More Than a Campaign More Than Us: A Vision from God, a Work for All Pastor Kile Baker November 16th, 2025 God didn’t recruit people for just a project; He wanted them to participate with their lives. Nehemiah 11:1-6 Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine-tenths remained in their towns. 2 The people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. Two groups of people: Some who volunteered and went willingly Others who had to be persuaded It wasn’t enough to build the walls, God needed people with willing hearts. 3 These are the heads of the province who stayed in Jerusalem (but in the villages of Judah each lived on his own property in their towns ​— ​the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants ​— ​4 while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem): Judah’s descendants: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of Perez’s descendants; 5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, a descendant of the Shilonite. 6 The total number of Perez’s descendants, who settled in Jerusalem, was 468 capable men. 7 These were Benjamin’s descendants…10 The priests…15 The Levites…The gatekeepers… None of these people became household names in the Bible—but their faithfulness filled God’s story. Nehemiah 11 isn’t about celebrities of faith; it’s about communities of obedience. Their names may not echo through history, but their obedience rebuilt a city where God’s presence would dwell again. God wasn’t rebuilding the city through a big crowd, but through the commitments of a few. Every hard-to-say name was a person who packed up their life, left comfort, and said, ‘I’ll move in so God’s presence can fill this city again.’ They weren’t celebrities—they were participants. Nehemiah 11 reminds us: God’s kingdom is built on commitment, not fame. Most of us will never be famous in this world, but our faithfulness here will make an impact in the next. Bottom Line: Fulfilling God’s vision requires everyone’s participation, not equal contribution. Next Steps: Invest in and invite your “ones” Make a faithful commitment Next Sunday: We Party!