Series John Stumbo Video Blog
In this blog, released on the 12th of each month, U.S. Alliance President John Stumbo unpacks issues God has been nurturing in his heart and mind. The blog is meant to initiate fruitful dialogue on topics important to our growth as Jesus followers and to our mission as a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8 family.
2019
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 67
February 2019
Africa
11:44
This month John is speaking from Guinea, where the Alliance national church is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. In 1919, the year Alliance founder A. B. Simpson died, the first Alliance church in West Africa was established in a Guinean village—37 years after Simpson had sent missionaries to Africa, of whom 30 died during that timeframe. Scores of missionaries followed to serve in Guinea and several other West African countries where some of our strongest Alliance churches are today. Simpson didn’t live to see it. “Will we invest our lives in that which outlives us?” John asks. If our work is “gospel-centered, biblically based, church-focused ministry as we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, our work is going to last . . . this is the Alliance story; it doesn’t end with Simpson because it started in the heart of God.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 66
January 2019
12:42
Speaking from the National Office Archives this month, John gives a short devotional from Gideon’s story, which conveys a principle for leaders to take into this new year—God reveals Himself in crisis, often through leaders who rise at that moment despite being in the midst of the tragedy themselves. Examples are Josh Gallagher, lead pastor of Paradise (California) Alliance Church, and Andrew Burchett, lead pastor of Neighborhood Church in Chico, who share their testimonies from the 2018 Camp Fire. The Alliance legacy overflows with accounts of hardship, pain, and the Spirit of God breathing into a leader’s soul—hope, encouragement, confidence, and a way forward. “That’s the Alliance story, that’s the story of the Scriptures, and that might be the story of 2019 for some of us,” John concludes. “His grace is sufficient. Let’s rise and follow the example of those who’ve gone before us.”
2018
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 65
December 2018
Middle East
11:57
John shares an interview this month that he conducted earlier this year with six Alliance pastors he met in the Middle East. In this segment, he has asked them to talk about the Fourfold Gospel. “I wanted to give us a bit of a Christmas gift,” John says, “to hear Middle Eastern leaders speak of Christ our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. Give yourself the gift right now of just a few minutes of reflection on the Christ that we love—through Middle Eastern eyes.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 64
November 2018
11:56
This month, John shares a leadership challenge and an opportunity. A record 60 Alliance workers are trained and ready to be sent overseas—an answer to prayer. Meanwhile, the Great Commission Fund is $1.2 million behind for the fiscal year. John appeals to U.S. local church pastors and individual donors to give generously to the 2018 Year-End Offering to send these new workers to the field. “The God of this universe cares about the people of this planet, raises up people to be His spokespersons, and some of us have been called to be the senders. Let’s rise to that at this moment,” he concludes.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 63
October 2018
United States
11:50
John’s report this month is from his recent trip to see Alliance missions efforts in the Middle East. He expresses great gratitude for how the Alliance family has invested for decades in challenging locations—where the work of God is alive and well. “The fruit continues,” he says, “national church leaders multiplying themselves, local churches vibrant and strong, good partnerships with our international workers, supported by the GCF [Great Commission Fund].” We need to not only remain committed to our local communities, John concludes, but to also support Alliance teams in the most difficult places in the world, including the Middle East—where our teams are serving well.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 62
September 2018
Colorado Springs, Colorado
12:29
This month, John addresses this #MeToo, #ChurchToo, time in history, sharing his grief for victims of sexual assault in the Church over the decades and repentance for when the abused were not quickly defended. He expresses gratitude that a greater day of accountability has arrived and maintains that this is not just an issue of sexual misconduct but “how we [leaders] handle and perceive power and what power can do to us.” It’s why “sanctification has to get in our souls.” John cites three factors that contributed to the previous era—naivete, image protection, and lack of soul care. In overcoming these factors, “By God’s grace, may fewer of those stories be told in the future.” Click here to view the full sermon at Resonate.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 61
August 2018
Chicago, Illinois
12:16
John closes out his summer series on “planned redundancy” this month, calling the Alliance family to own and engage in its calling as one of God’s end-times families raised up to complete the Great Commission. On a local level, this can mean getting to know someone in The Alliance from a different culture, pastors giving their people opportunities to give to the Great Commission Fund, and praying regularly for our 700 international workers. “This is about advancing the name of Jesus, from our neighborhoods to the nations, and the nations that have come to our neighborhoods,” he concludes.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 60
July 2018
United States
12:04
In a follow-up to last month’s “planned redundancy” message on the unique Alliance identity—a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8 family—John shares what God would have us do. He unpacks how the Alliance family is called to love, proclaim, reach, and launch, which requires the Holy Spirit fully at work in our lives. “May we commit ourselves to these kinds of things,” John concludes. “For these are the kinds of things that the Church must be doing as we prepare for, and rejoice in, the return of Christ.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 59
June 2018
United States
12:15
John’s topic this month falls under the category of “planned redundancy.” During the early months of his presidency (he was elected five years ago this month), consensus was reached about the unique Alliance expression—a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8 family. John has heard a drift in that phrase, so reminds us that The Alliance isn’t just about mission but is a Jesus-centered denomination: “Focused on Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, sent to every segment of human society, and doing it together.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 58
May 2018
United States
12:59
This month, John addresses eight of the most common leadership mistakes made in meetings. He offers a challenge to take seriously the key moments meetings offer to shape the culture of our teams, which often reflect the leaders they’re under. We have a model in Jesus, whose message and method—the content and tone—came from the Father (see John 12:49). “May all we do move us forward together with greater effectiveness and unity,” John concludes, “because we’re truly moving forward under the direction of our Lord.”
