Dear Church Family,
As I begin my 20th year of ministry at Oakhill, I could not be more excited for the year of ministry that is before us! As we prepare our hearts for a new year of ministry, I am excited to share our church-wide emphasis for 2026. This year, we will focus intentionally on one of our core values—Going “Beyond” Ourselves and Our Walls.
This value captures the very heartbeat of the gospel. Jesus calls His people to live lives that extend past self-interest and stretch outward into service, compassion, and mission. “Beyond” is more than an idea—it’s a lifestyle of obedience that strengthens the church family and reaches the world with the hope of Christ. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” And in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
January 11–25: Going Beyond Ourselves
We will begin the year by looking inward; not toward ourselves, but toward one another. These first three weeks will challenge us to go beyond ourselves in sacrificial service within our church family.
Every ministry in our church exists because people are willing to give of themselves for the good of others. Nursery workers, teachers, small group leaders, servants who prepare meals, prayer warriors, greeters, musicians, tech teams; each one plays a vital role. Our goal during this emphasis is to help every member see where God may be calling them to invest their time, gifts, and heart so that the ministry of our church can flourish.
As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
January 25–February 8: Going Beyond Our Walls
The next three weeks will shift our focus outward as we consider what it means to go beyond our walls. This emphasis will move us toward the mission Jesus has entrusted to His church; loving our community, reaching the lost, and supporting gospel work around the world.
We will highlight:
- Local mission opportunities right here in our city.
- National and international missions we support and participate in.
- The call to evangelism, reminding us that every believer is sent into their everyday world to share the hope of Christ with those who desperately need Him
Going beyond our walls is not optional—it’s the natural overflow of a church that loves Jesus and loves people. As Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
A Year to Live “Beyond”
2026 will be an exciting year to put this value into action. On our calendar, you will find opportunities to participate in mission trips, receive training in personal evangelism, and be part of our new Grill Walk ministry, which you’ll be hearing much more about in the months ahead. These opportunities—and many others—will allow us to serve one another, our community, and the world in
tangible ways.
Church family let’s step into this new year ready to follow Jesus wherever He leads—beyond ourselves, beyond our walls, and into the good works He has already prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10).
I love you and I love being your pastor!
