Encounter 2026 Keynote - Robby John

“Yet This I Call to Mind” | Faith, Lament, and the Faithfulness of God What do you do when faith feels thin, grief feels heavy, and hope feels distant? In this powerful keynote message, we journey through lament—not as the absence of faith, but as the birthplace of hope. Drawing from Lamentations 3:19–26, this sermon reframes the question of belief: What if hope was never about the strength of your faith—but the faithfulness of God? With honesty, poetry, and pastoral care, this message speaks to: Grief and loss Depression and anxiety Questions we’re often afraid to say out loud Faith that feels fragile The sustaining presence of God in suffering Through stories of personal loss, communal worship, and a deeply moving moment of communion, this keynote reminds us that God does not rush us past pain—He meets us in it. God gets into the crib with us. His mercy is new every morning. And His faithfulness holds us when we cannot hold ourselves. This message is especially for anyone who has been told to “be strong,” “have more faith,” or “don’t doubt”—and found themselves unable to live up to those expectations. You are not alone. You do not have to pretend. And you are not sustained by your faith—but by God’s. “Yet this I call to mind… Great is Your faithfulness.” Scripture Focus: 📖 Lamentations 3:19–26 Themes: • Lament & hope • God’s faithfulness • Grief & healing • Communion & presence • Faith in suffering