G.O.D. International

In order to build an organization from the ground up, Gregg founded Global Outreach Developments International as a nonprofit in 1996, in Azusa, California. Although its operations were much smaller then, Gregg’s leadership had all the hallmarks of his present-day work: An emphasis on biblical education and applying God’s word, service to the marginalized, the development of strong friendships, and an unstoppable desire to imitate and learn from Jesus.

Gregg and Tara married in 1999. Through their travels together in the early days of G.O.D. International, they felt called to serve and extend the organization’s work in Kenya. They raised three years of support at $3500 a month. Then the Lord interrupted their plans. Gregg heard a word from the Lord: “Go to Nashville instead, and I’ll send many more in your place.” 

Gregg and Tara had never been to Nashville, knew no one in the city, and had no jobs lined up.  They obeyed God, moved to Nashville, and continued to trust God, even when their support dropped to $150 a month, even when, three months later, it stopped completely. Gregg began teaching Bible and Math at a local high school, and Tara began work as a social worker. Eventually, they called upon their friends and co-laborers, Robert Munoz and Jason Roufs, then living in California (Rob as a Med Student) and North Carolina (Jason playing professional soccer), to join them in Nashville.

Having studied music formally in college, and having led thousands of youth in worship in California, Gregg saw a continued need for youth to experience the Lord through worship. So he started UnNamed Servant. Gregg played guitar and piano, Rob played bass, and Paul, a drummer from Minnesota, together formed UnNamed servant. When Jason Roufs came to Nashville after playing professional soccer for the Charlotte Eagles, Skylar Aaseby, who had known Jason from youth group, came along with him. This core group was responsible for much of the formative years of G.O.D. in Nashville. They played countless music venues, taught even more Bible studies, and continued to lead young people on mission both in Tennessee, particularly in vulnerable communities in the Appalachian Mountains, and in Latin America and East Africa. 

Through leading worship and meeting youth through UnNamed Servant, Gregg recognized that youth, who had a desire to learn God’s Word, often had nowhere to go. He began leading Bible studies to meet this need. The word spread, and college students were driving from three hours away to sit in Gregg and Tara’s living room and hear the word being taught. The more he taught, the more Gregg witnessed a desire to learn God’s word that wasn’t being met anywhere else. In the summer of 2004, Gregg made it known that he was starting a college. He called his dad to join him in teaching and put the word out to his students.

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