The Dr. John Stumbo Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr. John Stumbo
In his final video blog, President Stumbo calls us to see the broader context of our own stories . . . as he does with his.
President Stumbo reflects on Alliance Council 2025 and introduces the Council recap video.
John shares stories of his experiences with God throughout his three presidential terms and explains how the call of leadership is a tool God uses to transform.
As President Stumbo prepares to lead his final Council, he is joined by Gary Friesen, C&MA general counsel, to discuss important elements of this moment.
From Chiang Mai, Thailand, at CAMA’s 50th anniversary celebration, John shares of the truth of good faith when living out the life of our Christ.
John shares an aspect of Jesus’ ministry that has deep implications for our lives and for our Council conversations on the Statement of Faith.
John recounts the life of Paul Rader, The Christian and Missionary Alliance’s second president.
Filmed at Resonate 2024, John recounts our calling in 1 Peter 2:9, reminding us of the renewed heart posture that only comes from Jesus.
President Stumbo provides an update on The Alliance’s five now. goals, reflects on the variety of roles he participates in as president, and looks to the future in this transitional season.
President Stumbo reflects on many Alliance gems that were born out of faith-filled risk—and some future ones—each a testament of the audacity of hope.
Meditating on Acts 1:6–8, President Stumbo reflects on the disciples’ question posed to Jesus and His response that changed everything—even for us.
Filmed before the solar eclipse on April 8, John discusses the way nature reveals our Creator and why we should care for His creation.
President Stumbo gives fresh insights to the story of David and Goliath and how God prepares us for the battles we face.
Based on his own experiences, President Stumbo reflects on common mistakes made by mountain climbers and leaders alike.
Filmed at Converge 2024, John presents a fresh perspective on the New Year’s resolutions many have, reminding us of the deep change that only comes from Jesus.
This month John shares how the many birth and genealogy narratives in the Old Testament culminate with the climactic birth story that drives who we are and all we do.
This month John and other National Office team members share stories that encourage and inspire.
This month John invites Gary Friesen, vice president and C&MA corporate counsel, to offer clarity and encouragement about who we are and what we stand for as stated in six of our core statements and perspectives.
John’s recent visit to five South American countries reminds us that difficult circumstances don’t have to limit the advance of the gospel.
This month John shares how Jesus is writing a new story about how we position ourselves for meaningful, impactful presence where He has placed us—no matter how unlikely the surroundings.
This month John shares some difficult news about one of our cherished educational institutions and reflects back on what we experienced together at Council 2023— with a renewed conviction that The Alliance remains part of something large and lasting.
This month John reports back on Council 2023 in Spokane, Washington, where a richly diverse group of attendees gathered, reunited, and worshiped together—many coming away with an even greater expectancy of what God will continue to do in their midst than when they arrived.
This month John shares an alternate approach—based on a statement our founder penned in the original Christian Alliance Constitution in 1887—to the premillennial recommendation in our Statement of Faith.
This month John unpacks what we’ve learned from our national conversations regarding eldership, consecration/ordination, and titles, and outlines the related polity recommendations coming to Council 2023 in Spokane.
This month John presents the proposed changes to the Alliance Statement of Faith that will be considered at Council 2023.
Filmed at the 100-yearcelebration of The Alliance in Cambodia, John presents a remarkable story of the resilience of the gospel through adversity and persecution as told by three Alliance workers who watched it unfold.
Alliance Corporate Vice-President Kelvin Walker and other Alliance leaders see Project ReImagine as being at the front edge of something pivotal God is doing in the broader Church. Find out why—and see some renderings of the newly reimagined multi-use facility at One Alliance Place in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
John invites us to look through the bewildered yet beholding eyes of Simeon as he greets His long-awaited Messiah.
John encourages church leaders and laypeople alike what can happen when the Church “catches on fire,” courtesy of Alliance Corporate Vice President and Metro District Superintendent Kelvin Walker.
John encourages church leaders and laypeople alike what can happen when the Church “catches on fire,” courtesy of Alliance Corporate Vice President and Metro District Superintendent Kelvin Walker.
John reflects on what history has taught us about the church’s response to cultural moments that threaten its advance—and how our past influences our posture toward the times we’re in.
John reports from LIFE 2022 in Orlando, Florida, where 4,580 students and their leaders joined together to proclaim that Jesus is greater than everything and discover their part in His mission to the world.
John invites Terry Smith, vice president for U.S. Church Ministries, to share a progress report on the updating of our Alliance Statement of Faith.
John offers some perspective—and encouragement— about this odd, burdensome season of leadership many leaders find themselves in.
Two seasoned Alliance leaders reflect back on faith, calling, change, cross-cultural realities, and what’s really important in the end.
John honors the life and legacy of Aidan Wilson (A.W.) Tozer—a man of global influence, fully dedicated to The Lord and His Church.
Members of the C&MA Board of Directors describe what excites them most about being a part of the Alliance family and where we’re heading together.
John describes the many ways God went before The Alliance in its decision to relocate the National Office to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, while challenging us to take faith-filled risks to see our ministry dreams fulfilled.
John offers four essential leadership skills from Romans 14 to help navigate the complexities of the coming year.
Various members of the Alliance family bring beautiful insight to the Alliance’s impact around the world.
