October 31–November 2, 2025 | New York City & Online
The new administration has begun advancing a legislative agenda that threatens the moral fabric of our nation. With policies that endanger immigrant communities, dismantle civil rights, and embolden systems of exclusion, we are witnessing a deliberate rollback of justice under the banner of power and control.
What are we called to do in a time such as this?
We will not meet the rise of white Christian nationalism with silence or compliance.
Now is the time for people of moral courage, spiritual imagination, and radical love to come together. A multiracial, multifaith, intergenerational movement must rise—committed to justice, compassion, and strategic resistance.
We have been here before. And we know what it takes. It takes vision. It takes a Sankofa memory that reaches into the past to retrieve what is good and true. It takes prayer, persistence, the wisdom of our elders, and the audacity of our youth.
Now is the time.
We must respond to the Fierce Urgency of Now—because, as Dr. King warned us, there is such a thing as being too late.
The swift and dangerous dismantling of human rights under this administration has revealed the plain truth: Our nation is deeply divided on what it means to be human on the planet in relationship to our neighbors. Is this a democracy? And what must people of faith do to build a more just society, no matter who is holding elected office? At this critical crossroads, people of moral courage and fierce love are called to rise to the challenge that just love demands. Together, we must protect the vulnerable, fight for justice, and commit to healing our nation.
The time to act is NOW!
On October 31st - November 2nd, join Middle Church and Freedom Rising this fall for The Fierce Urgency of Now, a transformative conference that brings together preachers and poets; activists, and artists; and leaders with spiritual yearnings across disciplines to confront systemic oppression and envision a path forward.
The Voices of Now
These are the bold voices leading the charge for justice, liberation, and radical love. Prophets, activists, and truth-tellers, they are answering the fierce urgency of now with faith and action.
What to Expect
Plenaries
Engage in thought-provoking discussions with leading voices in politics and theology.
Panels
Dive into dynamic and faithful conversations featuring influential voices.
Art & Spirituality
Immerse yourself in vibrant art and fellowship, connecting with people from all over the world.
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WE DESERVE POLITICAL SYSTEMS THAT NURTURE ABUNDANCE AND THRIVING. IF WE JOIN TOGETHER, WE WILL WIN THEM.
-Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis