Thanksgiving and Goals for 2026: A Year of Discipleship

On the first Sunday of 2026, Pastor Célestin YAO gathered the ICC Montreal church around two spiritual reflexes: giving thanks for what God has done, and setting goals for what he wants to do. A service that opens not only a year, but also a five-year season announced as one of discipleship.

This message is not a simple recap. It is a call to move from the status of believer to that of disciple, building on the word received, an honest assessment, and a clear vision.

1. Giving Thanks for Divine Instruction

The first reason for thanksgiving is that God speaks. The word the Lord gives traces out where he wants to lead his people. For 2026, the instruction received through the mouth of Apostle Yvan for the whole ICC family is clear: we are entering a five-year season of discipleship. 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030: five years to learn how to make disciples.

In North America, a sub-theme has been added: demonstrating our first love. Jesus said it himself: it is by love for one another, agape love, that his disciples are recognized. The verse of the year, rooted in Luke 10:27, sums it all up: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

A believer believes. A disciple chooses to obey. And Jesus did not ask us to make believers, but disciples of all nations.

2. The "My Daily Bread" Concept

To nourish this obedience, Pastor Célestin YAO is launching a new reflex for the whole church: "my daily bread." Jesus reminded us: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

In practice, every member is invited to read at least one chapter a day. January begins with the book of Proverbs: 31 chapters for 31 days, one chapter per date. If it is January 4, you are on chapter 4. Simple. Impossible to get wrong. February will continue with the book of Acts, which has 28 chapters.

The idea behind this rhythm is to get us used to loving the word and encouraging one another, as a family, in impact groups, among young people, among men or among women. Some will share their readings and reflections. It is a mark of wisdom to begin, and to catch up on any missed days.

3. A Report That Gives Thanks

It is impossible to move forward without knowing where you are starting from. Pastor Célestin YAO lays out the current state of the ICC family in North America: after twelve years, 27 locations, including 11 established local churches (at least 70 adults every Sunday) and 16 connected families that have their own place of worship but have not yet reached that threshold.

In Montreal, 2025 saw three extensions come to life: ICC Laval, ICC Longueuil, and ICC Valfield. Laval and Longueuil already have more than a hundred people and have become established churches. Each one now has its own place of worship, with a five-year lease signed. The Impact Junior renovations are complete: five beautiful classrooms now welcome the children. There is no longer any excuse for a parent to stay home because of the kids.

When God brings to pass what was only a project at the start of the year, we need to stop and say thank you. That is the very meaning of Ephesians 5:20: "Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father." Always, not only when everything is going well.

4. The Concrete Goals for 2026

Without goals, neither Laval, nor Longueuil, nor Valfield would have opened. With God, we set out the vessels and he fills them. Here is the roadmap:

• Grow the connected families so they become established churches (surpassing 70 adults).
• Open new connected families and new churches. We refuse to still be at 27 locations a year from now.
• Grow from 87 to 150 impact families, those cell groups that meet on Thursdays in homes to pray and build one another up. That means opening 63 additional impact families: if you open your home, a family starts right there.
• Gather 800 to 1000 fired-up young people at the annual retreat, up from more than 500 last year. Partial financial support will be provided.
• Train and equip disciples, because you cannot make disciples without training them.
• Expand the auditorium by reclaiming the space of the old industrial kitchen at the back, and building up to the second level. When we expand, God fills.

5. The Biblical Foundation: The Shema

Why was the verse in Luke 10:27 so obvious to the Jews of that time, whether they were teachers of the law, scribes, Pharisees, or Sadducees? Because it is rooted in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, what the Jews call the Shema Israel: "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

In Matthew, in Mark, and in Luke, the scene comes back under different faces: a teacher of the law, a scribe, a Pharisee who likes the answer given to the Sadducees. In Luke, the question "who is my neighbor?" opens the parable of the good Samaritan. This parable will be explored in depth throughout the year, because your neighbor is not first the person you choose, but the person to whom you choose to do good.

Key Takeaways

• 2026 opens a five-year season of discipleship: five years to learn how to make disciples.
• The sub-theme in North America: demonstrating our first love, agape love.
• Verse of the year: Luke 10:27, rooted in the Shema of Deuteronomy 6.
• "My daily bread": one chapter a day, starting with Proverbs.
• A believer believes; a disciple chooses to obey. Jesus wants disciples, not just believers.

Personal Application

• What day will you start reading Proverbs, and which chapter will you begin with based on today's date?
• Are you ready to move from the status of believer to that of disciple, by choosing to concretely obey an instruction from the Lord this week?
• Which connected family or impact family can you join, or open in your own home, to carry the goals of 2026?
• To whom will you demonstrate agape love this week, without waiting for them to first be "your neighbor"?
• For what specific reason can you give thanks to God today, even before asking him for anything?

Verses Quoted

• Luke 10:27 · the great commandment.
• Deuteronomy 6:4-5 · the Shema Israel.
• Ephesians 5:20 · give thanks always.
• Matthew 4:4 · man shall not live by bread alone.
• Matthew 28:19-20 · go and make disciples of all nations.
• Luke 10:25-37 · the good Samaritan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the verse of the year 2026 according to Pastor Célestin YAO?

Luke 10:27: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." This verse anchors the theme of the year: discipleship and agape love.

What is the "my daily bread" concept?

It is the commitment to read at least one chapter of the Bible every day. Pastor Célestin YAO proposes starting January with the book of Proverbs (31 chapters, one per day) and then reading Acts in February (28 chapters).

What concrete goals has ICC set for 2026?

Growing from 87 to 150 impact families, gathering 800 to 1000 young people at the annual retreat, moving connected families toward becoming established churches, expanding the auditorium, and training disciples.

Watch the Service