About Citizen 7
Our Mission For Men For the City
Citizen 7 Indy empowers men in Indianapolis to develop authentic friendships through deep engagement while building an extraordinary city bursting with life. We are a vibrant network of men building mutual friendships as we find purpose, support, and opportunities for service.
Citizen 7 Indy empowers men in Indianapolis to develop authentic friendships through deep engagement while building an extraordinary city bursting with life. We are a vibrant network of men building mutual friendships as we find purpose, support, and opportunities for service.
Our Vision for The City
Our vision is to see Indianapolis transformed by the love of Jesus embodied in men actively shaping the fabric of our community through leadership and service. We imagine a city where men from diverse backgrounds take responsibility for this place, including their homes, work and business, neighborhoods, and beyond. A network of men who are knit together in spirit, whether they be close friends (strong ties) or not (weak ties), aligned, supporting, and having fun with each other in a culture of generosity and understanding. By fostering solid and meaningful connections, this overflow of love from this network will create a legacy of positive impact that resonates throughout Indianapolis and beyond.
Our vision is to see Indianapolis transformed by the love of Jesus embodied in men actively shaping the fabric of our community through leadership and service. We imagine a city where men from diverse backgrounds take responsibility for this place, including their homes, work and business, neighborhoods, and beyond. A network of men who are knit together in spirit, whether they be close friends (strong ties) or not (weak ties), aligned, supporting, and having fun with each other in a culture of generosity and understanding. By fostering solid and meaningful connections, this overflow of love from this network will create a legacy of positive impact that resonates throughout Indianapolis and beyond.
Our Core Values and Approach
We have seven core values that define our way of being with each other:
Community
We believe in the transformative power of in-person connection. We seek to foster a sense of belonging where every man feels valued, understood, and connected.
Integrity
Honesty and integrity guide our interactions, ensuring authenticity in our relationships and aligning our words with our actions.
Leadership
Leadership development is at our core. We empower men to lead with compassion, vision, and a servant's heart, making a difference in their families, workplaces, and communities.
Service
We bring awareness to local causes and leaders who positively impact Indianapolis, hoping to develop leaders who will multiply that impact.
Diversity
We embrace diversity, welcoming men from all backgrounds and beliefs. Our strength lies in our differences, and inclusivity enriches our community.
Faith
Our foundation is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We invite all men to explore and grow in their life calling, providing a safe community for spiritual growth and respectful dialogue.
Leadership Development
We are dedicated to our members' personal growth as they take responsibility for their “corner” of our city.
Driving Network Effects
Guided by these seven values, Citizen 7 unfolds its mission through a blend of intentional actions designed to create a supportive and vibrant network, a peer engagement platform that builds a beloved community:
Fostering Deep Connections
We establish environments where men can form meaningful relationships, share openly, and trust deeply through meals, parties, social events, neighborhood tours, and retreats. Our meetups, events, and smaller groups move beyond the typical surface interactions of networking groups to forge lasting friendships by creating personal messages of inspiration and emotion.
Encouraging Leadership and Service
We inspire men to engage actively in their families and communities, cultivating a spirit of servant leadership for the betterment of Indianapolis by making them aware of new avenues of service.
Stretching A Man's View Of What is Possible
Through discussions, events, retreats, and other fun gathering points, we want to stretch a man's vision of what is possible, both within their personal life with their time, talent, and treasure but also push our collective vision of what Indianapolis can be. We celebrate victories and are honestly learn from our defeats.
Creating a Consistent Cadence Of Fellowship
We love seeing the same faces many times over the year and in different contexts. A consistent cadence of meeting the same men, be it at a retreat, an event that's just for fun, or touring a neighborhood, is the seed of friendship within C7 and builds momentum.
Building an Inclusive Network
We strive to bridge divides like age and ethnicity to create a cohesive community, valuing diversity and promoting unity among men of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs around our core values. We are a broad network of weaker ties made up of smaller yet stronger tie networks that each man is already a part of.
