Storyline 75 Anniversary Edition

Three Leaders .... all for JESUS
All For Jesus ... it echoes off the
chambers of our heart and just feels
right. This is what we are longing for ...
living beyond ourselves ... all for Jesus.
Over the years this church has displayed
this desire, and now is our opportunity to
keep that theme going ... all for Jesus.
As I reflect on this celebration, I can’t help but think about the
shoulders upon which we stand. The sacrifices made motivate me
to lean in a bit harder and commit to live with more intent. So,
how does all for Jesus play out in my life, in our lives?
We live all for Jesus in the realization that He is worthy. Jesus
gave all for us so that we might live all for Him. We call that worship
– or a life that honours God. This propels us to connect ...
connect with Jesus with our heart’s devotion and connect with
others who have done the same. This connection makes us the
Church. It’s not the place we gather but the people with whom
we connect because of Jesus ... all for Jesus. In that connection
we will grow – grow to become more like Jesus. Jesus wants me
to think like He thinks, see like He sees, speak like He speaks, hear
His voice, have the mind of Christ. Out of the growth we willingly
serve Jesus by serving others, thereby leading to a life that
cannot help but share the love of Jesus locally and globally …
making Jesus famous ... all for Jesus.
First Alliance Church has been a great church and will be a great
church because we are all for Jesus. Let’s celebrate ... all for Jesus!
Scott Weatherford (Lead Pastor, 2009-present)
Life is a series of crossroad
moments. My story, your story,
our story is filled with choice points
that, at times, seem small and insignificant.
At other times our crossroad
moments can best be described as
Maalox moments – where the stakes
are high, the future is clouded in the
mist, and we feel the risk in the pit of our stomachs. This reality
hit the leadership of FAC in a new way in the early 2000’s
as we wrestled with a simple question: What is the next vital
step in being a people and a place that is “all for Jesus” and His
mission in the world? At our crossroad moment in 2002 we
realized that we could choose a path of playing it safe and settling
down OR travel a path of God-honoring adventure. This
church family chose adventure over safety and a strong stance
of sacrifice over settling down.
What intrigued us in 2002 was how the history book of FAC
revealed an amazing pattern of crossroad moments – 1938,
1955, 1969, 1980, 1987. These years involved major decision
points that stretched this church family to faithfully lean into
the future rather than resting on her laurels. So, in 2002 FAC
boldly embraced a further crossroad moment – to purchase
land, to design a great place for worship and service, to leave
a great home we had enjoyed for 36 years, and to shape a
dynamic ministry that would be “all for Jesus” in the decades to
come. Glory be to God!
Dr. Terry Young (Lead Pastor, 1998-2009)
I
have often said that Glenmore
Christian Academy was an idea
whose time had come. When I came on
the scene at FAC, I saw an opportunity for
our children to learn in an environment
where biblical teaching would not be
just one subject, but would permeate the
whole curriculum in each classroom.
From the beginning, our mandate was to partner with parents in
the education of their children, working with them to shape the
lives of those committed to our trust. This was a team effort. GCA
also provided a well rounded program outside the classroom
ranging from performing and visual arts to a strong physical
education program. Jesus Christ has always been the supreme
example of our educational principles and practice – and the
source for all our needs. A remarkable example of His provision
for us was when we lost our lease at our previous location and
were forced to move. After 18 months of faith, prayer, hard work
and sacrifice we opened the school at our present location – a
beautiful and functional campus.
Some have called me the founder of GCA. The facts are that I provided
a spark of inspiration at our very small beginning, but many
have provided the perspiration to make our school a reality. Truly,
we know that it has been His work and to Him belongs
ALL the glory. AMEN!!
Pastor Wendell Grout (Lead Pastor, 1975-1995)