Ministry Plans and Prayer Requests for 2025

For many years, ministry planning rarely went much deeper than this: Do whatever the Lord calls me to do. However, as I’ve sought to live, work, and serve sustainably in recent years, my approach to ministry planning has matured. I need guard rails to allow me to be at my best as I seek to follow the Lord’s direction.

In 2024, I began working toward a Master’s Degree through Redemption Seminary. One of the key aspects of the first graded course was understanding your individual calling. That is, how the Lord has uniquely called you to fulfill the greater calling we all share as believers. Throughout the process, I was able to summarize that calling this way:

To write, teach, and tell stories in order to engage those curious about the faith, encourage new believers, and equip Christians as they come alongside others.

This may not be a grand revelation, but it is helpful. It gives a framework for what—and how—I choose to engage with different opportunities. Because of that, I would like to share a bit about my ministry plans for the year ahead. These are the ways I see the Lord continuing to direct me, even if some are a bit amorphous. I’ll also share a few ways you can help, should you be inclined.

Writing

Writing continues to be a primary focus in my ministry. I’m a Christian—Now What? will be two years old in 2025, and the Lord continues to use it in North America and beyond. I spent much of this year writing a new book that will be released by Harvest House Publishers (I’ll be sharing more about that in a couple of months). And even now, I’m working through what might come next.

But writing isn’t just about books. I continue to publish a new article here every week, as well as write for other outlets, including The Gospel Coalition, Thomas Nelson Bibles, and Bible Gateway.

How can you help?

• Stay tuned for details about what’s coming next in early 2025. I think you’re going to love it. (I know I do.)
• Please share articles that encourage you with friends via group chats, email, and social media.
• If you have not already purchased a copy of I’m a Christian—Now What?, please consider doing so, especially if you are or know an adult who is new to the faith. (It would be a great book for the two of you to work through together.)
• If you have read the book, please leave a rating and/or short review on Amazon, Goodreads, or your preferred online retailer.

Multimedia endeavors

I had big plans for 2024 to incorporate more video material and resume podcasting on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, the events of the year made that challenging. So, I held off. However, this aspect of what I do will play a more significant role in my ministry in 2025, although not at the high frequency of some folks.

How can you help?

• Please subscribe to the YouTube channel
• Like and share the videos you find helpful
• Pray that I can produce meaningful content in a sustainable way

Preaching and teaching

As far as church ministry is concerned, and despite all the chaos of this year in particular, this year was among the best of my life. And that’s even with my church coming to an end. Throughout the first 3 quarters of 2024, I was preaching roughly once a month at Refuge, which was a joy. It was hard work but good work. And God was definitely at work, according to those who heard.

But with Refuge no longer operating, I really don’t know what this part of my ministry looks like, at least in the short term. Long term, I’d love to be able to serve whatever church Emily and I call home in this capacity if the Lord provides the opportunity. For now, I would love to serve churches needing pulpit supply in 2025—especially those with pastors who don’t often get a break.

How can you help?

• If your church needs a week of pulpit supply in 2025, reach out and let’s talk.
• Please be praying along with me that the Lord would bring the right opportunities at the right time.

Ministry plans with sustainability in mind

Fulfilling our callings—our ministry—means we need to know our calling, plan accordingly, and strive for sustainability as we do. It’s not wise to say yes to everything, especially if our circumstances dictate that we should say no.

I had to say no to a lot of what I wanted to do in 2024 because circumstances required me to. In the end, I fulfilled maybe half of what I planned to do. And that’s okay. The point of a ministry plan isn’t about checking off items on a list or earning merit badges from Jesus because that’s not the point of ministry. The point of ministry is helping people know Jesus and grow to be like him. And that’s what I saw happen in 2024.

What does this mean for my plans for 2025? Only the Lord knows. But whatever happens, I’m trusting that I’ll be able to look back on next year the same way I have this one, with thanksgiving and hope for the one that follows it.

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash