AL - PEOPLE FILES
- Sam Alberry - Sheila Alewine - Paul Alexander - Bruce Allen - Cindy Allen - David Allen - Jason K Allen - O. Wesley Allen Jr - Stephen Allred - Teyabe Alphonse - Sampson Amoateng -
==Sam Alberry====== |
- Samalberry.com - Twitter -
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Sam Allberry is a pastor, apologist and speaker. He is the author of a number of books, including Is God Anti-Gay?, Why Bother with Church?, 7 Myths about Singleness, and What God Has To Say About Our Bodies.
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May 4, 2023: Sam Alberry: Gospel Coalition: Open Your Church Service with a Gospel Welcome
Character over Achievement: Gospel Culture with Paul Tripp In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry are joined by special guest Paul Tripp to discuss the pastoral dangers of pride, isolation, and reputation management, while highlighting the importance of community and relational ministry. They emphasize living by God’s grace as the foundation for building gospel culture. (Gospel Coalition 1/23/25) READ MORE>>>>> Feb 8, 2023: Christian Post: New Tim Keller Center for Apologetics will equip the Church to reach 'post-Christian' society
Collin Hansen, TGC's vice president for content, serves as executive director of the center. Michael Graham serves as the director. Fellows include Sam Allberry, Josh Butler, Sam Chan and others. Jan 28, 2023: Desiring God: Single but Not Lonely
Our faithfulness in singleness is valuable because it honors Christ. As Sam Allberry says, “If marriage shows us the shape of the gospel, singleness shows us its sufficiency” (7 Myths About Singleness, 120). Gospel Coalition: God Cares About Your Body
At TGC21, Sam Allberry gives five reasons why our bodies are good and explores how we should treat them as we wait for bodily redemption.11.4.22 Christianity Today: Sam Allberry on the Queen’s Death and the Church’s Future
“We’re learning what she meant to us by having to cope with her absence.” So says Sam Allberry, British author, speaker, pastor, and apologist as he reflects on the death of Queen Elizabeth II during this week’s episode of The Russell Moore Show. Allberry and Moore talk about the role the queen filled in the British and global imaginations, what it means for the Elizabethan age to end, and the type of leadership the queen embodied. 9.21.22 |
January 23, 2025: When asked "What do you most long to impart to the generation rising up behind you?" by Ray Ortlund, Alberry said: "my, my ambitions have shifted over the years. I still have things I still would long to do for the Lord, but my, my ambition now is to be a healthy Christian and a healthy church, yeah. And if I, if I can do that and not do anything else, I’ll be very thankful. I don’t ever want to do less than that. The Lord has given me the opportunity of serving as a pastor and writing and speaking. Those things are a wonderful privilege, but they count for nothing if I’m not being a healthy Christian. And to be a healthy Christian, I need a healthy church. So I guess that’s what I want other guys to have as their ambitions. Let’s make that our priority, that the Lord will take care of the rest. There’s things, truths I’d love to do a better job of communicating to this generation. I want people to know the goodness of Jesus, the kindness of Jesus to taste and see that the Lord is good. There’s a flavor to him. There’s a flavor to his word. It’s too easy for us to have sort of mission, mission ministries, strategies and goals and and miss that character piece. Yeah, one of the things I keep coming back to and having to re preach to myself is that growth in the Christian life is needing Jesus more, not needing Jesus less. And that was a that was a big breakthrough for me, when I began to realize that
 Sam Alberry Files
“I can imagine, if you are a 13 or 14-year-old insecure teenager (and we were all insecure at 13 and 14) it is a way of becoming noticed. If you feel like you are being overlooked, you do not see other people interested in you, coming out gives you a way of being seen. I wonder if a part of it is peer pressure as well. It is a mixture of fashion, pornography and other things I am sure I am not aware of. Our culture is putting sexual fulfillment as being one of the key things that make your life complete, so that there is much more eagerness for sexual exploration and experimentation that it would have been in the past.
