What is the HEART & PURPOSE?

  • In our culture there is a desperation to know our core identity, be activated in a truth-filled purpose, and serve a lasting-beautiful mission. We believe the Servant-King—Jesus Christ—embodies all of these and is calling and sending a generation to reflect His glory while inviting others into His kingdom. At Streetlights, we long to see young followers grounded in Christ, filled with the Spirit, activated in their spiritual gifts and talents, and supremely glorifying God—from a transformed soul to every outflow coming from our crafted heart, hand & tongue. We are the substance of Christ and His collective witnesses- a redeemed orchestra of “Salt & Light”.

    (Matthew 5: 1-16 / Ephesians 2: 8-10 / John 15: 14-17)

  • In partnership with local anchor churches, we desire to equip followers of Christ to live transformed lives in and through their renewed identity and character in Jesus. We desire to see followers of Jesus activated in their spiritual gifts and talents, and sent on Gospel mission—ultimately to reflect Christ’s glory and invite others into the kingdom of heaven.

  • God will always use face-to-face Christ glorifying ministry. Although we produce many resources for discipleship, we will always sow our Gospel work into local, regional and global incarnational ministry. We want to see the Lord spark a movement of new missionaries in every layer of urban society. Streetlights Academy represents our team - in partnership with the local church - building up this generation in Christ for their God given purposes in the Great Commission

”We Are— Both the Canvas and the Brush— in the Hands of the ALMIGHTY Creator & Redeemer God. “

Understanding and being activated in your core identity changes everything — your character, your purpose, your gifts, your goals in the Kingdom of God, and your City.

What WILL I Receive?

STREETLIGHTS Academy is designed as a one-day intensive.

  • Renew & grow you more deeply grounded in your identity in Christ.

  • Help identify & activate your spiritual gifts and talents.

  • Help gain clarity to see your call and circumstance as Gospel mission opportunities for Christ’s glory. 

When & Where? Future Dates: 2026

Streetlights Academy is a new ministry initiative of STREETLIGHTS. This year (2025), we will have only one date, and it will be natively in our home city of Chicago. In 2026, we plan to have multiple Academy gatherings both in Chicago and in other cities (Potentials: Detroit, New York City, LA, Atlanta, and San Juan).

Interested in supporting these events in other cities to help mobilize a generation passionate about evangelism and making disciples?

Your gift fuels the creation of Streetlights' Gospel outreach & training.

Support Streetlights Academy

Our Core TOPICS:

TRAINING & DISCIPLESHIP

  • Our core identity is grounded in these truths:

    • Saved by the Gospel of Grace

    • Given a New Identity in Christ

    • Indwelled and Filled by the Spirit of God

    • Unconditionally Loved by the Father

    • Integrated into the Body to love the Local Church

    • Marked by Godly Character as a witness of the Priesthood

  • Spiritual gifts are given by the indwelling Spirit to empower Gospel ministry to grow the Church and impact communities through godly, authentic expressions.


    God-given talents are natural tools to be used supernaturally for God’s glory. Talents are best understood when our identity and spiritual gifts are embraced.

  • Live out God’s mission. Balancing cultural engagement with faithfulness to the Bride of Christ, and persevering for lasting fruit and God’s glory. (John 15:14–17)

  • We are called to be salt and light of Jesus, inviting new or not-yet believers into the kingdom of heaven through the gift of the Gospel. We surrender our lives, our gifts, our callings, and our circumstances to God’s purposes for this ultimate end; that God’s glory may be revealed in the world.

Kingdom Community, with Christ’s Spirit working ‘in & through’ His Word, Spirit and Community creates impact moments. Let’s be trained for the good works God has for us to move in.

Sacred Expressions: Filled and Equipped by Spirit and Word.

5 sessions

3 General + 2 Workshops

What’s The Format and FUnction?

  • 9:00 AM: Doors Open: Coffee // Meet & Build

    9:30 AM: Segment 1: Welcome // Praise Prayer & Expression

    10:00 AM: Segment 2: Word & Preaching

    10:30 AM: Segment 3: Word & Teaching

    11:00 AM: Mid Morning Brunch Break

    12:15 PM: Segment 4: Q&A Session

    12:45 PM: Segment 5: Workshop sessions

    1. Visual Art, Writing & Speaking, Entrepreneurship

    2. Musical Art and Ministry Inside & Outside the Church, Praise & Worship

    2:00 PM: End

  • TITLE: The Painted Word & Work // By Esteban Shedd

    Description: This workshop and guided discussion will focus on exploring the use of spiritual gifts and skills — the talents — connected with visuals, writing, and speaking. Using an “inside the church body & outside the church” framework, we’ll uncover how these gifts operate both in sacred spaces and in the broader world. Esteban will weave in his story and creative journey as it aligns with God’s Word, inviting attendees to reflect on the full spectrum of sacred expressions — how art, language, and life can all echo the glory of the Creator.

    Focus: Visual Art, Writing & Speaking, Entrepreneurship

  • TITLE: The Musical Flow-State // By Aaron Lopez

    Description:

    What is the true gift and essence of music? Is it deeper than what pop culture shows us through modern artists and platforms? Aaron Lopez will unpack the muse of music — like a river with many routes — carrying power, message, service, and ultimately, Glory to God through its tributaries in the church, community, and culture. While many chase the “flow state,” maybe we’ve yet to tap into God’s deeper purpose for one of His greatest gifts: music. Through stories from hip-hop scenes, band seasons, and Streetlights audio work, Aaron will explore how call, skill, and spiritual gifts can merge to serve in ways “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.”

    Focus: Musical Art and Ministry Inside & Outside the Church, Praise & Worship

Intentional COMMUNITY IS An INSTRUMENT FROM GOD TO SHARPEN PURPOSE and ACtIVATE our god given expressions for Gospel Purposes— We need brothers and Sisters of all age and Experiences.

Kingdom Community, with Christ’s Spirit working ‘in & through’ His Word, Spirit and Community creates impact moments. Let’s be trained for the good works God has for us to move in.

Support the Local Church. Build Up the Region. Help Raise a Generation in Faith and Gospel Mission.

Kingdom Community, with Christ’s Spirit working ‘in & through’ His Word, Spirit and Community creates impact moments. Let’s be trained for the good works God has for us to move in.

SUPPORT

Training and mobilization of the Next Gospel Generation

We have been — and will continue — resourcing this generation with God’s Word and preaching the Gospel. At the same time, we sense a deep need to train and equip this generation alongside local urban churches to be the salt and light of Christ — both within their church communities and from their church communities into the culture.

Your support helps us host more gatherings that mobilize a generation committed to evangelism and disciple-making.

Your gift fuels the creation of Streetlights' creative resources and Gospel outreach.