Carrying The Vision—Part Two
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 12/28/2025
Foundation Scriptures:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
1. Momentum.
a. Momentum into the New Year.
b. Everyone in their place for 2026.
c. As we step into 2026, understand this:
d. Momentum is not maintained by emotion.
e. It is maintained by alignment.
f. 1 Corinthians 15:58 AMPC — Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
2. Loyalty.
a. Loyalty to the vision comes before personal preference.
b. This house is built on assignment—not comfort.
c. Luke 9:62 KJV — And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
d. At The River:
• the vision comes first
• the harvest comes first
• the mission comes first
3. Every Part.
a. Every part must function—or the body suffers.
b. There are no unnecessary members in revival.
c. 1 Corinthians 12:18 KJV — But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
d. If your place is empty—the body feels it.
4. Systems Protect Revival.
a. Fire without order eventually burns out.
b. Proverbs 20:18a KJV — Every purpose is established by counsel.
c. Structure does not quench the Spirit.
d. It carries the Spirit further.
5. Protect The Core of the House.
a. Not every voice belongs in the inner circle.
b. 2 Timothy 2:2 KJV — And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able c. to teach others also.
d. Faithful before gifted.
e. Faithful before visible.
6. Balancing Priorities.
a. Revival does not require one to neglect family or other commitments.
b. The person who has family—spouse and children—must not neglect their responsibilities
(1 Cor. 7:32-34).
c. It is wise to expand prudently and to not neglect present duties by assuming other duties (Prov. 31:16 AMPC).
d. Healthy families build long-term revival.
e. Revival should amplify joy, not rob you of your joy.
f. God never called us to burn out.
g. Psalms 127:2 KJV — It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
h. Do nothing in your own strength or ability.
i. Trust in, lean on, rely on, and put your confidence in the Lord.
j. Follow His lead and obey His voice.
7. Distractions.
a. Not every opportunity is from God.
b. Nehemiah 6:3 KJV — And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
c. The enemy will try to neutralize you.
d. Even good things can still be distractions.
e. If it pulls us away from the harvest, we say no.
f. If it distracts us from fulfilling the vision, we say no.
8. Final Charge.
a. River family, this vision will not carry itself.
b. It will be carried by:
• Servants
• Soul-winners
• Givers
• Leaders
• Families
• Faithful members
c. Philippians 1:6 KJV — Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
d. 2026 is a year where:
• Everyone takes their place
• Everyone carries their part
• And revival advances without interruption
e. This is our house.
f. This is our vision.
g. And together — we run.