Serving Together
January 6, 2026God’s people are called to work and worship—together
“We’re all in this together.”
As we start 2026, I think it’s worth reflecting on the importance of shared struggle and shared hope that bind together followers of Christ. This kind of unity is at the heart of THF’s commitment to relational grantmaking, and it’s a big part of the reason we invest so much time in meeting and communicating with our partners.
Togetherness in good times and bad is an important theme in popular culture. Songs like “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers and “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor promote faithful companionship through the joys and trials of life. Billy Joel’s “Goodnight Saigon” expresses solidarity in suffering. Simon & Garfunkel’s iconic “Bridge Over Troubled Water” talks about carrying one another through pain. Movies like Remember the Titans and Hidden Figures show unity across racial lines. Independence Day portrays global cooperation against a common threat. And the cast of High School Musical literally sing the theme “We’re All in This Together.”
But this isn’t just a cultural mantra; it’s also a biblical principle. The apostle Paul uses the imagery of the body to describe how followers of Christ belong together (Col. 3:14-15), work together (Phil. 1:27), and need each other (1 Cor. 12:21). Christians are called to bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), help those who are weaker (Rom. 15:1-2), encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11), empathize with each other (Rom. 12:15), and worship together (Heb. 10:25). Jesus himself modeled and commanded togetherness among his followers (John 13:34-35) and prayed that his disciples all over the world would “be one” so that the whole world would believe in him (John 17:20-23).
The many “one another” passages in the New Testament carry the same theme. Some of the most prominent examples include commands to love one another (1 Jn. 4:7), honor one another (Rom. 12:10), show hospitality to one another (1 Pet. 4:9), agree with one another (2 Cor. 13:11), be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32), forgive one another (Col. 3:13), care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25), and serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
And consider the repeated calls for unity of action through what’s referred to as the “hortatory subjunctive”—collective exhortations expressed in “Let us” language. For example, “Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord” (Isa. 2:3); “Let us sing to the Lord” (Ps. 95:1); “Let us not get tired of doing what is good” (Gal 6:9); “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God” (Heb. 4:16).
Throughout Scripture, we are reminded again and again that God’s people are called to worship, repent, obey, endure, and hope—together. The Christian life is not only a relationship between “me and God” but always includes “us and God.” That’s why the very name of Jesus, Immanuel, means “God with us.”
As we head into a new year of partnership, prayer, and service, my hope is that each one of us will consistently seek and find opportunities to work together for God’s glory among the nations. As we do, we can sing along with Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens and Billy Joel and Art Garfunkle and the apostle Paul as we proclaim, “We’re all in this together!”
Here’s what’s happening.
Maduro Ousted in Venezuela
In the early-morning hours of January 3, 2026, US military forces entered Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, extracted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and transported them to the United States. The operation did not have prior congressional approval, and major questions have been raised about the legality of the action. There is also significant uncertainty about what the future looks like for Venezuela in the aftermath of these events. We do know that Christian ministry in the South American country has been difficult for many years. Maduro was in power for over a decade, but his presidency was widely criticized internationally for contested 2024 elections, and conditions inside the country have been deplorable for many Venezuelans under Maduro’s heavy-handed rule. Many world leaders have expressed concern about the US action while avoiding any defense of Maduro himself, and Venezuelan expats around the world have celebrated his removal. This is a matter for urgent prayer. The situation in Caracas remains unstable, with reports of ongoing heavy gunfire and unrest near the presidential palace. THF has two active partners operating in Venezuela right now, and I have reached out to them for counsel on how to pray. One of them responded, “We could not have anticipated these developments, but we have been following the Lord as he leads us. Only afterward do we see that he had full awareness of why he wanted us there. Now we find ourselves together in a significant harvest opportunity. Because of Tyndale’s partnership, our national director and church planters are fully engaged on the ground, preaching the gospel, caring for families, and shepherding congregations in the midst of uncertainty.” Please pray that the Lord will provide opportunities for our partners in Venezuela to show Christ’s love in a time of upheaval.
