XL Summit 2025 included a focus on connections, generations, and reflections—a framework for dealing with the fragmented state of workplace ministry; cultivating cross-generational understanding; and calling Christians to actively live out their faith in their daily work—and doing so with greater depth and impact.
To start, Proudfit shared how the faith-at-work "supply chain" is deeply fragmented, with churches, seminaries, workplace ministries, and city movements often operating in silos, leaving most working Christians without meaningful spiritual support in their daily vocations. In contrast, AWOP has spent over two decades building a distinct, relational network in Cincinnati that bridges these divides. The Summit called for renewed focus on connection and collaboration across all expressions of the Church, so that ultimately, the body of Christ can be fully mobilized.
Two interview panels further explored the themes of connections and generations. The first featured local pastors working together on a citywide initiative to integrate faith-and-work programming into Greater Cincinnati churches. The second panel centered on the growing Refire Ministry, a movement to help retirees find renewed vocational purpose and service opportunities during retirement.
The Refire Ministry is one example of how AWOP has recognized the challenges of work life, and how those evolve over time, from early career to retirement and beyond. "We have observed through our AWOP members that we go through stages of work life," said Proudfit. He continued: "The young professionals struggle tends to be calling versus career. The experienced professionals are struggling through mastery versus mediocrity. The veteran professionals are looking at significance versus success. And the re-fired professionals are looking at legacy versus leisure," added Proudfit. The Summit highlighted the importance of addressing the unique spiritual and professional needs at each life stage, while also advocating for stronger multi-generational relationships within the workplace.
Next, Dr. Bill Peel, an award‑winning author, speaker, and global leader in the Faith at Work movement, co‑founder of the Global Faith at Work Summit, and Founder of 24Seven Faith/Center for Faith & Work, was welcomed on stage. Peel reflected on the history of the Global Faith at Work Summit and offered a glimpse into the 2026 gathering, which will be hosted in Cincinnati. "I see the Cincinnati gathering as the most pivotal so far, because it will catalyze faith at work momentum globally on a continuing rather than intermittent basis."
Peel was followed by Dr. Eric Swanson, author, speaker, and advisor on city transformation, who was presented with the Transformation Trailblazer Award before delivering a keynote address on Kingdom in the Workplace. His message focused on practical steps for integrating Christian faith in everyday work contexts. "Working Christians are in the business of building a flourishing world, and when we understand this, it reframes everything about our everyday occupations."
Also returning to the main stage was speed painter Mark Thesken, who debuted his new piece "Flourishing Cincinnati", the second in what was announced as an annual collection exploring faith in the workplace.
Three "activation lunches" closed the formal program, allowing attendees to go deeper in three key areas: Faith at Work in the Local Church; the Refire Movement for those retired from careers but seeking further vocational service; and/or Cincinnati City Transformation: The "For Cincinnati" Initiative.
AWOP also made the major announcement that Cincinnati has been selected to receive a $435,000 grant as a pilot city for CityServe (which was further explored in the "For Cincinnati" breakout lunch). Through a hotline staffed by trained volunteers, with CityServe, individuals in need can share their stories and be met with genuine, real-time care. These volunteers then connect people in crisis directly to local resources that can help, reflecting a new level of cross-sector collaboration in Cincinnati. "For more than two decades, we've dreamed of a day when Christian leaders, across our city, would come together in true partnership, and CityServe is helping make that into a reality," said Proudfit. "Being chosen as a pilot city also reflects what's already happening here in Cincinnati: connection and collaboration to serve people in crisis with compassionate care."
As Proudfit shared in closing at the Summit, "The citywide model for workplace ministry has come of age. At Work on Purpose will continue to organize and mobilize working Christians for vocational and cultural flourishing, both in Cincinnati, and in other partnering cities around the world."
About At Work On Purpose (AWOP)
At Work On Purpose is a pioneer in the workplace ministry movement, advancing the citywide workplace movement around the world. Headquartered in Blue Ash, Ohio, more than 15,000 working Christians from the private, public, and social sectors are a part of the AWOP community in Greater Cincinnati alone, with thousands more in the AWOP network globally. For more information on AWOP and its specific initiatives, visit http://www.atworkonpurpose.org or call 800-513-9580.
SOURCE At Work on Purpose
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