The Need For Nehemiahs
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | January 11, 2026
Father, thank You for Ed’s salvation and Doris being here. Thank You for every providential door. Help the unsaved come to Christ today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
On January 11, 2026, Pastor Bill Rains launches the 2026 theme with a powerful message titled “The Need For Nehemiahs” from Nehemiah 1:1–11. He announces a 19-part series through Nehemiah—God’s call to rebuild broken walls and burned gates. Jerusalem lay in ruins, unprotected, afflicted. Nehemiah, in Persian luxury as cupbearer, heard the report and “sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.” Today’s world and churches need concerned believers who get the message, weep over the condition, and do something about it.
1. Nehemiah Understood the Condition of His Nation
Safe in Shushan’s palace, Nehemiah heard: “The remnant… are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” Walls = protection. Gates = access/control. Both gone—anything enters. Pastor Rains: “Parents don’t guard their kids’ hearts. Walls are down; the enemy walks in freely.” Youth in our nation are unprotected. Nehemiah got the message—not just heard it. We must too. “We live in a world in bad shape because of Satan and sin.” Get concerned enough to weep.
2. Nehemiah Became Concerned Enough to Do Something
Upon hearing, he “sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed.” Concern moved to action. Pastor Rains: “There’ll not be much change until you’re concerned enough to change it.” Nehemiah confessed sin—his and the nation’s. He claimed God’s promises (Deuteronomy’s covenant). He petitioned the king. Concern stirred prayer, confession, and action. “Concerned enough to do something.” We need Nehemiahs today who pray, confess, and rebuild.
3. God Has a Chosen Place for His People
Nehemiah remembered God’s promise: “I will gather thee… and bring thee into the place that I have chosen to set my name there.” The chosen place was the temple—worship. Pastor Rains: “Church has meant everything to me. I wouldn’t take anything for my journey now.” Walls down? Gates burned? God calls us to rebuild lives, families, churches. “You’re important in your place in history. God has a role for you.” Like Esther: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
We need Nehemiahs today—
concerned enough to weep,
pray, confess, and rebuild.
The walls are broken.
Will you help rebuild?
Pastor Rains closes: “Get involved. Love the little ones. Hound the teens. Do something the world can’t do.” As 2026 begins, the need for Nehemiahs is urgent. Will you answer the call?
