hundreds of horrible testimonies given from all of the events in various cities leading up to winter 2025. Those same behaviors are also expressed in hundreds of complaints to the Better Business Bureau, devastating stories to unsuspecting Christian attendees. The BBB has an active ALERT on their website that says Life Surge is being investigated for suspicious activities that are exploiting many people. Most people dont know that Life Surge actually has a terrible public track record already so when they attend the one day event, the emotional roller coaster you go on brings down your guard, opens up your heart and you actually believe they care about you. Unfortunately that is when we ALL fell for it and signed up for 3 day impact courses offered at different times throughout the one day event. Life Surge carefully offered a once in a lifetime course right after an emotional faith driven session where your guard is down and you quickly give your credit card to attend a 3 day class for only $97. PLUS you can bring a friend for free because they say they really want to help Christians further God’s kingdom. They do this strategically after 3 faith/worship sessions. By the 3rd time, I wondered why didnt they do this altogether. Additionally, AT NO time did they use any of their time to tell us that the 3 day impact course they are generously going to give you for $97 is actually a prelude to the 3 day event, where even more emotional tactics are used to solicit you and your free guest, to purchase one on one coaching that costs tens of thousands of dollars. By the way, on the big screens at the one day event, they do briefly put up slides with the fine print that unless you are already successfully trading stocks, investing in real estate, or running a thriving business, you will likely make no money, or lose money. It’s a sad situation that shook all of us up the day after the one day event when we realized in fact it was too good to be true. That we had been taken advantage of and fallen for the oldest trick in the book, hurry up buy now this deal is only good right now! I pray that Life Surge owners/executives are quickly exposed for their misdeeds. Another big red flag is that the owner/executives already have past lawsuits with guilty verdicts for the same type or very similar type of business crimes. God help us all when the most influential among us is allowing the crooks to come in and take from us without even following up to make sure they are not using God’s name in vain. There is a special place that stays lit with fire for people who take advantage of the most vulnerable including children, handicapped, and elderly people.
I am so sorry that you were a victim of this. It is heartbreaking when anyone is taken advantage of but even more so when predators use faith to manipulate and victimize.