Mitch Matthews: BIG dream gathering co-founder

How it all got started

I got hit with the original idea for the BIG dream gathering when my wife Melissa and I were working on one of our own big dreams.  

We were having some challenges with that BIG dream and we were in need of some serious help and encouragement.  So we invited our friends over and asked everyone to write their dreams up our walls.  Then we all dove in to see if we could help each other.  It was amazing!  Plus, it wound up lasting for a week!  (You can read more about that by clicking here.)

We... and a group of amazing people... felt so strongly about that first BIG dream gathering that we decided to keep them going!  (Although we've never done one at our house again!!)

The cool thing is that we've now been freakishly blessed to work with communities and organizations to bring BIG dream gatherings to other cities and states.  

My Other "Jobs"

Lastly... I have an absolute passion for helping indivduals and organizations to think and dream BIGGER!  Plus, I just love to find ways to help people to connect.

So I get to do that through entrepreneurship, speaking, coaching and inventing.

I'd invite you to find out more about all of that at: MitchMatthews.com.

Lastly... A HUGE thanks!

So... thanks to you for checking out the BIG dream gathering... for dreaming BIG and for believing in other people's BIG dreams too! 

And thanks to ALL of the amazing people that have helped with making the BIG dream gathering possible... whether it's members of our Dream Team or the countless volunteers that have helped at the events!  We couldn't do it without you all!

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch

2008 Video Team

Okay... so as the BIG dream gathering grows and gets 1 year older... we have new additions to our "Dream Team."

Two of those incredible additions are Lucas Casey and Mike Cisney!

They joined the team after their youtube blockbuster "Alleyball" hit! 

They're now offering their talent to this year's BIG dream gathering with all sorts of creative video support! 

Here's their BIO in their own words:

If Martin Sheen ever makes a bid for the White House as Jed Barlet, you could probably find Lucas and Mike hot on the campaign trail hanging banners, registering voters and selling buttons.  Since that's probably not going to happen, you're more likely to see them playing Alleyball, laughing at their own jokes, and most importantly, dreaming BIG.  Lucas and Mike became friends while working together in the University of Northern Iowa admissions office and have been brainstorming ever since.  No they are pledging their creative abilities to make Big Dream Gathering videos. 

So if you see these two guys around, don't be afraid to tell them and their cameras about your BIG dream.  It might just come true.  Oh and by the way, these guys have regular jobs and lives too.  So here's their info in case you want to contact them.

Lucas is a government flunky at a suburban municipality by day.  He and his wonderful wife, Lindsay live in Windsor Heights, Iowa.  Lucas has been making the "talkies" (old school for movies) since he was in 7th grade.  You can email him at lucasjoncasey@yahoo.com.

Mike is the manager of a major bank downtown Des Moines and he's funny (first person ever to be described as a banker and funny).  His quick wit and comedic timing are matched only by his height - 6 feet 4 inches.  You can email him at mcisney@hotmail.com.

Mandy Van Maanen: On-site support and hosting

Mandy is helping to lead the team that's taking care of onsite stuff at the event itself.
You'll probably see her greeting... hosting... smiling... welcoming... and taking care of business.
Here's her bio...
Mandy is passionate about a lot of things, but making people feel welcome and inspired are just a couple of things, and that's why you'll find her helping BIG Dreamers feel welcome and at home when they enter the BIG Dream Gathering!  Outside of her passions for helping with the BIG Dream Gathering, Mandy enjoys running, biking and swimming and her favorite running companion is Theo, her big, slobbery Great Dane.  Outside of training for triathlons and runs she spends the rest of her time with her friends and family and is the Outreach Team Leader for Immersion, a late night worship for young adults in West Des Moines.  Her heart is for local and global missions and you have probably seen and heard about her mission trip to Africa, which was a literal DREAM COME TRUE for her!

Justin Wise: All things design

Justin Wise and Deviant Design provided the design genius behind the BDG.

Here's his bio:

Deviant Ministries was birthed out of a desire for the mystery of God, evidenced in Jesus, to become a lot less... well... Boring.  The contemporary Christian culture has drifted farther and farther away from becoming a relevant impact on society and more into a nice, neat, Sunday morning club that society, in general, has written off.

