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What dreams do you have?

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Every work of renewal begins with a dream...

OVERVIEW

We take seriously the reality that we have a God who speaks to us, and who gives us dreams of His Kingdom so that we might cultivate this world in ways that reflect His character and embody His glory. And we have seen first-hand the power of a community that shares this common vision and passionately collaborates toward that end, enlivened by the Spirit—the very breath of God. We are bringing people together to cultivate their ideas in a community that seeks the Spirit’s renewing power to turn dreams into reality.

The Dream Forum invites and encourages people to bring forth their ideas, their dreams, their visions. Through a process of curation by both qualified experts and the community as a whole, 8-12 individual Dreamers will be selected to form four-person “Dream Pods”, together receiving access to potential funding, as well as connections and resources to spur one another on and move from idea to the appropriate subsequent stage of development over the course of a communal 6-month journey.

And while the creation of the next world-shaping venture or thriving non-profit may be an outworking of this, it is not our primary goal. Rather, our hope is to encourage listening—listening to the Spirit of God, in community, as He invites us to take up the calling we’ve received—a calling to reimagine and remake our world with love.

Hear more from our Dreamers first-hand: Why a Dream Forum? and #InsidetheDreamPod.

KEY INFORMATION

OBJECTIVES

Cultivate kingdom-inspired ideas focused on rebuilding and renewing diverse areas of society towards greater cultural flourishing.

Equip dreamers with resources and a community committed to unleashing the dreams they’ve received into this world.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

This Forum is open to anyone who is inspired by a dream to change our world for the better.  

DREAM FORUM TEAM

Goldenwood in partnership with the Two Tunics Legacy Fund. 

KEY DATES

  • Application Submission Deadline: Apr 30
  • Dreamer Notification: May 6
  • Dreamer Commitments Due: May 11
  • Dream Pod Retreat (in-person, Princeton NJ): June 7-9*
  • Dream Pod Monthlies (1.5 hours, Thurs eve 7:30-9p EST, virtual): July 11, Aug 8, Sept 12, Oct 10
  • Two Trellis sessions (two-weeks of listening practices built into your daily routines): June 9-22 & Sept 29-Oct 12 
  • Dream Forum (hybrid, multi-part event): Nov 7, 14, 21
 
 
* The opening in-person retreat will be held in Princeton, NJ and will be a required part of this year’s Dream Cultivation journey.

2024 TIMELINE

Prospective Dreamers: Please review the process, including all key dates above, prior to applying. Scroll down to find an overview of the application and the submission form on this page.  Watch the video below for an introduction to the Dream Forum.

All dream proposals must be submitted by midnight on Apr 30 using the online form below.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “DREAM”? The concept of a dream is quite broad as they can happen while we sleep or while awake. They manifest in various forms, like visions, ideas, or stories. Yet, what the dreams we’re seeking have in common is that they have been seeded in our imagination by God’s Spirit to reveal aspects of God’s Kingdom. Although the precise significance of these dreams can take time to understand, they nevertheless ignite within us a sense of joy, excitement, purpose, and the hope of possibility as they enliven us with the reality of God’s abounding love and grace.

A selection panel reviews all submissions and curates the final group of Dreamers. All Dreamers commit to journeying together for 5 months (from June – Nov 2024), creating intentional rhythms of stillness and listening for greater spiritual discernment and dream cultivation.

For the first time, the Dreamers will articulate their dreams in a broader communal setting, with the opportunity to be matched with members of Goldenwood’s Dream Forum Committee and Advisory Board for ongoing coaching and collaboration. 

This dynamic gathering will provide the Dream Pods with feedback and wisdom from a broader community committed to Spirit-led renewal so that they might be launched forth with encouragement, new insights, and prayer. 

Starting with an in-person retreat together, the newly formed “Dream Pods” will begin a 6-month process of dream cultivation, capturing their dream stories and refining their narratives with coaching and guidance from our Cultivation Committee and the Goldenwood team. 

This communal journey includes rhythms of stillness and listening to God for themselves and for one another, spiritual direction, business coaching, and dedicated resourcing from the broader Forum network. 

The Dream Pods will spur one another on clarifying milestones and collaborating on next steps, receiving access to potential funding and connections to move from the idea stage to subsequent stages of development. 

Dreams aren’t just to be kept to ourselves but to be shared–that others might come alongside these dreams for continued development, mutual encouragement, and collaborative resourcing. Join us to hear how God has been cultivating the Dreamers + their Dreams over the last six months. Bring your skills, connections and resources alongside to participate in the Newness God’s Spirit is releasing into our world.

