FEATURES

• "Facing the Facts," by Nina G. Gunter. As the Alabaster Offering celebrates its 50th anniversary, sacrificial giving to Alabaster is funding three projects every four days.

• "The Power of Love," by Pat Stockett Johnston. Thanks to Alabaster gifts given many years ago, a Jordanian family found love, support, and salvation when they needed it most.

• "From Train Tracks to Trees," by Tim and Susan McKeithen. In the Mediterranean metropolis of Barcelona, an Alabaster church is helping penetrate the hard soil of closed hearts with the gospel.

• "Ikot Odongo: The Sweet Smell of Alabaster," by Beverley L. Price. Nigerian Nazarenes learn that Alabaster is not simply a means by which those who have give to those who have not. It is also a scriptural principle of giving for all believers.

• "Alabaster: Midwife to Chicago," by L. Wayne Hindmand. Could an Alabaster church birth seven new Spanish-speaking churches and the first Russian Church of the Nazarene in the mission field of Chicago? It can when God is multiplying by His loaves-and-fishes formula.

• "China on Our Doorstep," by Russell Metcalfe. With 20 percent of historical Quincy, Massachusetts, now Asian, Nazarenes realized they needed to do more than cordially welcome them. They needed to begin a Cantonese-speaking ministry -- the Quincy Chinese Church of the Nazarene.

COLUMNS

• Editor's Forum: This month's panel of experts answers questions about a possible merger of Holiness groups and the appointment of nonmembers to Sunday School leadership positions.

• Commission: "A Gift of Love," by William J. Prince. What kind of gift would you like to give to Jesus? Would it represent sacrifice out of a heart of love for what He has done for you?

• Worldview: "Mission to the Western World," by Roy Stults. Christianity has rapidly declined in the West. Church membership has decreased, and the power of Christian thinking and morality to affect public life has diminished severely. What was once the bastion of Christianity has become, in the view of many, a mission field in every sense of the word.

• Footprints: "Unconventional Woman: The Ministry of Elliott J. Sheeks," by Stan Ingersol. For years earlier she had heard -- for the first time -- a woman pray aloud in public. Now one was preaching! Though she little realized it then, she, too, would one day step behind the pulpit to proclaim the gospel.

• Foot Soldiers: "Cookie Guinn: Prepared, Ready and Dedicated," by J. Wesley Eby. She has a knack for finding people with needs -- the homeless, refugees, individuals in crisis situations, a home mission pastor.

• Family Tree: "A Place of Mysteries," by Rebecca Laird and Michael Christensen. We plan someday to ask God about our mysteries face-to-face. Until then, the mystery box is the best place we've found to put heart-searing pain and tormenting questions.

• The Deeper Way: "I'm Coming, Lord," by Mary Rearick Paul. I was beginning to understand that every wayward step on this disciple's journey did not represent the end of a relationship with God. Instead, it was a place where healing and forgiveness were needed as the walk continued.

• Portraits: "Mary Marr: Equipping Others to Share their Faith," by Debbie Salter Goodwin. "We have the Good News. It's time to share it." By life work and daily practice, Mary does.

• Touching: "Alabaster and Work and Witness: The Math of God," by Hermann L. Gschwandtner. God's math is simply different from ours; there is no sensible, logical way to measure Alabaster money multiplied by Work and Witness effort. It is "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over" (Luke 6:38).

• Heartbeat: "Gifts for Jesus," by Louie E. Bustle. In the tradition of the first sacrificial alabaster gift, the Church of the Nazarene's Alabaster Offering has been a love offering for Jesus and His Church. It has been a lifeline, helping thousands of congregations as they build a church-home.

• Essay: "The Committed Climb with Jesus," by Ron Lush. Today, as in Matthew's day, the committed follow closely wherever He goes, whether the terrain is tough or easy.