'A wake-up call for courage and community'  

Andy Glover reports from the Fresh Streams Vision Summit 2025

There was a tangible sense of expectation as over 50 leaders gathered at Rising Brook Community Church, Stafford, on 19 June for the 2025 Fresh Streams Vision Summit—a day marked by worship, encounter, honest conversation, and a shared hunger for God’s voice in this moment. 

The day began with a powerful devotional reflection on Romans 13:11, “The hour has come for you to wake from your slumber.”

This set the tone for everything that followed. Leaders were reminded that the Spirit’s invitation to “Wake Up” is not a rebuke, but a loving call—urgent, timely, and full of grace. It’s a call to renewal, to deeper dependence on God, and to courageous obedience in a world crying out for hope. The devotional challenged leaders not just to feel awakened, but to act—to dream again, to risk again, and to follow God wherever He leads, even into the unknown. 


What we cherish about Fresh Streams 

Throughout the day, leaders reflected on what makes Fresh Streams unique: a network that is Spirit-led, relational, courageous, and rooted in the Word. One leader described it as “a place to find your tribe… where you NEED the Spirit all the time and NEED people around you.” 

Many spoke with deep gratitude for the spaces that Fresh Streams has cultivated—the conference, theology school, and regional/national gatherings—that have become safe places to process tough issues, be ministered to, and be reminded that vulnerability is not weakness, but a gateway to authentic ministry. 

A notable theme was “kingdom collaboration”: an active, relational way of working that honours others and creates generous space for difference. As one delegate said, 'Fresh Streams is known not just for its values—but for living them out. Whether honouring Lynn Green as our General Secretary or giving courage to leaders like Ruth Rice (Renew Wellbeing), it was clear that this is a movement where “talk” becomes practice.'


Renewed vision, shared values 

The leadership team introduced a refreshed Vision and set of Values, framed by two key statements: 

Fresh Streams is a Word and Spirit movement giving courage to leaders and leadership teams, to impact the nation for Jesus. 

We do this by helping leaders follow Jesus with courage and authenticity—being rooted in His Word, alive in His Spirit, and released for Kingdom impact. 

The seven core values that shape the Fresh Streams culture were unveiled, each echoing the heart of the devotional call to awakening: 

• We hold space for Encounter (Presence) – creating open, Spirit-filled spaces, not manufacturing moments. 
• Go Deep to be Changed (Word) – letting Scripture transform us, not just inform us. 
• Live What We Lead (Formation) – prioritising who we are in Christ before what we do. 
• Be as We Belong (Belonging) – showing up in vulnerability, unity, and mutual encouragement. 
• Build Circles, Not Stages (Baptistic Postures) – shared leadership, rooted in trust not titles. 
• Expectant Faith, Obedient Courage (Courage) – not playing it safe, but taking brave steps in mission. 
• We Collaborate for the Kingdom (Partnership) – open-handed partnership that multiplies impact. 

Strategic priorities with new energy 

The five core priorities received renewed focus: 

• Releasing the Full Spectrum of Leadership – making space for all whom God calls 
• Pioneering, Planting & Mission – Spirit-led innovation beyond the familiar. 
• Emerging Generations – building whole-church discipleship environments for families and students. 
• Releasing a Holy Spirit Culture – churches where the Spirit’s presence is welcomed and followed. 
• Prophetic Presence – not just hearing God, but living justly, embodying the Kingdom. 

Conversations during the day asked: Are we quietly courageous? Or is it time to be more visible, more pioneering, more prophetic?

There was a call to celebrate experimentation—to take brave steps, share stories of risk, and embrace even the possibility of failure as part of spiritual growth. 


A movement for this moment 

A highlight of the day was the launch of the new Fresh Streams website (freshstreams.net) which reflects the clarity and conviction with which the movement is stepping into this next season. 

The Vision Summit made it clear that Fresh Streams is not just a conference or network—it is a family on mission. A family being awakened by the Spirit. A family daring to dream again. A family saying “yes” to God’s invitation to lead with courage, humility, and holy expectancy. We’re stepping into the future with expectant faith and obedient courage, linking arms to multiply Kingdom impact. 

As the opening devotional reminded us: 

'God is not awakening us just so we can enjoy His presence. He’s awakening us to partner with His purposes.' 

And that, perhaps, is what Fresh Streams is really about: a movement of leaders and churches who are learning to wake up, rise up, and walk faithfully into the new thing God is doing in our nation. 

  

Andy Glover is Team Leader of Fresh Streams and HBC Chester 

 

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