We’re extending this year’s Dream Forum across three nights and featuring four Dreams per night to create more space for honoring these incredible Dreamers and nurturing generative connections. Together, in Spirit-led community, we can cultivate new vision to help bring beauty, justice, and restoration to our world.

ARE YOU READY TO DREAM?

Deadline to Submit: Apr 30, 2024  Please review the Dream Cultivation timeline and key dates above. After submitting your responses using the form below, you will be notified around May 1. To update your submission, please resubmit all information.

Dreams, by definition, defy definition, yet what they often have in common is that they help us experience what is presently unseen.  They come to us or are given to us, and we have to decide what we do with them.  We know that some dreams come from God’s Spirit, and while it may be hard for us on our own to discern which dreams are from Him, community can play an important part in affirming this divine origin.  We hope that the Dream Forum Submission process begins to set the stage for this larger work of communal discernment and dream cultivation. 

We desire to cultivate a dreaming community that experiences the joy of embracing God’s invitation to be active citizens of His Kingdom in this world, bridging the realities of heaven and earth until they are finally and irrevocably united with the return of Christ.  The following affirmations excite us about God’s work in the world and the potential of dreaming together:

  • We take seriously the reality that we have a God who communicates to us, and who gives us dreams of His Kingdom, that we might cultivate this world in ways that reflect His character and embody His glory.
  • We are looking for dreams that affirm God’s generosity and abundance even in the midst of apparent scarcity.
  • We discern that God values things that our society may not, and He rewards those who live according to that faith.
  • We know it takes courage and conviction to expand and develop the space where dreams confront our reality.
  • We rest in the assurance that the future is determined not by our past, but by the promise of a new city that is to come.
  • We believe dreams are meant not just for the individual but many times are intended to be shared in community, that together we might glimpse the possibility of renewing change.
  • We trust that God’s Spirit mystically bonds individuals together to orchestrate a communal work of grace that is greater than the sum of its parts.

As you bring forth your dream, we encourage you to trust the Spirit’s leading, knowing He may take you to unexpected or perhaps unconventional places. The questions below are designed to help you explore your dream further, so even if what you have right now feels like a mere spark, dive in a bit further. There are no correct answers; instead, we hope you delight in the process itself as you listen to God for clarity and discernment. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@goldenwoodnyc.org. We look forward to hearing your dreams! 


The 2023 Dream Pods

Charlotte Crabbe

Charlotte Crabbe

Cultivate Vibrance
After a long and difficult season of leadership, I began to ask what was next for me. I dreamed of a faith-centered community that holistically invested in the lives of black women who lead. I envisioned a community of black female leaders where they are affirmed, they reclaim the true narrative of who they are, hold space for their soul care, are encouraged and celebrated especially because many are the “only” in their areas of leadership and influence.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Andy Peterson

Andy Peterson

The Justice Film Festival
The Justice Film Festival has existed for 10 years as a glorified side hustle on a shoestring budget with limited support and infrastructure. Since 2012, JFF has been dedicated to creating a platform for redemptive stories of marginalized people and ecosystems bravely overcoming challenges and bringing hope, compassion, and light to a world in need of inspiration. My dream is to turn it into a bona fide organization with a base of financial support and a team of allies devoted to insuring its long term future and success.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Liliia Chernytska

Liliia Chernytska

Establishing a Trauma Center in Ukraine
I dream about a place where people receive help independent of their social-economic status and where individuals can find healing and hope. I hope to not only make mental health care approachable but also invite churches to participate in care for underserved populations. I dream of helping to equip people and organizations with the crucial knowledge and skills necessary for working with wounded hearts. I came to study psychotherapy and trauma therapy in the United States with the hope of bringing this knowledge back to my homeland—even before a full-scale war broke out. Now the need for soul healing has become even more acute, and I can't wait to get back and start working with people.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Jason Brooks

Jason Brooks

Building AI to Bring Out the Best in Human Beings
My dream is to establish an AI startup that leverages the most powerful tools available to promote equity, inclusion, and self-awareness, while harnessing the collective power of human interaction. I am building a company that is using linguistics, psychology, and deep learning to bring out the best in human beings. Our vision is that this technology will become commonplace, fostering equitable, inclusive, and reflective discussions in schools, organizations, and institutions. My hope is to witness a world where a deep, profound, and abiding sense of belonging is normalized, and each person's contribution is unmistakably recognized and valued.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Daniel Chun