-Sam Alberry - Dec 2021 - Evangelical Focus: Europe |
Dec 30, 2021: Evangelical Focus: Top 10: Our best interviews of 2021
- Sam Allberry, a Christian apologist who has much to say about sexuality, identity and the church: “Christians need to keep biblical convictions and still show grace”
- Sam Allberry, a Christian apologist who has much to say about sexuality, identity and the church: “Christians need to keep biblical convictions and still show grace”
==sheila alewine======
Sheila Alewine runs Around The Corner Ministries, with her husband that helps equip Christ-followers to confidently share the gospel right where they live, work, or play. They began this ministry in 2016,
Sheila Alewine
It sounds offensive to us to think we must hate our own families. Surely this is not what Jesus meant? The word means to detest, but in context, Jesus is telling us that our love for God must be so deep and abiding and surpassing that our affection for our families looks like hate. To hate is to “love less.” Our love for anyone, even our own mother and father, cannot supersede our love for God.
This has practical implications. Jesus is describing the cost of being a true disciple. If we love God most, then we will follow Him in spite of any persuasion or influence that would hinder us. The love for God that Jesus describes causes us to give up anything and everything that deters our passion for Him.
Our love for God must surpass not only our love for other people, but also for the things of this world. John tells us if we love the world, we do not love the Father (1 John 2:15). Demas, one of Paul’s disciples, deserted the ministry to which he was called, because he loved the world more (2 Timothy 4:10). A surpassing love for God can keep us from trading away an eternity with Him for a few short years of pleasure here on earth. --Sheila Alewine
This has practical implications. Jesus is describing the cost of being a true disciple. If we love God most, then we will follow Him in spite of any persuasion or influence that would hinder us. The love for God that Jesus describes causes us to give up anything and everything that deters our passion for Him.
Our love for God must surpass not only our love for other people, but also for the things of this world. John tells us if we love the world, we do not love the Father (1 John 2:15). Demas, one of Paul’s disciples, deserted the ministry to which he was called, because he loved the world more (2 Timothy 4:10). A surpassing love for God can keep us from trading away an eternity with Him for a few short years of pleasure here on earth. --Sheila Alewine
==paul alexander======
Paul Alexander (MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the pastor of Grace Covenant Baptist Church in Elgin, Illinois. He is co-author of The Deliberate Church with Mark Dever. He lives in Elgin with his wife, Laurie, and six children.
==Bruce Allen======
Bruce Allen is gifted in the prophetic teaching ministry. He helped pioneer Storehouse Celebration Church in Seattle, Real Life Christian Center in California, and was the administrator of Storehouse School of Ministry in the Northwest. He is the author of two popular books Promise of the Third Day and Prophetic Promise of the Seventh Day.
Bruce Allen with Forgotten Ministries International says their ministry often sees how blasphemy laws are used to promote state-sanctioned targeting of minority Christians. “Christians are targeted for blasphemy accusations even when they have not perpetrated any blasphemy. But because these laws exist in the book, they’ll use it indiscriminately even when there’s no evidence of blasphemy.”
Allen adds, “Another point that the fact sheet makes is that blasphemy laws encourage individuals and non-state actors to seek retribution against alleged blasphemers.
“Many times, the person who is accused of blasphemy doesn’t even stand a chance to have their day in court. They’re killed in the street outside their home the day [or] the day after the blasphemy charge is even leveled. It’s a vigilante mob violence mentality.”
FMI saw this most recently in the case of a 6-year-old Christian boy in Pakistan who was violently attacked by his Muslim teacher and hospitalized for alleged blasphemy.
Please pray for blasphemy laws to be repealed and for oppressors to have their eyes opened to Jesus Christ.
Allen says, “We want to keep this beleaguered, oppressed Christian community in prayer. Lift them up and say, ‘Lord, may they be walking in the power of your Spirit to follow your instructions because we can’t do that left to our own devices.’” - Lyndsey Koh; Mission News Network; Since 2020, blasphemy laws around the world up 13% 9.21.23
Allen adds, “Another point that the fact sheet makes is that blasphemy laws encourage individuals and non-state actors to seek retribution against alleged blasphemers.
“Many times, the person who is accused of blasphemy doesn’t even stand a chance to have their day in court. They’re killed in the street outside their home the day [or] the day after the blasphemy charge is even leveled. It’s a vigilante mob violence mentality.”
FMI saw this most recently in the case of a 6-year-old Christian boy in Pakistan who was violently attacked by his Muslim teacher and hospitalized for alleged blasphemy.
Please pray for blasphemy laws to be repealed and for oppressors to have their eyes opened to Jesus Christ.
