And So It Begins....

Seeing Salem Alliance from the inside is a great privilege. Every week I get to hear stories of God at work and be with an incredible staff . I often find myself wishing that you could get at least a glimpse of what I see. I try to tell you some of the stories as I preach or give announcements, but our weekend services just don’t give us enough time to celebrate all that we would like to.

Meanwhile, we’ve been waiting for the day when we have the staff and time to put together a great newsletter-type of publication – believing that a newsletter could be a positive resource for the Salem Alliance family to enjoy what God is doing. Years passed. We never had all the resources at the same time. Finally I decided, “If we wait until we have everything we need, we’ll never do it. We just have to go for it.”  more... »

An Interview with Laura Scharer, Logan Martin and Jeff Brown

One of the most highly regarded distinctives of the Salem Alliance culture is the concept of “teams.” We have leadership teams and servant teams and parent teams and parking teams and usher teams. We have a preaching team. And now worship is led by a team. I recently had the opportunity to sit down and interview our three worship leaders. As I spoke with Laura Scharer, Logan Martin and Jeff Brown, I was blown away by their hearts’ desire to make Christ the focal part of their lives and to transfer that passion to each of us through the ministry of music.

Laura Scharer

Laura Scharer has attended Salem Alliance for 19 years, is married to Nate (an electrical contractor), and is mom to Malia (11) and Travis (9).  more... »

Logan Martin

Logan Martin grew up in Albany, the brother of former Salem Alliance Worship Leader, Colby. He met his wife, Erica, at Corban College when he was late to his very fi rst class, and the only seat available was next to her.  more... »

Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown and his wife, Kara, have been married for five years, have a nine month old son, Caleb, and a child due in October. Jeff was an intern at Salem Alliance in 2001/2002.  more... »

Newsflash!

For the past year, Salem Alliance’s leadership has prayerfully considered who God would bring to lead our Worship Ministries. We’ve culled through dozens of resumes and have had conversations with possible candidates, but didn’t sense God’s call for any of them.

Meanwhile, we have watched Laura Scharer’s leadership gifts and ministry heart grow and grow. She’s done an outstanding job of team development this last year as Interim Director of Worship Ministries. Her heart for the Lord is increasingly impacting more lives through her platform leadership. After a thorough series of interviews, the Governing Board is pleased to extend an invitation to Laura to be the new Pastor of Worship Ministries.

Her new role will begin on June 1. Join us at our Information Meeting on Sunday, June 22, from 6:30-8:00 pm for a further conversation with Laura.

Mission Mexico 2008

Mission Mexico has completely changed me. My motives, time and words are now His. In hindsight, I don’t know how or why I ever let His endless love escape me. It seems so obvious now – that the only thing that matters is living a sold-out life for God. I’ve learned there is nothing in the world worth more than serving and loving other people. It’s not in Mexico that I found my identity (and purpose) in Christ, but through the time I spent praying, reading His word, fellowshipping with other Christians, building a house and playing with orphans. This is when I feel most alive: in living exclusively for Jesus Christ!  more... »

My Experience in Mexico

I was definitely not prepared for what God was about to bring me in Mexico. I went on this trip two years ago so I knew going this year that God would work in my life – like He always does on retreats. Before Mexico, I felt so distant from God and I didn’t know how I would ever get close to Him again. I never prayed about the mission trip and I just figured that God would provide regardless. About a week before the trip, God took a family friend home with Him. I was so confused.  more... »

Russian Ministry

“I can worship God here!”

“I feel so at home here!”

Over 80 Russian teens and young adults have begun meeting together to worship in the SAC Youth Center at 7:00 pm on the last Sunday night of each month. This new Russian church service is a ministry designed to help teens and young adults see that the Bible is as true and relevant here in America as it was in Russia, and that God is faithful regardless of style of worship, language or sacred traditions. This is an additional worship setting to compliment the teaching and worship that occurs regularly in the local Russian churches.

The response of these young people to the new Russian service has been so encouraging to the individuals launching it.   more... »