What Are We Trusting God for in 2024?

By Ryan Dawson

We had an amazing Vision Night last Sunday and we are excited to lean into all God has for us as a church in 2024.  Below you will see the 5 Key Strategic Priorities (The Big Five) we will be focusing on as a pastoral and leadership team in the months to come. If you would like a PDF copy of all the slides from our Vision Night, please email a request to ryand@sequoiachurch.org and I would be happy to send them along.  Let's be praying for God to move in and through Sequoia as we trust Him for great things.  
Blessings, Ryan

1) PRAY LIKE JESUS - Become a people of prayer for all nations.  
"My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations" Mark 11:17

• Simple Rule:  "Make prayer your greater work".  
• Practice:  Pray consistent, bold, & specific prayers  trusting God for immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine as a people and as a Church.  
• Our Prayer:  "Lord God, make us a House of Prayer for All Nations!"

2024 Strategic Goals:  

• Hold 4 Pray Summits throughout the year (Jan. 28, April 21, June 9, Oct. 6).
• Solidify our Pray Starts on Sunday morning @ 8:30-8:40am in OSC library.
• Grow the weekly Zoom Prayer Meeting (Tuesdays) @ 7:30pm.
• Take time in our Sunday services to practice praying together.
• Initiate a prayer focus at a Kids Ministry event.

2) BELIEVE LIKE JESUS - Live as if we believe the Truth of the Gospel in every area of life.
Romans 1:16-17 (NLT) For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.  This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

• Simple Rule:   Believe the Word and follow the Spirit.
• Practice:   Prioritize Gospel rhythms with an emphasis on Bible Reading & life application.  
• Our Prayer:  "Lord God, help us grow as a people who believe the Gospel & live out the Gospel, empowered by your Spirit." 

 
2024 Strategic Goals

• Teach through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)  (April through August).
• Launch the 90 Day Gospel Reading Challenge (April through August) - Read 89 chapters of 4 Gospels in 90 days.
• Launch the 90 Day Gospel Reading Challenge for Kids.
• Launch the 90 Day Gospel Reading Challenge for Youth.  
• Leverage Right Now Media as a powerful discipleship resource to help people grow in faith & practice.

3) LOVE LIKE JESUS - Cultivate deeper & authentic relationships as the family of God.  
1 Thessalonians 2:8  "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too."
Simple Rule:  Be the friend you want  to have.
Practice:   Schedule time every month to build deeper relationships.  
Our Prayer:   "Lord God, fill us with your love so that we love one another  as you have loved us."  

2024 Strategic Goals

• Launch several new Impact Communities.
• Foster a culture of IC engagement & invitation with testimonies & promotion.  
• Celebrate together with special gatherings (International Potluck Celebration (May), Summer BBQ (July), Sequoia Coffee House - (Oct.).
• Explore International Student ministry options (Spring).
• Host The Marriage Course (Oct-Nov) with a couples Date Night at OCS.
• Pioneer a Parenting Course (Winter) to encourage, equip, and connect parents.
• Hold three Round Tables to engage & empower people in our church (Gen Z, Millennials, New Comers).

4) WELCOME LIKE JESUS - Practice radically ordinary hospitality as a people.
1 Thessalonians 2:8  "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too."

• Simple Rule:   Open your heart and your life to those around you.      
• Practice:  Use what God has given you to love others by being  present and welcoming.  
• Our Prayer:  "Lord God, empower us through your Spirit to open our hearts and lives to others."  

Strategic Goals

• Inspire & encourage people to join in & participate in Church gatherings.  
• Practice & model the "First 5" to intentionally welcome others at Sequoia gatherings.  
• Launch the Radically Ordinary Hospitality Challenge (July) across the church.
• Empower Impact Communities with financial resources to practice Radically Ordinary Hospitality.

5) SHARE LIKE JESUS -  Proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel story in relevant ways. 
1 Thessalonians 2:8  "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too."

• Simple Rule:   Be faithful to the opportunity to make Jesus the hero of the story.  
• Practice:  Take the initiative to share the story of Jesus through word & action.  
• Prayer:  "Lord God, we ask for courage and boldness to share the Good News with love and power, so that we see more and more people find and follow Jesus."  

Strategic Goals

• Reach out to our community with love & intentionality.  (Big Give, Canada Day, Movies in the Park).
• Provide practical support to those needing help and those impacted by hurt, hunger, and homelessness.  (CNOY, Barrhaven Food Drive, Not-for-Profit yard clean up, Christmas Tree Outreach).  
• Reach children and parents with the love of Christ through two summer day camps (Sequoia Kids Camp - July, AIA Multi-sport Camp - August).
• Discern God's leading as a church, & take clear & tangible steps towards seeing the Impact Centre vision become a reality.  
• Foster relationships, provide training, & plan for the future with our Kingdom partners in the Dominican Republic. (March).
• Empower and disciple high-school students through a cross-cultural mission in Mexico. (August).