Preparing for the Promise

When we moved to Cochrane, the 1A/22 interchange was in full-blown construction. Traffic was a mess, detours were everywhere, and it was obvious that the existing infrastructure could no longer handle the growth of the town.

Cochrane had outgrown what had been built before.

The solution wasn't simply to fix what was broken. It required vision to see what was coming and prepare for the future. It required strategic planning, people who believed in the vision, and many hands working together to make it happen.

Today, that interchange can handle far more traffic and growth than it could before.

But the future required preparation.

I believe the same principle applies to the local church.

Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” What God is doing in and through Impact Church is not ultimately the result of our strategies or efforts. God is building His church.

Over the past year, we've seen tremendous growth. We've witnessed salvations, baptisms, people filled with the Holy Spirit, deeper discipleship, growing prayer, and a greater hunger for God's presence. What God has done has been nothing short of miraculous.

But I believe we are entering a season of promise—and the prospect of what is to come requires preparation for what God wants to do.

In Joshua 1–3, God's people stood on the edge of the Promised Land. Before they crossed the Jordan, preparation became a repeated theme. Joshua told the people:

“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” — Joshua 3:5 NLT

God was preparing His people before He fulfilled His promise.

That principle is true for us today: Preparation prepares you for the promise.

And one of the most important areas of preparation for Impact Church is leadership.

Joshua didn't carry the vision alone. Moses didn't lead Israel alone. Jesus didn't disciple the nations alone. Throughout Scripture, God consistently works through people who are willing to carry the vision together.

Exodus 18 tells the story of Moses trying to lead an entire nation by himself. His father-in-law, Jethro, recognized the problem immediately: “This is not good! You're going to wear yourself out.”

His solution was simple: identify capable, trustworthy, God-fearing people, develop them, empower them, and allow them to share the responsibility of leadership.

That is the biblical model of sustainable leadership.

It is also why we are launching our Legacy Leadership Team.

We don't want Impact Church to simply be successful today. We want to build something that lasts beyond us. We want to see generations of people encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, discover their calling, and carry the gospel further than we ever could.

Leaders don't just lead for today. They lead for tomorrow.

Legacy isn't built by one person doing everything. Legacy is multiplied when people discover their God-given calling, are equipped to lead, and then empower others to do the same.

We believe God has uniquely positioned Impact Church to serve Cochrane as one part of the greater body of Christ in this community. We don't need to be everything to everyone. We simply need to faithfully become everything God has called this church to be.

There is a promise ahead.

But promises require preparation.

So as we step into this next season, our prayer is simple:

“Lord, prepare us for what You have prepared for us.”

Because when we prepare ourselves, strengthen our leadership, and surrender our plans to God's purposes, we can step forward with confidence knowing that the God who made the promise is the God who will fulfill it.