One of my favorite insights into the broader Christmas story came from Dr. Harold Dean Trulear at an Intervarsity Staff Conference a few decades ago. He asked a peculiar question about the story of the “wise men from the east”. He wondered where these wise men would have gained the understanding of what a star in the east might have signified. He went on to suggest that the most logical source of this knowledge would have found its root origin in the influence that Daniel held within the Persian empire. Likely, the prophecies of the Old Testament found in Numbers, Isaiah, Micah and others would have been shared by Daniel with the “magicians and astrologers” he was in charge of. 

Daniel’s story is remarkable in so many ways, but not least in how his faithfulness in being in the world but not of it, ultimately led to the feet of the Messiah. This is an important reminder that we don’t always know how our faithfulness in one generation will play out in the next. Often the seeds we plant don’t come to harvest immediately, but in due season what we sow will be reaped. 

As I look back on 2025, I see how seeds planted in years prior are reaping a harvest for the kingdom among Ecclesia. 

Church Planting

When Ecclesia began it grew originally out of a vision for church planting. In those earliest days, J.R. Briggs, Winn Collier, John Chandler, and a few others ventured out to begin new congregations. They also helped us “field test” our church planters training and coaching. Those were seeds planted nearly 20 years ago that are bearing fruit today. Not only do all those congregations still exist, but many others have followed. In 2025 it seems we have returned to a surge of church planting engagement. 6 new congregations have been birthed alongside Ecclesia and three have developed to the point where they have requested to be officially affiliated with the network. Plus, we have more leaders than we have had for many years signed up for the next Genesis Cohort, starting in 2026. 

Leading Together 
Perhaps one of the earliest seeds planted in Ecclesia was the value of being a network of relationships. The desire to walk with one another through the journey of ministry has been vital to so many along the way. This past year, several existing churches have found their way into a relationship with Ecclesia. For congregations like New Circle Church in Indianapolis, the relational value is one of the main reasons why. Those seeds of relationship have sprouted in many forms over the last decade and a half. In 2025 they are being expressed through a growing number of Leaders Circles meeting specific needs - from lead pastors, to worship leaders and much more. If you aren’t involved in some form of relational connection heading into 2026, now is a great time to start. 

Broader Relationships

When a few of us sat down to hammer out an initial mission statement for Ecclesia, three key “audiences” were present - churches, leaders, and movements. To be honest, we never quite knew what “movements” even meant, but we included the idea to represent something generative. In other words, Ecclesia did not exist only for its own growth and the growth of the kingdom through Ecclesia. As time moved on, we stopped using “movements” in our communication because it seemed to lack a basis in reality. As I look back to that initial seed, I can see clearly now that it was an aspiration to be part of something bigger than just ourselves. In 2025 we began to see the concrete realities of being part of something bigger- specifically, our involvement with the newly burgeoning Ascent Movement. Not only has it provided pathways of connection for leaders to Ecclesia, it has helped us extend our relationships to places like Truett and Winebrenner Seminary, where we have had real presence and engagement from students and faculty with Ecclesia. Further, as of today, should an Ecclesia leader desire to pursue theological education, they have several related options, some with clear benefits to our churches through this affiliation. Moreover, tangible benefits like health insurance and retirement options, along with scholarships and investments, have come into  easy reach of our churches and leaders. These are just a few small examples of how that initial seed planted long ago has grown to today. 

Increasing Diversity 
It is no secret that Ecclesia was founded by several white males. Though our desire from the beginning was to grow a network that included female and non-Anglo leaders, it has been a journey to match vision to reality. I can remember an early national gathering where Tasha Levert (who was serving as a keynote speaker) joked that the line to the women’s bathroom was very short. It was a great joy when Tasha returned in 2024 to speak (as she and her husband Tim were planting an Ecclesia church in Louisiana) and found that the line to the women’s bathroom had grown much longer. I’m grateful to the female leaders in earlier seasons that planted seeds within the Ecclesia garden to make it possible for the growth that has taken place. There are still very few places that are decidedly evangelical and decidedly in support of women in leadership and we are committed to remaining one of those places. Likewise, it has been a slow journey to increase the cultural diversity present in Ecclesia. While we still have a long way to go, I am grateful 4 of the 6 new congregations we have been journeying with in the last year are guided by leaders of color. I’m reminded of the seeds planted by Next Gen Church and Spring in the Desert who have stayed engaged and patiently continued their encouragement toward this good and holy direction. 

Harvesting Now, Planting Again 
As we march these final days of Advent toward Christmas, it is a time where we remember God's faithfulness. The promised Messiah, whose seed was planted as early as Genesis 3, has come. God held to His promise of making a way for us to come back to Him - by delivering the Deliverer. The seed of David, though it would take generations, would grow into something that has swept up the lives of billions of people, down through history and up to today. 

In looking back at 2025, I am grateful for the seeds of years past. Some of you planted those seeds yourselves and they are now coming to harvest for you and others, but all for the kingdom. In looking ahead to 2026, I see more fruit on the way. I have every reason to believe that Ecclesia’s best days, in whatever form they take, are ahead. I also see seeds being planted now, and we don’t yet know when they will grow. But with the same faithfulness as those who have come before, we will plant, water, and wait.