We exist to raise up wholehearted disciples of Jesus.

The Cageless Birds is a missional community, ministry, and small business in the heart of North Carolina. We were founded by Jonathan & Melissa Helser in 2013 and have fallen in love with pouring out our lives with Jesus in ministry. We are devoted to discipleship, community living, worship, and creativity year-round. Seeing sons & daughters experience a head-on collision with the love of God is our great reward.

Discipleship

We live, work, and host our discipleship programs, known as the 18 Inch Journey, on our 52 acre campus in the Sophia, NC. Our schools, retreats, and camps are devoted to the process of living a wholehearted, connected, and Holy Spirit-empowered life. Our passion is to impart what it means to move beyond head knowledge about God into truly experiencing Him in daily life. We love to equip people with rhythms and tools to encounter the Lord and experience the transformation that happens in community.

Our Creative Collective

The Cageless Birds is also a creative collective made up of over 30 artists and creatives, with work ranging from songwriting, pottery, videography, leathercraft, construction, writing, coffee roasting, art & design, and more. Our mission is to be an authentic community of artists and musicians who create out of wholeness and inspire the world into connection with God. Our staff have spent years studying and pursuing their creative crafts, and our goal is that the intentionality and beauty of God would be carried through our various creative expressions and departments. As a community of artisans, we come alive in writing books, recording original music, handcrafting leather goods and pottery, roasting coffee, and creating visual art to help support our growing families and the mission of our schools. We also host worship nights throughout the year.

We created our Cageless Birds Online Shop to share the overflow of our creative pursuits. When you buy from our Shop, your purchase supports our ministry and mission to disciple a generation into deep friendship with God. 

Our Campus & Story