The First Circle: A New Beginning with Identity Center

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5 NLV

This past Sunday, something beautiful began.

Identity Center held its very first Identity Circle. A sacred space where growth, healing, and purpose found room to breathe. We gathered not just to share words, but to connect deeper with who we are, who we've been, and who we're becoming.

This wasn't just a meeting. It was a movement igniting.

We kicked off with an Ice Breaker titled "Name, Flame, Frame." Each participant that wanted to, shared three things with the circle.

(a.) Name- Tell us what you'd like to be called.

(b.) Flame- Name one passion, gift, or purpose that sparks something in you. Something that lights your inner flame.

(c.) Frame- Give us a word or phrase that frames who you are becoming- not who you've been, but who you're stepping into. (This part was written on a sticky note and placed on any wall in the space. It became a visual for collective growth in the room).

Example: Hello, my name is Tony. My flame is Igniting purpose in others by helping them discover who they truly are- spiritually, and personally. And my frame right now is " Becoming whole in purpose." Aligning my life with what God placed in me, and it's starting to show in every area.

The Theme: New Beginnings - The Power of Identity

We started conversation with intention: to acknowledge that beginnings matter. Everything that exist begins with intention. Nothing just appears- it is formed, created, or birthed through a conscious act, whether divine, natural, or human. It has intention behind it.

Jeremiah 1:5 (Breakdown)

• "Before I formed you..." Your identity began before your body did. God's design for you was intentional, not accidental.

• "I knew you..." This is intimacy. God didn't just create you- He knew you. He was in relationship with your soul before the world saw your face.

• "I set you apart..." You're not random. You're chosen- marked for purpose, even when life feels uncertain.

• "I appointed you..." Your life has assignment. You have a voice, a calling, and a place that only you can fill.

1. Everything that exist begins with intention. Nothing just appears- it is formed, created, or birthed through a conscious act, whether divine, natural, or human. It has intention behind it.

2. Creation starts with a thought, desire, a need, or a word. A tree begins as a seed, a building begins with as a blueprint, and you were formed by divine intention- purposefully crafted, not accidental.

3. Intention is the seed of existence. It sets the direction, meaning, and potential of a thing before it even fully forms. To live with awareness of that truth is to align yourself with purpose. Recognizing that you, too, were born not by chance, but on purpose, with purpose.

4. God begins with identity- not task or titles.

   • A Shepard boy transformed into a warrior, then king, a psalmist, a composer, and praise warrior. Not by chance but by intention. Beginnings Matter! King David was all this before he became all of this, but he started as a skinny Shepard Boy.

   • 27 years of imprisonment, then emerged not with revenge, but with vision.

     Nelson Mandela became the first Black South African President; he carried the identity of a nation's future leader within him. Beginnings Matter.

   • A college dropout adopted at birth, became a revolutionary force in technology, innovation, and design- Steve Jobs proved how identity and vision can evolve and emerge over time. Beginnings Matter!

   • And YOU are no exception!! You too have a beginning, and it started before God created your body.

Key Points:

• Identity is not discovered in doing, but in being

• Your origin is not your limitation; it's your launching pad

• God gives identity before He gives assignment

The conversation was raw. Real. And refreshing. Some asked questions, some listened and took notes, others laughed. All walked away lighter, but more grounded.

The Power in the circle

Our Identity Circles are more than meetups. They are mirrors. Each person brings a piece of the circle with them, and together we see reflections of truth, pain, hope, and possibility.

We realized:

• Not every connection is a calling

• God doesn't waste beginnings - especially the broken ones

• Healing happens in community

Homework Assignment: What is one truth about your identity you're choosing to walk in this week?