Strength to Strength

Strength to Strength  welcomed Zack Johnson to discuss how those politically uninvolved are to remain active in effecting change in the world. Given voting is an abdication of responsibility, then how should Christ followers be reclaiming responsibility? This talk explores Christianity’s burden in global poverty and world change. Together with David Anderson, the two introduce James Hunter’s parad...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Charlton Sweazy to introduce and discuss a new Bible study course. Many people don’t have a comprehensive understanding of the storyline of the Bible. As a result they blindly follow false teachers who strip them of their money, life and dignity while fanning a false hope of a better future. We believe everyone should understand the storyline of the Bible from creati...

Strength to Strength Sisters  welcomed Deborah Bercot to reflect on characters whose lives are worth replicating. Running the race faithfully to the end, even unto death. Our sisters and brothers have done this through the ages. Deborah presents a glimpse into the lives of some early Christian and Anabaptist sisters who faithfully ran their race toward Christ and eternity. An interactive question-...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Dean Taylor to discuss the atonement. When it comes to the doctrine of the Atonement, most theologically minded Anabaptists (including myself) would consider ourselves a “Christus-Victor-guy.” What I mean by this is that we believe that the story of what Jesus accomplished on the cross includes the bigger picture of Christ’s victory over Satan and all of Satan’s king...

January 22, 2022 Strength to Strength  welcomed four brothers on an off-Saturday to introduce and discuss ministry opportunities. The unsung heroes of Jesus’ kingdom are the faithful disciples who serve their Lord without fanfare or applause. Whether you are a warrior in secret prayer, a widow who casts in the last two mites, or a worker advancing the bleeding edge of the kingdom, you can rest ass...

Strength to Strength  welcomed John D. Martin to share about music and what it means to “Sing the New Song.” In the first part of the discussion, John D. spoke about the importance of music and what it accomplishes in the life of the Christian. In the second part of the discussion, he covered more practical aspects of what our music should be like, using Revelation 5:9 as a model for the music of...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Lamar Showalter to encourage us to rise up in this new year. Hunger and starvation are not new tragedies. But did you know people are dying of starvation right in your own town? This is a challenge for 2022 to rise up and feed the “starving” people around you with the fruit of the Spirit. Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mi...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Sam Stoltzfus on an off-Saturday to share about his experiences during the highly-publicized Haiti hostage crisis. On October 16, 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped seventeen volunteer missionaries serving in Haiti under  Christian Aid Ministries . Most remained captive until their miraculous escape on December 16, 2021. An interactive question-and-answer period fol...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Leonard Hege to discuss bringing the written word of God to unreached people groups. Being an effective ambassador requires a familiarity with the society in which we represent our King. What about our host culture is hostile to the message we bring? What provides an open door for ministry? This talk provides a case study in thinking about strategic ambassadorship. A...

Strength to Strength Sisters  welcomed Darla Weaver for this important and timely topic. What does it mean to walk in grace as a woman of God? In a conservative Christian culture that embraces obedience to the Word of God, grace can easily get lost in the details. My personal journey from obedience rooted in fear and a desire for perfection, to obedience rooted in love, relationship, and freedom h...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Gary Miller to discuss his recent book,  Reaching America . Few of our unbelieving American neighbors are coming to faith and joining our conservative Anabaptist fellowships. Does our culture lack spiritual interest, are we doing something wrong, or should this be considered normal? An interactive question-and-answer period follows.

Strength to Strength  welcomed Verlynn Yoder to provide hope to those struggling with depression, and answer. Some of us may ask ourselves, why am I feeling down so often lately? Circumstances and pressures can feel large and looming. Stress levels rise without us identifying how they affect us. We should be asking ourselves honestly, am I depressed? The world of depression is an awful world. It i...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Chuck Pike to discuss expanding the borders of the kingdom of God. Join Chuck as he shares practical insights on evangelism based on decades in a very evangelistic, church-planting movement that emphasized repentance, commitment, and discipleship. An interactive question-and-answer period follows.

Strength to Strength  welcomed Chuck Pike to discuss expanding the borders of the kingdom of God. Join Chuck as he explores how we can use the Old Testament prophecies to convince unbelievers. We can learn from the earliest Christians how we too can do the same today to great effect. An interactive question-and-answer period follows.

Strength to Strength  welcomed John D. Martin to discuss his favorite topic, the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom here on earth is to be a colony of heaven that demonstrates how God intends the whole world to be. God’s righteous rule is just, and kind, and good, and right. The problem is that the gospel is presented a lot of times as a “save me” gospel. Salvation is a means to an end, not an end in a...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Dwight Nisly to discuss his experiences with expanding the kingdom of God. Have you ever wrestled with the role of politics and culture in advancing God’s Kingdom? The Apostle Paul answers these questions with a call to “the ministry of reconciliation” and a profound political analogy! What is the message Christians should be communicating to the world? An interactiv...

Strength to Strength Sisters  welcomed Tania Taylor for our first S2S Sisters’ topic. Is your heart’s deepest longing to advance the kingdom of God, right where you are today? Join us as we explore with Tania what a woman’s role should be in the kingdom of God. And come prepared – we want to hear your questions and input afterward! An interactive question-and-answer period follows.

Strength to Strength  welcomed Marlin Sommers for a discussion about stewardship. Christians talk a lot about stewardship. Being stewards is indeed a biblical idea (though “servant managers,” or “household managers” may be better terms). We know that what we are entrusted with is ultimately God’s resources. What we may miss is that stewardship also describes our social roles in our various communi...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Tony Zook to discuss his experiences with parenting children with special needs. Have you struggled with your children’s disabilities? Do you wonder “Why me?” Tony will share things that encouraged him and his wife Martha when their daughter was born with down syndrome. He will also share tips from their family’s experience on how to relate to families with special n...

Strength to Strength  welcomed four brothers to discuss the refugee flow from Afghanistan. There are urgent and long-term opportunities to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to needy people-groups arriving at our doorsteps. Join us as we explore ways help immigrants in our communities arriving from Afghanistan. How can we offer assistance to the most needy among us? I was hungry an...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Darvin Martin for a Bible study of John 14. Are you looking forward to a mansion in heaven? Waiting for Christ to come again and take us to the place which He has prepared? Scores of Gospel songs feed this anticipation. But what specifically did Jesus promise in John 14? 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepa...

Strength to Strength  welcomes Aaron Crider for a Bible study of God’s name. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV Join us for a worshipful meditation on “The Name We Trust.” Does the name of our God matter? Why is it hidden in most of our Bibles? What happens to The Name after the Old Testament? Read the Bible with fresh appreciation, an...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Joel Nisly and Dru Lattin to discuss the so-called New Apostolic Reformation. The New Apostolic Reformation, also known as Independent Network Charismatic Christianity is a rapidly-growing and influential global movement led by so-called apostles and prophets who claim an authority like that of the Twelve. While many groups have traditionally used the term apostle to...

Strength to Strength  welcomed Austin Lapp to discuss practical steps for how knowledge workers can better manage their digital world. Digital tools and toys continue to permeate every corner of our world introducing new issues that require new, creative solutions. Knowledge workers, which include educators, students, pastors, authors, analysts, consultants, administrators, and others, depend on u...

Strength to Strength  welcomed ZB* to discuss reaching unbelievers through apologetics. Here’s ZB's burden for this talk: After years of street/open-air/campus evangelism, I surveyed all of Jesus’ Gospel conversations — and compared them to methods of evangelism that I’d been taught. The results surprised me and provided me with a few principles that I hope can help us have conversations about...