Biblical hope is not optimism. In fact, the most hopeful people in the Bible often had very few reasons to believe that things would get better for them any time soon. But biblical hope is based not in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God. It’s this kind of hope that anchors the entire hymn. Israel waits in exile, just as we often wait in our own wildernesses. The “not yet” is real—things are still broken—but the promise is just as real: “Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” The refrain calls us to rejoice not in what we see, but in what is promised. Our hope is not wishful thinking—it’s rooted in the faithfulness of God who came once in Bethlehem and will come again in glory. We can rejoice, not because all is fulfilled yet, but because fulfillment is coming. This dynamic tension of the now and not yet is the essence of Advent… and the reality of being a Jesus-shaped church. Will we embrace the hope being offered this Christmas season?

The Church is not God’s mission- God’s mission has a church. As followers of Jesus, we begin by dwelling with Him so He can fill us. In receiving His presence, we are like living stones, holy and unified, being built up into a spiritual house. Together, we are to be saturated with God’s Spirit, bringing His presence and love into the places we go, filling the world with His glory. As God reconciles the world He has called His church to be a small working model of this new creation- a Jesus-shaped church.

Life is a journey, we’re choosing to follow Jesus. We’re stripping away the excess- allowing God to speak identity and fullness of life into us. We’re preparing our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits- trusting God to fill, restore and renew us. We’re walking with Jesus- creating habits, rhythms, and structures to help form us to be more like Him. Join us on the journey.

The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God gathers annually at rotating host churches. This year we gathered in Spokane at New Horizons Community Church. These conversations are about what we heard and experienced at PNA Connect 2025 and go beyond, listening for God's divine echoes calling to us, reminding of us of who He is and who we are because of Him. The theme this year was SOAR. out of Isaiah 40.

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to walking with Jesus. Our journeys are not linear- they will look different. But the truth that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, Emmanuel, God with us remains and is for all of us. As we walk our own journey with Him we experience the fullness of God.

The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God gathers annually at rotating host churches. This year we gathered in Spokane at New Horizons Community Church. These conversations are about what we heard and experienced at PNA Connect 2025 and go beyond, listening for God's divine echoes calling to us, reminding of us of who He is and who we are because of Him. The theme this year was SOAR. out of Isaiah 40.

When we are faithfully walking the way of Jesus we get to see God’s Kingdom breakthrough regularly. Those glimpses of God’s goodness keep us determined to reach the summit and experience all He has promised.

The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God gathers annually at rotating host churches. This year we gathered in Spokane at New Horizons Community Church. These conversations are about what we heard and experienced at PNA Connect 2025 and go beyond, listening for God's divine echoes calling to us, reminding of us of who He is and who we are because of Him. The theme this year was SOAR. out of Isaiah 40.

Stay on the way of Jesus as we faithfully walk with Jesus. The road may not be easy or without its troubles but Jesus is faithful. Keep our eyes on the destination, stand firm and trust God is with you on this journey.

The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God gathers annually at rotating host churches. This year we gathered in Spokane at New Horizons Community Church. These conversations are about what we heard and experienced at PNA Connect 2025 and go beyond, listening for God's divine echoes calling to us, reminding of us of who He is and who we are because of Him. The theme this year was SOAR. out of Isaiah 40.

Jesus offers Zacchaeus an opportunity to walk with him in a new way. To stop seeking his own means and to do what is right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and to plead the case of the widow. Walking with Jesus helps us see people as Jesus sees them and to offer hospitality as a witness to a loving God.

The Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God gathers annually at rotating host churches. This year we gathered in Spokane at New Horizons Community Church. These conversations are about what we heard and experienced at PNA Connect 2025 and go beyond, listening for God's divine echoes calling to us, reminding of us of who He is and who we are because of Him. The theme this year was SOAR. out of Isaiah 40.

Sometimes we find ourselves alone, yet God is with us. He has not abandoned us and draws us closer to Him. In His presence we approach with a humble spirit desiring to be ever closer. As we walk with Jesus do we approach God with a humble spirit?

I won’t let go. I won’t give up. I won’t stop pursuing. If we approach our walk with Jesus with this kind of fervent passion for God’s goodness, blessing, justice we will see His Kingdom come and will be done. Don’t give up, don’t give in, remain steadfast in the face of opposition until we see the Kingdom breaking in.

We have reason to celebrate and be grateful while we walk with Jesus. It is important to celebrate before moving on and making the reason to celebrate a distant memory. When we celebrate God’s goodness it helps us trust Him for what is to come. Where can we be grateful to God and proclaim our gratitude to Him?

We live in a world where injustice, brokenness, and division exist. We can choose to be overwhelmed or apathetic or we can trust God for what He says and step out in faith. Kingdom service looks like faithfully seeking justice, mercy, and reconciliation regardless of the depth of brokenness around us.

Generosity is not only about money but it certainly is not less. God calls us to be content in a culture of consumerism. Contentment flows out of trust in God and when we trust Him to provide we are free to notice the needs around us.

God has gifted us with access to His resources and He is clear on how He desires us to steward them. We can choose how we leverage what God has given- for His Kingdom, or for our own desires. Walking with Jesus looks like managing what God has provided in a way that keeps a Kingdom focus.

God and all of heaven rejoice at the return of a child into right relationship. Whether we are weighed down by guilt and shame or trying to earn our place at the table, God offers forgiveness and grace. We may find ourselves in a pit of despair or waiting for rescue and God meets us there, holds us up and restores us bringing about the joy of our salvation.

The pull to climb higher, be the best, have the influence keeps us further from walking with Jesus. If our attention is on these things we will miss the invitation to the table Jesus is preparing for us. Do we have the eyes of Christ to see the lowly, the powerless and the poor?