Our Approach
Because all truth is God’s truth we reject the idea that reality is to be carved up into the artificial categories of sacred and secular. As Christ-followers we are called to live every aspect of our lives under God’s authority and for God’s glory. Classical thinkers referred to this as Coram Deo (literally “before the face of God”). How we think and how we live go together.
Three-pillar Philosophy: Know. Be. Live. ®
Know
Be
Live
1. Know Jesus More Deeply.
Grow in your understanding of what God has revealed about reality and why Christianity is true.
2. Be Transformed in Your Character.
Discover your identity in Christ and your God-given calling in authentic community.
3. Live a Life of Kingdom Influence.
A life of Spirit-empowered Kingdom influence as you cultivate a servant’s heart.
Impact 360 Institute Statement of Faith
- We believe that God inspired the Bible, and in it He reveals His nature and mission. (Psalm 19:7-10; Isaiah 34:16; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12)
- We believe that the Bible is absolutely true in all it affirms, without error, authoritative and instructive for our lives, work and ministries. (Deut. 4:1-2; Deut. 17:19; John 17:17; Romans 15:4)
- We believe that God is the only true, sovereign God, eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (John 16:13-15; Acts 2:16-47; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
- We believe that Jesus Christ is the living Son of God. We believe that He was God Incarnate while on earth. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe that he lived, worked and ministered without sin. We believe that He was crucified, buried, rose and ascended into heaven, and that He will come again and will establish God’s kingdom forever. (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Matt. 1:18-23; Matt. 28:1-6)
- We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers followers of Jesus Christ today, leading people to faith in Christ and serving as our Counselor and Encourager. (Romans 8:9-11; Romans 8:14-16; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10-14)
- We believe that God created people to have a personal relationship with Him and to worship Him, but all fall short of this purpose. (John 11:25-27; Hebrews 9:14; Rev. 22:17; Col 1:21-22)
- We believe that all choose to disobey God, and as such we are sinners deserving condemnation and eternal death. (Col. 3:9-11; Romans 5:12; Eph. 2:1-22; Romans 1:19-22)
- We believe that sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4), as revealed by the Holy Spirit through His eternal Word. (Eph. 2:1-22; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:19; Romans 7:14-25)
- We believe that we can only be saved by receiving God’s grace by faith in Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death for us on the cross. (Col. 1:21-22; Eph. 2:1-10; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Romans 5:6)
- We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ will reign with Him in eternity, while those who do not repent and believe will be separated from Him in eternity. (Matt. 16:27; Romans 1:19-32; Eph. 2:1-10; Acts 17:26-31)
- We believe that every believer in Christ must not yield themselves to sinful passions and instead must strive to pursue righteousness (Rom. 6:5-11; 2 Tim. 2:22), “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).
- We believe that Jesus Christ commissions His followers to make disciples of all peoples through the local church as well as through partnerships that reach the entire world. (Acts 13:1-3; Matt. 24:14; Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:21)
In everything we do as an Institute, our prayer and desire for you is to…
- Know Jesus more deeply as you grow in your understanding of what God has revealed about reality and why Christianity is true.
Jer. 9:23-24; John 17:3; 1 Peter 3:15-16; 1 John 5:20; 2 Peter 3:18; Matt. 22:37-39; 2 Cor. 10-3-5; Heb. 1:1-4; 2 Tim. 2:15; Jude 3.
- Be transformed in your character as you discover your identity in Christ and God-given calling in authentic community.
Gen 1:27-28; Romans 12:1-2; Col. 1:13-14; 3:1-3; 1 Pet. 2:9; 5:5; Eph. 1:4-6; 2:8-10; 4:29, Phil. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:19-21.
- Live a life of Spirit-empowered Kingdom influence as you cultivate a servant’s heart.
