I am asking my staff and leadership to come up with two names of people or families they are trying to connect with this year. I want them to pray for these people daily and spend the entire year trying to help them.

One is the name of a person or family they are trying to reach for Jesus. I want each one of them to identify a person in their life who does not have a saving relationship with Jesus and then spend the year reaching out to them. They will not only pray for them but also invite them for meals, coffee, or times of connection. Each leader will intentionally try to share their faith this year.

The other name is of one person or couple they are trying to disciple. I want them each to “adopt” someone who is already a Christian and help them strategically grow in their faith. This will include praying for them, spending time with them, and most likely doing a study with them. Each leader should be helping someone else become more like Jesus this year.

I would love to extend my challenge to every person in the Church I lead and every Christian in my life. This year, would you be willing to come up with two names and spend the next 12 months pouring your life into those people?

Lasting change for the kingdom of God will only happen when the people of God take intentional steps to reach out to those around them, one or two at a time.