July 2, 2023 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Cheryl Zamora

IFH: July 2, 2023

A sense of urgency is upon CEAC to spring into action to become Jesus’ disciples on the job, be taught and trained into the Alliance distinctives (Jesus our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King) and CEAC’s core values and practices to fulfill our vision (Living for Christ Impacting Lives) and mission statements (We exist to glorify God by introducing people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and become His healthy followers.)

Central Edmonton Alliance Church’s (formerly First Filipino Alliance Church) story of its humble beginnings must be shared and remembered. It started making disciples in coffee shops, restaurants, house parties and community events. Through these initiatives people were ushered to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, consequently strengthened in their faith and mobilized to invest in the lives of others. Courageous steps were undertaken to have a ready attitude to serve anywhere and in all seasons and fulfill the mandate given to us by Jesus … “to be witnesses in our city, the suburbs, our proving, our nation and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts1:8)

I believe that discipleship remains one of church’s biggest challenges. Sending teams for local and global missions is not sustainable if the church stops making disciples. Doing church, making disciples must be healthy to produce and sustain a strong missional focus. We understand missional to become missionaries sent out in the local and global arena that is, our city and the world. And yes, we need to sharpen our focus of helping people out of the dark, into Jesus’ light. We need to be intentional in turning our new comers and first time guests into baptized, fully committed disciples of Jesus. Nonetheless, we need healthy, trained and strong foot soldiers in our home court. We need to continue going farther, broader and deeper in our missions and evangelism path

[Note: Some of the thoughts I shared I took from my journal taught by former pastors here in our church.]