Jer. 29:7; Col. 1:10-12; Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5:18; 1 Peter 4:10; Matt. 5:16; 6:33; 11:28-30; 28:19-20; Col 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:19-21
Board of Directors
[ View Bio ]
John W. White, III
CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
John W. White, III
John White is the co-founder and president of Impact 360 Institute. Before co-founding the institute with his wife, Trudy Cathy White, he served in various roles with the International Mission Board, including 10 years of service living in Brazil. He and Trudy are passionate about encouraging and developing leaders, while intentionally maximizing their influence to impact culture globally. John and Trudy are the co-founders of Lifeshape®, an organization created to glorify God by breaking the cycle of spiritual poverty. He also enjoys serving on the board of directors for Global Gates. He and Trudy are the proud parents of four children, fifteen grandchildren and are members of McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA. John says that his focus in life is, “to know and love God with all my heart, mind and body, and to become more like Him in attitude and character each day.”[ View Bio ]
Trudy Cathy White
CO-FOUNDER
Trudy Cathy White
First and foremost, Trudy Cathy White is a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. She and her husband, John White, are co-founders of Lifeshape® and Impact 360 Institute. Together, they are dedicated to impacting culture and are passionate about intentionally investing their influence in equipping young people to be Christ-centered servant leaders. Trudy served for 13 years as the director of WinShape Camps for Girls, a camping program started by her mother, Jeanette, and father, S. Truett Cathy. In everything Trudy does, she is led by her commitment to obey God’s leadership, nurture family relationships and promote Godly character in the next generation. She and John are the proud parents of four children, fifteen grandchildren, and are members of McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA.[ View Bio ]
Aaron Graham
LEAD PASTOR OF THE DISTRICT CHURCH
Aaron Graham
Aaron serves as founder and lead pastor of The District Church in the heart of our nation’s capital. The District Church meets in the Columbia Heights and Capitol Hill neighborhoods of DC and is committed to growing and multiplying the next generation of leaders who have a heart for the city. Before moving to DC, Aaron started the Quincy Street Missional Church in a low-income neighborhood of Boston where he served for five years. He is a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School and received his doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary. Aaron and his wife Amy are adoption and foster care advocates. They founded DC127 with the mission to unite churches to reverse the foster care wait list in DC. They live in Columbia Heights with their two adopted kids Elijah and Natalie.[ View Bio ]
Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr.
PRESIDENT OF NORTH GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr.
Dr. Gene Fant and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of twins - Ethan and Emily. He currently serves as President of North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina. Previously, Dr. Fant was provost and chief academic officer of Palm Beach Atlantic University, and former executive vice president and dean of faculty at Union University. Dr. Fant holds a certificate in educational management from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. He is a writer who recently published a book entitled “The Liberal Arts: A Student’s Guide,” and occasionally contributes blog posts to the Chronicle of Higher Education and First Things. Dr. Fant is an integral member of the Board of Directors at Impact 360 Institute and says he feels blessed to be a part of what God is doing with the next generation.[ View Bio ]
Dr. Kimberly Thornbury
Senior Program Director of Enrichment Initiatives, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
Dr. Kimberly Thornbury
Dr. Kimberly Thornbury serves as Senior Program Director of Enrichment Initiatives, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Dr. Thornbury has served as vice president at The King’s College in New York City overseeing enrollment, marketing, and strategic planning. Previous to her work in New York City, Kimberly served as senior vice president for Student Services and dean of students for fifteen years at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Dr. Thornbury studies and writes about college student development. Her most recent work includes a chapter in the book Making a Difference: Empowering the Resident Assistant. Kimberly has served for over twenty years in Christian higher education and has a particular love for college student success. She enjoys serving on the board of Impact 360 as well as on the boards of Messiah College and Avail, the unexpected pregnancy center in NYC.Endorsements
I can't think of anything better between high school and the college years than to set aside time to discover God, explore the world and fine-tune your vision for the rest of your life. That's what Impact 360 is all about, combining great teaching with practical experience preparing your role in God's amazing story.
Louie Giglio
Pastor, Passion City Church, Passion Conferences, sixsteps records
Anyone can possess knowledge, but leaders are those who have been inspired to use what they know to do great things. Our world is in desperate need of the next-generation of Christian leaders that Impact 360 Institute trains both inside and outside of the classroom. If you are a young leader who desires to leverage your service to help the world come to know and experience Jesus, then Impact 360 Institute is the right place for you.
Dan T. Cathy
Chairman & CEO, Chick-fil-A
"Over the last 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of traveling and speaking in all 50 states in the United States, and in countries across the sea. I’ve spoken in hundreds of venues—churches, campuses, communities and so on. And in that period of time, there is a small handful of ministries that rise above all the rest. Near the top of that list is Impact 360. I have never seen an organization do such a good job of nurturing and training and developing solid Christian disciples as Impact 360. From the facilities, the excellent training of their faculty, to the young men and women that mentor and disciple the students, Impact 360 has it all."
J.P. Moreland
J.P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, author of “Love Your God With All Your Mind,” and more
"It is no longer someone else's job to worry about the next generation and what kind of leaders they will be. It is our responsibility as Christian leaders to work to produce young people who are grounded in Truth and who are willing to influence the world by living Christ-focused lives. Impact 360 offers a program designed to meet this challenge, and believe me, the next generation of leaders will be better because of it."
Josh McDowell
Apologist and Author of “Evidence That Demands a Verdict,” and more
A brief history
After 20 years of working in International Missions, John and Trudy Cathy White recognized an increasing need for equipping young adults in the area of godly leadership. Impact 360 Institute was born out of the vision of the Lifeshape, Inc.: to transform communities with the message of Jesus Christ by equipping young adults to become Christ-centered servant leaders.