Allen says, “We want to keep this beleaguered, oppressed Christian community in prayer. Lift them up and say, ‘Lord, may they be walking in the power of your Spirit to follow your instructions because we can’t do that left to our own devices.’” - Lyndsey Koh; Mission News Network; Since 2020, blasphemy laws around the world up 13% 9.21.23
Bruce Allen
Many new people are moving here. We’ve had an influx of several Muslim families and we see new mosques being built. So, this migration is a great challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity........The answers to prayer that the people see astound them. They go, ‘Jesus does this? Jesus cares for me? That’s very different than the Muslim concept of prayer.”...“If it’s a women’s ministry that’s, let’s say taking place in a home, more women will be encouraged [to come]. ‘Well, I’m just going over and having tea at my friend’s home,’ rather than ‘I’m going to church on Sunday morning,’ and people or friends from the mosque will be going, ‘What are you doing?’......But no one’s going to question her going to her friend’s home for tea and having a conversation about Jesus or engaging in Bible study because it’s outside the structural context of a church. So, we see some great things happening already and Muslims coming to know Christ.”
--Bruce Allen; Forghotten Ministries International; On womens minsitires in Indonesia Feb 2018
--Bruce Allen; Forghotten Ministries International; On womens minsitires in Indonesia Feb 2018
==cindy allen======
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COLUMN: Christian nationalism, once fringe, now seen as more mainstream in conservative politics As Christmas Day draws near and the season of perpetual hope is in full swing, it comes a time for many to reflect on the previous year and to start setting goals for the next year. As all years seem to be since the dawn of this century, it’s been a tough political one – and many, including myself, are not looking forward to 2024, which includes a presidential election. I find myself often feeling hopeless that our country will have more appealing choices than we’ve had the past few election cycles. All across our political spectrum, political parties and ideologies are gearing up for a combative and divisive election cycle once again. (Cindy Allen/Talequah Daily Press 12/21/23) Read More>>>>> |
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==david l allen======
David Allen served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas from 2004 to 2006, as the dean of the School of Theology. In August of 2016, he became the founding dean of the new School of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently, he serves as distinguished professor of practical theology and dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tenn., and is the founder and editor-in-chief of PreachingCoach. Allen came to Christ at the age of 9 and responded to God’s call to preach as a junior in high school. He attended The Criswell College in Dallas (1978 graduate), and later taught adjunctively (1985-1998) and full time (1998-2004) as the W. A. Criswell Chair of Preaching. His first church staff position was minister of students at the newly founded Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas in 1977, where he served for five years while completing college and seminary. Prestonwood was founded in January 1977, and he came on staff as the first staff member in February. For 37 years, Allen was married to Sherri, who died of cancer in 2015. They had four children: Jeremy, Jared, Melody, and Kali. Jared’s wife is Joelle, and they have five wonderful children: Judah, Lydia, Hudson, Ishmael, and Maranatha. He married Kate Finley in October 2016. He earned the MDiv degree from Southwestern in 1981, and had the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees at SWBTS for 12 years, including serving as vice-chairman from 2001-2003 and chairman of the board from 2003-2004. He wrote The Extent of the Atonement: A Historical and Critical Review published by B&H Academic. He also wrote a commentary on Job, a volume in the Christ-Centered Exposition series published by B&H. He is the editor-in-chief of the preaching website preachingsource.com.
David L Allen
The “shepherds” are the spiritual leaders, including the king, the priests, and the prophets.
The shepherd analogy is the pivotal analogy of the Old Testament for God’s relationship to his people. This term is the personal analogy used by Jesus in the Gospels. He said: “I am the good shepherd.” It is the proper analogy used in the epistles to describe the role of the pastor. Jeremiah uses a stunning word in Hebrew to describe these shepherds: ba’ar – “stupid, senseless.” The word is used of an animal that is deficient in moral and spiritual things. It refers to those who do not fear the Lord or desire his wisdom. They are senseless and stupid. Jeremiah would agree with Forrest Gump: “stupid is as stupid does.” How did this deplorable condition occur? They became stupid because they did not darash, “seek” the Lord. This word is the focal point of the verse. It occurs 165 times in the OT, mostly in the sense of seeking after the Lord. It means “to seek with diligence.” Three primary aspects are observed in the various contextual uses of this word.
