Heart to Heart
Having just attended the 118th General Council of the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Columbus, OH, with the Stevens, Sloans and Pastor Phil, I decided to make this newsletter more about our larger Alliance family, so you can get a better picture of who we are as the C&MA.
I’ve attended many Councils over the years, but I need to say that Council 2025 was uniquely marked by a high sense of anticipation, as we prepared to elect a new President. There was a warm feeling of deep appreciation for the 12 yrs of leadership given by John Stumbo (along with his wife Joanna). I also had a strong sense of “family” at this year’s gathering. Over 3000 people came to Council 2025, along with several hundred who livestreamed the events and participated online. It was a rich mixture of pastors, lay delegates and IWs literally from the ends of the earth. According to John, this was the largest gathering of the Alliance family, since 1987 – when the Canadian Alliance formed its own national church identity, north of the border.
The focal point of Council 2025 was the theme that we are HIS – His people, His church, His servants, His messengers tasked with getting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. The Council schedule included times of prayer and worship, intertwined with business sessions, along with seminars designed to equip people as we take Christ to the final unreached people groups. We look forward to what He will do among us, and through us, in the coming years.
While we came to do the business of Council and to elect our next President, we also came to encourage one another, while renewing relationships and making new friends with our multicultural, multi-linguistic Alliance family.
I lost count of the number of conversations I had over the week. We ran hard from 6:30am until at least 10:30pm every night. When I finally laid my head on the pillow, I came away with more and more to thank Him for. It’s so encouraging to be counted as HIS and know that He has our future in His hands. I’m so grateful to be part of the Alliance family. It’s an honor to serve alongside so many gifted, passionate people who are working together for His glory, to bring back the King.
As you read the rest of this newsletter, may the stories told and the summaries shared, strengthen your faith, and build your appreciation for being HIS, as we are teamed together to serve as the FAC family.
Onward, upward, for Christ’s glory (Phil.3:14)
Pastor Adriaan & Diana <><