Southern Missouri District ESSENGER. The Pastor s. W fe

Transcription

1 M Southern Missouri District S U M M E R ESSENGER The Pastor s W fe

2 Executive Presbyters Superintendent... Don Miller Assistant Superintendent... George Westlake III Secretary-Missions...Stan Welch S. E. Region...Brenda Henson N. E. Region... Jack Hembree S. W. Region... Gary Ankrom N. W. Region... Jason St. John District Ministries Business Administrator... Rhonda Amer Church Planting... Jerry Harris Church Development... Greg Perkins Missions....Stan Welch Women s Ministries Sherry Welch Church Growth & Ed.... Jim Calvin Youth/Men s Ministries... Darin Poe Royal Rangers... Jerry Millhouser Girls Ministries... DeShae Thrasher Kevin Boggs: fill-in ministry... (417) kevinlboggs@yahoo.com Carol Brown: Available for fill in ministry, revivals, women s services and/or retreats revcb@juno. com Rev. Thomas Canter: fill-in ministry... (314) Evangelist Terry Carter: Edward Catron: Weekend/fill-in ministry or hazelned@gmail.com Randall Darden: weekends randall.darden.jr@gmail.com Julie Perkin (Stout) Davenport is available for services, women s ministry meetings, etc. Growing up in a pastor s home, a pastor s wife for many years, and now a licensed minister, Julie ministers to the broken and hurting. Contact information: Julie Davenport: or dgdavenport@sbcglobal.net Rev. Dennis DeLine:...(816) Michael Dobony: fill-in ministry safety & child protection training Ronald Duncan: fill-in ministry, revivals, interim Jim Ellis: fill-in ministry jim@nwsministries.com Ted Furry: revitalization ministry tedfurr@yahoo.com Sophia Garcia: Hispanic or English Ministry: Women, Marriage Enrichment Rick Ianniello: interim, fill-in min chaprickianniello@sbcglobal.net Delana Ingram: fill-in ministry JOYSONG - Quartet ministry with a portfolio of music that covers every style. Contact Cindy Mountjoy, dataintry22@yahoo.com, Kevin Larsen: Fill-in ministry District Leadership Fifty Plus Ministries....John Heide Cross Pointe Camp... Curtis & Cindy Washam Sectional Presbyters Cape Girardeau... Phil Roop Clinton... D. Eugene Ekstrand Joplin... Ken Robinson Kansas City...John Martz Kennett... Charles Clark Park Hills... Dan Ross Saint Louis... Joe Zarro Sedalia... Jeff Higbie Springfield North.... Brad McAtee Springfield South... Ted Cederblom Sullivan Danny Kemp Van Buren... Scott Reynolds West Plains... Tom Fortner Ethnic Presbyter.... Aubrey Kishna Available for Ministry FOR SALE: Hammond Spinet Organ, good condition. $100 OBO. Contact: Eva Leach Glad Tiding Assembly is selling: Church Pews with Cushions. There are 4 different sizes to choose from ranging from 10 feet in length to 25 feet in length and 39 Pews in all. Asking $50.00 for each or best offer. They are in great shape and would be great pews for an established church or church plant. Contact Wes Hansen or Pastor James McIntosh at (417) Buyer is responsible for pickup. I have a Hammond 125 xl organ for A/G church or youth group in Missouri Southern District or North Arkansas. It s almost like new...come and get it, if you need it: Mike Keeton, 1560 County Road 933, Alpena, AR Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger Items of Interest Rev. Mearl (Eddie) Kendall:.(916) twoexokies@ yahoo.com Kirk Metzger: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings, Sundays Bill McGarity: fill-in ministry emphasis on miracles Rev. Naomi Merritt is available for services, women s ministry meetings, fill-in ministry, etc. Even though a retired ordained Assemblies of God minister, God has stirred her heart to continue her ministry. She can be reached at or naomimerritt@att.net Vincent Newfield and his wife, Allison, are speakers bringing hope & healing to those battling sexual addiction Crystal Nickel: fill-in ministry hoperestored@live.com John Piraino, Jr.: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings, Sundays Jack Robinson: fill-in, interim Evangelist Tom Shockley: Isaiah 61 Ministries binding up the broken hearted Available for Fill-In Ministry. Contact Info: or Isaiah61setfree@gmail.com Gerald Stewart: fill-in ministry Chris Tankersley: fill-in ministry ctank81@ hotmail.com Matthew Thomas: fill-in ministry Ryan Winters: fill-in ministry / ryanlw5@aol.com Matthew Woodroof: fill-in ministry mattwoodroof@hotmail.com For Sale. Nice home on the outer edge of the Southern Mo. A/G Camp Grounds. Raised Ranch, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, family room, large kitchen, Nice finished basement with 2 car garage, plus a free standing garage in back. Nice deck, plus front and back yard. Price REDUCED to $159,900. Please call Or For a virtual tour of the house please use the link below. instaview-tour/loo/ In Memoriam Douglas Jernigan...2/23/2017 Nelson Booze...3/2/2017 Richard Dennis...3/22/2017 Ray Caringer...4/11/2017 Charles Davis...4/15/2017 Barry Eisenhart...4/20/2017 Ministerial Updates New Pastors John Fransisco... Versailles, First AG Richard Altom... Bridgeton, Beir B Reshett David Beaver... Raymore, AG Joseph Carpenter... Thomasville - Pine Hill AG Dan Ver Woert... Butler, First AG Kent Kassinger... Herculaneum, First AG Marvin McCormick... Ellington, First AG Brent Hurt... Brighton, Highway AG Transfers In: Emily Defibaugh... OK Ryan McCallum Rocky Mtn Don Chester... NE Yisrael Vincent... N Cal/Nev Irene Thiemann... WY Hervera Hambrick... KY Larincia Hambrick... KY Benjamin Wolf... MN John Fransisco... NE Mario Guerreiro... OH Dan Ver Woert... IA Cynthia Ritter... Pen Fl Marvin McCormick... IL Brent Hurt... OK Transfers Out David Compton... Rocky Mtn Jason Reasoner... TN Kerstin Lundquist... OK Daniel Morrison... AL Edward Bennett... IL Kristin Johnson... NC Gary Huey... S TX Abigail Beckett... IA Jairus Beckett... IA Mark Wootton... Potomac Lloyd Lapore III... NOMO Carl Miller II... NM Maribel Miller... NM Vernon Porter... NOMO EDITORS Don Miller, Executive Editor Rhonda Amer, Managing Editor The Assembly Messenger is the official publication of the Southern Missouri District Council of the Assemblies of God. It is published quarterly by the Southern Missouri District Council. Products and/ or services advertised in the MESSENGER are not necessarily endorsed by the Southern Missouri District Council. SUBSCRIPTION RATE: Individual - $7.00/year Church Bundles of 5 - $30.00/year Single copy - $1.35/each info@somoag.org somoag.org facebook.com/somodistrictag 528 West Battlefield Rd. Springfield, MO 65807