There is the volitional aspect. Ezra 7:10 – “Ezra determined in his heart to seek the law of the Lord….” There is the emotional aspect. Psalm 119:10: “with all my heart I have sought you.” There is the intellectual aspect. Isaiah 34:16 – “Seek from the book of the Lord.” Darash denotes the element of “research, investigation, study.” Two consequences follow from not “seeking” the Lord. First, the shepherds shall not sachal – “prosper.” This word denotes the process of thinking through a complex arrangement of thoughts resulting in wise action and use of practical common sense. The end result: success. But in Jeremiah 10:21, the shepherds have no success. In fact, all their flocks will be putz (poots) – “scattered,” a favorite word of Jeremiah.
---David Allen; Stupid Shepherds and Scattered Sheep 8.21.19
The shepherd analogy is the pivotal analogy of the Old Testament for God’s relationship to his people. This term is the personal analogy used by Jesus in the Gospels. He said: “I am the good shepherd.” It is the proper analogy used in the epistles to describe the role of the pastor. Jeremiah uses a stunning word in Hebrew to describe these shepherds: ba’ar – “stupid, senseless.” The word is used of an animal that is deficient in moral and spiritual things. It refers to those who do not fear the Lord or desire his wisdom. They are senseless and stupid. Jeremiah would agree with Forrest Gump: “stupid is as stupid does.” How did this deplorable condition occur? They became stupid because they did not darash, “seek” the Lord. This word is the focal point of the verse. It occurs 165 times in the OT, mostly in the sense of seeking after the Lord. It means “to seek with diligence.” Three primary aspects are observed in the various contextual uses of this word.
There is the volitional aspect. Ezra 7:10 – “Ezra determined in his heart to seek the law of the Lord….” There is the emotional aspect. Psalm 119:10: “with all my heart I have sought you.” There is the intellectual aspect. Isaiah 34:16 – “Seek from the book of the Lord.” Darash denotes the element of “research, investigation, study.” Two consequences follow from not “seeking” the Lord. First, the shepherds shall not sachal – “prosper.” This word denotes the process of thinking through a complex arrangement of thoughts resulting in wise action and use of practical common sense. The end result: success. But in Jeremiah 10:21, the shepherds have no success. In fact, all their flocks will be putz (poots) – “scattered,” a favorite word of Jeremiah.
---David Allen; Stupid Shepherds and Scattered Sheep 8.21.19
==jason k allen======
Dr. Jason K. Allen serves as the fifth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Allen also serves the institution in the classroom, as a professor for preaching and pastoral ministry. He is the author of two books, The SBC & the 21st Century (B&H Publishing) and Discerning Your Call to Ministry (Moody Publishing). Dr. Allen regularly posts essays on his website, jasonkallen.com, and hosts a weekly podcast, “Preaching & Preachers.” Before coming to Midwestern Seminary, Dr. Allen served as a pastor, and as a senior administrator at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Jason K Allen
“With Dr. Charles Stanley’s passing Southern Baptists have lost one our leading figures of the past half century. Dr. Stanley stepped forward as a candidate for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention at a most pivotal time in the life and history of our denomination. His election to that post in 1984 was a decisive turning point, moving the SBC further down the road of theological recovery. More broadly, he continued to serve Southern Baptists from the pulpit of First Baptist Church of Atlanta and through his In Touch ministries, whose viewership spanned the globe. For these reasons and more, multitudes of Southern Baptists mourn Dr. Stanley’s passing.” --Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 4.18.23
==Dr. O Wesley Allen Jr======
Trying to heal after church disaffiliation votes
“The pain (as it is felt in your ministerial context and as you see it at the conference and denominational levels of the UMC) needs to be named explicitly and honestly,” write the Revs. O. Wesley Allen Jr. and Alyce McKenzie in Preaching to the Left Behind, a pamphlet that offers advice for sermons that heal. “A word of good news needs to be offered, but in ways that avoid denial of the significance of what is occurring,” the two write. “This would be a good time to read and preach from lament.” Allen is Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics, and McKenzie is the Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship as well as director of the Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence. Allen said the center is willing to host and facilitate conversations with clergy groups about preaching in this time. (UM News 6/2/25) Read More>>>>>
