How It All Began

In 2016, it all began with a word; Proximity. I began seeing that there was a clear dividing of lines within the individual gospel-centered communities around the country. In all of this what broke my heart the most were the communities of Christ-followers and how we were responding to each other in moments of difference. Brothers and sisters weren’t talking to each other, instead, we were yelling past and at each other... Taking sides and retreating to our individual corners. Very little listening, empathizing or mourning with one another, just fighting. There is indeed an impact that this can have on the body of Christ and its impact can impact our Christian Witness. The Christian Witness refers to the public testimony that the members of Christ’s body, the organized and collective community of Christ-followers,, known as the Church, have shown historically and presently to the communities around them.. It also refers to what is commonly understood about the Church, the faith of its members, and our God by those around us.


  • Founder

    Dr. Corey L. Gaston, is passionate about finding strategies that catalyze organizational success. He seeks to detect and strategize ways by which organizations and leaders can effectively maximize their resources that best serve teams and the overall organization. In doing so, he leverages broad experiences from over 20 years in management, school administration, counseling, executive coaching, and mentoring across diverse backgrounds, organizationally, socially, and culturally.

    Corey is a native of Harrisburg, North Carolina and attended the local schools in his county. After graduation from high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps as a Marine Musician and traveled the world supporting troops both stateside and abroad. Upon being honorably discharged, he enrolled in college and there he met his wife, Laura. They were called into ministry and have served in that capacity in some fashion for the entirety of their marriage. They have been married over 20 years and have four beautiful children together.

    The word “proximity”, according to Merriam-Webster, is “the quality or state of being proximate: closeness”. Many assume this only addresses the distance from one point to another, but they would miss a much broader and deeper meaning of the word. Proximity focuses on how close you do or do not find yourself to others within your community, churches, neighborhoods, civic organizations, etc..., the relationships that do or do not exist and some thoughts that may help bring you closer to others. The work of Proximity is Kingdom work designed to close gaps that present themselves within organizations, and specifically the body of Christ. The gospel has always been purposed to draw us closer, with hopes of drawing those not in a relationship with Christ, closer to that point because of the witness of unity.

    Corey earned a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree with an emphasis on Organizational Change from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Clarks Summit University in Clarks Summit, PA, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Freedom Bible College in Siloam Springs, AR.

    When not thinking about thinking, you can find Corey at a local coffee shop with family or friends.