2015 MAC Annual Report (2016 01 24)

Dear Church Family:

2015 was a whirlwind of a year! Once again, the Lord has provided for all of our needs,
despite our lack in knowing how and from where his provision was going to come. Let me
go through some of our highlights from this past year.

Retirement: In February, we had a retirement celebration for Laurel Newsome, who, in
2014, concluded nearly 40 years of ministry at Columbus Christian Academy. We thank
the Lord for her diligent and faithful service and pray and trust that our Provider will bring
up more Laurel Newsomes to lead and train future generations as well.

Missions: We enjoyed three special missionary speakers, two of whom came for extended
global focus weekends. In March, we heard from Bruce & Sylvia Harmon, international
workers to Paraguay. Then, in October and November we heard from Magan Wright,
international apprentice in Kurdistan, and Len & Diane Warden, international workers in
South America. It was a joy to hear from them about what the Lord is doing around the
world.

General Council: In May, Alanna and I traveled to California for General Council. It was a
wonderful time of worship, prayer, and vision-casting with our denominational President,
Dr. John Stumbo. It was another reminder of what a blessing and privilege it is to be a part
of the Alliance family.

Healing: We also saw the Lord work in magnificent ways to physical heal and restore
people. This year, we personally witnessed the Lord’s hand of healing on Bud Hinson as
he completely recovered from esophageal cancer. Mike Bullard also knew the Lord’s hand
on him this year after his cardiac event at the end of the year. There are many others that
you know of as well, but we have personally seen God’s hand of healing this year and praise
Him for it.

CCA: Early in the year, our board began a search for a new principal at CCA. We interviewed
a couple of good candidates, but they both felt led in other directions. Thus, I began the
school year serving as principal. I continued in this role until Steve Auld arrived in
December. Our student numbers are up by a handful of students from previous years,
which is an encouragement – and we are thankful the NC opportunity scholarship for
providing us several students. It has been humbling and encouraging to see the Lord’s 
hand upon those involved in this ministry. I have been in awe as a witness to what God
does when we “run out of our plan.” We had no good plan for continuing to have sufficient
funds for this length of time while owning these three properties, but God, in His grace, has
provided for us. While we still pray for the sale of our properties, I am thankful to have
seen God’s people work together and become more unified in spite of this detour from “our
plans.”

Membership and baptisms: Since our meeting last year, we have seen ten people officially
join our church family, and I am thankful to see people drawn to the work that God is doing
in our midst. However, we saw no baptisms this year, which is a bit sad to me. At this time
last year, I fully expected to baptize several people, but we trust that the Lord is working
the miracle of transformation in people’s lives.

The road ahead: The largest challenge we face as a congregation is still financial. As I have
said, I am thankful and awed to see the Lord’s provision, but my heart is to see our debt
paid down and money freed up to increase our capacity to minister in our community. Our
general fund giving was up significantly from previous years, but our GCF giving decreased
significantly. As we continue to serve and trust the Lord in 2016, I am excited and
enthusiastic about the work He is doing in us and through us.

I would like to leave you with this passage from Colossians 3, and trust that as we all pray
this prayer together, that the Lord’s work would increase and that, at this time next year,
we are praising Him for even greater miracles accomplished in our midst.

Colossians 3:12-14 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the
Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity.”

Trusting Him,
​
Pastor Justin DuBose