John Stumbo’s Video Blog No. 57
April 2018
United States
12:26
This month, John is joined by Tim Crouch, vice president for Alliance International Ministries (IM), and Mike Sohm, president of CAMA Services. The three discuss what God is doing to shape Alliance missions for the future, including organizational restructuring to more effectively lead, manage, and communicate our multi-specialization missions work. One of the first steps is the integration of CAMA with IM to create a more holistic missions ministry, which will also increase opportunities for more people in our churches with varied gifts and callings to serve in Alliance missions. Here is a short historical timeline to bring more clarity to this discussion.
John Stumbo’s Video Blog No. 56
March 2018
United States
12:40
John addresses the word “complexity” this month, specific to the increasing complexities of life and ministry that are converging upon the church and its leaders. He notes how Jesus entered a complex political environment, well aware of the complexities of spiritual warfare, and was able to avoid wrong conversations. To provide perspective on how to live in our complex world, John unpacks Matthew 10, where Jesus says, “. . . be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 55
February 2018
Latin America
11:13
This month, John is speaking from a Caribbean island where he has joined the 23rd anniversary celebration of the C&MA national network of churches there. He likens the U.S. Alliance relationship with this Body to that of “grandparents,” as there has been no U.S. C&MA presence in the country but where The Alliance is beginning to arise. He also unpacks a five-point agreement of how the U.S. Alliance can best serve the thriving 75 congregations in this island nation that have 90 church plants and a vision to plant 30 more by 2020.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 54
January 2018
United States
11:17
This month, John interviews Terry Smith, the new vice president for Alliance Church Ministries. Terry shares his passion for people to know Jesus through planting new churches and strengthening existing churches while voicing a concern that personal preferences in some of our congregations are chosen over evangelistic fervor. John summarizes: “Jesus is passionate about the local church . . . As we engage fully in establishing and strengthening local churches, we’re doing that which is dear to His heart.”
2017
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 53
December 2017
United States
12:57
John brings Christmas greetings from an unexpected setting: a wedding in Colorado Springs. In his message about the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23, he explains how the Shepherd’s goodness and mercy, which is said to “follow” us (vs. 6) translates to “chases” us. “Christmas is a fantastic time for us to . . . share the good news that the God who would pursue us all the way from heaven welcomes us to the great wedding feast to come—Joy to the world! The Lord has come!”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 52
November 2017
12:32
John shares the keynote address he recently presented at a conference in Colorado Springs about the Alliance perspective on law and culture. From his PowerPoint titled “Our Fascinating Challenge: A Primer for Understanding Christian Engagement in a Post-Christian World,” John unpacks five points that lead to three applications for the U.S. Alliance family. “Let’s do this well,” he concludes, “living under His authority with all of His love living through us.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 51
October 2017
Puerto Rico
12:58
This month John reports from Puerto Rico in the destructive aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. He describes how Alliance people are assisting Puerto Rican churches and calls the U.S. Alliance to be moved with compassion on their behalf.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 50
September 2017
12:26
In this, his 50th video blog since becoming president, John shares his thoughts on a number of issues, including the recent Resonate gathering, a new generation of Alliance church planters, the Church’s response to racism, pitching in to help Hurricane Harvey victims, a newly forming theology of risk, and the “hustle and bustle” of the return of fall ministry in our churches—reminding us that it’s the Spirit who leads us down this next stretch of the river, and we are simply to join His flow.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 49
August 2017
Columbus, Ohio
12:24
This month, John takes us back to Council 2017 when he shared the message stirring in his spirit as he looked ahead to his second term as U.S. Alliance president. I trust you are challenged and inspired by his call to a greater level of ownership and engagement from The Alliance—one of God’s end-times families raised up to complete the Great Commission.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 48
July 2017
12:41