The Result
As these values are embedded in daily actions of each man associated with C7, we will create a movement committed to living purposefully, serving generously, and leading by example, making Indianapolis a beacon of hope, fellowship, and transformation.
What Are We For? What Are We Against?
What We Stand For
What We Stand Against
Citizen 7 is unique, not only for what we stand for but also for what we consciously choose not to be:
- Anticipation – Men won’t want to miss out and will look forward to gatherings large and small. They won’t wait for others to convene; they will take the lead and gather others.
- Known and Loved – Men will be seen, known, and loved as made in God’s image, called to this time and place to be a part of something bigger than themselves, where they can give and not take, build and not destroy.
- Big and Small – Men from all walks of life, the powerful and the not-so-powerful, will delight in being knit together to create, build, and care for this place we call home.
- Makers, Not Takers — Do you have a track record of building, creating, sustaining, and producing good fruit? This is the most diverse network around, where we stand for cultivating what is good, true, and beautiful.
- Beautiful Collisions – Quantum fusion, serendipity, structured for wonderful surprises, a tapestry unfolding that no one can presently imagine.
- Catalytic Levers – Those who lead the network return energy to the network; leaders defer to the network as all network members assume their own stewardship of the network
- Huge personal ROI — This network consists of those too busy, too invested, too focused on their own calling, and too busy to be involved in ‘another thing’; this network enhances and scales each man’s influence with a commitment that the network will not waste one’s time, talent, or treasure.
What We Stand Against
Citizen 7 is unique, not only for what we stand for but also for what we consciously choose not to be:
- Not Just Another Networking Event: Our gatherings go beyond exchanging business cards. Instead of events that create transactional opportunities, our prayer is that your time at C7 creates transformational, covenantal friendships. We're creating a space for authentic connection and shared growth, where every interaction has depth and meaning.
- Not a Single-Demographic Group: Diversity is our strength. We actively seek to include men from all backgrounds, ages, stages of careers, and walks of life, believing every individual's unique story enriches our collective experience.
- Not Shy About Our Spiritual Foundation: We aren't shy about our love for Jesus and His heart for this city, but we're not exclusive regarding faith. Our community is a welcoming space for spiritual exploration, open to anyone on any faith journey or none at all.
- Not a One-Way Street of Giving: We believe in reciprocity in our relationships. Our community is built on mutual support, where wisdom is shared, and every contribution is valued. We want our Citizens to give as much as they take.
- Not a Traditional Service Organization: Our commitment to service goes beyond volunteerism. Instead of structuring ourselves around service projects, we aim to effect change in Indianapolis through intentional relationship-building, leadership, and awareness.
- Not Politically Motivated: We are a community that transcends political divisions and focuses on what brings us together rather than what could separate us. Our mission is unity and service, not political discourse, and we are apolitical.
- Not Closed to New Ideas: Not one person or group can know everything, so we welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage open, respectful discussions to pursue knowledge and wisdom. Our community thrives on exchanging ideas, believing that understanding and growth come from listening to one another.
The History of Citizen 7
The seeds of Citizen 7 were sown from a blend of inspiration, fellowship, and a desire to make a tangible impact in the community between Greg Enas and Don Palmer.
Greg and Don met 40 years ago through mutual friends while Greg was at Eli Lilly and Don at the family’s retail automotive business. Both friends had a heart for the city and were involved with various ministries like Oaks Academy, Young Life, and Wheeler Mission.
Over the years, Greg and Don recognized a shared passion for deepening men's relationships with one another and with God. This led to the formation of a small group called "Fruitful Walk," a gathering of nine men who committed to meeting for three hours a month. This group was more than just a social gathering; it was a space for vulnerability, support, and spiritual growth, where men navigated life's challenges together, from divorces and cancer diagnoses to personal and professional triumphs.
