– The Alliance is truly a global family. Mary and I have witnessed a clear indicator this week that the promise of Jesus is being fulfilled when He says, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” That’s a present-tense promise. He’s building His family today.

– Today, there are networks of Alliance churches in 88 countries with over 6.7 million followers of Jesus. So, this week, we are in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa, participating alongside representatives from more than 50 of those countries at the Alliance World Fellowship Quadrennial.

– It’s an incredible story. This global network of churches, the Alliance World Fellowship was launched 50 years ago in 1975. And every four years, we gather for a large conference, and it’s led to some amazing collaboration.

– Things like international workers– who’ve formed multinational teams–sharing best practices, working together in relief and development, and much more. It’s the Body of Christ in action.

– At this 50th anniversary of the Alliance World Fellowship, we’ve heard so many stories of God at work. In a world that is deeply broken, gatherings like this remind us that Jesus is still at work through His people, giving hope, transforming lives by the power of His Spirit.

– So, one story that really touched me deeply– church leaders from Ukraine and from Russia whose faith in Jesus transcends national boundaries. And despite the horrors of war, they remain committed to our Coming King.

– We’ve also been moved by the faithfulness of believers facing poverty, persecution, oppression. We had a meal with the church leader from Myanmar and came away with so much admiration for how the believers in that country are trusting Jesus, even in the midst of chaos and suffering.

– And in Burkina Faso, believers show remarkable perseverance. Many of their churches have been burned, 12 Alliance pastors and dozens more believers have been killed because of their faith, and hundreds more have had to flee their homes. Our Alliance team is helping 250 of those widows, providing scholarship help so that their young children can stay in school.

– Yet even in suffering, they continue to reach out, putting into action the words spoken by the Apostle Peter, “Those who suffer, according to God’s will, should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

– Another thing that’s been so encouraging for us is the passion that our brothers and sisters have to take all of Jesus to all the world. Alliance churches in 29 nations now send missionaries beyond their own borders. Some of them had the advantage of being able to travel and live in places where others from North America just can’t go.

– Seeing multinational teams of workers serving Jesus cross-culturally, it’s this beautiful demonstration of how the gospel breaks down ethnic barriers, a witness to a watching world. And those efforts are leading to thousands of people putting their trust in Christ every year

– In fact, the number of Alliance believers globally continues to grow exponentially, especially in Asia and in Africa. And there are all kinds of creative outreaches taking place: disaster relief, microenterprises, hospitals, clinics, schools, theological education, anti-trafficking efforts.

– Yes, and radio broadcasts, camps, community development, prison outreach, refugee assistance, Bible translation, and lots more– all of it with the goal of passing along the hope of Jesus, seeing churches multiply, and helping every person on their journey of knowing Him and becoming more like Him.

– So, thank you. Thank you for giving to Alliance missions. To each one who’s contributing financially, thank you. The impact is global; it’s eternal. I’m so grateful we’re part of the same team because of Jesus.

– I love how a friend signs his letters, “Same team.” Whatever our nationality, or ethnicity, or language, same team. Our commitment to Jesus and His Great Commission unites us. And one day, He’ll come again, and He will gather His Bride, His Church, to be together forever. We have everything to look forward to. And for all eternity, it will still be same team.

– Thanks for being on the journey together.

– The Alliance is truly a global family. Mary and I have witnessed a clear indicator this week that the promise of Jesus is being fulfilled when He says, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” That’s a present-tense promise. He’s building His family today.

– Today, there are networks of Alliance churches in 88 countries with over 6.7 million followers of Jesus. So, this week, we are in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa, participating alongside representatives from more than 50 of those countries at the Alliance World Fellowship Quadrennial.

– It’s an incredible story. This global network of churches, the Alliance World Fellowship was launched 50 years ago in 1975. And every four years, we gather for a large conference, and it’s led to some amazing collaboration.

– Things like international workers– who’ve formed multinational teams–sharing best practices, working together in relief and development, and much more. It’s the Body of Christ in action.

– At this 50th anniversary of the Alliance World Fellowship, we’ve heard so many stories of God at work. In a world that is deeply broken, gatherings like this remind us that Jesus is still at work through His people, giving hope, transforming lives by the power of His Spirit.

– So, one story that really touched me deeply– church leaders from Ukraine and from Russia whose faith in Jesus transcends national boundaries. And despite the horrors of war, they remain committed to our Coming King.

– We’ve also been moved by the faithfulness of believers facing poverty, persecution, oppression. We had a meal with the church leader from Myanmar and came away with so much admiration for how the believers in that country are trusting Jesus, even in the midst of chaos and suffering.

– And in Burkina Faso, believers show remarkable perseverance. Many of their churches have been burned, 12 Alliance pastors and dozens more believers have been killed because of their faith, and hundreds more have had to flee their homes. Our Alliance team is helping 250 of those widows, providing scholarship help so that their young children can stay in school.

– Yet even in suffering, they continue to reach out, putting into action the words spoken by the Apostle Peter, “Those who suffer, according to God’s will, should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

– Another thing that’s been so encouraging for us is the passion that our brothers and sisters have to take all of Jesus to all the world. Alliance churches in 29 nations now send missionaries beyond their own borders. Some of them had the advantage of being able to travel and live in places where others from North America just can’t go.

– Seeing multinational teams of workers serving Jesus cross-culturally, it’s this beautiful demonstration of how the gospel breaks down ethnic barriers, a witness to a watching world. And those efforts are leading to thousands of people putting their trust in Christ every year

– In fact, the number of Alliance believers globally continues to grow exponentially, especially in Asia and in Africa. And there are all kinds of creative outreaches taking place: disaster relief, microenterprises, hospitals, clinics, schools, theological education, anti-trafficking efforts.

– Yes, and radio broadcasts, camps, community development, prison outreach, refugee assistance, Bible translation, and lots more– all of it with the goal of passing along the hope of Jesus, seeing churches multiply, and helping every person on their journey of knowing Him and becoming more like Him.

– So, thank you. Thank you for giving to Alliance missions. To each one who’s contributing financially, thank you. The impact is global; it’s eternal. I’m so grateful we’re part of the same team because of Jesus.

– I love how a friend signs his letters, “Same team.” Whatever our nationality, or ethnicity, or language, same team. Our commitment to Jesus and His Great Commission unites us. And one day, He’ll come again, and He will gather His Bride, His Church, to be together forever. We have everything to look forward to. And for all eternity, it will still be same team.

– Thanks for being on the journey together.