LIFT UP YOUR EYES
2025 Conference Theme

Abram's journey to the Promised Land had not at all been easy. Blessings and promises remained unfulfilled. There were tribal disputes... Family had left him... Had he foolishly walked away from all that he had for only a promise of what might be someday?

Following the departure of Lot, Abram would have felt abandoned and alone. Not surprisingly, it was right then that God drew near, led Abram to the top of a mountain, and challenged him to not give into fear or doubt:

“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.” (Genesis 13:14–15)

Think about it: When we lose hope, it often shows in our eyes, face, and posture. So, God encourages Abram to lift up his eyes because Abram was looking down. Then, by asking Abram, “How far can you see?” God inspired him to look beyond present circumstances to the future with hope... To set aside lingering fear or doubt and press on in faith.

So, what about you?

In pursuit of a healthy multiethnic and economically diverse church, are there times you feel abandoned or alone? In recent years:

• Have you felt misunderstood or misjudged?
• Have people left your side, called you crazy, and returned to more comfortable homogeneous churches?
• Has fear of failure flooded your mind?
• Have you considered giving up and returning to more familiar vocational territory?

The fact is, you’re not crazy or alone! With the release of the groundbreaking book, Divided By Faith (2001) God launched a 100-year Movement that is bringing diverse people together to walk, work, and worship Him as one in local churches beyond the distinctions of this world that otherwise keep us divided.

In 2025, then, pioneers and practitioners like you will again gather to consider progress to date and what lies beyond this significant milestone, 25 years into a 100-year Movement that is establishing churches for all people, not just some people, on earth as it is in Heaven... All for the sake of the Gospel. (Revelation 7:9)

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