The idea for Citizen 7 was partly sparked by a desire to replicate the deep bonds and mission-focused fellowship they've experienced in Fruitful Walk on a larger scale and the Indianapolis Kaleo group - a giving circle of women, including Don's sister, who rallied to support urban ministries.
Greg and Don saw an opportunity for men to unite similarly. They envisioned a community where men could forge deep connections, rally around the needs of their city, and support one another in personal and spiritual growth.
Citizen 7 initially toyed with the name "Narnia" to capture the sense of divine movement within central Indiana and eventually found its identity through a formal branding process. The name Citizen 7 emerged, with the number seven symbolizing wholeness and completeness, reflecting the group's biblical roots and comprehensive mission.
At its core, Citizen 7 is about moving beyond individualism and rallying men around the shared mission of serving their city, inspired by the idea that "iron sharpens iron." The group focuses on facilitating deep connections across various divides—denominational, racial, socio-economic, and generational—creating a diverse community united in service and fellowship. Citizen 7 seeks to embody generosity, service, and intergenerational mentorship.
Greg and Don's shared vision has blossomed into a vibrant community of men committed to living out their faith, supporting one another, and positively impacting Indianapolis. Their journey from a small house church to the creation of Citizen 7 exemplifies the power of friendship, shared mission, and the belief that together, men can bring about transformative change in their community.
Greg and Don met 40 years ago through mutual friends while Greg was at Eli Lilly and Don at the family’s retail automotive business. Both friends had a heart for the city and were involved with various ministries like Oaks Academy, Young Life, and Wheeler Mission.
Over the years, Greg and Don recognized a shared passion for deepening men's relationships with one another and with God. This led to the formation of a small group called "Fruitful Walk," a gathering of nine men who committed to meeting for three hours a month. This group was more than just a social gathering; it was a space for vulnerability, support, and spiritual growth, where men navigated life's challenges together, from divorces and cancer diagnoses to personal and professional triumphs.
The idea for Citizen 7 was partly sparked by a desire to replicate the deep bonds and mission-focused fellowship they've experienced in Fruitful Walk on a larger scale and the Indianapolis Kaleo group - a giving circle of women, including Don's sister, who rallied to support urban ministries.
Greg and Don saw an opportunity for men to unite similarly. They envisioned a community where men could forge deep connections, rally around the needs of their city, and support one another in personal and spiritual growth.
Citizen 7 initially toyed with the name "Narnia" to capture the sense of divine movement within central Indiana and eventually found its identity through a formal branding process. The name Citizen 7 emerged, with the number seven symbolizing wholeness and completeness, reflecting the group's biblical roots and comprehensive mission.
At its core, Citizen 7 is about moving beyond individualism and rallying men around the shared mission of serving their city, inspired by the idea that "iron sharpens iron." The group focuses on facilitating deep connections across various divides—denominational, racial, socio-economic, and generational—creating a diverse community united in service and fellowship. Citizen 7 seeks to embody generosity, service, and intergenerational mentorship.
Greg and Don's shared vision has blossomed into a vibrant community of men committed to living out their faith, supporting one another, and positively impacting Indianapolis. Their journey from a small house church to the creation of Citizen 7 exemplifies the power of friendship, shared mission, and the belief that together, men can bring about transformative change in their community.
What is the Origin of the Citizen 7 Name?
The seven attributes below influence the Citizen 7 name and are derived from the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
The seven attributes below influence the Citizen 7 name and are derived from the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
- Faith: Believes that he has a vital role in something bigger.
- Love: Is big hearted and empathizes with the pain and struggles of others.
- Joy: Provides a vision for a brighter future and brings optimism and hope to others.
- Character: Humbly walks with God and stands firm in his convictions.
- Strength: Has the fortitude and perseverance to carry the torch in the face of adversity.
- Purpose: Is determined and passionate to make a real difference and responds positively to difficult situations.
- Selflessness: Dedicates his time, energy and resources to improve the lives of others in his city.
