PLANNING DAYS
Our staff spent the last few days planning the 2026 calendar, and I am SO excited for the new year! We also looked back at the past few years together, and it has been so gratifying to see our past dreams now being fulfilled:
- Scripture Helps and Joy books launched this year
- Testify Nights where we get to hear from our men
- Deeper in the Word Bible Institute classes helping people every week
- Ministry highlights we are doing on Sunday nights to keep people up to date
- Weekly Youtube Videos and new Social Media pages to help us “Bring the Bible home”
- Congregational Singing Month with new songsheet layouts this year
- Reinvigorated heart for souls through Saturday outreach, Missions Revival, Philippines trip, and Fall Festival emphasis
- Updated financial reporting as Mrs. Shae concludes her first full year as financial secretary
- A Southwest Church Planting Conference we were able to help host (in Phoenix), helping us keep the need for California church planting in front of us
- New staff development through Mrs. Shae being added, Bro. Zack taking over the teens, Bro. Alex preparing to join part-time staff, and summer internship updates
I shared my heart with that staff, that for all the pressures I feel to meet so many people’s needs, and the inherent disappointment when I cannot or do not meet expectations, I am still so encouraged by the many ways God IS using Calvary Baptist Church for the Gospel’s sake. We want to see people saved, baptized, and taught the Scriptures, and the fact that 52 guests are registered for the Fall Festival tells me we’re doing the work of the Great Commission. “Well, you and the staff need to ______” and you’re probably right. We have many things we COULD be doing, but I promise you that my wife and I are personally doing ALL that we can—visits, calls, meetings, hosting, teaching, preaching, coaching, soul-winning, discipling, etc. There’s always more work to be done, but I believe God gives grace to every Christian to do what He’s called YOU to do.
So as a part of Christ’s body, what’s YOUR role? Where do you minister? How do you edify the body?
We can’t create a new office or position for you, and that’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking who you’re hosting, discipling, loving, fellowshipping with, teaching God’s Word, texting, calling, or visiting? I think when we ALL work together, God does amazing things.
One of the systems I’m most excited about returning to is not new at all, but simple Saturday visitation. The tool has been around forever, but the “fresh new twist” I’m excited about for the new year is taking a rotation of men with me with the purpose of helping them get comfortable enough to take someone out on their own. More details coming later!
Instead of “I wish we could…” let’s be thankful for and content with what we do have. I don’t want to settle, and that’s not what I’m talking about, but I hope you can jump into what we have going on, support it with joy, and see what God does when we all throw our weight into something together. I’m thinking again of the Fall Festival—the momentum is thrilling! Let’s give God the glory.
-Pastor Ryan