Vision Night 2025
Over time, even the healthiest churches can drift from the heart of their mission. This is our moment to pause, refocus, and return to the source — Jesus Himself. Our calling has always been clear: to see Mississippi changed one life-change story at a time by helping people Learn from Christ, Live in Christ, and Lead others to Christ.
This season is about moving from simply going to church to actually being the church. It’s about keeping Jesus at the center and living out the everyday rhythms of a disciple. When we do this together, we believe families can be restored, communities renewed, and stories of hope multiplied — not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus does through us.
If you couldn’t be in the room, or if you’d like to revisit what God stirred in your heart, you can watch the full Vision Night recording below. Take time to watch, pray, and reflect on what it means to live this out and to lead others to do the same.
Next Steps
- Experience the Jesus-Centered Life – Take this four-week journey to grow deeper in your salvation, identity, surrendered life, and authority in Christ. Reach out to your campus Groups or Connections pastor to learn more.
- Teach the Jesus-Centered Life – Pass it on by helping someone else walk the same path.
- Pray – Set aside regular time to pray for God to move in you, your church, and your community.
- Be The Church – Live it out by growing in God’s Word, connecting with others, and sharing your goods, gifts, and the gospel.
When we take these steps together, we’re not just attending a service. We’re becoming the people God designed us to be. And that changes everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is actually changing in 2026?
We’re not changing our mission, just making it clearer and simpler. Pinelake exists to see Mississippi changed one life-change story at a time by helping people Learn from Christ, Live in Christ, and Lead others to Christ. In 2026, we’re sharpening our focus on discipleship by streamlining our “on-ramp” to spiritual growth through the Discipleship Pathway:
- Essentials: A chance to learn about who we are as a church
- Jesus-Centered Life (JCL): Salvation, Identity, Life surrendered to Jesus, and Authority in Christ.
- Be The Church (BTC): Grow in God’s Word, Pray with faith, Connect in authentic community, and Share your goods, gifts, and the gospel.
This isn’t about adding more programs. It’s about forming disciples who make disciples.
Why are we talking about “drift” as a church?
Over time, even healthy churches can slowly lose sight of their core mission. The cultural current is strong, and if we don’t intentionally return to the source, Jesus, we can start running on momentum instead of mission. We believe God is calling us to keep His mission front and center so that everything we do flows from helping people know and follow Him.
How will this affect my campus or ministry?
You’ll notice a greater focus on relational discipleship, leadership development, and equipping you to live out your faith every day. Every campus will share the same mission and pathway, but each will reflect the personality and needs of its local community.
What does “Be The Church” really mean?
It’s a mindset shift from “I go to church” to “I am the church.” Being the church means living out your faith in every space you step into:
- Growing in God’s Word
- Praying with faith and expectancy
- Connecting in genuine, biblical community
- Sharing what God has entrusted to you—your story, your gifts, and your resources
Are we canceling events?
We’re not cutting events just to have a smaller calendar. We’re evaluating every event through a discipleship lens. If it helps people Learn from Christ, Live in Christ, and Lead others to Christ, it stays and thrives. If not, we’ll reimagine it into something that fosters deeper relationships and stronger spiritual growth. We are focusing our 2026 calendar on the Discipleship Pathway. That means we did remove some events temporarily.
Why not just keep doing what we’ve always done?
Because seasons change and God is inviting us to put Jesus back at the center of everything we do. We don’t want to be busy for the sake of busyness. We want every ounce of our energy to produce the kind of fruit that lasts: changed lives, deepened faith, and multiplied disciples.
How do I take my next step?
Start with the pathway:
- Attend Jesus-Centered Life to explore your salvation, identity, life, and authority in Jesus. Reach out to your campus Groups or Connections pastor to learn more.
- Live out Be The Church by committing to grow, pray, connect, and share daily. You can also talk with a pastor or Servant Leader at your campus, or visit our Next Steps area to find your next opportunity to grow.
What’s the ultimate goal?
That Mississippi and beyond would be transformed by everyday people living Jesus-centered lives. Families would change. Communities would change. Stories of hope would multiply. And through it all, Jesus would be glorified.
What is the JCL pathway?
No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, the JCL pathway is recommended for anyone. It’s a four-week experience learning more about Salvation, Identity, Life, and Authority. Reach out to your campus Groups or Connections pastor to learn more.
Will the Membership Covenant be changed to reflect the Great Commission and discipleship to support the vision of Pinelake?
Yes, the covenant is being discussed and will change to support discipleship.
If I’m already a member, do I have to do Essentials and JCL?
Membership is not getting revoked! We do encourage all members to walk through Essentials so you can help guide and champion this experience for anyone interested in coming to Pinelake. Every member is expected to complete the Jesus-Centered Life. We will provide resources in advance of Chip’s teaching in August 2026.
Are there make-up classes for JCL?
Yes! Our goal is to equip you as disciples, not disrupt your life. JCL classes will be available regularly on each campus. Dates will vary by campus. Individuals who’ve gone through JCL can walk you through it as well.
What to do or where to go for extra counseling or more info when someone in your small group is experiencing something beyond your small group leader’s capabilities?
Reach out to Pinelake’s Care and Recovery Team. To help grow in theology, you can also attend Equip (seminary) classes through Pinelake.
Will there be a children’s program that follows JCL?
Yes, JCL for Kids is available to walk through this journey with your young families.
Will the marriage mentoring program incorporate JCL?
Yes, JCL resources will be available for those leading the marriage mentoring program and all small group leaders as well.
Where can I find JCL resources?
What parts of the church go through the Discipleship Pathway before the whole church?
Our goal is to get our servant leaders and staff to go through the Discipleship Pathway (Essentials, Jesus-Centered Life, and Be The Church) before our whole congregation goes through it in August of 2026. This is so we have our core already living and leading Be The Church to help others.
Will these JCL resources be available on the Pinelake App?
Yes, we plan to have JCL resources on the Pinelake App at some point to help in your own ministry with your small groups and others. (Around mid-2026) The three circle drawings are already available on the app.
We have groups that meet at our house every week. What happens to these groups?
Do not stop meeting. We hope JCL becomes the groups’ focus for a season. We ask you to commit to six weeks to do the Be The Church curriculum.
How will this be incorporated for PL College?
JCL and Be The Church are for our entire church. We want college students to take part in JCL and BTC and live them out on their campuses.
What does JCL look like? Someone preaching or small groups?
JCL is four weeks. We walk through Salvation, Identity, Life, and Authority. That will be done in a large room on your campus (dates and times vary). Then you will go to a table of around 10 or fewer and discuss what you learned together.
After walking through this, we want our servant leaders and staff to feel empowered and equipped to do this with anyone you may encounter.
Be The Church will be done in homes and small groups. We will give you a curriculum, train you in it, and ask you to go do it for six weeks with your small group. Then you have that lifestyle to set your path forward in discipleship.