GROW — The Year to Progress

“Strengthen the Stakes. Lengthen the Cords.”

INTRODUCTION — SETTING THE TONE

Church family, today is not just the start of a new year. It’s the start of a new direction.

Every year carries a word. But not every word carries clarity.

Some years are busy. Some years are loud. Some years are full.

But this year, we believe God is calling us to something deeper.

Our word for 2026 is simple, but weighty:

Show slide with year theme

GROW — The Year to Progress.

Not pressure. Not performance. Not pretending.

Progress.

And today, I want to clearly explain:

What that means

Why it matters

And how God has already shown us this in Scripture

THE FOUNDATIONAL TEXT

Let’s begin with our anchor scripture:

Isaiah 54:2–3 (ESV)

2“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

3For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.

This is not a hype verse. This is a growth blueprint.

CONTEXT — WHAT ISAIAH 54 IS REALLY ABOUT

Isaiah 54 comes after Isaiah 53.

Isaiah 53 speaks of suffering, sacrifice, and redemption. Isaiah 54 speaks of what happens after redemption.

In other words:

God saves you → then He grows you

God heals you → then He stretches you

God restores you → then He expands your capacity

This chapter is not about rushing. It’s about preparation for sustainable growth.

THE KEY IDEA OF THE YEAR

God does not grow things randomly. He grows things intentionally.

And Isaiah 54 gives us four commands that shape our entire year:

Enlarge the space

Stretch the curtains

Lengthen the cords

Strengthen the stakes

Notice this:

👉 Every command happens before the increase is visible.

That’s what we mean by progress.

1 — “STRENGTHEN YOUR STAKES”

Growth requires stability before expansion

Isaiah says: “Strengthen your stakes.”

Stakes are what anchor the tent.

In modern language, stakes represent:

Foundations

Convictions

Disciplines

Character

Spiritual maturity

Before God expands your influence, He checks your anchors.

Before God increases responsibility, He strengthens your roots.

This is why February is ROOTED.

We are not rushing into new activity. We are strengthening what holds us steady.

Because growth without roots leads to collapse.

2 — “LENGTHEN YOUR CORDS”

Growth requires internal stretching

Cords are what connect the tent to its stakes.

Cords represent:

Capacity

Flexibility

Willingness to change

Inner transformation

You can’t stretch outward if you refuse to change inward.

This is why March is RENEWED.

God is not just changing what we do. He is changing how we think. How we respond. How we live.

Progress always requires stretching.

3 — “ENLARGE THE PLACE OF YOUR TENT”

Growth requires intentional space

God doesn’t say, “Wait and see what happens.” He says, “Make room.”

Making room means:

Creating pathways for discipleship

Building systems for leadership

Creating environments where people can grow

This is why we are becoming a pathway-based church, not an event-based church.

Growth should not be accidental. It should be clear and intentional.

4 — “YOU WILL SPREAD OUT”

Growth produces fruit and influence

God promises results—but notice the order:

Preparation first

Expansion second

This is why later in the year we focus on:

Fruitfulness

Mission

Multiplication

Endurance

Alignment

Gratitude

Harvest

We don’t chase growth. We build for it.

EXPLAINING THE VISION — GROW, NOT RUSH

So when we say:

GROW — The Year to Progress

We mean:

Not staying where we are

Not burning out

Not chasing hype

But moving forward faithfully.

Progress looks like:

A believer taking their next step

A family growing spiritually

A leader becoming mature

A church becoming healthier

Growth that lasts.

HOW THIS LOOKS PRACTICALLY IN 2026

1. Clear Discipleship Pathways

No guessing. No drifting. Everyone will know their next step.

2. Leadership Development

Not rushed. Not promoted too fast. But formed.

3. Consistent Outreach

Not seasonal. But normal. Consistent and fruit bearing

4. Measured Growth

We will celebrate faithfulness, not just numbers.

PERSONAL APPLICATION — WHERE ARE YOU IN ISAIAH 54?

Some of you are strengthening stakes. Some of you are stretching cords. Some of you are making room. Some of you are stepping into harvest.

The key question is not:

“Where should I be?”

But:

“What is my next step?”

That’s progress.

CALL TO OWNERSHIP

Equip Church, this is our year to grow.

Not grow tired. Not grow busy. But grow stronger, deeper, and healthier.

And growth requires participation.

No spectators. No passengers. Everyone grows.

CLOSING DECLARATION (VISION STATEMENT)

We declare in 2026:

We will strengthen our stakes

We will lengthen our cords

We will make room for growth

And we will spread out fruitfully

Not for our name. But for God’s glory.

GROW — The Year to Progress.

ALTAR / RESPONSE MOMENT (OPTIONAL)

“God, show me my next step.”

That’s it. Not everything. Just the next step.