Center for Unity Origin Story – Part 3

2017

I hired a tourism consultant to build a business plan for the Urantia Pilgrim Center in Bethsaida. Soon I had a complete business plan and understood the magnitude of this real-estate project. I would have to raise millions to build this resort.

There was a nagging feeling in me….it didn’t feel right.

In March 2017 something new arrived. I was sitting in meditation when the words “a temple for our Father” appeared in my consciousness. I was stunned. I remembered there were two temples erected in the past. Is it time for the third?

This idea led to a revised brief for “The Holy Land Pilgrims Center and Temple for Our Father.”

But now, when it was clear this Center was supposed to be spiritual, why on earth should I build a luxury resort? This question kept nagging me, until I decided to consult a wiser brother, Mo Siegel. I presented Mo with the business plan and the vision. Mo told me this was a sizable real estate endeavor and that real estate investors are looking for cash flows and returns on investments. Most of these potential investors would not care about a “temple”.

At that moment, I realized what I really got excited about is a Temple, and not a resort or a retreat center. The entire hospitality aspect of the project was dropped, right then and there.

So, what now? We pivot once more.

The pivot was towards sharing Jesus with the world. This is the quote that caused the pivot.

The religion of Jesus is the most powerful unifying influence the world has ever known. 194:3.17 The Urantia Book

Right around this time, the name Center for Unity arrived. Where did it arrive from? where everything arrives from…

This new concept was put into a workshop that I was scheduled to lead in July 2017, as part of the Urantia international conference (IC17) in Denver.

This is the poster I made.

After the workshop, I was left with the question: “what’s next?”

It took two more years to find out.

To be continued...

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