Connect26 State of the Fellowship Address

Following is a manuscript of President Kevin Stone’s State of the Fellowship Address from Connect26:

This is my presidential address, also called the “State of the Fellowship” address. If you read my report, you know what happened between April 2025 and March 2026. Now let’s talk about the state of our Fellowship. Where are we today, what are the events that have shaped that, and where are we headed?

So, what is the state of our Fellowship? My answer is this: we are not without challenges, but we are in a season of remarkable grace. Many of our churches are healthy and engaged. Our shared ministry is being used more than ever. Our financial position has improved beyond what we expected. And even in a time when many churches across North America are facing serious questions about viability, God has positioned us not merely to survive, but to strengthen one another for the work ahead. 

Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. That is a verse that describes our situation very well. There are so many areas in which God is exceeding what we might have imagined a few years ago.

I would like to start by talking about our Fellowship churches. Not our organization, but the churches themselves. Because our purpose statement for many years has been “Joining our hands to strengthen His church.” That means we can accomplish more together, but I also believe it means each member church will be strengthened by the mutual support, encouragement, and accountability we provide.

So first, what is the state of evangelicalism in North America? I think I would say that this is a period of uncertainty and change for churches, and the long-term trend is clearly one of decline in Christian affiliation in both of our countries. ​

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