Deviant Design & Ministry (www.bedeviant.com) originally was started in 2003 as a clothing company, aimed at giving followers of Jesus something to wear that was visually exciting yet reflected deeply the beliefs that they hold.  Since its inception, Deviant has morphed into a design studio with a clothing line on the side.  With clients all over the Midwest, Deviant Design creates dynamic design pieces for businesses, churches, seminaries, and individuals, with designs including logos, imaging pieces, wedding invitations, t-shirt design and production and marketing materials.

Deviant Design is run by 26-year-old Justin Wise.  Justin lives in West Des Moines, Iowa with his beautiful wife, Kerry.  He is a seminary student at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul and is on staff with Immersion, a ministry in West Des Moines aimed at the postmodern culture.  He enjoys listening to music, drinking espresso, longboarding, and wearing flip-flops.  You can contact Justin at justin@bedeviant.com.

Brad Jorgensen: 2007 Film Production

Brad was in charge of all things... film production in 2007.

 

He was behind the camera in 2007!  He edited all of our videos.  Yup... He did it ALL!

He's a amazing guy and an incredible friend... and although he continues to be a great friend of the BDG... he's serving in different ways in 2008.

His videos are STILL important to us... and they help people's dreams live on!

Here's his Bio... in his own words:

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Oscar Wilde once said, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”. Whether that’s the case or not, my goal is to give people something visual that not only inspires, but reveals truth. That’s where Issachar Factor Productions comes in. The Men of Issachar were part of King David’s mighty army. Their role was vital because it was said that they were men who “understood the times…”

I love the quote that says, “There is no new news, only old news happening to new people.” So what does that say about us? Are we really that unoriginal? Only if we haven’t heard the old news before. So my dream is to make films that share cultural bedrocks with the world.  Things that have been “old news” for centuries. Things that we continue to do generation after generation. Things that unite us and reveal truths about who we are. I also want to be a part of the history that’s being written every day. My dream is to share with you my vision to invade the impossible…and in turn have you share yours with me. There’s an amazing movie in there just waiting to be made…

Issachar Factor Productions is owned and operated by me... Brad Jorgensen. 

I'm  a 30-year-old filmmaker who is a pharmaceutical representative by day.

I have lived in Des Moines for seven years. I have an amazing wife, Stacey who loves me well and knows how to encourage me and offer discernment. Together we have a 15-month-old daughter, Jensen, who lights up my life with kisses and amazing stories that I’m going to completely understand someday very soon. We also have a dog, Tag, who is the ambassador of love in our neighborhood. 

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You can contact Brad at issacharfactor@gmail.com.

Drew McLellan: Supplier of a freakishly cool space for our 2007 event... and he also continues to help on all things branding.

Drew has been one of the best surprises for the BDG. 

Within minutes of hearing about the vision for the second BDG... he offered his building as a location.  He also jumped in by helping us navigate all things media.  He's been incredible to work with... and he's pretty dang funny too.

Here's his bio:

Drew McLellan gets branding and marketing and he desperately wants you to get it too.

So he tells stories, asks questions, and milks sacred cows. All to help clients discover their brand so they can create authentic love affairs with their customers.

Drew has not only survived 20 years in the advertising and marketing arena, he’s thrived in it.  After working for several other agencies, including Young and Rubicam’s CMF&Z, Drew created McLellan Marketing Group in 1995.

Considered a national branding expert, Drew is a highly sought after speaker and has given about a zillion presentations at national conferences, key note addresses, training for his peers in the profession, college students and even his daughter’s eighth grade class. 

Over the years, Drew has lent his expertise to clients like Nabisco, IAMS pet foods, Kraft Foods, Meredith Publishing, John Deere, Iowa Health System, Make-A-Wish, University of Central Florida, SkiDoo and a wide array of others. 

When he’s not out preaching the good word of marketing & branding at work and on his blog Drew's Marketing Minute,  Drew spends time with his family and pondering why the Dodgers can’t seem to get back to the World Series. 

Drew has a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota but alas, he cannot remember their fight song.