Dr. Roy Price has many years of experience pastoring in the C&MA. Many of us have known him for years, and have benefited from his knowledge and wisdom. A favorite preaching topic of his over the years has been the book of Romans. Now he has written a compilation of those messages in a format that can be well-used as a study guide for small groups, or even an up-to-date practical commentary for today's preachers. If you're going to be studying the book of Romans, Roy's book is a must-have. Thank you Roy for being a great example of how God continues to use us over the long haul! 

Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Scholarship has been set up to help transform the lives of underprivileged children and at-risk youth from local public schools.

Outside of his love for God and his family, Wayne Hoag's greatest love is for the Body of Christ. For forty-one years he has been a shepherd of God's flock. From June, 1991 until June, 2017 he served as the Senior Pastor of Sierra Bible Church in the mountain town of Truckee, California. As he continues to serve Sierra Bible Church as one of its teaching pastors, it is also Wayne’s desire to further develop and expand his writing and speaking ministry in regards to The One Another Project.

Recently we celebrated the Fourth of July, Independence Day, a day to celebrate our freedoms. Specifically, the freedom from tyranny, the imposition of government mandates without the input from the governed. The failure to recognize one’s God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We come across great articles and insights from writers, leaders, pastors and others sharing their passions and perspectives on topics of faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, and much more. Some articles we share regularly on our blog, and many others speak to us in one way or another. Whether it’s a current event, hot topic in the district, or something that relates to a personal season of life, we’d like to share the articles below with you that came across our inboxes during the last few months or so. 

As we’ve been talking about the gifts of the spirit, it reminds me of the man who bought an old VW camper. It was supposed to be blue and white, but the paint was oxidized and there were several gray primer blemishes. The engine wasn’t much good either, so he replaced it with a Corvair engine.

Something so profound happened at church that I have to tell you about it!

I was praying for a man at the altar. Two smaller children were with him, politely staying occupied at his feet. The prayer time was emotional, and I could sense the Spirit moving in this man’s life, comforting him and encouraging him. When we were finished, the little girl who was with him looked up at me. She had a trail of tears running down her face. I was shocked! I didn’t realize she was even paying attention.

Buddhist monks chanting in the temple in front of a Buddha statue

God is moving in a Southeast Asian Creative Access Country (CAC)

Our ministry efforts are growing and God is giving us favor in this very difficult, restricted, predominantly Buddhist and Animistic country! Our Alliance workers, in partnership with indigenous leaders, are rescuing girls from human trafficking and exploitation and have made safe houses for them with full counseling, care and presenting the Gospel. Many are coming to Christ!!

We have also created a beauty shop business where they are trained to have meaningful jobs that keeps them off the streets and into a good Christian environment. We also started a jewelry business where they make jewelry to sell to tourists, locals and some jewelry is even being shipped and sold overseas – God is blessing us richly!!

The manifestation of the spirit I want to look at today is discernment – another gift to the church to build it up – that comes through people, to people, so that we can storm the gates of hell.

There are people who, by nature, are more discerning than others. They just have good insight. When naturally discerning people surrender themselves to God, I think the spirit of God manifests through them discernment because they’ve surrendered that dimension of their personality to the spirit of God, allowing him to use it.

Last month, at General Council, Simpson University signed an articulation agreement with LEAD with the purpose of being able to work with LEAD students, enabling them to finish a degree with Simpson University. The program is called LEAD because they train LEADers with the purpose of "Equipping men and women to be ministry leaders." 

The following post is written by Chris Braun, a former C&MA missionary who now serves at The Stirring in Redding with his wife Marcia, who is part of the Board of Directors for The Alliance.