Growing from Seeds to Sequoias: 2026 Strategic Direction
By Ryan Dawson
The Sequoia cone is small, but it carries the potential for something vast and enduring — a towering tree that can live for thousands of years. Inside each cone are seeds that, when released under the right conditions, grow into mighty Sequoias — symbols of strength, resilience, and legacy.
In the same way, every follower of Jesus carries within them the seeds of God’s Kingdom — meant to take root, grow deep, and multiply through others. Our 8 Core Practices (D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.) describe how these seeds mature in us as we follow Jesus together. To be a disciple is to embrace the invitation from Jesus to be his apprentice, where we order our lives around three priorities: Be with Jesus, Become like Jesus, and Do as Jesus did.
We want to invite you to join us in living out these 8 Core Practices so we can grow from seeds to Sequoias – into multiplying disciples of Jesus. If you missed this important message Grow Deep – Live Tall: From Seeds to Sequoias you can watch it here.
At our Vision Night we highlighted the various ways we will lean into our 8 Core Practices in 2026. If you would like a PDF of the Vision Night slides or to see the Vision Night video send me an email at ryand@sequoiachurch.org. Thank you for praying for God to work powerfully in and through us in the coming days. And thank you for engaging in the life of Sequoia. It is a blessing to journey together.
For Christ and His Kingdom, Blessings, Ryan
2026 Strategic Direction
D – Devoting our lives to God in Worship
• Uncommon Devotion sermon series (Jan-Feb)
• One Church – One Heart Unity Worship Service (July 26)
• Host a Praise & Worship Night in 2026
• Sunday Sequoia worship services (adults, kids & youth)
• Sequoia Youth Nights (Tuesdays)
I – Imitating the Way of Jesus
• Practicing the Way course (on-going resource)
• Spiritual Rhythms sermon series (Fall)
• Sexuality Integrity Course (March)
• Youth Ministry Events (Change Conference, No Other Name, Winter Retreat)
S – Serving Like Jesus
• Host 2 Serve Sundays to help people engage in serving
• Build capacity with existing ministry teams (invite culture)
• Establish a Sunday Host Welcome Team
• Recruiting Youth to serve on ministry teams
• Establish a Land & Building Task Force
C – Connecting in Community
• Hold 2 Impact Sundays to encourage IC engagement
• Launch 2 new Impact Communities
• Marriage Alpha (Feb-March)
• International Potluck (April 12)
• Women’s Retreat (April 17-18)
• Men’s Retreat (November 27-28)
• Coffee Connection (after service) every 2 months
• Family Nights (ADVENTure & Easter)
• Summer BBQ
• Kick-off Sunday (September 20)
• STEM & Creative Groups (Kids Ministry)
I – Investing in Prayer
• City on our Knees (Jan)
• Tuesday Prayer Call (7:30-8:30pm)
• Sunday Prayer Starts @ 9:30am
• One Church – One Day prayer strategy (3rd Tuesday)
• 6 Prayer Summits (including one on our Sequoia land)
• Prayer Summit on the Land (July 12)
• Women’s Prayer Call (Thursdays 8:30-9pm)
• Corporate Prayer & Fasting leading to Easter (TBD)
P – Practicing Generosity
• Generous God – Generous Life sermon series (March)
• Grow giving capacity to support Sequoia’s vision & mission
• Gift Card Drive for Surburban Missionaries
• Thanksgiving Food Drive with Community Table
• Christmas Outreach – supporting families in need
L – Living on Mission
• Alpha Course in partnership with BFC (April – June)
• Big Give (June 6)
• Canada Day Outreach (July 1)
• Movies in the Park (July – August)
• Summer Kids Camp (July)
• Athletes in Action Kids Camp (August)
• Youth Mission Trip to Mexico (August)
• Exploring International Ministry options
• Operation Christmas Child (Fall)
E – Empowering Others to Follow Jesus
• Lead with Prayer book study with Staff & Board Teams
• Prioritize IC Leader Training & Development (5X)
• Ministry training for Welcome Team, Worship & Production, Kids & Youth Ministries
• Associate Pastor search & hire
• Youth Ministry intern to replace Chris & Emmy (Sept)
The Sequoia cone is small, but it carries the potential for something vast and enduring — a towering tree that can live for thousands of years. Inside each cone are seeds that, when released under the right conditions, grow into mighty Sequoias — symbols of strength, resilience, and legacy.
