A Report on CCI’s 36th Jubilee

Alan and Joy Stroud

Readers,

A brother told me that he could listen to Alan Stroud preach all day long. That is a compliment and very well stated.

Last Sunday we celebrated our thirty-six year homecoming Jubilee. Alan was guest speaker.  But I’m almost reluctant to call him a ‘guest’ since Alan has been very much a part of Christian Challenge from our earliest years.

Alan served on the staff of Christian Challenge for a several years before taking the pastorate of Beech Grove Congregational Methodist Church near Anacoco, Louisiana. He served there for twelve years. The Lord then directed him to work with a mission church in San Antonio, Texas. Alan now serves at pastor of worship and spiritual growth with Cross Point Church.

It was a great blessing to have Alan and his lovely wife, Joy, with us. Joy is a sweetheart of a woman, and an excellent pastor’s wife. On top of that, they are newlyweds.

As for Alan’s on-going connection with Christian Challenge, he is a licensed minister of CCI and is a member of our board of directors.

Launch Out Into the Deep

I find it very interesting that Nathan chose, ‘Launch Out Into the Deep’ as the theme for this Jubilee. These words reminded me of a dream the Lord gave me years ago. (Yes, I am a dreamer.) 

First let me explain why I reference dreams as often as I do. It is not that I settle my faith on dreams and visions. It is more about how they have played such a major role in my walk with Jesus. My God-given dreams and visions have always come true in their time, and are yet coming true.

Actually according to the Scriptures, dreams and visions are very much a part of the servant of God’s walk. God-given dreams are not ordinary dreams. They always have the signature of the Lord on them.

God spoke to Moses about dreams and visions:

“Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward, He said, ‘Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.‘” (Num 12:5-6)  — Special note: I do not consider myself a prophet. However, in the new covenant, dreams and visions belong to all of God’s children, and especially if you are a servant of God.)

Peter brings this out:

” … this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.” (Act 2:16-18)

So, does the Lord visit us in dreams and visions? Absolutely. Here goes –

Several years ago I woke up with what I have come to call a ‘signature dream’ from the Lord. In the dream I was captain of a ship. We had been sailing not far from the shore line. This is when I heard the Lord say, “Launch out into the deeper waters.” As I was turning the ship out to the sea, I woke up.

That was it. It was short and simple. But the message could not have been more clear. Christian Challenge was to launch out into the deep of God’s faithfulness. That dream came to me in the 80s. 

Turning Points With God

Through the years we’ve had many turning points in our voyage of life. We’ve trained hundreds of disciples for the vineyard work in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Some have entered the missions fields of the world. Others have become pastors and other Christian workers. Through all this we’ve seen the Lord move us through various venues of ministry concentrations. Every venue became a turning point on voyage of life for Christian Challenge.

With each turning point a new vista of ministry opens up. Once again, we are entering a new turning point. The Lord is speaking into our hearts about the city of Las Choapas, State of Tabasco, Mexico.

We recently returned from a trip to Las Choapas, to see what the testimony of the Lord was. It became quite obvious that we are to have a strong connection with that region and in particular with Pastor Pedro Chulin Gordillo, and with his church, Aqua Viva a las Naciones.

As to how all this will play out will stay in the hands of the Lord. We are beginning the process of translating our School for Christian Worker’s training programs into Spanish. We are also looking at establishing a visual means with the church there where we can offer training by way of big screens. But nothing is firm for now

Other considerations have to do with having some of our leadership makes trips there, and possibly having a mission station in place. In addition, it is possible to have exchanges with their young people and our young people. But once again, this is all in the thinking. What the Lord has in mind could well be something entirely different. One of the great lessons in life that I have learned is in not trying to outguess God.

On the Home Front

Christian Challenge continues to grow both in numbers and in spirit. Our School for Christian Workers, our home groups, and our various departments are all doing well. 

We are looking forward to providing a children’s educational building. That will be a major project. But as always, we are not in the business of limiting God.

What we do know is that the time seems very short. It is time to look to the Lord for our continued part of the harvesting work in these last time. And always remember that little is much when God is in it.

Think about it.

Take time for ‘Little is Much When God is in It’ by the Gaither Vocal Band.

In Christ always,

Buddy

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