Council 2025 has officially kicked off in Columbus, Ohio! On Monday morning, the Greater Columbus Convention Center was already filling up with members of the Alliance family, booths were being set up, and Pre-Council gatherings were beginning. Alliance Youth hosted next-gen workers, EquippingU held a workshop, and newly retired Alliance Missions workers were honored.
In the evening session, President Stumbo set the tone for the rest of the week by reflecting on one of the most unassuming words in our vocabulary—and. In the name of our denomination, this word plays a crucial role in displaying the two parts of our movement, Christian and Missionary. We are a denominational family that cares deeply about making disciples in both our neighborhoods and the nations.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Do you notice these ands? God spoke them for a reason. “Don’t place an ‘or’ where God has placed an ‘and,'” Stumbo said. “We cause unnecessary divisions, we limit Kingdom advance, and we miss the full expression of the Body of Christ when we insert our ‘or’ where we should have an ‘and.'”
In Scripture, and also paints a picture of the glory of God. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Lion and the Lamb, the First and the Last, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Shepherd and the Overseer of our souls. We have a glorious God, and we have the incredible pleasure of belonging to Him. We are His.
May these ands lift our faith as we enter this week with expectation.
Seen & Heard
“If you wanted uniformity, you came to the wrong place. I’m calling us to hold to this tension—committed to God’s Word, continuing our heritage of agreement that that which unites us is greater than our known disagreements. That there’s something far more robust and beautiful about the unity of diversity rather than the unity of uniformity.” —John Stumbo, president of the U.S. Alliance
“As one season concludes and a new chapter in the saga of The Alliance is going to be written, we do know the Author. And we are His.” —Jeff Miller, district superintendent of the Ohio Valley District
Watch the Council 2025 theme video here.
Don’t miss out on any Council sessions! The morning president’s report, afternoon business sessions, and evening worship services will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and council.cmalliance.org.
Streaming Schedule (EDT): 📣 President’s Report: Tuesday–Friday at 9:00 a.m. ⛪️ Business Sessions: Tuesday–Friday at 1:45 p.m. 🙏🏾 Evening Services: Monday–Friday at 7:00 p.m.
