You CAN Rise Above!
“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV)
Life often comes at us in waves—sometimes small and manageable, other times crashing and overwhelming. In those seasons, many of us are tempted to grit our teeth and “pull ourselves up by the bootstraps.” But the truth is, we were never meant to carry our struggles alone. God promises us His strength. And He often provides help through others who have walked the narrow road before us, learning through both victories and failures.
This conference was recorded in January of 2025 to start the year with hope and a strategy to overcome. We’ve gathered trusted leaders to share wisdom, biblical truth, and practical tools to help you navigate adversity, overcome the past, and live with renewed hope. This free conference is designed to encourage and equip you to move forward in faith.
What You’ll Experience
The Rise Above conference offers four powerful sessions, each led by seasoned leaders who speak from both personal experience and deep biblical insight. Together, they address three areas every believer needs for growth: healing from the past, persevering through adversity, and staying relationally connected even when life pushes us into “enemy mode.”
Session 1 – Rise Above Your Past (Marcus Warner
We all carry baggage from the past—wounds, regrets, or patterns we struggle to break free from. In this session, Dr. Marcus Warner (President of Deeper Walk) helps us look honestly at what we need to leave behind in order to move forward. Through Scripture and practical guidance, Marcus unpacks Christian tools for healing and growth.
You’ll learn how to:
- Recognize the burdens from the past that weigh you down.
- Take practical steps to release them through God’s power.
- Build healthy patterns that lead to greater wholeness and resilience.
This session lays a strong foundation, reminding us that we don’t have to be defined by our past—we can rise above it.
Session 2 – Rise Above Adversity (Marlene Allen)
Adversity is something no one escapes. Whether it comes in the form of loss, disappointment, health struggles, or relational challenges, hardship has a way of testing even the strongest among us. In this session, Marlene Allen (Executive Director of Life Model Works) shares her own journey of walking through life’s storms with God’s strength.
Drawing from Proverbs 24:10—“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small”—Marlene provides encouragement and practical tools for building endurance before, during, and after life’s storms.
You’ll learn how to:
- Cultivate strength before adversity strikes.
- Endure with hope and resilience while in the storm.
- Redeem your story by encouraging others after the storm.
Marlene’s message is a powerful reminder that, through Christ, we can rise above adversity—not by avoiding it, but by learning to walk faithfully through it.
Session 3 – Rise Above Enemy Mode (Jim Wilder)
All of us know what it’s like to be triggered into what Dr. Jim Wilder calls “enemy mode.” In this state, our brains switch off relationally—we become defensive, reactive, and even hostile toward those we normally care about. The danger of enemy mode is that we often feel justified, even when our words and actions are destructive
In this session, Jim Wilder (Founder and Chief Neurotheologian of Life Model Works) introduces tools for recognizing when we’ve slipped into enemy mode and, more importantly, how to get out of it. He provides practical steps for “returning to joy,” restoring connection, and living from our identity in Christ.
You’ll learn how to:
- Notice when your brain’s relational circuits have shut down.
- Reconnect with God and others even in moments of stress.
- Live securely in your identity as a follower of Jesus.
This session equips you with skills that will strengthen not only your walk with God but also your relationships at home, at work, and in ministry.
Session 4 – Helping Others Rise Above & Find Hope (Q&A Panel)
In the final session, Marcus Warner is joined by Eric Scalise (President and Chief Strategy Officer, Hope for the Heart) and Dawn Whitestone (Director, Deeper Walk School of Ministry) for a practical and engaging panel discussion. Together, they respond to live questions and share insights on how to help others walk in hope.
This interactive session highlights next steps, resources, and strategies for encouraging friends, family members, and those you serve in ministry. If you’ve ever wondered how to come alongside others in their struggles, this panel will equip you with real, actionable ways to help.
Who Is This Conference For?
This conference is for anyone who wants to:
- Find healing from past wounds.
- Build resilience to face present and future challenges.
- Grow in their ability to stay connected and loving, even under stress.
- Encourage others to rise above and live with hope.
It’s a resource for individuals, families, small groups, pastors, church leaders, and missionaries—anyone who longs to grow spiritually and relationally while walking through life’s challenges.
Why This Conference Matters
The challenges of life aren’t going away. But with God’s help, and the encouragement of His people, we can rise above them. Each session in this conference is designed not just to inspire you but to give you practical tools for daily life. You’ll walk away with:
- Encouragement from Scripture.
- Strategies for emotional and spiritual resilience.
- Skills for healthier relationships.
- A renewed sense of hope for the year ahead.
Share the Gift of Hope
Because this conference is freely available, it’s a resource you can easily share with friends, family, small groups, and ministry leaders. Whether you watch it together or encourage others to view it on their own, these sessions provide rich content for discussion, prayer, and growth.
So take some time to watch, reflect, and be encouraged. You can rise above—and you don’t have to do it alone.
