A Word from Pastor Todd
As we enter a new year, we begin, not with hurry, but with renewal. Drawing near to the God who draws near to us. Scripture reminds us that His presence is not distant. He is the God of the burning bush, the cloud and fire, the tabernacle, and ultimately the God who took on flesh and made His dwelling among us in the person of Christ.
Yet even when His presence is near, our awareness can grow dull. Distraction, sin, unbelief, and apathy can quench or grieve the work of His Spirit. These fourteen days are a renewal, a reset, a spiritual “detox” of sorts. We’re removing what blocks awareness, pursuing what rekindles affections, and seeking to apply Ephesians 5:18: “be being filled Holy Spirit.”
Expect God to meet with you. Slow down. Listen. Make room. And as He “fills you with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19), may your heart echo Moses’ prayer: “If Your presence does not go with us, don’t make us go up from here” (Exodus 33:15).
Let’s begin 2026 renewed by and responding to His nearness.
— Pastor Todd
Presence: Our 2026 Focus
Presence is our yearlong focus on intentionally pursuing and responding to the work of God among His people. While we believe God is omnipresent and always with us, Scripture also shows that God uniquely reveals Himself, works powerfully, and transforms lives when His people humble themselves, seek Him, and walk in obedience. As we journey through books like Exodus and John, our desire is not simply to learn about God, but to become more aware of His nearness, more dependent on His power, and more responsive to His leading. Presence is not a new doctrine. It is a renewed posture. Our prayer is that God would form us into a people shaped by His nearness for His glory and the good of the world.
FAQs
Presence is the relational nearness of God, made known by the Holy Spirit, producing transformation in God’s people.
We believe God is everywhere at all times. Yet Scripture also teaches that God chooses to dwell with His people in particular ways, revealing His glory, strengthening them with power, and shaping them through His Spirit. Presence is about awareness of God’s nearness, dependence on God’s power, and responsiveness to God’s leading.
Presence will look less like hype and more like depth.
It will look like a church that prays with expectation rather than obligation, worships with biblical grounding and spiritual sensitivity, and hungers for holiness rather than inspiration alone. It will produce growing sensitivity to the Spirit’s conviction, comfort, and guidance, along with greater boldness in witness and greater tenderness in repentance.
You’ll see it throughout the life of our church:
In weekend gatherings through intentional worship, Scripture, prayer, and response
- In preaching series through Exodus and John
In Fresh Encounter services with extended space for worship and prayer
In Small Groups as people pray together and engage Scripture personally
In families as parents model dependence on God at home
In everyday obedience as people say yes to the Spirit in ordinary life
Presence is not confined to a room or a service. It reshapes how we live Monday through Saturday.
Presence will be cultivated through rhythms, not manufactured through moments.
Some of those rhythms include teaching through Exodus and John, regular worship and prayer gatherings, an increased emphasis on corporate and personal prayer, intentional moments of response during services, leader training in Spirit-dependent discipleship, and creating margin for silence, confession, and intercession. We are not adding emotional intensity. We are creating spiritual attentiveness.
No. Emotions may respond, but transformation is the goal.
Scripture never dismisses emotion, but it never elevates emotion as the measure of spiritual health. True encounters with God produce repentance, obedience, perseverance, and maturity. As Paul prays in Ephesians 3, the goal is not a fleeting feeling but deep rootedness and fullness in Christ. We are not chasing moments. We are pursuing God’s abiding work.
Presence is not a detour from discipleship. It is the fuel for it.
Devotion flows from abiding. Obedience flows from empowerment. Mission flows from encounter. A devoted follower of Jesus is not one who simply tries harder, but one who lives connected to Christ. Presence deepens our love for Christ, our obedience to His Word, our effectiveness in mission, and our endurance in suffering.
Presence begins at home.
Families can engage by practicing simple prayer rhythms, talking about God’s activity rather than just behavior, modeling repentance and dependence, reading Scripture that highlights God’s nearness, and teaching children that God is attentive, loving, and near. Presence is not about perfect homes, but God-aware homes.
Yes. Presence runs throughout the entire Bible.
Scripture shows God dwelling with His people, revealing His glory, strengthening them with power, and forming Christlike lives. Key anchors include Exodus, the Gospel of John, Ephesians 3, Acts, and Jesus’ teaching on abiding in John 15. Presence is not trendy. It is biblical.
Questions?
We don't claim to be experts, but we deeply desire to pursue more of God's presence among us in 2026. If something was unclear or you have a question, click the link below to ask it!