Where story becomes worship

Hazefire Studios is a nonprofit creative studio producing media and events that expand the intersection of story and worship. Funded by generous listeners and patrons, our work continues to find its way into hearts and homes throughout the US and across the world.

We collaborate with artists, churches, and individual saints around the world to tell better stories for God’s glory.

Through independent creative projects and as partners, consultants, and teachers, we’re eager to make beautiful things, to bravely tell the truth, and to invite others to find themselves in the great story of God’s faithful love.

Our flagship offering, Holy Ghost Stories, shares the stories of the Old Testament by way of immersive audio storytelling and a full musical score. Since HGS began in 2021, we’ve published over 60 episodes and together these stories have been downloaded more than 600,000 times by listeners across the world.

“I wonder what we Christians are known for in the world outside our churches. Are we known as critics, consumers, copiers, condemners of culture? Why aren’t we known as creators—people who dare to think and do something that has never been thought or done before, something that makes the world more welcoming and thrilling and beautiful?”

— Andy Crouch, Culture Making

Current Hazefire Projects

Here’s what we’re up to:

Holy Ghost Stories /The Podcast

The Happiest Saddest People
/An Audio Memoir

Storied Family Workshops

Bonfire: A Guide to Experiencing God in the Exodus

Holy Ghost Stories
/Live Events

Consulting & Collaboration

The Hazefire Team

Justin Gerhardt

FOUNDER, STORYTELLING PARTNER

Justin Gerhardt is the president of Hazefire Studios and the creator of Holy Ghost Stories—an episodic, immersive telling of the stories of the Old Testament with an emphasis on character and craft.

After pursuing his education in philosophy and Biblical studies, Justin served for 20 years as a senior pastor and preacher before sensing a call to make use of the creative arts to bring people into fresh encounters with God. To cut costs and seek inspiration during this time, he embarked on a 2 year long season of global nomadism with his family—it was during this time that Holy Ghost Stories would take shape. The places they called home include the south coast of England, a Croatian island, South Africa’s Western Cape, central Belfast, the mountains of southern France, Ireland’s northernmost tip, and the Sinai Wilderness in Egypt. Upon returning to the States, they unpacked their bags and made the Ozarks their home base.

JL Gerhardt

DIRECTOR OF EXPERIENCE, STORYTELLING PARTNER

JL Gerhardt is the best-selling author of eight books and the creator of the serialized memoir The Happiest Saddest People. She also writes a bi-weekly Substack called The Goodness. Before joining Hazefire Studios, Gerhardt worked as Storytelling Minister for Round Rock Church of Christ, creating a culture of sharing the story of God’s work among God’s people for God’s glory, including serving as creative director for the award-winning photo series Everyday Saints.

JL has more than a decade of experience speaking at conferences, retreats, and events. She has an MA in English from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She’s a former English lecturer and newspaper journalist.

Thaddeus Moore

STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS

Thaddeus is the official wingman for Hazefire Studios—constantly looking for opportunities to partner with organizations, nonprofits, schools, churches, and individuals as we tell true, beautiful stories that lead people into encounters with Yahweh.

With experience in both the world of ministry and the marketplace, Thaddeus is magnetic and kind and an irresistible enthusiast.

Mitch East

RESOURCES & CHURCH ENGAGEMENT

Mitch works to maximize the impact of Holy Ghost Stories by creating meditation guides, Bible reading plans, small group resources, and more. He wants to help people, churches, universities, small groups, homeschoolers (and others) to enter the HGS catalog, draw connections between the stories, and go on adventures with Yahweh inside them.

Mitch has an MDiv from Abilene Christian University and has spent the last several years serving in various ministry roles. He’s brilliant and wise and brimming with contagious faith.

Partnering Artists