“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1

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As I am settling into Arizona and becoming acquainted with the incredible pastors, churches, and leaders that make up our ministry family, I find myself increasingly encouraged by what I see and excited about what God has ahead for us. Across this state are faithful servants who have invested years of prayer, sacrifice, and dedication into advancing the Kingdom. Because of their faithfulness, we stand on a strong foundation while looking toward a promising future.

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As I have prayed about our shared journey together, the Lord continually brought me back to a simple but powerful word: ARISE.

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Over the past several weeks, I have begun sharing our statewide ministry emphasis, ARISE: Empowered by the Holy Spirit. I would like to elaborate on that vision and unpack the values and priorities it represents for the Arizona Church of God.

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More than a theme, ARISE is a ministry vision that reflects who we are, what we value, and how we believe God is calling us to move forward together as the Arizona Church of God. At the center of everything is our complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit. We recognize that no strategy, structure, or program can accomplish what only the Spirit of God can do. Therefore, every aspect of ARISE is built upon the conviction that we must be continually empowered, guided, and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

The choice of the word ARISE is both biblical and uniquely Arizona. Isaiah's call to “Arise, shine” speaks of God's people awakening to His purpose and reflecting His glory to the world. At the same time, the image of a sunrise breaking over the Arizona landscape serves as a fitting reminder of the opportunity before us. Every new day begins with the promise of new possibilities, and I believe God is giving the Arizona Church of God a fresh opportunity to shine brightly for His Kingdom. As the sun rises across our state each morning, may it remind us of God's call to rise in faith, rise in unity, and rise in mission.

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The word ARISE serves as an acrostic that captures five priorities for our state family.

 

A: Affirm the Calling of God

Every ministry begins with God's call.

We are committed to identifying, encouraging, and developing those whom God is raising up for service. Through CAMS, the Ministerial Internship Program, credentialing, leadership development, mentoring relationships, and intentional pathways for growth, we want to invest in the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Throughout Scripture, God called ordinary people to extraordinary assignments. Our responsibility is to create environments where individuals can hear God's voice, respond in faith, and be equipped for effective ministry. Arizona must be a place where God's calling is affirmed, celebrated, and nurtured. As we develop and strengthen tomorrow's leaders today, we prepare the Church for greater effectiveness in the years ahead.

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R: Resource Ministers and Churches

Healthy leaders strengthen healthy churches.

One of the primary responsibilities of the state office is to serve as a resource hub for local congregations and ministry leaders. We want to provide practical training, meaningful tools, leadership coaching, funding opportunities, and ministry resources that help churches fulfill their unique assignments.

Every church matters. Whether a congregation is large or small, urban or rural, established or newly planted, our desire is to come alongside pastors and leaders with resources that empower them to thrive. Together, we can equip leaders and congregations for effective ministry and greater Kingdom impact.

 

I: Interconnect Ministries and Communities

The Kingdom advances best when we work together.

Arizona is blessed with gifted leaders, vibrant churches, and diverse communities. Yet the greatest impact often occurs when those strengths become interconnected. We want to strengthen relationships among pastors, churches, districts, ministries, and communities throughout our state.

Interconnection creates encouragement, collaboration, accountability, and shared mission. It breaks down isolation and builds a culture of partnership. Through fellowship, cooperation, and mutual support, we become stronger together than apart and better positioned to reach our state for Christ.

 

S: Serve Arizona Communities

Faith must be demonstrated through action.

Jesus consistently engaged people at their point of need, and His Church is called to do the same. Through compassion ministries, outreach initiatives, disaster response efforts, local church engagement, and acts of practical service, we want to demonstrate the love of Christ throughout Arizona.

Serving our communities is not merely something we do. It is an expression of who we are. When we meet needs, build relationships, and show genuine care, we create opportunities for people to encounter the transforming power of Jesus Christ. This is faith in action, lived out in ways that make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

 

E: Evangelize Arizona and Beyond

The Great Commission remains our mission.

Everything we do ultimately leads back to the gospel. We are called to share the message of Jesus Christ with boldness, compassion, and urgency. Whether through personal witness, community outreach, church planting, missions partnerships, or discipleship initiatives, we remain committed to reaching people with the hope of Christ.

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Arizona is filled with individuals, families, and communities who need the gospel. At the same time, our vision extends beyond state borders as we continue to support global missions and participate in God's work around the world. We are called to proclaim the Good News with love and boldness and make disciples both near and far.

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A Call to Rise Together

What excites me most about ARISE is that every church can participate. This vision is not reserved for a few large congregations or a handful of leaders. It belongs to every pastor, every congregation, every ministry, and every believer across Arizona.

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When we affirm God's calling, resource our churches, interconnect our ministries, serve our communities, and evangelize our world, we position ourselves to make a greater impact for the Kingdom than ever before. Yet none of this can be accomplished through human effort alone. We must remain completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit's power and direction.

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My prayer is that ARISE becomes more than a theme we talk about. May it become a culture we embrace, a mission we pursue, and a testimony of what God can do through a people fully surrendered to Him. May our churches be strengthened, our leaders equipped, our communities served, and our state transformed through the power of the gospel.

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The future is bright because the glory of the Lord is rising upon His Church. With faith, unity, and expectancy, let us move forward together.

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Arizona, it is time to ARISE.

 

Bishop J. Rob Taylor
Administrative Bishop, Arizona Church of God