Daniel Chun

Reimagining Real Estate
From hosting friends in your home to having a meeting place for worship, I believe real estate is the lifeblood of human growth and community. Real estate can be leveraged in many ways and my dream is to help individuals and organizations reimagine the role it can play in their lives. At its essence, developing a property is a value creation process that nets profit in both the short and longterm. What I see God wanting to do is to point this value-creation machine towards purpose-driven endeavors that both make a profit (though maybe less) AND have kingdom purpose in terms of how real estate is developed and used.
Watch Dream Video
Ellen Choi

Ellen Choi

Producing Plant-Based Food & Dignifying Workplaces
The conception of my dream began with a question: how can survivors of complex trauma be affirmed and dignified in everyday life? By bringing human-centric design and trauma-informed practices to industrial workplaces, I aim to create manufacturing plants that take good care of people and the environment. To that end, I hope to found a product line of plant-based food and become a Certified B-Corp. My vision is to begin in South Korea to establish an economically and geographically logical anchor, then expand to emerging markets and underserved communities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Grace Swee

Grace Swee

Eradicating Homelessness as a Unified Body
I dream of a city where homelessness is a thing of the past, where poverty is eradicated, and where human beings aren't struggling to survive but dream. I hope to form a core group of believers from different churches who have the heart to address homelessness and poverty in the city. I see this group (of friends) as a coalition of representatives to unite churches in NYC towards greater compassion, and long-term solutions. It would also function as an outpost to gather and disseminate collective resources within the body.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Carney Burns

Carney R. Burns, Jr.

Sales Training for Marginalized Communities
Having raised a family of five children (four college graduates so far) over a 30-year career as a sales professional, I have experienced the power of a career in professional business-to-business sales. In my volunteer activities in prison re-entry ministries, I encountered people with the innate talent to be successful salespeople, but they were unaware of the career path to seize the opportunity. This discrepancy led me to start Faith Professional Sales Institute (FPSI) to train marginalized populations in the principles of professional selling as a way to develop successful, family-building careers.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Christine Evans

Christine M. Evans

Healing Persons and Communities Impacted by Sexual Harm
I dream of providing a safe and welcoming space for survivors of sexual harm to seek healing, accountability, and support outside of the legal system. In this space, their voices and stories are important and prioritized. Starting as a conflict resolution practice rooted in the principles of restorative and transformative justice, this space would center survivors, allowing them to determine what they need individually to heal and grow, while also lifting up the humanity and dignity of all persons involved in the harm. Once this practice has been established, I dream of bringing on partners and expanding the work to include education and training, community circles, mindfulness, as well as other modalities of growth and healing for all persons and communities impacted by sexual harm.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Mary Katrisiosi Baldwin

Mary Katrisiosi Baldwin

Designing Jewelry & Ending Human Trafficking
I want to combine my two passions: designing and creating strong, edgy jewelry and working with men and women in prostitution in the red light district of Athens, Greece, most of whom are victims of human trafficking. My dream is that my jewelry would send a message of empowerment as its boldness serves as a reminder of the strength and beauty of the wearer, while simultaneously shedding light on this dark reality in the city of Athens with a portion of the proceeds supporting these women financially through Nea Zoi, a non-profit organization that I work with.
Watch Dream Forum Video
Two women

Jane and Jill

Unlocking the Power of Community to Help Women Thrive After Trauma and Transition
Our dream is to help women overcome traumas and major transitions which knock them out of living in full purpose and flourishing. Our tools are (i) a new paradigm for allying women that takes into account trauma and healing (ii) technology to help them unlock community resources and hyper-local expertise.
Watch Dream Forum Video
brain-looking light bulb with new ideas emerging

What Dreams do YOU have?

Every work of renewal begins with an idea, or perhaps, even before the idea comes a dream… While every person has the capacity to dream, without proper cultivation and development visions can quickly dissipate before ever becoming reality. What if instead, these dreams planted in our imaginations took root in the soil of this world? What if a community of people, full of diverse gifts and talents, came together to cultivate and enrich that soil? And what if this communal nourishment led to generative collaboration so that what was once just a dream started to take shape and bring great fullness into our aching world?
Introducing the Dream Forum


The 2022 Dream Pods

Elizabeth Davis Richard

Elizabeth Davis Richard

The Future American Theater: Real Estate x Culture Creation
Real estate is on sale in the theater district of Manhattan. Who will get it? Who will win the race of property acquisition to decide if newly vacated space in the theater district will go to culture makers OR to real estate developers who see NYC only as a place to make money? As a life-long theatre maker passionate about the fusion of great art, gracious hospitality and stewardship, I see the next decade of my life including shepherding the creation of new performance spaces in Midtown. Let's build a world class table of redemptive storytelling and alter the course of how theatre is made in New York City.
Dream Video
Johnny Wan