Aware that many people choose to abandon their faith when unable to explain or defend it against advocates of secular humanism and other misguided worldviews, the Whites began searching for ways to combat this critical shift in ideas and lifestyle occurring amongst college age students.
In September of 2006, Impact 360 Gap Year (Fellows) was born. The inaugural Fellows class of 18 students became pioneers in the world of academic gap year programs, studying Christian Worldview, living in community, and practicing servant leadership amongst their peers locally and internationally.
Impact 360 Fellows is now celebrating the twelfth year of the program and has had more than 284 graduates from 23 different states, four countries, and various educational backgrounds, creating a web of motivated “changers” on college campuses across the US, and in the world marketplace.
Today, Impact 360 Institute offers students and young professionals from all walks of life transformative worldview and leadership experiences like Impact 360 Fellows, Impact 360 Immersion, and Impact 360 Masters.
After 20 years of working in International Missions, John and Trudy Cathy White recognized an increasing need for equipping young adults in the area of godly leadership. Impact 360 Institute was born out of the vision of the Lifeshape, Inc.: to transform communities with the message of Jesus Christ by equipping young adults to become Christ-centered servant leaders.
Aware that many people choose to abandon their faith when unable to explain or defend it against advocates of secular humanism and other misguided worldviews, the Whites began searching for ways to combat this critical shift in ideas and lifestyle occurring amongst college age students.
In September of 2006, Impact 360 Gap Year (Fellows) was born. The inaugural Fellows class of 18 students became pioneers in the world of academic gap year programs, studying Christian Worldview, living in community, and practicing servant leadership amongst their peers locally and internationally.
Impact 360 Fellows is now celebrating the twelfth year of the program and has had more than 284 graduates from 23 different states, four countries, and various educational backgrounds, creating a web of motivated “changers” on college campuses across the US, and in the world marketplace.
Today, Impact 360 Institute offers students and young professionals from all walks of life transformative worldview and leadership experiences like Impact 360 Fellows, Impact 360 Immersion, and Impact 360 Masters.
Lifeshape
Impact 360 Institute was born out of the vision of the Lifeshape, Inc.: to transform communities with the message of Jesus Christ by equipping young adults to become Christ-centered servant leaders.
Lifeshape®. continues to play a vital supporting role through such activities as providing grants for Fellows needing financial assistance. You can give to this fund and help a student by clicking here.
Impact 360 Institute was born out of the vision of the Lifeshape, Inc.: to transform communities with the message of Jesus Christ by equipping young adults to become Christ-centered servant leaders.
Lifeshape®. continues to play a vital supporting role through such activities as providing grants for Fellows needing financial assistance. You can give to this fund and help a student by clicking here.
Staff
Adam Story
Enrollment Specialist
Alfreda Coverson
Facilities Assistant
Ananthachai Nantakul
Hospitality Line Cook
Chad Rosell
Learning Community Coordinator
Charmaine Porter
Learning Community Coordinator
[ View Bio ]
David Blanchard
Associate Director, Student Learning & Living
David Blanchard
David has spent the past ten years working among college students in the areas of leadership and discipleship. He has a B.S. in Youth Ministry, Family & Culture from Columbia International University, as well as a Minor in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. David first joined the Impact 360 staff in 2009 as a Student Learning Coordinator. He went on to spend several years living in Brazil, coordinating teams for Impact 360, and serving as Manager for Brazil Ministries with the Lifeshape Foundation. He began his current role as Associate Director of Student Learning and Living in July, 2018. David lives with his wife, Melva, and their newborn son, Josiah, in Hamilton, GA.Ed Bort
Fellows Senior Associate Director & Faculty Chair
Elise Griffin
Guest Experience Specialist
Ellie Grace Hughes
Marketing Specialist
Emily Mitchell
Program Specialist
[ View Bio ]
Greg Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Greg Brown
B.A. Mercer University M.Div. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary D.Min. Besson Divinity, Samford UniversityHannah Depledge
Logistics Specialist
Jim Teel
Facilities Coordinator
Jodie Teel
Staff Accountant
[ View Bio ]
John Basie
Director of Impact 360 Masters
John Basie
John D. Basie, Ph.D.
Background and Experience
John is an accomplished leader in the higher education industry, having held leadership roles in Washington, D.C., Columbia, SC., as well as He is presently the Director of Impact 360 Masters (impact360.org)— academically rigorous and innovative leadership program affiliated with Lifeshape Foundation and Chick-fil-A, Inc.
