January was always one of my favorite times to preach and pastor because people are hopeful and hungry to grow.

It’s easy to be cynical and talk about how the gyms are full for a few weeks, or to make jokes about people who buy planners, but let me encourage you to be hopeful not cynical.

Encourage people to dream and change. They have enough self-doubt, they don’t need you to help them doubt themselves.

Pastors usually kick off the year with one of two themes:

• A life improvement series focused on habits and change
• A prayer and fasting series focused on starting the year spiritually strong.

This month, I’ll provide resources for both.

Today I’m giving you 1 stat, 1 quote, and 1 story to help you preach on the New Year and the power of change.