Looking to 2027 & Beyond
Fall is here. Schools have started back. Football season is underway. Among lingering hot days, there are hints of cooler weather. Soon, the beauty of fall foliage in Arkansas will be on display.
As we enter fall, I want to share some exciting CityChurch Network news. In a previous article this year (“Passing the Torch”), we celebrated how God is raising up a new generation of leaders in the Arkansas Prayer Movement. At our Flourishing Dinner in April, we announced that Darrell Adcock would join our team as Executive Team Leader. I am excited to announce that the CityChurch Network Board has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Darrell as the new President for CityChurch Network, effective October 1, 2026.
I am humbled and honored to continue serving as a Board Member and with our team as Founder and now Ambassador, with an emphasis on network development and coaching church leaders through the Arkansas Marriage Initiative.
Gratitude & Anticipation
Many of you have heard the story of how God spoke to me during a time of fasting and prayer on April 2, 1996, and called me to be a part of His plan to unite churches in Arkansas to pray and serve our cities. As I reflect back on the 30 years since that day, I am both deeply grateful and filled with great anticipation.
I am thankful for the hundreds of pastors and church leaders who have courageously moved toward each other and made real sacrifices of their time and influence in the conviction that we can do more for God’s glory when we work together. Some of these fellow pastors and leaders have completed their work on earth and are now in the presence of the Lord. Some have served for years and continue as dear friends. Some are new or young, and I’m just getting to know them. They give me hope in what God will continue to do.
Through annual Prayer Summits, citywide serving events such as ShareFest and CityFest, and initiatives to help churches work together to love our city in key areas of need (literacy, foster care, church/school partnerships, and building flourishing families), Christ is uniting His Church and transforming lives.
A United Church
On the night before His crucifixion, our Lord prayed:
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
John 17:20–23 (ESV)
In this prayer, Jesus not only prays that “we will be one as He and the Father are one,” but He also declares that because of this unity the world may believe and know about Him.
A 2019 report by George Barna titled “Reviving Evangelism” gives supporting evidence to this promise. It found that among those who are not Christians but are open to spiritual things, one of the top reasons they would consider Christianity is “seeing churches in their community work together more.” Said another way, when churches work together, we cause the light of Christ to shine brighter. The good news about Jesus is made more visible and attractive. Unity is a powerful demonstration of the good news of Christ.
Glimpses of Flourishing
I praise God for the marvelous things He has done, and I am also filled with anticipation about what he is doing now and will continue to do to unite His Church. As we bring on a new President and God raises up a new generation of church leaders, some things may change, but the core things will remain the same.
CityChurch Network is committed to its mission to help churches work together for the good of our cities and the glory of God. We will continue to bring churches together through extraordinary prayer, equipping leaders, and building flourishing families.
Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What is God’s will in heaven? Isaiah 65:17-25 offers a glimpse as God reveals, through Isaiah, a picture of the new heaven and new earth. It is a place where:
- Joy and celebration replace sadness and grief.
- People live long and healthy lives.
- Children are thriving.
- There is economic prosperity for all.
- Everyone feels safe and secure.
Imagine a city filled with laughter and the sound of children playing in beautiful parks, their joy echoing through the streets like a melody of hope. The sun shines brightly, casting a warm glow on families gathered for picnics, sharing meals and stories under the shade of blossoming trees. Joy and celebration are woven into the very fabric of daily life, as neighbors come together for festivals that light up the night sky with colors and music.
The streets are lined with flourishing gardens, bursting with life and color, where people cultivate not just plants but relationships. Everyone is connected to a loving family, and no one is alone. The aroma of fresh produce draws people to local markets, where farmers proudly display their bountiful harvests, ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, nourishing food. Economic prosperity thrives as small businesses flourish, each one reflecting the creativity and work of our Creator.
Children run freely, their laughter mingling with the sounds of nature, as they explore safe neighborhoods where every corner is a place of discovery. Schools are beacons of learning, shaped by the golden triangle of family, church, and school, and who are inspiring every student to pursue their God-given purpose.
As the sun sets, the city transforms into a haven of peace and security. Families gather on porches, sharing meals, stories, laughter, and enjoying life together. Neighbors look out for one another, creating a sense of belonging, where everyone feels known and loved. The streets are safe, illuminated by soft lights that guide the way home, where love and support await.
It’s a city where community thrives, where every individual is valued, and every voice is heard. It is a place where dreams are nurtured, hope is a constant companion, and the joy and presence of Christ are not just imagined but lived every day. This is a city of flourishing—a reflection of the beauty and abundance that God envisioned for His creation. God is at home. He is with us, and we are His people.
Shining the Light of Christ
Yes, we have only seen glimpses of the signs of flourishing. The fruit of Christ’s presence in our cities. Yes, we are in a “now” but “not yet” time. But as churches work together, we will see even more of this fruit in our day.
Together, we can shine the light of Christ even more brightly in our city.
Again, we are deeply thankful for all who have already been part of it. As we enter the next chapter in the story, we believe the best is still to come.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV)
Will you continue to pray with us?
Will you actively participate with your church in one of our key initiatives?
Will you prayerfully consider partnering financially with us to fund the dedicated team serving churches as we come together?