THF Commitments in 2026
We make three commitments to every organization that submits a grant proposal. First, we commit to thoroughly review every application. Our team carefully reads every document and assesses every project based on our best understanding of how God is moving globally. Second, we commit to excellent communication. The foundation world can sometimes feel impersonal, so we strive to ensure applicants always know where things stand, whatever the outcome of the review process. Third and most important, we commit to pray for every organization that submits a proposal. Prayer is at the heart of our relational grantmaking, and our work depends on the Lord’s leading for us and our partners. We can’t fund all proposals, but we can and do pray for everyone who submits one. Last week we received a note from one applicant, saying, “We are deeply grateful for you, not only for your generosity but also for your friendship, prayers, and encouragement.” Another added, “It is very rare to find foundations who care as deeply as you do. We know we are not just grantees to you but brothers and sisters in Christ working together in ministry.” Amen! We are thankful for the privilege of praying for and working alongside faithful partners who are acting as God’s hands and feet in the world.
State of the Bible 2025
The American Bible Society has released the 2025 edition of its annual State of the Bible report. Since 2011, ABS has worked with respected research partners (starting with Barna and more recently the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center) to conduct nationally representative, probability-based surveys of American adults. Much of the 2025 data is encouraging. Bible engagement is rising again. After several years of decline, an estimated 10 million more adults now qualify as “Bible Users,” and the percentage of Americans who use the Bible on their own at least occasionally has grown from 38% to 41%. Millennials show the fastest growth, and Bible use among men increased noticeably. More than half of Americans (56%) say they are curious about the Bible or about Jesus. But some of the findings are more sobering. Even though Bible use has ticked up, we are still not back to pre-2022 levels. A full one-third of Americans say they never use the Bible, and millions more engage only a few times a year. A large number of self-identified Christians seldom attend church and show limited connection between faith and everyday life. Interest in the Bible is rising, but spiritual depth, consistency in Bible reading, and confidence in Scripture are still fragile. Let’s pray that in 2026, Bible engagement will continue to rise and that organizations like ABS and Tyndale will be ready to help people encounter God’s Word.
Impact Investing at Tyndale
At THF, we are committed not only to using our funds wisely but also to stewarding them well before a grant is given. While our five-step review process ensures we are giving our very best consideration to every proposal, our board’s Investment Committee pays close attention to how our resources can grow sustainably and responsibly in the meantime. One way we can use our funds well while generating a financial return is through investing in organizations like Talanton. Since its founding in early 2019, Talanton has served investors by offering investment vehicles that put money to work through Christian-led businesses in East Africa. As an impact-investment firm, Talanton integrates biblical principles into its investment philosophy, aiming for financial, social, and spiritual impact. The entrepreneurs Talanton invests in have created or supported more than 109,000 jobs in East Africa, helping bring stability and prosperity to communities that have often lacked access to resources. Talanton’s partners include a Kenyan running-shoe company, a coffee processor and exporter in Burundi, an agribusiness, a ride-sharing platform, and more. Talanton’s leaders carefully vet every investment for faith and values alignment, and partners are supported through prayer as well as financial capital. At THF, we’re glad for the opportunity to see our funds grow through impact investing via Talanton while we look for opportunities to give grants that have a lasting Kingdom impact around the world.
That’s it for this week’s briefing. Please send any questions, comments, and favorite songs about togetherness to [email protected]. Do you enjoy reading the THF Weekly Briefing? Make sure you’re subscribed to the email distribution list to get access to this resource the same day it’s published each week, and feel free to share it with others who may be interested, inside or outside of Tyndale. Thanks for continuing to pray for and support our partners around the world.
Jeremy Taylor
President | Tyndale House Foundation
The THF Weekly Briefing provides information about significant events happening in the wide universe of Tyndale House Foundation partner organizations as well as an occasional peek behind the scenes of THF’s operations. It is available to anyone who’s interested in learning more about Tyndale’s philanthropic commitments, partners, and operations. Was this email forwarded to you? Contact [email protected] to be added to (or removed from) the distribution list.