“The pain (as it is felt in your ministerial context and as you see it at the conference and denominational levels of the UMC) needs to be named explicitly and honestly,” write the Revs. O. Wesley Allen Jr. and Alyce McKenzie in Preaching to the Left Behind, a pamphlet that offers advice for sermons that heal. “A word of good news needs to be offered, but in ways that avoid denial of the significance of what is occurring,” the two write. “This would be a good time to read and preach from lament.” Allen is Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics, and McKenzie is the Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship as well as director of the Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence. Allen said the center is willing to host and facilitate conversations with clergy groups about preaching in this time. (UM News 6/2/25) Read More>>>>>
Preaching a Gospel of Conspiratorial Politics
“The pulpit ought to be configuring the ecclesia in a different way, instead of being modeled on the dysfunction in political bodies right now,” O. Wesley Allen Jr., a professor of homiletics in the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, told me. “While we want to be engaging contemporary life and society and politics in the pulpit, we need to be careful because people see us as speaking the word of God or at least speaking with some kind of authority that’s different than just a talking head on TV.” Allen, author of Preaching in the Era of Trump and several other books on preaching, also noted the role of the congregation — especially in light of First Baptist applauding George’s political diatribes. “I don’t know which came first, chicken or egg, but certainly right now it’s cyclical and they’re feeding off of one another,” Allen said. “The praise does feed it for sure. So, it becomes a cycle of, okay, the preacher is affirming me and what I think, and I’m affirming the preacher.” (Word & Way 10/27/22) Read More>>>>>
“The pulpit ought to be configuring the ecclesia in a different way, instead of being modeled on the dysfunction in political bodies right now,” O. Wesley Allen Jr., a professor of homiletics in the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, told me. “While we want to be engaging contemporary life and society and politics in the pulpit, we need to be careful because people see us as speaking the word of God or at least speaking with some kind of authority that’s different than just a talking head on TV.” Allen, author of Preaching in the Era of Trump and several other books on preaching, also noted the role of the congregation — especially in light of First Baptist applauding George’s political diatribes. “I don’t know which came first, chicken or egg, but certainly right now it’s cyclical and they’re feeding off of one another,” Allen said. “The praise does feed it for sure. So, it becomes a cycle of, okay, the preacher is affirming me and what I think, and I’m affirming the preacher.” (Word & Way 10/27/22) Read More>>>>>
Scholars gather to champion LGBTQ inclusion
“The idea is that we’re not just gathering to talk to ourselves. We’re not just livestreaming so people can overhear,” said the Rev. O. Wesley Allen Jr., co-convener of the gathering. “We’ve asked presenters to speak to the wider church.” Traditionalist groups, Allen said, have done a good job of incorporating scholars into their conversations. For example, Allen’s colleague — the Rev. William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler professor of Wesley studies — has spoken at a Wesleyan Covenant Association gathering. The association’s leadership council includes the Rev. Joy M. Moore, an associate professor at Luther Seminary, and the Rev. David F. Watson, a dean at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Allen wants the August gathering to add scholarly voices to the centrist and progressive side of the conversation about the church after General Conference 2019. He said dialogue with more traditionalist scholars might come later. (UM News 8/1/19) Read More>>>>>
“The idea is that we’re not just gathering to talk to ourselves. We’re not just livestreaming so people can overhear,” said the Rev. O. Wesley Allen Jr., co-convener of the gathering. “We’ve asked presenters to speak to the wider church.” Traditionalist groups, Allen said, have done a good job of incorporating scholars into their conversations. For example, Allen’s colleague — the Rev. William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler professor of Wesley studies — has spoken at a Wesleyan Covenant Association gathering. The association’s leadership council includes the Rev. Joy M. Moore, an associate professor at Luther Seminary, and the Rev. David F. Watson, a dean at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Allen wants the August gathering to add scholarly voices to the centrist and progressive side of the conversation about the church after General Conference 2019. He said dialogue with more traditionalist scholars might come later. (UM News 8/1/19) Read More>>>>>
Dr O Wesley Allen Jr
Differences in religious, physical, psychological, social, and political contexts call for different sorts of homiletical analogies and/or applications. I argue that such a radical shift in our socio-political situation as has occurred with the election of someone whose campaign included a degree of bigotry and hate speech we have not witnessed in a presidential run since the likes of George Wallace requires that preachers must strive to shape new analogies and applications of the gospel in their sermons or fail to serve the full relevance of the gospel.
