Craig Springer, director of strategic initiatives for Gloo, died unexpectedly on Friday, Aug. 1.
According to its website, Gloo is a technology platform that aims to connect the faith ecosystem.
Springer was the executive director at Alpha USA before becoming Barna Group’s vice president in 2022 and later transitioning to his position at Gloo in 2024.
Kinnaman continued, “His passing is utterly shocking and tragic. It reminds us of the thin string between this life and the next.”
Kinnaman shared that Springer’s “friendship, integrity, and passion for Jesus touched countless lives.” He added that Springer “served as a pastor, author and ministry leader who championed every possible effort to help people to know and to love Jesus. He also poured out love for his family and embraced adventure in his adopted state of Colorado.”
Kinnaman continued:
His professional journey took him to the highest elevations of leadership. He worked at Willow Creek Church, Cherry Hills Community Church and planted a church with his wife, Sarah, in the Czech Republic. For many years, he served as executive director of Alpha USA, where he commissioned Barna to conduct the landmark Reviving Evangelism project. His books How to Follow Jesus and How to Revive Evangelism reflected his mission and hard-won insights about motivating people toward Christ.
When Springer joined Barna Group, Kinnaman said that Springer’s “positive attitude, unwavering encouragement, relational leadership gifts, and servant mindset were instrumental to me, our team, and our clients—helping me to grow as a leader following my own bereavement.”
Springer leaves behind his wife, Sarah, and their two teenage children, Isaiah and Isabelle.
Barna Group’s CEO asked people to pray for the Springer family and shared a GoFundMe link that was set up to help the family.
