In the concluding sermon of the series on Thecla, Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, HopeGateWay’s Lead Pastor, tells the story of an early Christian woman who defied societal conventions by baptizing herself, dressing in non-binary clothing, and becoming a traveling preacher commissioned by Paul. Thecla’s story of refusing to "obey in advance" serves as a powerful reminder that the Christ movement began not as an empire's religion but as resistance to empire, offering lessons for maintaining courage and conviction in challenging times.