Second, there is also a sense in which I agree with that element of logic that I presume to be behind the comment that it is appropriate to preach the gospel in every era—that is, that the gospel is eternal and unchanging regardless of the historical circumstances. I would certainly argue that at the core of the gospel is an ethic of love of neighbor that should be preached in every era. Had it been preached fully and forcefully in the era leading up to the 2015-16 election cycle, then there would have been no way so many churchgoers could have played such a large role in putting into the White House a candidate and his staff who use such vile and hateful language in service to racism, homophobia, ableism, Islamophobia, and sexism! The Christian ethic goes far beyond the weak standards of political correctness in its demands on the way we view and treat others, and Christians should strive to elect leaders whose speech and actions most reflect that ethic.
Notice, I am not making an argument that Christians must be Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or progressives. I am not concerned, in this instance, with whether the federal government should be larger or smaller. I certainly recognize that Christians can come down on different sides of policy debates specifically because of their Christian faith.
But I struggle to understand how those who claim to embrace the radical ethic of the Christian faith—the gospel ethic of caring for the disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed “others” of society—can claim to have voted for Trump out of Christian values when there were other Republican and Democratic candidates from whom to pick. Voters are used to choosing between “the lesser of evils,” but there is no serious Christian standard by which Trump can be argued to be that choice.
I certainly believe that books promoting the proclamation of the gospel in relation to any age defined by different forces would be appropriate. Perhaps every four years we should get scholars on different sides of the theo-political spectrum to write such books. But scholars and preachers across the whole range of theo-political positions should be on the same page when it comes to responding to the person in the most powerful office in the world making fun of the disabled, stereotyping Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers, appointing advisors who have published hate speech against African Americans and homosexuals, and feeling he has the right to assault women simply because he is a celebrity.
--Dr O. Wesley Allen Jr; Faith Forward; Preaching in the Era of Trump 2.27.17
Second, there is also a sense in which I agree with that element of logic that I presume to be behind the comment that it is appropriate to preach the gospel in every era—that is, that the gospel is eternal and unchanging regardless of the historical circumstances. I would certainly argue that at the core of the gospel is an ethic of love of neighbor that should be preached in every era. Had it been preached fully and forcefully in the era leading up to the 2015-16 election cycle, then there would have been no way so many churchgoers could have played such a large role in putting into the White House a candidate and his staff who use such vile and hateful language in service to racism, homophobia, ableism, Islamophobia, and sexism! The Christian ethic goes far beyond the weak standards of political correctness in its demands on the way we view and treat others, and Christians should strive to elect leaders whose speech and actions most reflect that ethic.
Notice, I am not making an argument that Christians must be Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or progressives. I am not concerned, in this instance, with whether the federal government should be larger or smaller. I certainly recognize that Christians can come down on different sides of policy debates specifically because of their Christian faith.
But I struggle to understand how those who claim to embrace the radical ethic of the Christian faith—the gospel ethic of caring for the disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed “others” of society—can claim to have voted for Trump out of Christian values when there were other Republican and Democratic candidates from whom to pick. Voters are used to choosing between “the lesser of evils,” but there is no serious Christian standard by which Trump can be argued to be that choice.
I certainly believe that books promoting the proclamation of the gospel in relation to any age defined by different forces would be appropriate. Perhaps every four years we should get scholars on different sides of the theo-political spectrum to write such books. But scholars and preachers across the whole range of theo-political positions should be on the same page when it comes to responding to the person in the most powerful office in the world making fun of the disabled, stereotyping Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers, appointing advisors who have published hate speech against African Americans and homosexuals, and feeling he has the right to assault women simply because he is a celebrity.