3 SUPERINTENDENT Don Miller The Pastor s Wife An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life, (Proverbs 31:11-13, ESV). In all the history of the District Messenger, we are unaware of any time that an entire issue has been dedicated to the pastor s wife. Now I know that we have women ministers and so not all minister s spouses are wives. Yet, we wanted to focus on this particular demographic, the pastor s wife, as our topic this month. Though well-worn and often used, Proverbs 31 gives us a beautiful picture of the crucial role that a wife plays in the marriage relationship and household. This passage describes not only her diligent work but as well her character from which her efforts flow. No other wife matches this description more than a pastor s wife. The role of the pastor s wife is so unique. She is not elected, she is not paid staff, and yet she plays such an integral role in the ministry. Honestly, the wife of the pastor can either make or break his ministry. She often lives under unrealistic expectations. She sometimes carries the load of what her husband is facing at the church as she sees the toll it takes on him. Often, her place can be very lonely. (I am thankful for the Southern Missouri District Refresh Ministries which are trying to address that loneliness!) But, she also gets to walk alongside her husband to enjoy the times of great victory and seeing lives changed. As I read this passage, it makes me think of my wife, Vicki. I am so thankful for this precious lady who has been by my side for over 35 years. When I think of what a pastor s wife should be like, she is the picture that comes to my mind. How many times has she heard me vent and talk through a problem privately with her so that I could confront someone with more control and gentleness? How many times have her prayers carried me through tough days and protected me from attacks of the enemy? Pastors, often we are on the platform or in the public eye receiving encouragement for our efforts. Yet, we realize that we could not do what we do without that unwavering support of the love of our life that is cheering us on, giving us wise counsel, and always being there. Let s do our best to bring her beside us. Let others see us walk together so they too can realize what a difference our wife makes. Husbands, I would urge you to read through Proverbs 31 and reflect on how well this passage describes your own life companion. Then, take time to sit down with your wife and point out the particular phrases from this passage that she lives out. Take time to say thank you to her for walking by your side in the good times and in the bad. Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 3

