THE EMERGING SOUND 501(c)(3)
OUr MIssion:
The Emerging Sound is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising up people and songs that carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world.
Rooted in LaPorte, Indiana, the organization brings together historic preservation, community building, marketplace ministry, music, wellness initiatives, and extraordinary hospitality to cultivate environments where faith is lived out in everyday life.
Through education, training, stewardship, scholarships, and hands-on service to local churches, there is a single aim: a happy, healthy, and whole people—an emerging sound of life issuing house to house, across the street, and around the world.
A Living Ecosystem in LaPorte
The work of The Emerging Sound takes shape in LaPorte, Indiana, where several interconnected initiatives—many operating within the Good Folk family of brands—form a living ecosystem of hospitality, creativity, wellness, and community life.
The Old Ruth, a historic mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serves as a place of renewal and hospitality where guests of TurnAround Lifestyle, People & Songs, camps, retreats, and sabbaticals are welcomed and cared for as the personal guests of Darrin and Jennie Lee Riddle. At The Old Ruth they host God’s people and extend the hospitality that undergirds the work.
In downtown LaPorte’s Qualified Opportunity Zones, A Whole World of Good is a restored 10,000-square-foot historic building housing a gift store, dress boutique, mercantile, and craft coffee house.
Upstairs, the Upper Room provides a 3,000-square-foot Wi-Fi lounge and community gathering space that serves as a welcoming place for learning, connection, and collaboration within the community.
Directly across the street, Studio 7:14 serves as a center for wellness and restoration. Within Studio 7:14 are Mind the Truth, It’s Not Yoga, and the Apothecary.
TurnAround Lifestyle and Reclaim Health Spa operate as distinct programs with offices connected to Studio 7:14, while their guests are hosted residentially at The Old Ruth.
Together these spaces—alongside the wider Good Folk family of brands—embody a shared philosophy: good folk loving their neighbors and working shoulder to shoulder to cultivate healthy communities.
Annually, our Retreat and Summer Camp season comes around. The mission is to raise up people and songs that support, promote, sponsor, encourage, and aid in the gathering and spreading of the joyous news of Jesus to today's world through education, training, ministry, charities, and beyond.
The methodology is through songwriting, mentoring, and community building and collaboration. The goal is disciple-making and the unity of the Church at large.
After all, a song does have the ability to get us all on the same page at the same time; lifting One Voice, as One Church, to One King!
The vision is to see the Word of God written on the minds of all who would be songwriters as well as those who will ultimately sing the music we create.
We understand the powerful tools of meter, rhyme and melody; and we use them to engage memory and the oral tradition of life-changing testimony and biblical theology for a life time, to the Glory of God.
Our Purpose
The Emerging Sound is a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping and empowering the next generation of songwriters, worship leaders, and musicians. Our mission is to cultivate a creative community where young artists can develop their talents, deepen their faith, and use their gifts to inspire others. We believe that music has the power to bring people together and share messages of hope, and we are committed to providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities that help students grow both spiritually and artistically.
As part of our mission, we offer programs that foster hands-on learning and collaboration, including a songwriting camp designed for young creatives. This camp serves as one of the many ways we support emerging artists, providing an immersive experience where students can refine their craft, connect with mentors, and create alongside like-minded peers. However, our work extends far beyond a single event—we are continually investing in young musicians, offering guidance and support as they develop into confident leaders and skilled songwriters.
At The Emerging Sound, we are passionate about building a movement of worship-driven creativity. Our purpose is not just to run a camp but to create a lasting impact on the lives of young artists, equipping them with the tools, inspiration, and community they need to make a difference. Whether through songwriting, leadership development, or faith-centered mentorship, we are committed to raising up the next generation of musicians who will use their talents to bring light and encouragement to the world.
Good Folk
Good Folk family of bands are marketplace, for-profit ministries that sustain and amplify faith-driven initiatives through commerce, creativity, and hospitality. By launching and cultivating Kingdom-minded brands, we spark hope in lives while transforming spaces into hubs of connection, renewal, and inspiration.
