The Summer That Changed the Conversation

The summer of 2026 has been more than a season. For many across Chattanooga’s Christian community, it has become a season of renewal—of rest, prayer, and fresh vision. It has been a time to pause, to listen for God’s voice, and to ask how He is calling each of us to become more faithful leaders, more committed servants, and better partners in His Kingdom. And we at TGT are listening to that call as we engage with other organizations who care about our community.  Why? Because we understand that true renewal cannot happen in isolation. 

Throughout the summer, God has been drawing His people together through three remarkable opportunities that share one common purpose: to strengthen His Church for greater Kingdom impact. Together, these opportunities have allowed us to lead with prayer, gather for inspiration, and unite around a renewed vision of collaboration – all changing the conversation and bringing our community together.

The first opportunity has come through local book clubs studying Lead with Prayer: The Spiritual Habits of World-Changing Leaders. Conversations about this book seem to be happening everywhere. Authors Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer, and Cameron Doolittle deliver a compelling message: prayer is not simply a spiritual discipline—it is the defining practice of effective leadership. Through the stories of influential leaders from around the world, they demonstrate that lasting impact is born not from strategy alone, but from leaders who consistently seek God’s direction before acting. The book also provides ideas for integrating prayer into your organization. If you are interested in joining a Lead with Prayer book club, please contact TGT (lindsey@thegenerositytrust.org).

The second opportunity: the Global Leadership Summit, where business, nonprofit, ministry, and community leaders gathered to be challenged, encouraged, and inspired. The Summit reminds us that leadership is influence, and that influence grows when leaders commit themselves to continual learning, courageous innovation, and serving others with excellence. This year’s summit left an indelible mark on its participants, as each speaker offered a distinctive lens on leadership in 2026. Attendees came away inspired by the relevance of each topic, including Craig Groeschel’s message on servant leadership and “having others’ best interest at heart,” and Julio Garcia’s challenge to “serve for the act of service.”  A key message: from the position of Servant Leader, we are prepared for worldwide shifts and to meet challenges head on. 

The third opportunity is ForCHATT, an initiative of Faith Co-Op whose mission is to connect our work with God’s work. More than just another program, ForCHATT represents the beginning of a new chapter for Chattanooga’s Christian community. Its leaders believe, “Unity isn’t an event. It’s a daily posture. A decision to live God’s story together as the Church.”

For generations, many churches have quietly carried the assumption that unless we all agree on everything, we cannot truly unite around anything. That misconception has cost us more than we realize. It has left partnerships undiscovered, resources underutilized, and Kingdom opportunities waiting. While ministries have faithfully served within their own walls, God has always been inviting us beyond those walls—to lay down our egos, leave our logos behind, and step out of our silos. His Kingdom was never intended to be built in isolation.

Now, that invitation is becoming reality.

ForCHATT is awakening a movement of pastors, ministries, nonprofits, businesses, and believers who are choosing collaboration over competition. For decades we have prayed for unity yet often lacked both a common vision and a practical pathway. Now, inspired by the work of ForCHARLOTTE and similar efforts in more than sixty cities across America, ForCHATT aspires to provide support for our collaboration – like a trellis in a vineyard that lifts the vine allowing the fruit to prosper.  And in that process, the trellis creates the structure where trust can flourish, relationships can deepen, and every ministry can bear even greater fruit. This is not about elevating one organization. It is about strengthening the entire Body of Christ so that every member can thrive.  

Perhaps that is the defining message of the summer conversation of 2026.

God is preparing His people for something greater than any one church, ministry, or leader could accomplish alone. Prayer is renewing our hearts. Leadership is expanding our vision. Unity is multiplying our impact.

Chattanooga doesn’t need another program. It needs a united Church.

Imagine every neighborhood seeing believers serving shoulder to shoulder. Imagine ministries celebrating one another’s victories instead of protecting their own territory. Imagine a city transformed because the Body of Christ chose to move together with one purpose and one heart. Hope, healing, and the love of Jesus become unmistakable when His people are united.

That future is no longer just something to pray for.

It is something we are invited to build—together.