--Dr O. Wesley Allen Jr; Faith Forward; Preaching in the Era of Trump 2.27.17
==steve allred======
Adventists Confront Christian Nationalism at Religious Liberty Summit
This is not an endorsement of the teachings of Seventh Day Adventism, but just a note on how they are dealing with Christian Nationalism. --ZR
On November 15, 2025, three Adventist scholars made the case that our theology still has something vital to say about religious liberty, but also that the current administration poses real dangers to the separation of church and state. The Religious Liberty Summit—hosted by the Church State Council—was a reminder that our roots and prophetic identity were always meant to prepare us for precisely this moment.The moderated panel featured Steve Allred, Alan Reinach, Laura Wibberding, Devon, and Randall Waring, chair of the Paradise Adventist Church board. Reinach and Allred discussed the dangers of promoting material produced within movements whose aims Adventists cannot ethically support. Allred warned that organizations like Turning Point USA have become influential conduits for dominionist theology and that many Christians are being drawn in by nationalistic rhetoric disguised as spiritual revival.“Religion is a fertile ground for exploitation. Churches are,” Allred said. “One of the things I see with Christian nationalism is that they’re using a lot of the words[…]things that Christianity is into, and yet when you look at the underlying substance, when you look at the actual values that we’re promoting, we’re being selective.” “Christian nationalism seeks power, not influence,” Allred said. “We should be influential—but never seek dominance.” Adventists are called not to rule culture, he emphasized, but to witness within it. Reinach: “If you’re going to reject a person because of their political beliefs, then you’re putting your politics ahead of your faith. You know, that’s where you think that[…]Jesus is a Republican or Jesus is a Democrat, and if you don’t believe the way I do, it’s Mark of the Beast, us versus them thinking. So it’s fine to disagree about politics, but do we ostracize and demonize the other because they believe differently?” (Source: Spectrum;“A Counterfeit Kingdom”: Adventists Confront Christian Nationalism at Religious Liberty Summit; 11/25/25
This is not an endorsement of the teachings of Seventh Day Adventism, but just a note on how they are dealing with Christian Nationalism. --ZR
On November 15, 2025, three Adventist scholars made the case that our theology still has something vital to say about religious liberty, but also that the current administration poses real dangers to the separation of church and state. The Religious Liberty Summit—hosted by the Church State Council—was a reminder that our roots and prophetic identity were always meant to prepare us for precisely this moment.The moderated panel featured Steve Allred, Alan Reinach, Laura Wibberding, Devon, and Randall Waring, chair of the Paradise Adventist Church board. Reinach and Allred discussed the dangers of promoting material produced within movements whose aims Adventists cannot ethically support. Allred warned that organizations like Turning Point USA have become influential conduits for dominionist theology and that many Christians are being drawn in by nationalistic rhetoric disguised as spiritual revival.“Religion is a fertile ground for exploitation. Churches are,” Allred said. “One of the things I see with Christian nationalism is that they’re using a lot of the words[…]things that Christianity is into, and yet when you look at the underlying substance, when you look at the actual values that we’re promoting, we’re being selective.” “Christian nationalism seeks power, not influence,” Allred said. “We should be influential—but never seek dominance.” Adventists are called not to rule culture, he emphasized, but to witness within it. Reinach: “If you’re going to reject a person because of their political beliefs, then you’re putting your politics ahead of your faith. You know, that’s where you think that[…]Jesus is a Republican or Jesus is a Democrat, and if you don’t believe the way I do, it’s Mark of the Beast, us versus them thinking. So it’s fine to disagree about politics, but do we ostracize and demonize the other because they believe differently?” (Source: Spectrum;“A Counterfeit Kingdom”: Adventists Confront Christian Nationalism at Religious Liberty Summit; 11/25/25
==teyabe alphonse=====
Cameroon evangelicals urge peace and integrity as Biya, 92, seeks reelection after four decades in power
As Cameroonians prepare to head to the polls on Sunday (Oct. 12) for a high-stakes presidential election, the nation’s evangelical leaders have issued an urgent appeal for peace, integrity, and God-fearing leadership in a country strained by decades of political tension and multiple armed conflicts. In a statement released Wednesday (Oct. 8), the Alliance des Evangélique du Cameroun (Evangelical Alliance of Cameroon, AEC)—which represents nearly seven million believers nationwide—called on citizens to “stand up for democratic and moral values” at what it described as “a pivotal moment of democratic mobilization.” The group urged voters to choose a president who governs with justice, unity, and “the fear of God,” reminding the nation that “all authority comes from God, and the governing authority is a servant of God, established to administer justice according to His will,” quoting from Romans 13:1. The statement, co-signed by Rev. Dr. Teyabe Alphonse, AEC Secretary General, and Rev. Dr. Jean Libom Li Likeng, President of AEC as well as the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, outlined qualities expected of the next president.
