THE LARK MANIFESTO

Religion gave us a script.
Jesus gave us a story.
Not a set of steps, but a scandal:
that God has already made His home in us all.

But that story gets buried—
under institutions with expectations.
So instead of resting in what’s already true,
we try to become someone we think God needs.

That’s why stories matter so much at Lark.
Hearing the scandalous story of God’s grace—
and sharing your own, jagged edges and all—
is how we learn to live free.

You can’t systematize that.
You can sit down for it.
You can toast to it.
You can cry through it.
And you can pass it on.

That’s the Lark journey:

Telling stories that help people reimagine life in who Jesus already is for us all.

Creating space for open-ended conversations that go where sermons can’t.

Hosting gatherings where storytellers connect, laugh, linger, and celebrate.

It’s not a new strategy.
It’s not a new church brand.
It’s the original madness of grace.

Setting people free—in the best kind of way.

  • Russ Johnson

    CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

    Russ lives in Southwest Florida with his high school sweetheart, their 7 year-old, and a revolving door of grown kids and a new grandson. He’s an author and podcaster who traded pastoring for chasing unfiltered conversations, cigars, and missing Legos.

  • Tony Sorci

    CO-FOUNDER & PODCAST

    Tony hails from Northwest Indiana, where he and his wife, Pam, are raising four kids. He’s the founder and creative director of Katiko Creative and proud to be a Lark. In a former life, people called him “pastor,” but now he’s known for his enthusiasm for tacos al pastor.

  • Christa Johnson

    ADMINISTRATION

    Christa is a rare sixth-generation Floridian, married to her high school sweetheart (Russ 😉). She’s a devoted mom of three, a new grandma, a sassy homemaker, and the owner of Down Home Vintage, an online shop for unique treasures.

  • Sarah Mezzera

    PODCAST & CONVERSATIONS

    Sarah brings a unique perspective to the Larkcast, fueled by her passion for capturing and sharing people’s stories. She’s married to Chad, a mom of two, and the proud owner of Butterbee, a unique tattoo shop just outside of St. Louis.

  • Jameson Allen

    PODCAST & CONVERSATIONS

    Jameson brings language and insights to the resources of Lark. Hailing from Iowa, he is married to his hishschool sweetheart, a father of 4, and a theology junkie who loves the long versions of people’s stories.

  • Josh Chevalier

    CONVERSATIONS

    Josh is a husband to Cari, a father of four, and sports writer who offers people a safe place to land, and there…find freedom in who Jesus is. He emdowers movement from the music city of Austin, TX.

  • Mike Jarrell

    CONVERSATIONS

    Mike is a husband to Jackie, a father of three, a lover of Philly Cheesesteaks, the Eagles, and slowing down with people. In his past life he was a missional church guy. Today he helps people reimagine the Church.

  • The Mayfield's

    CONVERSATIONS

    Ryan is an entrepreneur and Cadrian is an executive assistant. Outside of work, their hope is to cultivate conversations in Tulsa —and beyond—that help ordinary people find the freedom to reimagine life in who Jesus already is for them.