In the same way, every follower of Jesus carries within them the seeds of God’s Kingdom — meant to take root, grow deep, and multiply through others. Our 8 Core Practices (D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.) describe how these seeds mature in us as we follow Jesus together. To be a disciple is to embrace the invitation from Jesus to be his apprentice, where we order our lives around three priorities: Be with Jesus, Become like Jesus, and Do as Jesus did.
We want to invite you to join us in living out these 8 Core Practices so we can grow from seeds to Sequoias – into multiplying disciples of Jesus. If you missed this important message Grow Deep – Live Tall: From Seeds to Sequoias you can watch it here.
At our Vision Night we highlighted the various ways we will lean into our 8 Core Practices in 2026. If you would like a PDF of the Vision Night slides or to see the Vision Night video send me an email at ryand@sequoiachurch.org. Thank you for praying for God to work powerfully in and through us in the coming days. And thank you for engaging in the life of Sequoia. It is a blessing to journey together.
For Christ and His Kingdom, Blessings, Ryan
2026 Strategic Direction
D – Devoting our lives to God in Worship
• Uncommon Devotion sermon series (Jan-Feb)
• One Church – One Heart Unity Worship Service (July 26)
• Host a Praise & Worship Night in 2026
• Sunday Sequoia worship services (adults, kids & youth)
• Sequoia Youth Nights (Tuesdays)
I – Imitating the Way of Jesus
• Practicing the Way course (on-going resource)
• Spiritual Rhythms sermon series (Fall)
• Sexuality Integrity Course (March)
• Youth Ministry Events (Change Conference, No Other Name, Winter Retreat)
S – Serving Like Jesus
• Host 2 Serve Sundays to help people engage in serving
• Build capacity with existing ministry teams (invite culture)
• Establish a Sunday Host Welcome Team
• Recruiting Youth to serve on ministry teams
• Establish a Land & Building Task Force
C – Connecting in Community
• Hold 2 Impact Sundays to encourage IC engagement
• Launch 2 new Impact Communities
• Marriage Alpha (Feb-March)
• International Potluck (April 12)
• Women’s Retreat (April 17-18)
• Men’s Retreat (November 27-28)
• Coffee Connection (after service) every 2 months
• Family Nights (ADVENTure & Easter)
• Summer BBQ
• Kick-off Sunday (September 20)
• STEM & Creative Groups (Kids Ministry)
I – Investing in Prayer
• City on our Knees (Jan)
• Tuesday Prayer Call (7:30-8:30pm)
• Sunday Prayer Starts @ 9:30am
• One Church – One Day prayer strategy (3rd Tuesday)
• 6 Prayer Summits (including one on our Sequoia land)
• Prayer Summit on the Land (July 12)
• Women’s Prayer Call (Thursdays 8:30-9pm)
• Corporate Prayer & Fasting leading to Easter (TBD)
P – Practicing Generosity
• Generous God – Generous Life sermon series (March)
• Grow giving capacity to support Sequoia’s vision & mission
• Gift Card Drive for Surburban Missionaries
• Thanksgiving Food Drive with Community Table
• Christmas Outreach – supporting families in need
L – Living on Mission
• Alpha Course in partnership with BFC (April – June)
• Big Give (June 6)
• Canada Day Outreach (July 1)
• Movies in the Park (July – August)
• Summer Kids Camp (July)
• Athletes in Action Kids Camp (August)
• Youth Mission Trip to Mexico (August)
• Exploring International Ministry options
• Operation Christmas Child (Fall)
E – Empowering Others to Follow Jesus
• Lead with Prayer book study with Staff & Board Teams
• Prioritize IC Leader Training & Development (5X)
• Ministry training for Welcome Team, Worship & Production, Kids & Youth Ministries
• Associate Pastor search & hire
• Youth Ministry intern to replace Chris & Emmy (Sept)