In a message for the beginning of 2026, Pastor Joel Engel taught that Christians should not enter a new year without honoring what God has done in the past year.

“In order to receive the blessing of the coming year, you must give thanks for what you received last year,” he stated, emphasizing that gratitude is a principle that activates new levels of blessing.

The pastor declared that 2026 will be a year of dreams presented, no longer hidden: “Everything that will happen during this new year is a dream you’ve been keeping inside,” he said. “No more keeping the dream inside. Present it to God!”

According to him, a dream only begins to unfold when it is acknowledged, spoken, and put before God. “We are the only creatures in all creation with the ability to dream,” he stated. “Animals don’t dream. Angels don’t dream. But God has dreams.”

Citing the prophet Jeremiah, the pastor explained that we first existed in the mind of God.

“Before you entered your mother’s womb, God already knew you. The first place you existed was in the mind of God.”

According to him, this reveals a spiritual principle: “The things you have not yet seen already exist in the spiritual realm.”

You can be the greatest destroyer of dreams

As Engel observed, it is not Satan who prevents the fulfillment of dreams. The true enemy of your aspirations is often internal: “You can be the greatest destroyer of dreams. You wake up every morning and dismantle them with fear, worry, and unbelief.”

He also emphasized the importance of writing down dreams. “You need to make a covenant with God. Write down your dreams and commit to nurturing them every day.”

Finally, the pastor proclaimed the verse that will guide his year: “The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.” (Genesis 41:32, NIV)

And he declared: “The dream is from God, and God is quick to fulfill it. And if God gave the dream, it is because He wants to fulfill it.”

Watch the full sermon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXKmqQ8Nn9o