John reflects on the normalcy of having conflicting emotions while walking an unhindered life with Christ.
John reflects on the importance of keeping our eyes focused on Jesus and persevering in our work for the Lord.
John explains the impact of the National Office move on our ability to fulfill the mission Jesus called us to accomplish.
John invites C&MA Vice President Gary Friesen to offer insights on being the Church in today’s culture.
“The stories of how God met us at Alliance Council 2021 are rich and abundant,” John reports. Enjoy this recap of a powerful, significant week.
This month, John takes us to a Bible hero, Jeremiah, whose honest story he prays will bring us some hope, perspective, strength, and encouragement during these uneasy times.
This month, John takes the opportunity to update us on the national conversation we’re having regarding men and women in leadership in The Alliance and to foreshadow what will be coming to Alliance Council 2021.
This month, John presents the newly revised Alliance Statement of Faith, which was recently approved by the C&MA Board of Directors and will be presented at Council 2021 in Nashville this May/June.
President Stumbo discusses a new resource that will soon be available to help us rethink what it is to be the Church.
This month, John answers four questions he's been hearing and closes with devotional thoughts from I Corinthians.
During this month's video blog, President Stumbo talks about the board of directors decision to authorize the National Office to pursue relocation options.
June 2020 / United States / 12:59
This month, John addresses how The Alliance is responding to cries for justice. Following are the links he references in the video:
- NAE Statement on Racism **An Alliance leadership panel discussion: Race, Justice, and the Church’s Response (47:39)
As each state within our country wrestles through questions of “reopening,” I’m coming to us today with some thoughts on the state of our own souls and leadership. Thank you for joining me for another edition of my monthly communication with the Alliance family.
Evil Meets Easter – John Stumbo Video Blog No. 81
April 2020 / United States / 10:24
On an Easter unlike any other, John shares a foundational message of hope with the Alliance family.
John Stumbo’s Video Blog #80—A Fresh Look at our Fundamental Document
March 2020 / United States / 12:42
This month, John gives an update on significant conversations taking place in The Alliance, specifically discussion surrounding proposed changes to the Statement of Faith.
John Stumbo’s Video Blog # 79—A Timely Word
February 2020 / United States / 12:22
John addresses how one of today’s most powerful resources may be a leader’s greatest temptation and offers three practical applications for returning to ministry fundamentals.
January 2020 / United States / 12:50
This month, John shares three reasons he wishes everyone in the Alliance family could at some point in their lives be involved in a church plant or a multi-site campus.
John Stumbo’s Video Blog # 77—The Vision Lives On
December 2019 / Japan / 12:33
John shares how he was profoundly moved at a national gathering of the Japanese Alliance on the 100th anniversary of A. B. Simpson’s death. “It wasn’t so much that our founder had died, but that our movement lived on . . . Alliance family, your part in this is significant—together we’re making progress.”
John Stumbo’s Video Blog # 76—A Season of Change, Part Two
October 2019 / Cambodia / 12:42
John provides a fall Board of Directors meeting update on policy portions of the national conversations before the C&MA. “We’re sharpening the ax for greater mission fulfillment. It’s a good moment to be in The Alliance—don’t miss it!”
John Stumbo’s Video Blog # 75—A Season of Change, Part One
October 2019 / United States / 12:38
This month, John seeks to bring clarity to the conversations before The Alliance related to streamlining our organizational structures and reviewing guiding documents.
John Stumbo’s Video Blog # 74—Video Blog Highlights
September 2019 / the world / 12:57
This “best of” video features snapshots from John’s monthly video blog series he introduced in August 2013, just after his election as U.S. C&MA president. “I’m hoping to have a conversation with you where we begin to mobilize U.S. Alliance churches together as one.”
John Stumbo’s Video Blog # 73—What Would You Like to Say . . .?
August 2019 / United States / 12:16
Reporting from the LIFE Conference in Orlando, John asks students, “What would you like to say to the current leaders of the American church?” Surprised and moved by their responses, he concludes, “I’m reminded it matters—it matters what we do. Let’s keep going!”
John Stumbo’s Video Blog No. 72
July 2019 / United States / 12:26
John summarizes the four commitments he made to the Alliance family during his Friday morning address at Council 2019, setting the tone for substantive conversations to come.
In this recap of Alliance Council 2019, John recalls his message from Acts, using “Perga”—where John Mark turned back on the first missionary journey—as a metaphor to challenge our Alliance family. “Let’s go inward and upward together—face our Perga and move on, because God is calling us beyond.”
In part three of his three-part series addressing principles for healthy communications on topics about known conflict, John shares why seasons of change are powerful discipleship opportunities.
John speaks to why our whole Alliance family must engage well in challenging, yet necessary conversations. We need to address how to more effectively complete our mission and make every effort to pass on the best form of our movement to the next generations.
John focuses this month on four principles for public discourse he’s discovered. These shape his thinking and behavior on when to speak and when to remain silent in our world’s “cauldron of cultural conflict.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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’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.
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.”
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.
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’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.”
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.”
This month, John is joined by Tim Crouch, vice president for Alliance International Ministries (IM), and Mike Sohm, who leads CAMA Services (a.k.a. Compassion and Mercy Associates). 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 into 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.
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.”
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.
This month, John interviews Terry Smith, the new vice president for Alliance Church Ministries.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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."