2006
Adam Stadtmiller started the Joshua Project based on pastor Dan Reiland's
The Joshua’s Men Communication Retreat. Dan has realized something about men after leading these retreats for over 20 years: if a speaker is not comfortable with who they are, they will never become a good communicator. And even deeper than being comfortable with one's self is the deep need every man has to truly know his identity. The Joshua Project is a guided journey into a man's true and authentic identity in Christ.
2006-2008
Pastor Adam ran three "projects" guiding men into a firm identity in Christ. These men are now leaders, elders and mentors in their churches. Some of the foundational components of JP are the following:
- Each man identifies his own "project". JP isn't a bible study. JP isn't a men's group. JP isn't anything you have every experienced. It is a guided journey. It is a chance for a men to go into deep waters in his faith. JP is a project and it looks different for each man.
- One and done. JP is a once in a lifetime opportunity. There are no repeats. Each man gets one shot at this.
- What happens in JP stays in JP. The events and exercises are steeped in confidentiality. JP deals with some of the most intimate and important details of a man's life. It is paramount that men sense the safety and security of their group to allow each man to get the most out of the meetings. It is a short amount of time and we have a lot of work to do.
- Gotta be it to lead it. JP is all about the next man. Not only are their no repeats there are also no men leading that haven't gone through a project and realize the importance of the time. JP raises up leaders from within. Each leader of JP is a JP graduate and is confirmed by his peers to lead a project.
JP takes a break as Adam waits in the Spirit for men to pick up the torch and run with it. JP has never been and will never be about a person or personality. It is the goal of JP to have each man graduate as a leader. Adam never intended to be the personality behind JP. He always believed God gave him this vision to give it away. JP is always about raising up the next man.
2011-2012
Alumni, Brice Maurer alumni from JP1, takes the reins of the project and, with the Blessing of Adam, takes the lead of JP . Bryce leads a project a year and graduates another 16 men. JP now has about has 45 graduates and is raising up men to lead in their homes, communities and churches.
2013-2014
Sean Butland joins the leadership team with Bryce and each lead a project a year graduating another amazing group of men by leading four projects in two years. JP now takes on assistant leaders for each project and the impact of JP is being felt in the homes and churches all over San Diego County.
2015
Wow, what a ride. Nine year, nine projects and about 80 alumni has established JP as an amazing tool God is using to establish men's identity in Christ. So much so the women have begun to ask for a project of their own. Now in 2015 there will be a WJP! God is good and He is raising up women to establish their identity in Christ. As for the men, well they arn't slowing down either. This year JP will be in two locations in San Diego and one JP in Maryland. Another 24 men will go through the project and eight women. JP also becomes a non-profit due to the amount of alumni requesting to give to further the ministry.