Drawing from portions of his Friday morning Council message, John presents four practical methods for evangelism, while cautioning that each church must decide for itself how it wants to reach the unsaved in its community. Note: in this video, John mentions the book GOD in YOU. Order yours from the Alliance Service Center by calling toll-free 1-877-284-3262, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., MST.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 47
Alliance Council Highlights
June 2017
Columbus, Ohio
9:27
John offers a glimpse of Alliance Council 2017 through a captivating montage of video highlights from the event, reminding the Alliance family that the Spirit of God is at work to move us forward as He directs.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 46
Do Not Grow Weary
May 2017
Philippines
12:47
This month, John recounts the sights, sounds, and smells from his recent trip to the Philippines, where God has grown the C&MA from small, clunky, discouraging beginnings to a vibrant, growing movement of more than 2,500 churches strong—an encouraging reminder to “not grow weary in well-doing.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 45
Keep Watch
April 2017
United States
10:50
John admonishes church leaders to “Keep watch over yourselves and the flock that’s entrusted to your care” by making the gift of Sabbath an indispensable element in our weekly rhythm.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 44
March 2017
Colorado Springs, Colorado
13:12
While speaking at the Converge Conference in Colorado Springs earlier this year, John addressed four dangers the American church faces.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 43
February 2017
Dominican Republic
13:01
John addresses the importance of U.S. church planting and explains why Council 2017 in Columbus, Ohio, is a “must-attend” event for the Alliance family.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 42
Reflections from Vietnam
January 2017
Vietnam
11:37
This month, John shares part two of his message from Vietnam. He notes the oneness in the Body of Christ across cultures and joyfully repents of his “American superiority” after observing the gospel flourishing in this communist-ruled nation.
2016
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 41
The Myth of Perpetual Progress
December 2016
Vietnam
10:42
President John Stumbo delivers a Christmas message from Vietnam.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 40
November 2016
Bangkok, Thailand
12:43
Enjoy the latest video blog from President John Stumbo, filmed at last month’s Quadrennial Convocation of the Alliance World Fellowship in Bangkok, Thailand.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 39
Intergenerational Communication
October 2016
Chapel
11:27
John engages a live audience at the C&MA National Office, encouraging the generations to understand each others’ differing values.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 38
“If Only We Knew. . .”
September 2016
United States
12:40
Recorded at Wheaton College after John spoke to 2,000 Hmong youth, this video blog recalls an emotionally low moment from John’s life in 2009 and a promise he made to God. If only he and his wife, Joanna, knew then what they know now, John says, “we would have lived with our heads a little higher and prayers a little bolder.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 37
August 2016
National Office
12:44
This month, John talks with Melissa (Mel) MacDonald, C&MA Children’s Disciplemaking consultant, about several key qualities of a great Christian leader. He also describes his respect for the influential prophet Jeremiah’s authenticity, and Mel introduces the C&MA Children’s Disciplemaking Leadership Certificate.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 36
July 2016
United States
12:03
John shares his excitement about the energy and passion witnessed at LIFE 2016 in Kansas City among the 5,000 students and volunteers attending. Hundreds made decisions to follow Christ. John challenges Alliance leaders to make a way for these young people to launch into ministry. The video concludes with a montage of scenes from LIFE.
Missions Done Well, Missions Done Poorly
June 2016
National Office
17:16
John’s two-part message (see Video Blogs #32 and #33) is combined in this video post in which he shares six points to illustrate missions done well versus missions done poorly. Missions done poorly is about “us.” The Alliance is committed to doing missions well, which involves incarnational ministry that ensures the local, indigenous church’s sustained ownership and brings lasting fruit.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 35
More thoughts from Indonesia
June 2016
Indonesia
12:15
John shares two additional reflections from his time in Indonesia (see Video Blog No. 34). In the first, he engages the question: “How often has the form of our message of Jesus to the world become an obstacle?” John also shares an insight from John 13, which inspired him to perform an intimate act of service at the Indonesia National Church Conference.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 34
“It will cost tears and blood.”
