Meet the people that are part of Unity Rising
 

Rev. Kristin Powell is the founding minister of Unity Rising, a spiritual-adventure-travel ministry, and the senior minister at Unity Center of Columbia in Columbia, Missouri. She is committed to fully awakening to her Divine nature while inspiring and supporting others to do the same. Kristin shares an open heart and an adventurous and peaceful spirit. She believes that internal and external journeys are best made together and when both landscapes are in harmony we are truly home.

Cynthia Wilson Cynthia has been with Unity Rising since the inception and is on the founding Board of Trustees.  For the past eleven years she has served at Unity School of Christianity world headquarters.  As a Licensed Unity Teacher with a focus on prayer, she has served as a Chaplain at Unity Temple on the Plaza and is currently on the Prayer Team.  She is an inspirational speaker and spiritual leader with a gift for bringing creativity and good humor along on the journey of life.  She recently discovered a simple and profound peace in Assisi, Italy, as well as a renewed appreciation for the Silence.  This has lead to a passion to share this sacred inner and outer place of peace with as many people as possible.
 

Rev. Gary Langston (Red Bear Who Sees All Worlds) is a Shamanic counselor and ordained minister in the Kansas City area. His apprenticeships with native teachers from several traditions, his tribal membership in the Northern Cherokee Nation and his natural intuitive abilities have served to direct Gary into his sacred work as masterful healer and facilitator. Gary moves from the heart into work with youth, teens and adults, empowering them to embrace the gifts of their own hearts. He is co-creator of Buffalo Lodge and is a Pachakuti Mesa carrier. Gary maintains a private practice in Kansas City, works with local non-profits, and leads a variety of retreats and sacred journeys to all parts of the world.

The Birth of a Divine Idea

One thing I know is that my Divine purpose in life is to minister. I had been searching for the right form of ministry for about a year and I sensed that it would be something unconventional -- I just didn’t know what. Much as I struggled with it I knew the only true answer was to wait for Spiritual guidance. Finally one day I was sitting in meditation and the message came to me “lead bike rides around the world”. It seemed odd to me and that assured me it came from Spirit because it definitely wasn’t an idea my personality self would have thought of as ministry.

After the meditation I remembered the experience I had on the AIDS Ride in 1996. Although nothing about it was labeled spiritual and no one talked spirituality in particular, the ride, and its preparation, were very spiritual experiences for me.  When I first heard about the ride I felt inspired. Is that something I could do? I doubted that I could ride that far.

Even though I was young and healthy (still am!) I just hadn’t ever ridden a bike beyond about 30 miles and some days we would bike more than 100 miles. I went to an informational meeting and discovered that a requirement of the ride was to raise $2,700 for AIDS research and patient care. Although I felt good about making a difference, I couldn’t fathom how I would raise that much money. Despite my fears, I forged ahead. For months I rode my bike in preparation and with ease I raised $3,600.

The ride itself pushed me beyond my boundaries too. I enjoyed every pedal, some in the moment, some after (like going downhill after a tough uphill climb!). My body responded with gratitude for the sunshine, grass, trees, open fields, and the constant motion of pedaling. The people I rode with were positive and inspiring. It was a rainbow of diverse backgrounds, ages, levels of preparation and ability. Together we were creating something much bigger than a bike ride or a contribution to charity. There was a tangible can-do spirit in the air that made me feel good about myself and hopeful about humanity. We were modern day heroes carrying out a challenging, fun, healthy, empowering task that made a difference in the world.

Imagine if we decided to consciously intend a spiritual experience along with this kind of physical challenge and contribution to the world? That is, in essence, the spirit of Unity Rising.

Blessings,
_______________________________________________________________Rev. Kristin Powell