Looking Ahead to 2026: Building on What God Did in 2025
As we step into 2026, we don’t do so in a hurry or with amnesia. We pause to look back—because gratitude grounds us, and reflection helps us move forward with intention.
In 2025, God used Epiphany Church to show up for our city in tangible, neighborly ways. We listened to our community, met real needs, and practiced faith that moved beyond our walls:
We spent time in our neighborhoods—speaking with more than 30 community members while caring for and cleaning a local park.
We distributed 100 hygiene bags through Bayard, offering dignity and care to our neighbors.
During Open Streets, we gave away gift cards for essential needs, meeting people where they were.
Through our school supplies drive, we supported over 100 students and one daycare, helping families start the school year with confidence.
Our Bayard Snack Buddies program continues to serve 25 students every school day with healthy snacks and water.
Through the Bayard Angel Tree, we provided gifts to 8 families—impacting nearly 30 people during the holiday season.
These moments weren’t about checking boxes or posting numbers. They were glimpses of heaven on earth and what happens when our church chooses to be on mission.
And as meaningful as 2025 was, we believe God is still inviting us deeper.
So as we enter 2026, we’re asking a simple question: How do we continue growing—personally and together—so we can keep showing up faithfully for God and our city?
Here are two rhythms already woven into the life of our church to help us do just that.
Two Ways to Start Your Year with Spiritual Growth
As we step into 2026, God has carried us through 2025, and now we get to build on everything He’s already started. If you’re looking to take your relationship with God to the next level, here are two rhythms already built into the life of our church to help you go deeper.
Spiritual Growth Kickoff #1: Fasting
One of the ways we’re beginning the new year with intention is by stepping into 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.
If you’re new to it, 21 Days of Prayer is our quarterly rhythm of pausing, refocusing, and seeking God together. For 21 days, we set aside intentional time with Him—individually and as a community. Every morning at 7 a.m., we gather for group prayer, grounding ourselves in our values of living woven and practicing discipline.
This time also opens the door for many to explore fasting as a spiritual discipline. Jesus Himself gives us guidance on fasting with humility and sincerity. In Matthew 6:16–18 (NIV) He teaches:
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting… and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
This scripture reminds us that fasting isn’t a performance. It’s an intimate act of devotion. It’s about drawing closer to God with a pure heart, not seeking attention or recognition.
Reasons to join the fast:
Maybe you’ve been wanting to become a morning person. 21 Days of Prayer is the perfect place to start.
Maybe you’ve felt God nudging you to fast. This is a great time to lean into that calling.
Maybe you’ve fasted before but wished you had an accountability partner. There’s no better environment to find someone to check in with, pray with, and grow alongside.
The start of a new year can feel overwhelming, especially after reflecting on what we’ve all experienced politically, economically, in our careers, in our families and so much more. But stepping into who God has called us to be isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about small steps, stacked habits, quiet moments of obedience, and daily choices that shape our spiritual walk.
So ask yourself … How do I want to grow this year? What habits do I want to build into my everyday life?
Exercise? Fasting? Daily Bible reading? More intention, more community, more discipline?
Whatever it is, let’s walk into this year with open hearts, steady faith, and a willingness to grow—one day at a time.
Join 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
Spiritual Growth Kickoff #2: Generosity
As we move into 2026, our journey of generosity continues with renewed purpose and excitement. This year, we’re stepping deeper into the Together Campaign. This is not just a tithing challenge, but a heartfelt, two-year commitment to grow in our giving, stretch our faith, and strengthen our community.
Every Sunday, we declare 2 Corinthians 9:7–8, grounding ourselves in what God says about generosity:
“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”
God calls us to sow generously because He is faithful to provide. Everything we have is already His, and yet He asks for only 10%. For many of us, that tithe can feel like a lot especially when life is tight or unpredictable. But tithing with a joyful heart is one of the most powerful ways we practice living woven, trusting God with what we have and watching Him move in ways we couldn’t imagine.
Think back over the past year. Maybe you tithed faithfully or maybe you stretched yourself to give just a little more. How did God show up for you? How did He make a way, open a door, or meet a need you didn’t even see coming? That’s the beauty of generosity: we plant, but He brings the harvest.
The Together Campaign is an invitation to deepen that trust. To expand our giving. To step into generosity with boldness and expectation. It’s about planting seeds—not just financially, but spiritually—and tending to them with consistency, faith, and patience.
Farmers don’t sow and harvest in the same day. They plant, water, nurture, and wait with expectation. In the same way, God calls us to plant seeds of generosity and trust Him with the growth.
So as we enter 2026, we ask: What seeds are you ready to sow? How is God calling you to stretch, trust, and give?
Seeds can be anything! The bible tells us to have faith the size of a mustard seed! Have you seen a mustard seed? It is truly small, but the faith we need to trust God can be just that size, and he can move the mountains greater than we can even imagine! Seeds can look like tithing just 2 dollars more than you are used to, reading your bible for an extra 3 minutes, praying for an extra 3 minutes, etc! So many ways to plant more seeds, dedicate more of yourself to the Lord! Can you trust God with more of your time? Can you trust God with more of tithing? Can you give God time, effort, and energy? Can you trust God with a bit more of you to see his true grace!
Let’s commit together, give together, believe together, and watch God move together.