View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Under God’s Banner: A Glimpse of the Global Church
------------------------------------------------------------

Last month, I had the unique privilege of attending the Baptist World Alliance Congress—a global gathering held every five years where Baptists from around the world come together to connect, learn, and worship. It was my first time attending, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But the opening session offered a stunning surprise: the “parade of nations.”

At many international events, this parade features national flags, like an Olympic-style display of geopolitics. But this parade was different. Instead of flags, each country was represented by a symbol of its natural beauty—a flower or animal native to the land. China was represented by the panda. India, a tiger. Hong Kong, the orchid tree.

Rather than highlighting political powers that often compete, strive, or war, we celebrated the created beauty that reflects the goodness of God across the globe. It was a holy moment—a vivid reminder that we, as Believers, stand not under national flags but under God's banner, united in the work of redemption and renewal in every corner of the world. A glimpse of the global church at its best.

- Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, National Director


** Final Call for Writers: “Letters to the Church” (Deadline Extended)
------------------------------------------------------------

What would you say to the Church if you could pause, reflect, and speak with courage?

Series Prompt: Write a long-form letter, narrative in tone, that gives voice to what the Church needs to hear in this moment. Be bold and prayerful. Speak with clarity and heart. You never know who’s longing for a word like yours.
* Word Count: 1,250 – 1750 words

* Pitch Deadline: Submit a potential title and thesis statement to [email protected] by August 15, 2025.

* First Draft Due: If selected, a solid first draft will be due by September 15, 2025.

“Letters to the Church” will publish on missioalliance.org beginning in mid-September 2025.

The Church needs to hear your voice.
Learn More ([link removed])

[link removed]

The Spiritual Practice of Summer ([link removed]) | Catherine McNiel

“ Summer months teem with life. Considering that God, the Creator, invented summer, there must be theological truth here, and a spiritual invitation.” Read More ([link removed])
[link removed]

God Finds Us In Nature: A Place of Encounter ([link removed]) | Kris Beckert

"Something about the natural world connects with us deep inside our bones and within our souls, drawing us to something greater. Nature is where people often experience God." Read More ([link removed])
[link removed]

God Finds Us In Nature: An Environment of Healing ([link removed]) | Kris Beckert

"The natural world is a restorative place for our souls. In nature, God may not change my circumstances, but may bring about my healing." Read More ([link removed])

[link removed]

Brave Practice: A Global Prayer of Lament

Our brothers and sisters from the global church are a crucial part of our family. For this month’s Brave Practice, we invite you to take some time to pray the words of this prayer of lament and hope by Romanian pastor and theologian, Dr. Ciprian Gheorge-Luca.

“A Prayer of Lament and Subversive Hope”

Oh God who listens in the long night,

We gather in the shadow of powers too vast for us —

Powers that proudly parade as destiny,

Powers that promise safety in exchange for our silence,

Powers that demand allegiance to flag, to tribe, to the strongman.

We confess:

We have been drawn to

The easy slogans,

The quick blame,

The comfort of belonging to the crowd.

We have watched:

As the demons of populism and nationalism are growing bold,

As fascism whispers old lies in new tongues,

And we have not always spoken,

Not always stood,

Not always remembered your call to love the stranger.

We see the world torn before our very eyes —

battered by the ambitions of empire,

locked in cycles of vengeance and grief,

Lives lost, homes shattered,

Truth twisted.

And so…

We bring to You our lament.

Click here for the rest of the prayer ([link removed])

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

Copyright (C) 2025 Missio Alliance. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you showed interest in resources and opportunities from Missio Alliance.
Our mailing address is:
Missio Alliance
2828 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA 23294
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])