All Church Retreat: Embracing the Narrative and Strategic Plan

On February 28, Wesley Church gathered for its All Church Winter Retreat. This was the third and final Discovery & Discernment session, led by our Strategic Planning Consultant Rev. Samuel Yun, and it marked a great moment in Wesley's history because we presented a bold, Spirit-led 5-Year Strategic Implementation Roadmap (2026–2030).

After months of congregational listening, prayerful discernment, and extensive research of the surrounding community, Wesley has a clear and compelling vision: "A church rooted in love, formed in faith, and committed to justice" and these are expressed through three powerful core values: Love That Welcomes, Faith That Forms, and Justice That Acts.
The roadmap outlines five strategic initiatives to be carried out over five progressive phases through 2030: (1) From Welcome to Belonging - building intentional pathways to deepen community connection; (2) Faith for Real Life - expanding Christ-centered discipleship and spiritual formation; (3) Compassion That Builds Trust - strengthening outreach, justice work, and Japantown partnerships; (4) Clear & Invitational Communication - clarifying Wesley's identity and expanding its digital presence; and (5) Intergenerational Strength & Shared Leadership -raising up the next generation of leaders to carry the mission forward.

By 2030, the vision is ambitious and concrete: 75% of active participants relationally connected, 50% engaged in both formation and outreach annually, and Wesley recognized as a beloved, trusted anchor in the heart of Japantown. This isn't just a strategic plan, it is a covenant, a calling, and a declaration that the best days for Wesley Church are still ahead!

Rev. John introduced the work that the strategic planning committee had been working on in two previous discovery sessions with outside consultant, Rev. Samuel Yun. This was done  in preparation for the “Big Reveal” and discussion with around 30 in attendance.

A church service welcomed the message by consultant  and charismatic speaker Rev. Samuel Yun, the pastor of San Ramon Valley UMC, who first invited in and embraced the spirit of God into our house, and  shared the transformative process and his particular expertise in guiding our strategic planning team of 23 or so through the discovery sessions to create a vision statement, a strategic plan and the process of implementation.

A small group of church members, of which about half were composed of the Strategic Planning Committee, attended.

Our church’s vision statement from which everything planned and implemented will flow is as follows:  “To Be A Church Rooted in Love, Formed in Faith, and Committed to Justice.  In this transformative process the Strategic Planning team has outlined a five year plan beginning this year, 2026 by addressing our church’s foundation and alignment, our identity and infrastructure.

Ryan Miyahara on percussion and Joanne Miyahara accompanied Rev. Yun on guitar, who led  those attending in singing “Jesus We Love You.”