Johnny Wan

The Bitcoin Algorithm Bridge
My dream is to create a one-stop wealth management business that emphasizes building wealth for the poor with advanced trading algorithm that generates superior investment return. Investors no longer have to settle for low quality, low return mutual funds, or take highly risky bets themselves to get high return. They can now access high return financial products that can help them build wealth and a company that genuinely wants to help them to achieve their financial goals. Contact me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-wan-536b691/.
Dream Video
Anne Boccato

Anne Boccato

The Freedom Framework (Compassionate Time Management)
My dream is to champion a compassionate approach to time management that pushes back against our culture of toxic productivity. We in the west have come to live by a myth that equates hard work with heartless drive, and says that self-compassion breeds complacency and mediocrity; pushing us to live unsustainable lives spurred by shame and fear of failure. What if, instead, we were taught to validate our own emotions and experiences, shed the "lazy" label, and shepherd our own inner children towards what is most life-giving, wise and fulfilling in the long run? I dream of helping people manage their time wisely in order to live happy, balanced lives that fit their needs, goals and personalities. Contact me at: email@anneboccato.com
Dream Video
Caroline Hahm

Caroline Hahm

The Land Where Hospitality Meets Sustainability Meets Wellness Meets Nature
My dream is to co-own 10 acres of land on Long Island that is committed to excellence in service, people, product, community, wellness and land management. To be a world-class producer of local and regional food excellence, land conservation, education of food systems and a place for people to find rest and inspiration. A place that will create job opportunities in the areas of farming, gardening, landscaping, cooking, teaching, hospitality, retail and wellness. On this land would be: a professional kitchen, a retail shop/general store and cafe, a space for teaching workshops and creative gatherings, gardens for both beauty (form) and food (function), a space for all kinds of workshops, and allocated areas for temporary and long-term stays.
Email Caroline
Esther Lee Cruz

Esther Lee Cruz

Cultivating Daily Habits for Coping & Flourishing
Half of Americans are emotionally distressed. However, most therapists and mental health apps don’t use evidence-based methods. And schools don’t consistently teach emotional skills. I’ve also struggled with anxiety. After trying therapy, sleep and meditation apps, I still couldn’t find anything to learn the emotional skills proven by research to decrease distress and increase flourishing. My dream is to create a mobile app that makes these skills and research more accessible. It teaches well-being skills in just a few minutes a day through exercises co-created with therapists. I’m excited to help people develop skills for healing and thriving. Contact me at DeborahEstherKC@gmail.com
Email Esther
Elena E. Kim, PhD

Elena E. Kim, PhD

Building Empirical Evidence for the Integration of Christianity and Psychotherapy
My dream is to be one of many psychological researchers who are conducting scientific studies to support the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy. I have had the fortunate experience to study the process of clients incorporating their Christian beliefs while receiving therapy, and my hope is to further this work by examining whether spiritual, psychotherapeutic experiences can impact individuals’ well-being in a positive way. Contact me at elenakim@gmail.com.
Email Elena
Crystal Choi

Crystal Choi

Shiloh: A Safe Space for Women Experiencing Violence
My dream is to help those who are currently experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. My hope is to equip and empower women so they can make decisions based on knowledge/power and not fear. To provide practical and culturally sensitive care to help women find housing, jobs, legal, counseling, and spiritual and social support. Contact me at: shilohhouseofpeace@gmail.com
Dream Video
Jamison Wayne Galt

Jamison Wayne Galt

TAU: Transformative Journeys Toward Shalom
My dream is to love the world by guiding people on transformative journeys toward shalom, which we understand to be cosmic, communal, and personal well-being and the intended destination of all things. We offer paths forward through immersive experiences of Wilderness (off-grid eco-retreats and adventures), Wellness (holistic thinking, being and doing), and Way-of-Life (habits of sustainable spirituality). More: www.taujourney.com. Contact me at: jamison@taujourney.com
Dream Video


The 2021 Dream Pods

Eva T - Round

Eva Ting

Here to Honor: Creating support, strengthening connections, and providing resources in death care.
My dream is about reimagining what support and connection looks like for death care, specifically in funeral planning. I want to reenvision how technology can be used to provide resources and tools to facilitate this process and make it as efficient and easy as possible for the person who finds themselves planning a funeral for a loved one. I believe that art and beauty can play a role in this process, bringing hope and respite to an emotionally complicated and challenging time. I dream of creating a suite of tools and resources to alleviate the stress of juggling logistics, and that can allow the griever to have space for grieving and focus on remembering and honoring the life of their loved one well. Visit: https://heretohonor.com
Dream Video
Andrew N - Round