May 2016
Indonesia
12:37
On site in Indonesia, John summarizes the rich, yet sacrificial 80-year history of God at work in this nation of more than 13,000 islands. It contains the largest population of Muslims in the world, despite having outgrown the U.S. Alliance in its number of churches. In reflecting on this legacy, John reminds us to see the fruit of our work as lasting and multi-generational.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 33
Missions Done Well: Part 2
April 2016
National Office
12:57
John Stumbo reminds us that missions isn’t about us getting to do something meaningful. The goal of missions is lasting fruit. “Missions done well” embraces a solid system of financial and strategic accountability; it establishes strong networks of reproducing local churches; and it is sustainable. The Alliance is committed to doing missions well until our King returns and our mission is complete.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 32
Missions Done Well: Part 1
March 2016
National Office
12:37
Missions done well is incarnational. It opposes dependence on Western resources and supports the sustained ownership of the local, indigenous church in its effort to be self-supporting, self-governing, self-reproducing, and self-theologizing.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 31
Choosing Love
February 2016
National Office
12:06
Every good work performed by the Church is rendered worthless if we fail to love. A loving church is a patient church. A loving church is a kind church. A loving church is a humble church.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 30
Is Fear Driving Our Decisions?
January 2016
National Office
12:56
Fear is a societal trend church leaders need to factor into their thinking, praying, leading, and preaching. Praise God we have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control.
2015
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 29
What do you see the Spirit of God doing?
December 2015
Latin America
12:17
President John Stumbo asks David Hearn, president of The Alliance in Canada, to respond to the question, “What do you see the Spirit of God doing in the Alliance family?”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 28
The Word is Going Forward
November 2015
France
12:56
France is home to over 600,000 believers, which is less than 1 percent of the population. But there is a definite sense that the Word of God is active and that the harvest has begun one by one.
Related video: “From Nothing to Everything”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 27
Workers in Christ
October 2015
National Office
12:20
As workers for God’s Kingdom, our identity is in Jesus and not in the things we accomplish. Our call is to and from Christ, and it’s a ministry we were not meant to do alone.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 26
Living Out an Acts 1:8 Call
September 2015
Manitou Springs, Colorado
12:05
John shares several stories from this summer of the Alliance family living out our Christ-centered, Acts 1:8 calling of loving, proclaiming, reaching, and launching.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 25
Where Are We? Where Are We Going? Condensed Version of Thursday Morning Address
August 2015
Long Beach, California
32:45
This month’s video blog features a condensed version of John’s Thursday morning address to Alliance Council 2015. Be sure to watch his entire address to Alliance Council.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 24
Where Are We? Where Are We Going? Condensed Version of Wednesday Morning Address
July 2015
Long Beach, California
30:58
This month’s video blog features a condensed, 30-minute version of John’s Wednesday morning address to Alliance Council 2015. Be sure to watch his entire address to Alliance Council.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 23
Council Highlights
June 2015
Long Beach, California
8:53
John briefly shares his impressions of Council 2015 in Long Beach, noting that God far exceeded our expectations and anticipations as we met with Him together as a family.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 22
Acts 1:8, Holy Spirit Empowerment First!
May 2015
Big Lake, Minnesota
12:14
Have we completely yielded our lives to Christ in such a way that we are open to whatever His Spirit would like to do in and through us? In a three-part series produced by Riverside Church in Minnesota, John unpacks God’s call on The Alliance as a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8, family. Be sure to watch Acts 1:8 Part 2 and Acts 1:8 Part 3 of John's teaching.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 21
Willingness to Do the Hard Things
April 2015
Colorado Springs, Colorado
11:57
God has raised up the global Alliance family to be on the front edge of what He is doing in this world. This month, John is including a downloadable version of the Amicus Curiae Brief for your convenience.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 20
A Look Ahead at Council 2015 - An invitation and advance look at what the Alliance family will experience in May.
March 2015
Long Beach, California
11:34
This conference will be of greater value than most any other conference you could go to in the next couple years.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 19
Power Block: Power of Position. Power of Religion. Power of an insider. Power of numbers. - Luke 18 & 19
February 2015
Colorado Springs, Colorado
12:18
February's video blog from John Stumbo continues the conversation on power. Follow along with him as he unpacks passages from Luke chapters 18 and 19. This month, John is including a downloadable companion chart to aid in personal reflection and study.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 18
Racial Reconciliation - 1 Corinthians 12:21-26
January 2015
Long Beach, California
12:04
“If we understand the narrative, we will better understand the emotion.” —Rev. Jonathan G. Schaeffer, Alliance pastor
2014
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 17
Noise - Psalms 1-11
December 2014
Bangkok, Thailand
12:44
What are the voices, the noise, the messages that work their way into our mind and begin to have influence?
