Dr. Carlo Serrano as the 5th President of Manna University

On By Aaron AllisonIn Charismatic / Spirit-Filled, EducationLeave a comment

I was thrilled to be with Dr. Carlo Serrano and his wife Jaemi on June 6, 2023, at his inauguration as the 5th President of Manna University in Fayetteville, North Carolina! Dr. Serrano and I grew up in ministry together, and his appointment as president is a well-deserved culmination of his academic and leadership success.

Manna University is an emerging institution of Christian higher education, training leaders for Christian service. It also reaches many soldiers from the former Fort Bragg, now known as Fort Liberty. I am honored to join the Board of Directors and look forward to serving alongside Dr. Serrano and supporting Manna University’s mission.

Congratulations, Dr. Carlo Serrano, on this remarkable achievement! I am celebrating this exciting new chapter for Manna University and your future.

“Faith in the Age of AI” by Dan Scott

On By Aaron AllisonIn Books, Culture, Current Events, Education, TheologyLeave a comment

Dan Scott’s new book Faith in the Age of AI is an essential and stunning work! Dan is a brilliant scholar with a pastor’s heart; his information and interpretation in this book will position us for humanity’s new era. I want everyone I care for to digest this work as an anchor to discern the times with a Christian worldview.

If you pre-order this book at pastordanscott.com, it will contribute to Christian scholarship and the support of a unique Christian thinker.

I greatly admire my friend and mentor, Dr. Dan Scott.

What is the Purpose of the Church?

On By Aaron AllisonIn CIL Services, SermonsLeave a comment

On Sunday I preached a message that answer this question – “What is the Purpose of the Church?”

At CIL Church, we continue to emphasize these 5 Biblical Purposes of the Church.

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Fellowship
  • Service

As we pray for God to grow CIL Church, here is one of the reasons why:

We will increase the Biblical purposes of the church

I would be honored if you watched this message.

Is “compromise” a dirty word?

On By Aaron AllisonIn LeadershipLeave a comment

Divisive leadership can be energizing, but it can also be unproductive. Impactful leadership moves adversaries to cooperate for the common good. While compromise is a dirty word to many people, it can often be a beautiful outcome. Sure, we need to be uncompromising against sin. However, in many sectors, compromising is the pathway to discovering and reaching shared goals that benefit people and glorify God. Think about it!

A fulfilling Pentecost Sunday

On By Aaron AllisonIn CIL Services, SermonsLeave a comment

Today was Pentecost Sunday, and I loved preaching about the Holy Spirit. As the service concluded, we offered to anoint anyone in the church with oil, and many people came to receive this symbolic mark of the Holy Spirit. It was meaningful and powerful!

Since it is Memorial Day weekend, Sargent First Class Bob Woytach made a presentation to honor the memory of fallen military personnel. It is always moving when Bob honors the military.

We also celebrated water baptism with two amazing people!

Wow! What an interesting, memorable, and anointed service!

Watch FULL SERVICE

Watch SERMON ONLY

Whatever style of leader you are, follow God’s heart

On By Aaron AllisonIn LeadershipLeave a comment

Leadership is an art, as different types of leaders are needed for various groups or situations. In my study of leadership, both formal research and personal observation, I see God use multiple styles of leadership.

The Sovereignty of God places leaders in positions, and sometimes this is a sign of divine blessing and other times an expression of judgment. Pray for our leaders.

Also, be the answer to prayer by leading with God’s heart in your orbit of influence.

In choosing a leader, you are revealed

On By Aaron AllisonIn Devotional, LeadershipLeave a comment

What type of leader do you choose to follow? These choices reveal you.

In our modern world, we frequently choose our leader. Whether it is a job offer we accept, a pastor of a church we join, or a vote in a democratic republic, we make consequential determinations under the Providence of God. Selecting leaders to follow is not so much about determining the future, as that is God’s responsibility, but revealing who we are.

Choose who you follow with discernment, for the leaders you follow will impact your worldview and reputation. Let the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and the community lead you to healthy, life-giving leaders.

Blessed Sunday at CIL Church: Deborah Jackson’s Insightful Teaching on the Ascension of Christ

On By Aaron AllisonIn CIL News, CIL Services, SermonsLeave a comment

Despite the hustle and bustle of a busy graduation weekend in Sumner County, the services at CIL Church were nothing short of a blessing. It was an honor to welcome visitors to our church, especially during such a hectic time. Graduation weekends can be overwhelming, with families and friends gathering to celebrate significant milestones. Amidst all the excitement, CIL Church opened its doors like we do every Sunday, offering a haven of peace and spiritual nourishment.

Deborah Jackson’s teaching on the Ascension of Christ, titled “Wait! What?” Her insightful teaching brought a fresh perspective to this pivotal event in Christian theology.

The energy of fellowship was alive and palpable throughout the service. This Sunday service reminded me of the power of community, the importance of spiritual growth, and the transformative impact a healthy church.

WATCH SERMON

WATCH THE FULL SERVICE

Reflections on my 25th Wedding Anniversary

On By Aaron AllisonIn Family NewsLeave a comment

On my 25th wedding anniversary yesterday, the word that stood out to me was shalom – the Hebrew word associated with peace and wholeness. We felt God’s shalom through our love and the love of the community.

While a popular cultural sentiment is “us against the world,” that has not been the story of our marriage. Our 25-year romance has been connected to community, as the love of our family, friends, and faith communities have made our story. Sure, there have been many times that Beth and I have retreated as two to heal from hurt or find direction as a couple, and this special relationship did make us feel like “us against the world.” Still, we have always stayed connected with our family and church, and these relationships have made us and sustained us. So, our marriage is a celebration of God’s design for marriage and a recognition of all the relationships connected to a long-term marriage. I write this not out of pride but of absolute gratitude for God’s grace. Every long-term marriage is a miracle.

I want to honor Beth for believing in marriage, believing in us, and believing in me. I love her more every day, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use her in the years to come. I also look forward to many laughs in our future!