2025: Rise Up

Rise Up 2025: Embracing God's Call for the New Year

As the calendar flips to a new year, we are met with fresh opportunities, new beginnings, and exciting adventures. The challenges and victories of 2024 are behind us, and as we step into 2025, we are reminded of God’s unwavering faithfulness. He has guided, sustained, and provided for us—and He will continue to do so.

For Home Church, 2025 is a particularly significant year. This May marks our 30th anniversary, a milestone that calls us to reflect on three decades of God’s goodness and provision. From humble beginnings with a small group of faith-filled people to a vibrant community impacting Torbay and South Devon, we have much to celebrate. Thirty years of preaching the gospel, serving our community, and seeing lives transformed for Jesus. Thirty years of highs and lows, learning and growing. And now, we hear God’s call to step into a new season of growth, influence, and responsibility.

The Call to Rise Up

Throughout Scripture, the age of 30 carries profound significance. David became king at 30. Joseph rose to power in Egypt at 30. Ezekiel was called to be a prophet at 30. Even Jesus began His ministry at 30. These moments weren’t coincidences but markers of God’s divine timing.

As a church, we sense that 2025 is our time to rise. Inspired by Isaiah 60:1-4, God’s call is clear: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” This is not a suggestion but a command—a challenge to step into maturity, significance, and the purpose God has for us.

Here are five lessons from Isaiah 60 to help us rise in 2025:

1. To Rise Is His Command and Our Choice

“Arise, Jerusalem!” This command leaves no room for hesitation. It’s not about our feelings or convenience but about obedience. We live in a world that often prioritizes comfort over calling. But rising up requires a decision—a choice only you can make. Will you answer His call or shrink back? As David Wilkerson said, “When God calls you to something, He’s not always calling you to succeed. He’s calling you to obey.” Success is God’s responsibility; obedience is ours.

2. We Rise to Shine

“Let your light shine for all to see.” Our rising is not about self-promotion but about reflecting the light of Jesus in a dark and broken world. Just as someone once rose to shine the light of Christ into your life, we are called to do the same for others. This light is not selective; it’s for everyone. We rise to shine for those who love us and those who don’t, for those who accept us and those who reject us.

3. We Rise with Him

“For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.” Rising can feel daunting. You might feel like the only light in a dark home, workplace, or community. But you don’t rise alone. God’s presence, power, and glory rise with you and cover you. When we step out in faith, we are not isolated; we are empowered by His strength and guided by His presence.

4. We Rise with a Promise

Isaiah 60:4 gives us a beautiful promise: “Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home.” As we rise, we do so with confidence in God’s promises. Sons and daughters—biological, spiritual, and new believers—will come home. They will need love, grace, and a spiritual family to journey with them. Are we ready to rise and be that home?

5. We Rise to See a New Perspective

“Look and see…” Rising changes our perspective. From our vantage point, we might struggle to see how God’s promises will unfold. But when we rise, we begin to see glimpses of His plan. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Even when we can’t imagine it, if God says it, it’s already in motion. Rising allows us to see what He’s always seen.

Letting Go of Baggage

What holds us back from rising? Often, it’s the baggage we carry—pain, unforgiveness, insecurity, fear, and more. These burdens weigh us down and make the thought of rising seem impossible. Yet Jesus died to set us free from these burdens. It’s time to let go of what He already paid for and step into the freedom and purpose He offers.

As we rise in 2025, we do so with faith, courage, and a commitment to God’s call. We rise to shine, to embrace His promise, and to see lives transformed. Home Church, it’s time to rise!

Food for Thought: 5 Questions to Consider

1. What is God calling you to rise up into this year? Reflect on areas of your life where He may be challenging you to step out in faith and obedience.
2. What baggage are you carrying that you need to lay down? Consider what might be holding you back from fully embracing God’s purpose for your life.
3. How can you shine the light of Jesus in your daily life? Think about practical ways to reflect His love and truth in your home, workplace, and community.
4. Are you ready to be part of the spiritual family that welcomes sons and daughters home? What steps can you take to create an environment of love, grace, and discipleship?
5. How can rising up change your perspective? Ask God to help you see situations and people through His eyes, trusting His higher plans and purposes.

Let’s step into 2025 with boldness, faith, and a commitment to rise and shine for His glory!

Jordan Williams, Senior Leader, Home Church.