06/01/2026
Welcome to 2026!
We are looking forward to a big year. This year, we are hoping to focus on a year of growth.
Here is a thought: what should you expect in church ministry? No conversions, baptisms and just years of barrenness.
I think that Jesus in John 15 points us in a different direction. Obviously, there are seasons when ministry is difficult and fruit scarce. But barrenness is not the norm Jesus prepares us to expect.
In John 15, Jesus speaks about fruitfulness, not futility. He says, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” The expectation of the Christian life—and of church ministry—is not endless drought, but abiding that leads to fruit. The key is not striving harder or manufacturing results, but remaining deeply connected to Christ. “Apart from me you can do nothing,” but equally true is the promise that “whoever abides in me… bears much fruit.”
And so as we step into 2026, we do so with realistic faith—not hype, not despair—but confidence that as we cling to Jesus, love one another, and remain faithful to his word, God delights to bring growth in his time.
So let's pray for conversions. We long for baptisms. We labour for maturity, depth, and multiplication—not because results define our faithfulness, but because Jesus himself has promised that abiding disciples will bear fruit. And that is a hopeful way to begin the year.
