The year 2014 will be remembered for the atrocities committed by the Islamic State, the war in Ukraine, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Queen Elisabeth II used the Latin term “Annus horribilis” for 1992, when her family was plagued by scandals. With typical British understatement, she said that it was “not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.”
As the Alliance world family, we may be tempted to describe 2014 in similar terms:
- Philippine Alliance churches dealt with the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.
- In the Middle East, brothers and sisters were killed, tortured, and forced to flee.
- Churches in West Africa experienced the deadly effects of Ebola, and Pastor Moise Mamy in Guinea was killed.
- The Alliance World Fellowship (AWF) lost two of its founding fathers—Philip Teng and Adriaan Stringer.
Nonetheless, I suggest we use the term “Anno Domini” instead. This expression refers to the birth of Christ our Lord. Since then, every year is added on a timeline that will lead to His unstoppable return in glory!
In 2014, we have seen signs of His imminent return and of His presence in:
- Support given to Philippine churches to help people who lost their homes.
- Testimonies of Christians in the Middle East who in, dark times, found hope.
- Opportunities to share the love of Christ more than ever before.
- Fruit of the Spirit in the lives of leaders who were promoted to glory.
- Regional AWF gatherings.
- Those who were compelled by the love of Christ to pray, share, and bless.
The good thing is that 2015 will bring us even closer to the day that we will see Him—our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and King! Be blessed and share the blessing!
—Arie Verduijn, president of Alliance World Fellowship
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