Len Wilson

Len Wilson’s life mission is to use oral, written and visual communication with equal effectiveness in telling the story of Jesus Christ. He is a “master wordsmith and communicator,” “creative master,” “thought leader,” and according to one Fulbright scholar, “captures the future of language.”

As Invite Publisher, Len seeks to create a culture of ideation, where content makers have the opportunity to share their God-given gifts. Prior to launching Invite, Len served as Creative Director at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, a worshipping congregation of over 7000 active constituents. Prior to St. Andrew, Len served as Creative and Communications Director at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA, one of the largest Presbyterian congregations in America, and Senior Leadership Editor for Abingdon Press, the main imprint of the United Methodist Publishing House.

A pioneer in the use of visual media and storytelling in church life, Len first practiced his calling as a 24-year old Media Minister, leading the creative arts ministry of Ginghamsburg Church, one of the great stories of late 20th century Methodism in America. From 1995 to 2000, he oversaw the growth of a fledgling volunteer ministry into a nationally recognized program of innovation and effectiveness during a period in which weekly church attendance tripled to over 4000. Working with a high-powered team of staff and volunteers, Len produced effective communication of deep theological concepts in ways that informed, inspired, and entertained.

Since 1996, he has led thousands of churches to more innovative ways of doing ministry through speaking, writing, coaching, and through two parachurch companies he co-founded and led. His second company, Midnight Oil Productions, served a client database of 20,000 churches. He has keynoted and led workshops at over 200 events including the National Worship Leader Conference, Worship Facilities Expo, the United Methodist Association of Communicators, Church of the Resurrection Leadership Institute, Festival of Homiletics, Disney Creativity Conference, National Association of Broadcasters, ShowBiz Expo, and many more. His professional experience has created exposure and friendships in a wide variety of church social locations, including the mainline worlds of United Methodism and Presbyterianism, the evangelical world, and the megachurch world. For five years, Len served as Adjunct Professor at Northwest Nazarene University and has been a guest lecturer in several seminaries and graduate schools. He is a friend and influencer of church leaders.

Len has written and co-written eleven books on theology, church, creativity, and communication, including Telos: The Hope of Heaven Today, Greater Things: The Work of the New Creation, Think Like a Five Year Old: Reclaim Your Wonder and Create Great Things, Taking Flight with Creativity, and The Wired Church. He has written and been featured in dozens of articles and podcasts for major religious periodicals, and has maintained a professional blog since 2008. As a producer and director of dozens of short films, Len has won Silver and Bronze Telly Awards, and interned at CBS Television City in Hollywood, CA. Since 1996, Len has consulted and coached church staffs on creativity and communications throughout the United States. Len’s professional blog at lenwilson.us receives over 7000 unique visitors per month and he maintains an active, strong social network. His annual list of the fastest growing congregations is known throughout Methodism. Len has served as member and advisor to several denominational and parachurch boards and agencies.

A summa cum laude graduate of McMurry University, Len earned his Master of Arts degree in the innovative Religious Communication program at United Theological Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Semiotics and Future Studies from Portland Seminary. In addition, Len did master’s course study work at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, prior to pursuing a call to ministry.

Len lives daily life under the lordship of Jesus Christ, has been married since 1991, and is father to four creative young adults.