The Glory of God

Avant’s 2023 theme ‘Declare His Glory’ was based on the verses in I Chronicles 16:10 and 16:24a – which remind us to glory in His holy name and to declare His glory among the nations.

The Glory of God is what centers us. Declaring His Glory among the nations is what compels us. 

"Glory is his holy name: let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Declare his glory among the nations." - 1 Chronicles 16:10 & 24a (NIV)

In this light of declaring God’s glory, Apostle Paul writes in Romans 15:20, the familiar verse “it has always been my ambition to preach where Christ was not known.” As a church planting mission agency focused on the external reality of the absence of God’s visible glory in the least reached places, this is our basis to ask where are the unengaged, those that are unreached and how can we inspire and mobilize others to go and be a gospel witness where there is no church. 

But more significantly, earlier in the passage Paul declares in vs 17, “Therefore, I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God!“ Paul deeply understood the importance of Jesus’ encouragement to His disciples in John 15:8 Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” NIV

The Glory of God in us. The Glory of God through us.

Avant’s theme for 2024 remains God’s Glory. We chose to continue this theme for another year, but this year focusing from a New Testament perspective on the internal dynamic of our passion for Jesus Christ and His glory at the core, so that we may show ourselves to be His disciples.  Jesus Christ is the true Vine.  Believers are branches of this Vine. Just like the root of the vine is unseen, God works in us invisibly.  The root delivers water and nutrients to the vine and ultimately produces fruit through the vine.  By abiding in Christ we receive the nourishment of His cleansing, sustenance and sanctification.  We display God’s glory through “the fruit” of our service and devotion by abiding in Jesus, by following Him and by serving Him as true disciples.  We must be fruitful. The more fruit we produce as His true disciples, the more Jesus Christ is glorified!

In this new year 2024, the main thing we desire for you, and us too, is that we would all live more humbly by faith in Jesus Christ; to abide in Him so that we might produce more good fruit in every word and deed, so that we may find joy in Him and give Him glory through our service. 

Our passion – our glory must be Christ Jesus alone.