Dear Woodward Avenue Baptist Church Family,
Grace and peace to you as we enter 2026. A new year always invites us to pause, give thanks for God’s faithfulness, and look ahead with hope. Over the past year, we have walked together through joys, trials, and meaningful growth as a church family. Now we stand at the threshold of another year of ministry, called once again to pursue our purpose with steady devotion.
In a world that often minimizes the value of long-term commitment, God’s people are invited to take the opposite posture…to plant our feet, set our hearts, and live with conviction. As we begin 2026, I want to encourage us to renew our commitment to the Lord, to one another, and to the mission entrusted to us. Joshua’s declaration still challenges us today: “Choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). That same clarity and resolve is what we seek as a church.
To help us do that, we will once again focus on our church covenant during our Covenant Renewal Service on January 4th. These three commitments shape our life together:
1. We will maintain a consistent commitment to Christ.
Our first and highest devotion is to Jesus. As we enter this new year, let’s draw near to Him through prayer, gathered worship, and faithful engagement with His Word. May His presence guide our decisions, sustain our spirits, and anchor every aspect of our lives. Our commitment to Christ remains the foundation for the ministry of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church.
2. We will maintain a consistent commitment to the Congregation.
The church is a family God has knit together by grace. In 2026, let’s continue deepening our care for one another; encouraging, praying, supporting, and walking together through every season. When we love one another well, we reflect the heart of Christ and strengthen the witness of our church.
3. We will maintain a consistent commitment to our Community.
God has placed us here with purpose. Our neighbors, our city, and the Shoals community need to see and hear the hope of the gospel. Let’s approach this year with renewed intentionality; serving, blessing, sharing, and building relationships that point others to Jesus. Every act of kindness and every gospel conversation matters.
As we embrace 2026, remember that commitment is formed not in grand moments but in the steady, faithful choices we make each day. If we give ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ, to one another, and to our mission, we can trust that God will do far more than we could imagine.
My prayer is that this year will be marked by purpose, maturity, unity, and joy as we live out our covenant together.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Tyler Armstrong