Marketplace Ministries
New Nation Music Publishing
Home of Kingdom stewarded catalogs that preserve the integrity of biblically faithful, anointed music. We administrate, manage and distribute the songs of God’s songwriters for the purpose of revival and lasting legacy.
A Whole World Of Good
A marketplace ministry hub located in the historic LaPorte, Indiana’s Economic Development Zone, featuring a mercantile complete with a dress boutique, a gift store, a craft coffee house, an artisan home goods trove, a vintage wares lounge, and more. It is so much more than a retail space! A Whole World of Good is a home-away-from-home place to work, meet new friends, form community, and support missions. You too can do a whole world of good!
Turnaround Lifestyle
A 30-day Christ-centered residential wellness sabbatical designed for leaders, executives, pastors, and creatives facing health challenges. Our program integrates nutrition driven wellness, sabbath rest, and holistic healing and lifestyle protocols that help participants reset, recover, and finish their race with renewed strength.
Mind The Truth
A Christ-centered counseling initiative offering emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being services. Through biblical counseling, prayer, uncompromising truth and compassionate care, we serve individuals and families to navigate life’s challenges with faith, resolve and change.
The Old Ruth
A beautifully restored, historic 30,000 sq. ft. mansion on the National Historic Registry that serves as a creative retreat and conference center, as well as the corporate home for The Emerging Sound, 501c3 and the Good Folk family of brands. The Old Ruth provides a sabbatical sanctuary for Christian entrepreneurs, creatives, pastors and leaders to find rest, renewal, wisdom and inspiration to continue forward.
Studio 7:14
Studio 7:14, located in La Porte Indiana, offers a Christ-centered holistic approach to healing, restoration, and lifelong transformation through an array of services such as biblical counseling, FAR infrared saunas, It’s Not Yoga, PEMF and much more.
Music
People & Songs Label
A Christian music label committed to identifying, developing, and launching biblically faithful artists. We equip semi-and pro level “musicianaries” to share authentic, Christ-centered music and story-tellers to inspire, unite, and strengthen the global Church.
Turn Up The Lights
The "Turn Up the Lights" festival, hosted by Jennie Lee Riddle, is an uplifting celebration of music, faith, and community. Featuring powerful performances and inspiring worship, the event invites attendees to experience moments of connection, reflection, and joy, all while shining a light on the transformative power of faith and music.
Doorkeepers
The Doorkeepers are growing community of believers from churches across our city—watchers on the wall who pray, sing, create, and labor together for the good of La Porte.
About
Darrin and Jennie Lee Riddle
Jennie Lee Riddle is a talented songwriter and worship leader, best known for penning the award-winning song Revelation Song, and the founder of The Emerging Sound, a non-profit focused on equipping young songwriters and worship leaders. Alongside her husband, Darrin Riddle, a dedicated mentor and leader, they have built a creative community that empowers the next generation of artists to grow in their musical talents.
La Porte, Indiana
La Porte, Indiana, holds a special place in the heart of Darrin and Jennie Lee Riddle. In 2016, they moved The Emerging Sound Community to La Porte as it was the perfect setting. Jennie and her husband, Darrin Riddle, made La Porte their home, seeing it as the perfect setting for their ministry to thrive. The city, known for its small-town charm and rich history, became the foundation for People & Songs and The Emerging Sound’s headquarters. La Porte’s serene and welcoming environment offers a peaceful backdrop for creative work and community-building.
Commitment to
Reinvestment and Growth
As a matter of principle and core value, we habitually reinvest our resources—financial, creative, and operational—into advancing our shared mission. For the past two decades, Jennie’s songwriting royalties and Darrin’s corporate career have underwritten and fueled this vision, allowing the The Emerging Sound and Good Folk brands to flourish.
To expand the impact of this work, we are now seeking grants and partnerships to accelerate growth and sustainability. These resources will help us go further, faster, enabling our brands and programs to scale their efforts and ensure a lasting and transformative legacy for the Kingdom of God.
This structure and mission reflect our unwavering commitment to faith-driven creativity, community, and commerce, ensuring that both The Emerging Sound and Good Folk continue to impact lives and build the Kingdom of God for generations to come.
