Brother Matt Henson and Brother E. Stanley Jones “You belong,” is an invitational message I have seen on several signs in my travels over the years. As I consider our vision for the United Christian Ashrams International Ministry, we want our fellowships to be a place where people can find belonging. In Brother Stanley’s ministry, […]
By Brother Stephen Rankin If you’ve spent any time reading leadership books, you’ve undoubtedly run across the central importance of leaders casting a vision. A number of years ago, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner co-authored The Leadership Challenge, which has become a best-seller. They offer five principles that leaders should embody. The first is “model […]
By Brother Brian Shimer I have this favorite scene in the scriptures: Jesus enters the house of the synagogue ruler, Jairus. He sends away the professional mourners, takes the parents along with Peter, James and John into the room of the girl, and then we read: “He took (the girl) by the hand and said […]
The Sunday bulletin included an announcement, “Join us for a time of fellowship after worship today.” The congregation moved from the worship space/sanctuary to the fellowship hall for coffee, donuts, oatmeal, and juice. The fellowship hall went from a quiet space to a dull roar of laughter, conversation, and people moving around. There was a […]
This weekend while visiting friends, we worshipped at Antioch, Waco! This fellowship has been in existence for 25 years. In that time, they have planted 50 churches in the United States, six in the UK, dispatched 300+ missionaries around the world, and seen God move in incredible ways. Quite remarkable! I walked into the sanctuary […]
By Brother Guy Ames I loved Brother Matt Henson’s word from last week about the importance of “Pursuing Fellowship”. Early Christians saw fellowship as their way of life. Before being called Christians these Jesus followers called themselves “The Way.” They had a “way” of living. Luke described those early Christian practices: “They devoted themselves to the […]
By Brother Gary Wheeler Recently, I spent six days in the hospital while suffering from abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. I lost more than a dozen pounds in the process; probably not the best way to lose weight! Three times a day, someone came to my room to ask me what I wanted for my […]
By Brother Guy Ames Deuteronomy 31:7-8 As a young man, I enjoyed setting out on a trip without any agenda, going wherever the road and the Lord led. On occasion, I encountered some divine meetings and had some amazing experiences as God opened unexpected doors and conversations. I loved those unexpected divine encounters. Truthfully, those […]
By Brother Brian Shimer Read Luke 24:13-35 I love to travel. True, business travel, when you are stuck in buildings the whole time you are there, is less appealing. I was in Clearwater, Florida for a week doing mediation with a church in April and May and never got to visit their beach! Apparently, they […]
By Brother Tom Albin Words of Encouragement: UCAI, July 14, 2024 For many, summer is a time for family events, vacations and travel. There are no more wonderful words than “Would you like to come with us ….?” To be invited, included, wanted, valued—this is the joy of being a family. In the 2024 UCAI […]
