2009 is the Year of Kingdom Influence!! I AM TRULY EXCITED about what the Lord has in store for us at The Garden in the upcoming year. This fits like hand in glove with last year's theme, the Year of Discipleship. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to be a people of Kingdom influence. Kingdom influence is the eternal impact we are to have upon those around us as we live for Jesus Christ.

The theme verse for the year comes from Esther 4:14- "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" The Lord sovereignly positioned Esther as queen to make an eternal difference in the lives of many. Esther courageously stepped into the calling of God upon her life, risking all in the process. In like manner, the Lord has called each of us as His disciples to make an impact for the Kingdom of God in the places where the Lord has sovereignly positioned us. It is for such a time as this that the Lord has raised us up for Kingdom Influence. My prayer is that we may hear the Lord's clarion call and respond in courage and faith-making our lives truly count for the Kingdom!

In His Amazing Love
Pastor David