2025 Conference Reflections

There is a spiritual high that comes from attending our conference. It comes from connecting with like-minded Christian creatives, praying together, sharing stories, and feeling the tangible presence of the Spirit among all those gathered believers. But as summer closes and life returns to normal, that spiritual high fades and starts to feel more like a spiritual mid. At times like this, we need to take some time to reflect and remember what God spoke to us about corporately and individually.

A New Season

As a community, we've been at this for twenty-three years, and I'm confident God has prepared some new things that we haven't seen before. It's part of a broader work God is doing in our world. One pastor described what he is seeing as a "surge of the spirit." So, if you take only one thing away from this post, let it be this: God is calling us into a new season and He wants us to be co-creators and co-laborers with Him in it.

New seasons bring new opportunities, but they also bring changes. Change can be scary, but it can also be exciting. Personally, I'm really excited about what is coming because I've started to see some of the pieces God is lining up. For example, I'm witnessing ministries stepping into gaming for the first time. I'm seeing God tear down silos and open up new doors for people in our community. He is changing people's hearts, including my own, and I see people following Him in ways they never would have a few years ago.

As an organization, we are going through some changes as well. As a board, we have spent the last seven months reviewing and refreshing our mission and vision. Out of that work, we launched a new website. We also introduced some new initiatives, such as partnering with Realm Makers and hosting our conference in the Midwest. As time goes on, more changes will come, all with the goals of reaching more people, creating deeper connections, delivering greater value for community members, and increasing the quality of our work.

All of these things are the result of God calling us into a new season, and in preparation, I felt like the Lord wanted us to walk through a series of questions. These are the questions we walked through together at the conference, and if you were in attendance, I encourage you to revisit your notes. For everyone else, take some time to consider each question and discuss it with the Lord prayerfully.

What is the Lord telling you about this season?

Looking back through my life, I can see how the Lord led me and my family through distinct seasons. Oftentimes, I stumbled into them without recognizing the season change going on around me or the importance of what God wanted to do during that time. Take some time to ask God what He wants to do during this season in and through you. Don't stumble into this season without being prepared.

Are you prepared?

Several years ago, I was praying for some things to happen in my life, and God asked me, "Brock, you keep praying for these things, but are you able to steward them?" The truth was, I wasn't prepared at that time. There were places I needed to grow and places God needed to do some surgery on me. Chances are, you're not entirely ready to steward what God is calling you into in this season—and that's okay. But take some time to listen and assess. Be honest about where you're at and ask God for help in those areas.

What is God asking you to put down?

Before you can walk into this new season, there may be some things that you are carrying that God needs you to lay down. It may be some hurts, disappointments, or failures you've been carrying. They've been weighing you down, sapping your joy, and diminishing your faith. It may be that your pride is getting in the way of what God wants to do. Or God might even be asking you to lay down a good thing in your life because it has become an idol. Whatever it is, lay it down at His feet, and give it over to Him. You can trust Him with it.

What do you need to pick up?

After you've laid down some things, God might ask you to pick up some new things. New seasons often require new habits and disciplines. Perhaps in this past season, you didn't prioritize your body's well-being, and now the Lord is calling you to take better care of your temple. He may be asking you to learn discipline through diet and exercise. This season may be the season you learn how to steward money or your time. You may need to learn some new skills, overcome a fear, or ship your game. He could be calling you to deeper relationships within the community and with Him.

I don't know what God is talking to you about, but I know what He has told me so far about this season, and I'm going to continue to seek Him throughout. If you don't feel like you have clarity, keep asking and keep pressing in. He has good things in store for individuals and our community as a whole, and whatever He has for us, He wants to do it together. So, share what God is talking to you about with people in this community, and let's help each other become the people God wants us to be, doing the work He calls us to.