The second retreat in our 2026 theme of Faith, Hope, and Love focuses on - Hope!

After an introduction by Amy Cogdell, we hear three testimonies of hope from CTR community members: Phillip Owens, Diana Durant, and Clinton Scroggins.

Talks given at Christ the Reconciler in Elgin, Texas on 28 March 2026.

Amy was invited to address the 2026 North American Network conference, on the topic of prayer. She spoke in Augusta, Georgia, where the conference was being hosted by the Alleluia Community. Her talk was given on February 28, 2026.

The second teaching of three in the Prepare the Way series, given at the Antioch Network Gathering in Austin Texas on 4 November 2025.

In this teaching, Thomas walks through one view of the history of Antioch Network, showing how the Holy Spirit has led us into the work of missions and reconciliation, which prepare the way for the return of the Lord in glory. Since CTR is a relational member of Antioch Network, it is good for community members to understand what Antioch Network is, and how the history has shaped us (and in some cases, been shaped by us!).

The final of three teachings in the Prepare the Way series, given at the Antioch Network Gathering in Austin Texas on 6 November 2025. In this teaching, Amy explores the ways that Joseph's story in Genesis provides clues into Jesus' ministry, finishing with a focus on the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers.

The final of three teachings in the Prepare the Way series, given at the Antioch Network Gathering in Austin Texas on 6 November 2025. In this teaching, Amy explores the ways that Joseph's story in Genesis provides clues into Jesus' ministry, finishing with a focus on the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers.

Our dear friend Marianna from Israel was with us again on Sept 19, 2025. She shared from Zechariah 4, verse by verse.

On August 31, 2025, Micah was invited to give the sermon at his church, Bastrop Church of Christ.

He chose - with a not-insignificant amount of fear and trembling - to speak about Jesus’ view of money.

During the Christ the Reconciler retreat, we tackled Identificational Repentance - a difficult and overlooked topic, but very important for reconciliation and unity. Thomas taught first about the negative effects of sin going "wide" and "long", then addressed biblical examples of identificational repentance to heal these "wounds of the world."

Teaching given at Christ the Reconciler, 19 July 2025.

The end of Boundaries of Reconciliation #1, True & False Unity, was the ruling of the Jerusalem Council on the controversy of Gentiles becoming followers of Jesus. This second teaching in the series picks up there by addressing the gift of apostles to the church; the role of apostolic authorities in safeguarding unity, and the beauty of healthy mutual submission.

At the end of the teaching, Amy introduces the word "apostolate" and the concept of Christ the Reconciler as an apostolate, whose leaders carry apostolic authority for the community, but are also submitted to apostolic authority in their own traditions.

Teaching given at a Christ the Reconciler retreat on 12 November 2022.

In June 2025, several members of CTR attended the Unity Forum held in Dallas, Texas. The topic was the Nicene Creed - as both an ecumenical gift, and an ecumenical challenge. Our friend Rabbi Dr. Mark Kinzer presented both aspects, particularly the challenge from a Messianic Jewish perspective of “Israel forgetfulness” in the Creed. He also read extensively from Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325-2025), published by the Vatican’s Theological Commission, which in Dr. Kinzer’s opinion has some remarkable commentary on the Jewish aspects of the Nicene Creed.

Teaching given on 26 June 2025, and recorded on Thomas Cogdell’s iPhone. Q&A not included.