John is a certified executive coach coaching assessments including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, the Strong Interest Inventory®, the Gallup-Clifton Strengthsfinder®, the EQ-i 2.0® (emotional intelligence), and Big 5 Workplace®.
Education
University of Chicago
John resides in Pine Mountain, Georgia, with his wife and their three children.
[ View Bio ]
Jonathan Morrow
Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship
Jonathan Morrow
Jonathan has been equipping students and parents in biblical worldview, apologetics and culture for over 16 years, and is passionate about seeing a new generation build a lasting faith. He holds a Master of Divinity, Master in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, and a Doctorate in Worldview and Culture from Talbot School of Theology. He is the director of cultural engagement and student discipleship at Impact 360 Institute and an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University. He is the author of several books, including Welcome to College, Questioning the Bible, and Is God Just a Human Invention? and also contributed to the Apologetics Study Bible for Students. Jonathan and his wife have been married for 18 years and live with their three children near Atlanta. Connect with him at jonathanmorrow.orgJordan Rice
IT Specialist
Karen Jordan
Manager, Organizational Cultivation & Development
Kathy Martin
Executive Assistant
[ View Bio ]
Kyle Dennard
Marketing Manager
Kyle Dennard
Kyle comes to Impact 360 Institute from being the previous Marketing Director for Adventures in Missions and The World Race. He is passionate about seeing the next generation live radical lives for Jesus. Kyle oversees marketing and guest experience for Impact 360 Institute. Kyle lives in Newnan, Georgia, with his wife and son.
Lindsey Aldridge
Service Learning and International Coordinator
Lucy Scarbrough
Hospitality Assistant
Matt Dee
Instructor
Mike Knoblauch
Hospitality Manager & Executive Chef
[ View Bio ]
Mitch Aldridge
Program Coordinator
Mitch Aldridge
Mitch is a Program Coordinator at Impact 360 Institute and has been training students in worldview, leadership, and discipleship since 2012. He was commissioned as an Impact 360 Institute Fellow in 2011 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Christian Studies from Mississippi College. His passion is to create a culture of discipleship in the next generation, where students as equipped to know the truth, be transformed in their character and live a life of Kingdom influence. Empowering students to make disciples in their spheres of influence is his favorite pastime. In his free time, Mitch enjoys hiking, swimming, and watching college football (Go Dawgs!). Mitch lives in Pine Mountain, GA with his wonderful wife Lindsey.Mitch Mask
Discipleship Coordinator
Molly Baker
Enrollment Specialist
[ View Bio ]
Nikki Gentry Dutton
Enrollment Coordinator
Nikki Gentry Dutton
Hi! My name is Nikki Dutton. I have the privilege of serving Impact 360 Institute as an enrollment coordinator. I graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Psychology. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College as a member of the Propel Women Cohort. My favorite things in life are my husband, Scott Dutton, our puppy, Scout, and making new friends. I also love to travel and speak at a variety of conferences, chapels and events (nikkiduttonspeaks.com).[ View Bio ]
Phil Alsup
Executive Director
Phil Alsup
Ed. D. Doctor of Leadership and Education, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary M.A. Religious Education and Youth Recreation, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary B.S. English, Middle Tennessee State University Phil comes to Impact 360 Institute after serving as the Senior Director for Student Ministry with the WinShape Foundation. Phil oversees the businesses dedicated to developing biblical worldview and leadership among collegians and students for Impact 360 Institute. He is passionate about leadership training, Biblical teaching, discipleship and theology. Phil served fifteen years in various leadership capacities at LifeWay Christian Resources after working in family ministries at two large Baptist churches in Tennessee. Phil resides in Peachtree City, Georgia, with his wife, Vicki, and their three children.Robby Cook
Associate Director, Facilities
Sarah Kilgore
Educational Resource Specialist
[ View Bio ]
Trent Wilbanks
Senior Advisor to the President
Trent Wilbanks
Trent serves with Impact 360 Institute as Senior Advisor to the President. Prior to this role, Trent worked with Impact 360 Fellows gap year program for 10.5 years, serving as its director from 2015-2019. He previously started a small retreat facility for Christian leaders and has worked on church staffs in music and student ministries. Trent’s current work includes strategic assignments and a focus to safeguard the long-term culture, purpose, mission and values of the organization. He also currently serves as executive director of a private non-profit foundation. Trent believes he has a calling to explore, refine, and build life-giving organizations. Trent and his wife, Joy, have been married for 17 years, and live near campus in Pine Mountain with their six children. They enjoy serving as a part of the core membership team that planted Mid Tree Church in 2018. As a family they long to live out values of joy, gratitude, fearing God, hospitality, and compassion. Education- M.A., Global Leadership; Fuller Theological Seminary
- B.A., Church Music, Business minor; Mississippi College