2025 Christian & Missionary Alliance General Council
Day 1 – Monday
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.’”
Interesting note: He is preaching behind AB Simpson’s original pulpit. Many of you know, but you can still visit the original church that he started in Manhattan. It is now St Johns Pizza and has great food! But even cooler, the original stained glass windows are still there with our four-fold gospel symbol!
Day 2 – Tuesday
On Tuesday morning, the President’s Report was focused on looking to the past through statistics, updates, and testimonies.
In a review of church annual reports, President Stumbo shared that the rate of conversions and baptisms continue to regain upward momentum following the COVID-19 pandemic dip.
Particularly baptisms are up
Possible indicator of stronger discipleship taking place
At Council 2023 – Various NOW Goals set
Since June 2023, 103 new international workers have been appointed. In addition, 125 new church-planting projects and 96 new church expressions have begun and 44 new churches have been accredited.
During the afternoon business session, Tim Meier, vice president for Development; Ken Baldes, vice president for Operations/Finance; and Tim Crouch, vice president for Alliance Missions, shared an update on how The Alliance is funded through the Great Commission Fund.
In the evening service, pastor, professor, and Board member Charles Galbreath spoke out of John 12:20–21. In this passage, Greeks had traveled to Jerusalem for Passover, and they had a request for a disciple: “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’” Alliance family, we also need to see Jesus and turn our eyes upon Him! “Jesus had a ministry to the distressed and the troubled,” Galbreath shared. “He embraced the lepers and the unclean, the tax collectors and the lame, the Deaf and the adulterer, children, the demonized, the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the ostracized, and the paralyzed. That’s the type of Savior we serve.” Jesus is our everything.
Day 3 – Wednesday
During the Wednesday morning President’s Report, Church Ministries and Alliance Missions shared updates and stories about the current moment in our Alliance family. Alliance ESL and Alliance Peacemaking shared updates regarding their respective trainings and ministries, and Alliance Youth co-directors Scott Wakeley and Charles Amoh shared about the LIFE Conference this summer, July 4–8, and led a time of prayer for the thousands of teenagers and youth leaders who will attend.
A delegation from the Alliance Church in Korea was also recognized from the platform, sharing that since they were established in 2018 with five churches, they have seen rapid growth. Seven years later, they now have 85 churches and are raising up many new pastors and leaders.
The end of the morning session was filled with stories from Alliance international workers who serve in Europe, Africa, central Asia, and the Middle East. Despite the difficult and sometimes war-torn circumstances in many of these locations, each worker testified about how God is moving powerfully among the people they serve.
In the afternoon business session, presidential nominees Rev. Stephen Fowler and Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer were interviewed before Council
The evening worship service was set aside for Communion and a time of healing prayer. Pastor Javier Gómez, superintendent of the Puerto Rico District, and David Linn, superintendent of the Northeastern District, lead the time of Communion. Before facilitating the time of healing prayer, Ron and Wanda Walborn spoke about the importance of having a theology of healing power, and of pain. “Healing flowed out of the wounds of Jesus—what flows out of our wounds?” Ron shared.
Yes!! That David Linn! Our district DS lead the communion and he did an awesome job!!! I do not have a picture of that but above is one of Dr. Sally Fry who many of you know. She also works in our district and I went to Gabon Africa with her.
The following picture is a cool backdrop they had for communion. I have this graphic and plan on using it for our services.
Day 4 – Thursday
The Thursday morning President’s Report began with worship and soon shifted into a moment of recognition of The Alliance’s chaplains. Col. Kevin Pies, the director for Alliance Chaplain Ministries, shared that our 94 institutional chaplains and 82 military and federal chaplains are well-respected in every sector they serve.
Tim Meier and President John Stumbo then spoke about the progress of the now. goal for Project ReImagine, The Alliance’s initiative to relocate the National Office to Columbus, Ohio. They shared the redesign for One Alliance Place and the testimony of how God has already been fulfilling the goals that motivated the relocation. Pastor Roger Ntoto spoke about how the French-speaking African community in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is being served and coming to Jesus in the new Alliance Ministry Center, a remodeled space in the strip mall on the campus property. Currently, just over $7 million is still needed to complete One Alliance Place.
At the close of the morning, international workers shared about the results of another now. goal, which was to see two new open doors for Alliance Missions. We praise God that over the past two years The Alliance has entered, or is preparing to enter, three new locations. Envision Manchester workers are currently serving in England, aXcess workers have established ministry in a new capital city in Southeast Asia, and CAMA workers are building a team of new international workers for a small, unreached country in East Africa.
During the afternoon business session, The Alliance elected its 13th president, Dr Johnathan G. Schaeffer, who will begin his new role on August 1. The above is a picture of the 10th, 11th, 12th, and newly elected 13th president of the C&MA!
In the evening service, Council celebrated the appointment and commissioning of 45 new international workers! They will be sent all over the globe, bringing gospel access to those who are in desperate need of His love.
Day 5 – Friday
During the Friday morning President’s Report, Tim Meier, vice president for Development, shared a new Alliance World Tour. This presentation provides an overview of The Alliance’s work around the world through stories, statistics, and photos. The rest of the morning was largely set aside to honor President John Stumbo for his 12 years of service in leading The Alliance. Guest speakers, including former Alliance presidents Gary Benedict and Peter Nanfelt, shared stories and commendations to President Stumbo.
One of John’s favorite musicians, Russ Taff, (Imperials) was also brought in as a surprise guest to perform “Day by Day,” a hymn of personal significance to President Stumbo.
At the beginning of the evening service, President Stumbo washed President-Elect Jonathan Schaeffer‘s feet and blessed him with a few words before the Board of Directors commissioned him into the mantle of his new role.
Jonathan then spoke the final message of Council on three characteristics of those who belong to God, ones who are His. “Those who are His pursue holiness, they welcome the Spirit, they are on mission,” he shared.
In closing benediction, President Stumbo said, “Alliance family, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Business Meetings
Made changes to statement of Faith. Mostly updating wording though there were some objections and concerns, nothing very significant was changed. The concern of some is that we are moving away from orthodox view of scripture. I do not see this as the attempt but I am grateful to those who are keeping a close eye on that!
Perhaps the most significant vote was on adding a bylaw to our Pre-Mil statement which essentially said we will allow workers with other views. This was defeated. Though many liked the spirit behind the bylaw, most thought that adding a bylaw was not the way to go.
We also voted on things pertaining to future councils. This was a time when staying awake in order to vote was quite challenging! zzzzzz
Obviously the other big thing this year was voting for a new president. Which we did successfully and I was pleased with the outcome.
Spent the week great fellowship
Saw men I haven’t seen in years, spent time with my mentor, met new dedicated men of faith, deepened relationships! It was a wonderful time of fellowship in between meetings. It was a full and exhausting week. It filled me up and it is always a great reminder that we are part of a much larger effort to see Jesus in all the world. One of my favorite quotes this week: “We are part of the greatest story ever known as it unfolds”