The LORD has called His people to the Jordan River—the starting line that separates the past from the future—to prepare them to turn a new page. It was a geographical movement, a farewell to the wilderness years behind them. It was also a spiritual crossing, a letting go of old habits and attachments, so they might face an uncertain future armed with the word of God.

        Having already “entered” the new horizons and taken their stand in that future, the time had come for the people to press forward and “devote” themselves to the mission of possessing the inheritance God had promised.

        As we step into 2026, the pace of change in our world is astounding. Wave after wave of technological transformation, coupled with shifting global realities, stands before us like the Jordan River, wide and swift in its rushing waters. Are we truly to cross these rushing currents and lay hold of the future the LORD will bless the church with? Yes, and I firmly believe that His grace is sufficient, for that future is underwritten by the LORD Himself. He said to Joshua: “…the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). And so it was: at the very moment the leading priests stepped into the Jordan, God did not part the waters with a staff as He did at the Red Sea. He charted a new course with the Ark going before them. When the priests who carried the Ark of the Lord lifted their feet in faith and stepped into the water’s edge, the riverbed became dry ground they could walk on.

        Do you notice something? Every time the LORD speaks these “familiar” words, it is when He calls someone to rise and carry out a mission that seems impossible. Before His ascension, Jesus said the same thing to His disciples: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). These words are not merely a comfort. They are a divine promise. What God said will surely be fulfilled.

       Will we step out in faith today? If we are to pass on the spiritual legacies that we ourselves have received to newcomers who will join our church family in five years’ time, and if we are to let the new generation growing up in 2030 become branches that bear good fruit, then we must not be scared into “standing still” by the unfamiliarity brought by changes and renewals, nor should we just sit by the river sighing about the difficulties facing Hong Kong churches and “staying put.”

       In the next five years, our overall direction will be “Future-focused, Mission-driven.” The goal is to become a “future-ready church” faithfully carrying out the unchanging mission of the NPAC family in a changing generation.

       The journey ahead will inevitably be filled with hardships. Yet we must still live out what we believe through “Faith in Action, Love in Details.” We will intentionally build “companionship experiences,” promote “intergenerational integration,” strengthen “pastoral care and protection of family,” and raise up “workplace disciples.” It is our deep desire that everyone will pay closer attention to those around them in the church, family, and workplace, and more deeply discern the Lord’s guidance. We will use the word of God as our principle to “transform intelligence” and embrace new technologies for pastoring and mission work. At the same time, we will continue our fine traditions in our worship services, shaping God-centered worship in 2030 towards “a new horizon in worship” across generations.

       Brothers and sisters, the future is here. Since we know the LORD will surely be with us, let us all step out in faith and get moving!