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 16
How Do We See God Work in Dark Times?
November 2014
Turkey
11:42
“What man intends for evil, God is actually turning around on its head and using it for good and drawing people to Himself.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 15
Why Is There so Much Beauty in the World?
October 2014
Vail, Colorado
11:25
As you see the beauty of this fall season, as you look at the beauty of the Bride of Christ—your church—may your blood pressure go down a few points. May your joy and cause for worship rise within you.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 14
Rising to the Challenge - Jeremiah 12
September 2014
National Office
12:33
We really don’t need smaller problems. We need a bigger view of God—a God who looks into every believer’s heart and says, “I am making you more than you are in and of yourself.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 13
Waiting on the Lord - Isaiah 40:31
August 2014
National Office
11:39
What kind of waiting renews strength? Those who wait upon the Lord with an eager anticipation that He is going to show up, that He is active, that He’s at work in this world—that kind of waiting renews strength.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 12
Got to, Get to, Got to Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:2
July 2014
Harvest Alliance Church
12:56
John reflects on the collective privilege of preachers to stand before God's people and bring the Word of God as spokespersons of eternal truths.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 11
A Joyful Burden - Psalm 40:8
June 2014
Puerto Rico
12:58
John shares an aspect of what has been going on in his heart this year; how the lostness of man, though a significant aspect of our calling, is not a sustainable motivation for ministry. The love of God that gave Jesus to this world is the love that continues to send us to the world.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 10
Spirit Empowered, Spirit Sent - Acts 1:8
May 2014
Colorado Springs, Colorado
12:32
“Eight days later his disciples were in the house again . . . Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” If they had understood that the Spirit who had raised Christ from the dead had now been given to them, why were they still huddling behind locked doors? Let’s leave them for a moment, and let me ask us: are we still huddling in some locked place of fear, not fully understanding or experiencing that which the Spirit of God wants to grant to us and do in us?
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 9
When the Big One Hits - Luke 13:2-3
April 2014
President's Office
12:28
When disaster strikes, what kind of people should we be? U.S. Alliance President John Stumbo shares "preparedness training for the soul," while "ministering when the flood is still in somebody else’s backyard."
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 8
The Church - Revelation 1
March 2014
Chapel
10:41
John challenges pastors to move beyond perfunctory leadership to the high and holy calling of leading His Church.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 7
We are a Christ-Centered, Acts 1:8 Family - Acts 1:8
February 2014
National Office
11:50
John Stumbo shares how God has raised up The Alliance to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to every segment of human society. And we must have all hands of deck—fully passionate, fully committed, and working together for what He is calling the C&MA to be and to do.
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 6
What is a Denomination?
January 2014
National Office
12:09
U.S. Alliance President John Stumbo shares the leadership (or chief executive officer) aspects of his role as president and begins to articulate the vision that God has given to the C&MA.
2013
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 5
Christmas Message – 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
December 2013
Spain
9:52
U.S. Alliance President John Stumbo invites pastors and workers to “receive what God is bringing to us, to the point where it’s something we treasure—hold as holy, to be reflected on.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 4
Our C&MA Heritage
November 2013
New York City, New York
11:09
Watch as C&MA President John Stumbo invites pastors and workers to the same passion that stirred Simpson's heart “the remedy for our spiritual situation in New York is the repentance of professing Christians, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the revival of evangelistic work in the Christian Church.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 3
Sails Up - 2 Corinthians 4
October 2013
National Office
11:32
In this, his third monthly video blog, C&MA President John Stumbo invites pastors and workers to “Leave your sails up, my friends. Persevere with me in this great work to which we have been called.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 2
The Speaking Voice of God - Psalm 25
September 2013
North Springs Alliance Church
11:21
God is speaking… are we listening? In this, his second monthly video blog, C&MA President John Stumbo invites pastors and workers to “stay in the conversation.”
John Stumbo Video Blog No. 1
It's Our Turn
August 2013
England
10:47
As the new U.S. Alliance president, I’d like to start a conversation with Alliance lead pastors concerning the issues we face together in ministry. During these monthly video blog messages, I may tell a story, share a devotional, issue a challenge, or cast C&MA vision. I will be posting a new video blog message on the 12th of every month.
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