Andrew Nemr

Nuach: A Place of Rest.
Artists are susceptible to a particular kind of burn out. Their craft, practice, and production can be tied so closely to their identity that when one is burnt, so is the other. In moments of existential crises, they need a place of rest and renewal. Most retreat spaces for artists come with a prerequisite to produce. That is not rest. True rest would allow them space from the pressures of being a freelance creator. It would renew their relationship with their craft. Rest would remind them of their original purpose as image bearers. It would refresh their inspiration. But where would an Artist go to receive such rest? Nuach (the Hebrew word for rest) will be that place. Contact me at: nuach@andrewnemr.com
Dream Video
Noemia

Noemia Marinho

The Gleaning Project: Empowering low-income and homeless individuals in our city through dignified and fulfilling work in the arts.
I served for a year as a volunteer at the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen, and there began the Gleaning Project – a weekly meeting with a group of clients where we made crafts out of discarded materials. I dream of expanding the project’s scope by selecting and training participants to produce large-scale works of art which would then be shown, sold, and the proceeds invested back into the project. This is my vision for filling the gap between the needs of that community for safe, dignified work and the limited options available to them in the traditional job market, from which they are often excluded. Visit: https://www.gleaningproject.org
Dream Video
Rasheeda

Rasheeda Winfield

Permission to Fly: Equipping Women of Color to Soar in Media and Entertainment
Since childhood, I dreamed of working in entertainment. Several years, sleepless nights and ugly cries later, I eventually “made it” and found myself working for one of the biggest TV networks on the planet and reveling in all the accoutrements that came with my fancy career. Yet, my “dream job” did not translate to my “dream life” and I burnt out. I’ve been haunted by the struggles I faced as an ambitious, naïve woman trying to build a career in an industry not designed for someone who looks like me, to flourish. My new dream is to develop a mentorship/fellowship program for women of color pursuing careers in media and entertainment by providing them with Christ-centered spiritual guidance, financial support, and various career development resources. Contact me at: rasheedatv@gmail.com
Troy

Troy Woolley

Life-Giving Support for Entrepreneurs
My dream is to create a system of support for entrepreneurs of all faiths as we face the pressures of creating something from nothing. As founders, we live in our own version of the “already and not yet” as we build a future vision. We often oscillate between that future vision and the present (often difficult) reality, and find ourselves in an extreme dichotomy of both hope and despair. The impacts can be devastating. Depression and suicide are rampant amongst founders, and I’ve been there myself. I’d love to create safe place for entrepreneurs to be vulnerable… not just to share their vision but to also address their pain. Contact me at: troy@tsioncollective.com
Dream Video
Amanda Eubanks

Amanda Eubanks

Wellness Discipleship Network
Discipleship was not intended to exist solely in the vacuum of a church building. Jesus’ command to make disciples impacts every sphere of society and every part of our communal and individual lives. My passion is to help people live wholehearted lives that enable them to love and serve their communities with the love of God. My dream is to create a collaborative network of wellness professionals who collectively listen to the Spirit and offer resources and services that enable others to flourish physically, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. The strengths of each professional will create a cross-disciplinary network that facilitates growth in personal wellness in order to more fully love God and others. Contact me at: amaeubanks@gmail.com
Dream Video
Laura G - round

Laura Gauthier

Love to self and neighbor; one doll at a time.
My Dream is of a world where BIPOC children grow up with confidence and love for themselves as well as for others. A world where they are equal in not just words but actions. I make custom dolls for children in the hope that they come to associate things like their hair, skin and face as beautiful in a world that often says they are not. I have seen the excitement of children receiving these dolls and also the interactions between children of different backgrounds. Seeing them love themselves but also appreciate each other’s features gives me hope for a richer society. Contact me at: laura@lauragauthierdesign.com
Dream Video
SBT - Round

Sara Beth Turner

Foster (Town) Home
I believe a safe and proper home (with routines, rhythms, family meals, etc.) would allow these children to have space to heal, grow, apply for jobs, college, etc. Walking alongside them, with peers acting as brothers/sisters in their same phase of life, feels in many ways like bringing God's kingdom to bear on Earth. And Lord willing, in and through this home, *true* life would be offered to these children and from them, cycles would be broken and generations changed.
Dream Video