Craig Rose: Bridging Faith, Freedom, and the Future of Wellness

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“I believe anything is possible.”

Craig Rose, also widely known as Craig Gross, is a visionary entrepreneur, spiritual innovator, and thought leader whose work sits at the dynamic intersection of faith, wellness, and emerging plant technologies. With more than three decades of professional experience, Craig has built a career defined by bold thinking, cultural disruption, and a deep commitment to helping individuals explore personal transformation through both ancient wisdom and modern innovation. His journey reflects a rare ability to bridge traditionally opposing worlds—religion and cannabis, structure and freedom, doctrine and discovery—while fostering meaningful dialogue and measurable impact.

Craig’s professional path began at the age of sixteen, when a formative trip to Venezuela in 1992 ignited his dedication to full-time Christian ministry. This early immersion into faith-based leadership laid the foundation for his lifelong focus on service, outreach, and communication. Over the years, he became a recognized voice within religious communities, speaking on prominent stages and connecting with audiences that would eventually total over one million people. His early career demonstrated not only his commitment to faith but also his natural ability to lead movements and influence cultural conversations.

As his career evolved, Craig expanded his reach beyond traditional ministry by founding XXXchurch.com, an initiative that addressed difficult and often stigmatized topics within faith communities. Through this venture and others, including Fireproof Ministries, he developed a reputation for tackling complex social issues with honesty, creativity, and compassion. These early entrepreneurial efforts established Craig as a leader unafraid to challenge norms while maintaining a strong ethical foundation, a characteristic that continues to define his work today.

Over time, Craig’s personal experiences led him to reevaluate long-held beliefs and explore new pathways to wellness and spiritual growth. His discovery of cannabis and plant medicine as tools for healing marked a pivotal shift in his life and career. Rather than retreat from his faith-based roots, Craig chose to integrate these experiences into a broader, more inclusive perspective. This evolution gave rise to Christian Cannabis, a groundbreaking platform designed to remove stigma and create a safe, values-aligned space for individuals exploring plant-based wellness within religious contexts.

Through Christian Cannabis, Craig emerged as a pioneer in a highly nuanced and often controversial space. His work reframed the conversation around cannabis within Christian communities, shifting it from one of prohibition to one of thoughtful consideration and personal responsibility. By addressing what he identified as a “permission gap,” Craig enabled individuals to explore questions they previously felt unable to ask, ultimately fostering greater openness and understanding. His leadership in this area has had a lasting cultural impact, particularly as societal and legal perspectives around cannabis continue to evolve.

Building on this momentum, Craig co-founded Spiritual Plants, where he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he leads the development of a broader ecosystem designed to re-sacralize plant medicine and align it with diverse cultural and spiritual frameworks. Under his leadership, Spiritual Plants operates as more than a business—it is a movement that integrates product innovation, community engagement, and philosophical exploration. Through strategic brand development and partnerships, Craig has positioned the organization at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry.

Craig’s influence extends beyond entrepreneurship into thought leadership and authorship. With more than seventeen published books, he has contributed extensively to discussions on faith, culture, and personal growth. His writings, combined with his extensive speaking experience, reflect a consistent ability to translate complex ideas into accessible and relatable insights. This skill has allowed him to connect with audiences across a wide spectrum, from traditional religious communities to progressive wellness circles.

Internationally, Craig’s experiences have further enriched his perspective and leadership approach. Having traveled over three million miles and visited more than twenty countries, he has engaged with diverse cultures, philosophies, and practices. These global experiences have shaped his understanding of spirituality as a universal pursuit, informing his work and enabling him to build bridges across cultural and ideological divides. His ability to integrate global insights into practical applications is a key strength he brings to any leadership or advisory role.

In addition to his entrepreneurial and thought leadership achievements, Craig has demonstrated a strong commitment to experiential wellness. He has facilitated plant-based spiritual retreats and ceremonies for hundreds of participants, creating environments focused on healing, introspection, and personal growth. These experiences underscore his dedication to not only discussing transformation but actively guiding others through it, reinforcing his credibility as both a leader and practitioner in his field.

Craig’s leadership style is grounded in authenticity, compassion, and a willingness to evolve. He thrives in collaborative environments and is particularly drawn to working with startups and entrepreneurs who are seeking to innovate and challenge the status quo. His ability to combine strategic thinking with creative execution makes him a valuable asset in board and advisory roles, where his insights can help organizations navigate complex cultural and market dynamics.

At his core, Craig is driven by a belief in possibility—the idea that individuals and organizations alike can transcend limitations and create meaningful change. This philosophy is reflected not only in his professional endeavors but also in his personal interests, which include music, travel, and community engagement. His life and career serve as a testament to the power of curiosity, courage, and conviction in shaping both personal and collective transformation.

Craig Rose continues to seek opportunities to serve on boards where he can contribute his unique perspective, support visionary leaders, and participate in building the next generation of impactful organizations. With a proven track record of innovation, influence, and integrity, he stands as a compelling candidate for organizations looking to navigate the evolving intersections of wellness, culture, and technology.

Character:
Craig demonstrates a deep commitment to authenticity, consistently aligning his actions with his values even when navigating controversial or emerging spaces. He approaches challenges with empathy and integrity, ensuring that his work serves both individuals and broader communities. His willingness to evolve and embrace new perspectives reflects a resilient and growth-oriented mindset.

Knowledge:
He brings a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge spanning spirituality, wellness, entrepreneurship, and cultural dynamics. His extensive experience as an author, speaker, and founder enables him to synthesize complex ideas into actionable insights. He continuously expands his expertise through global exploration and hands-on leadership in emerging industries.

Strategic:
Craig possesses a strong ability to identify cultural shifts and position himself and his ventures at the forefront of those movements. He has successfully built and scaled organizations by aligning vision with execution and fostering strategic partnerships. His forward-thinking approach allows him to anticipate trends and guide organizations through evolving market landscapes.

Communication:
A highly effective communicator who has reached over one million people through speaking and written work. He excels at translating complex and sensitive topics into relatable, accessible narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. His communication style fosters trust, encourages dialogue, and inspires meaningful engagement.

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Kacey Card
Kacey Cardhttps://boardsi.com
Kacey Card is an accomplished editor at Leadafi, bringing a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling to the team. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he graduated with a 3.8 GPA. Kacey has honed his skills in content creation, editing, and digital media, ensuring that every piece of content meets the highest standards of quality and engagement. At Leadafi, he is dedicated to crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers and drive the publication's mission forward. His commitment to excellence and innovative approach to editing make him an invaluable asset to the team.