(Christian Daily International 10/11/25) READMORE>>>>
As Cameroonians prepare to head to the polls on Sunday (Oct. 12) for a high-stakes presidential election, the nation’s evangelical leaders have issued an urgent appeal for peace, integrity, and God-fearing leadership in a country strained by decades of political tension and multiple armed conflicts. In a statement released Wednesday (Oct. 8), the Alliance des Evangélique du Cameroun (Evangelical Alliance of Cameroon, AEC)—which represents nearly seven million believers nationwide—called on citizens to “stand up for democratic and moral values” at what it described as “a pivotal moment of democratic mobilization.” The group urged voters to choose a president who governs with justice, unity, and “the fear of God,” reminding the nation that “all authority comes from God, and the governing authority is a servant of God, established to administer justice according to His will,” quoting from Romans 13:1. The statement, co-signed by Rev. Dr. Teyabe Alphonse, AEC Secretary General, and Rev. Dr. Jean Libom Li Likeng, President of AEC as well as the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, outlined qualities expected of the next president.
(Christian Daily International 10/11/25) READMORE>>>>
==sampson amoateng======
House of Miracle Ministries celebrates annual Gift Day; emphasising need for love, giving and receiving
The House of Miracle Ministries Worldwide, under the leadership of Prophet Sampson Amoateng, celebrated its annual Family and Friends Gift Day with a powerful message centered on love, generosity and activating once power to receive. The event, held at the HOM auditorium, saw an outpouring of kindness as members, visitors, and Persons Living With Disability received over 400 bags of rice, cooking oil, while some men received suits from Prophet Sampson Amoateng. In his sermon, the Prophet emphasized the importance of loving one another and extending kindness to the less fortunate. He reminded the church that true giving goes beyond what one can receive in return. "Love one another, give to the poor and needy and not only to those who can give back to you," Prophet Amoateng admonished, reflecting the church's commitment to exemplifying the teachings of Christ.
(Joy Online 8/12/24) Read More>>>>>
The House of Miracle Ministries Worldwide, under the leadership of Prophet Sampson Amoateng, celebrated its annual Family and Friends Gift Day with a powerful message centered on love, generosity and activating once power to receive. The event, held at the HOM auditorium, saw an outpouring of kindness as members, visitors, and Persons Living With Disability received over 400 bags of rice, cooking oil, while some men received suits from Prophet Sampson Amoateng. In his sermon, the Prophet emphasized the importance of loving one another and extending kindness to the less fortunate. He reminded the church that true giving goes beyond what one can receive in return. "Love one another, give to the poor and needy and not only to those who can give back to you," Prophet Amoateng admonished, reflecting the church's commitment to exemplifying the teachings of Christ.
(Joy Online 8/12/24) Read More>>>>>
Forcing members to pay tithes is wrong – Pastor Amoateng chides colleagues
Popular Ghanaian prophet, Sampson Amoateng, has urged Pentecostal churches to refrain from pressuring their members to pay tithes and offerings. The General Overseer of House of Miracles Ministries in Accra, Ghana made the call in a video posted through Facebook on Wednesday, June 5. He described tithe paying and offering in church as a scriptural practice, noting that giving is meant to be free will not by force. Amoateng said: “I am against churches forcing people to pay tithe. I am against pastors or churches forcing people to document their tithe cards. My money is my thank you. It’s carnal to document tithe cards. “Tithing is a spiritual discipline that requires faith, trust, and obedience. By setting aside a portion of our income, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God and that we are mere stewards of His resources.
(Correcting 6/9/24) Read More>>>>>
Popular Ghanaian prophet, Sampson Amoateng, has urged Pentecostal churches to refrain from pressuring their members to pay tithes and offerings. The General Overseer of House of Miracles Ministries in Accra, Ghana made the call in a video posted through Facebook on Wednesday, June 5. He described tithe paying and offering in church as a scriptural practice, noting that giving is meant to be free will not by force. Amoateng said: “I am against churches forcing people to pay tithe. I am against pastors or churches forcing people to document their tithe cards. My money is my thank you. It’s carnal to document tithe cards. “Tithing is a spiritual discipline that requires faith, trust, and obedience. By setting aside a portion of our income, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God and that we are mere stewards of His resources.
(Correcting 6/9/24) Read More>>>>>
==christiane amanpour======