4 REFRESH MINISTRY WOMEN Vicki Miller Pastor s Wife: I Don t Have to Be... Some of us knew from the time we were little girls. For others, it never crossed their minds. Many of us grew up in church. Numerous found their way to God after a lifetime separated from Him. Many of us discovered our calling in Bible College when we met our Prince Charming and yet some are still struggling to find their place, their identity. We are women, married to pastors. We are pastor s wives. I Get to Be A phrase I ve recently been using is, Pastor s Wife: I don t have to be I get to be. Traveling with my husband to the affirmation service of a new pastor, I have the wonderful opportunity to address the pastor s wife. As I m speaking to her in the presence of her husband and congregation, those words are not only for her benefit, but for all to hear. I remind them there is no job description for the pastor s wife, no scripture that pertains specifically to the role of the pastor s wife. Yet, God has uniquely gifted her to be who she is. As a woman of God there is plenty to say about her service to Him, her husband, family, church, and community. It sounds cliché to refer to Proverbs 31. After all, it contains a seemingly unattainable list of qualities for any woman. But look at the following verses. The heart of her husband trusts in her...she does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life Proverbs 31: Pastor s wife, in ministry we can either make it or break it. We can bring dishonor to the name of Christ or we can be a shining example of His work in our lives. We can help our husbands succeed by encouraging them, praying for them and working together as teams, or we can cause them to stumble by our negativity, grumbling, and self-centeredness. Proverbs 31: 23 says this, Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders. I can t think of any greater compliment for the pastor s wife than for her husband to be respected in ministry because of her love and care for him and their family. It s a blessing to get to be the pastor s wife. You don t have to be You get to be! Refresh Ministry Women Breakaway 2017 Highlights Bridgette Tomlin spoke a powerful word to nearly 100 ministry women in attendance at this year s Refresh Ministry Women Breakaway. Check out our website at FreshenItUp.org to see pictures of our March 2017 event. We Love Our Pastors Wives We are blessed in Southern Missouri to have many wonderful pastor s wives. If you are struggling, are in need of a friend, or you would like to be an encouragement to other women in ministry, we have a place for you at Refresh Ministry Women. Serving pastor s wives, missionaries, evangelists wives, and credentialed women we exist to provide resources, opportunities to build relationships, and times of renewal. Feel free to contact us at refresh@somoag.org. Resources and Opportunities Available to You Weekly blog: FreshenItUp.org Facebook: Refresh Ministry Women Facebook: SoMo District Refresh Women Connect 5 Groups Breakaway Additional information can be found at FreshenItUp.org. 4 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

5 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT George Westlake III The Pastor s Wife... Pressure To Be Pressure To Do Pressure To Maintain Pressure To Achieve Pressure To Perfect Pressure To Perform The Pastor s Wife deals with every aspect of ministry, every aspect of leadership and every aspect of relationship... without the authority/title (most times), to give the direction and insight that she knows is paramount to progress. *She has the unique position of having one of the best vantage points but no definitive seat at the table. There is extreme pressure on the wife of a Pastor. Pressure to...everything... Know All See All Do All Cure All Cover All Help All Love All Ignore All The Wife of the Pastor knows all of the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY. She knows and sees everyone as they are...in leading and following. She knows the failures and frailties of the Pastor. She knows and has to sit quietly as people undermine and sew discord underneath/around her husband. She has to pray for and encourage those who inflict pain on her family and deceive those around them. She has the distinction of knowing the truth and having to hear remnants of destructive lies. She has to observe time and time again, as people blame her husband (and her) for their own destructive acts and behaviors. The life of the Pastor s Wife is a call that carries a heavy weight and is not for the weak or the faint of heart. It requires a mantle of anointing that has to be bestowed by God and covered by the Holy Spirit. Without the proper heart, soul and divine appointment, the wear and tear of the ministry will most likely chip away the ability to maintain the heart and home for ministry. Many, MANY Pastor s wives endure intense hurt and great tribulation on the ministry road that people don t realize or understand. Watching those you love, try to keep going when their heart has been broken, their legs cut out from underneath them and their character attacked or stolen, is almost impossible but mandatory as you walk the ministry road. The Pastor s Wife has the great responsibility of demonstrating the ongoing love of Christ, the unending mercy of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit...in the church and even more in the home. The Wife of the Pastor is often the unseen stability of the Pastor s ministry...the rudder that helps keep the ship going the right direction. God calls Pastors. God calls Pastor s Wives. God calls People. God Anoints. God Appoints. God Ordains. God Enables. God Empowers. God Provides! Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 5

6 EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Stan Welch Missions: Reaching the World and Reaching your Local Community want to use my space in this issue of the Messenger to share a I wonderful story of what God has done in New Life Church in Farmington. I pray that Pastor Kappler s account will help encourage you to impact your community by reaching out to the world in Missions while reaching your local Missions field. The Acts 1:8 mandate clearly requires us to be missional in our view of a lost world both at home and abroad. Bro. Stan Welch But if the Salt Loses Its Saltiness You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:13 I came to New Life Church, formerly Pleasant View, as a senior in High School. It was then I felt a connection to the church. It was there I would find my way to full-time ministry and serve 7 of 17 years as a staff pastor. After about an 11 year absence, my wife Sharon and I returned to be the lead pastors of what has been re-named New Life Church. My name is Kevin Kappler. The church we returned to was vastly different from when we left so many years ago. Conflicts, issues, finances, etc had taken its toll. Attendance and finances were low. Running the risk of losing our building, yet, recognizing the need to put missions back into the DNA of the church, we began to support our first missionary. Twelve missionaries and 2 missions projects later, we continue to move forward. But, there is another area I believe co-insides with missions evangelism. Missions is about reaching the lost and so is evangelism. Here at New Life we call it relational evangelism. Simply put, we believe ministry flows through relationships. These lead to becoming salt. As Pastor of New Life, I believe it is a must for me to model this example. According to definition, a barricade is a barrier that prevents movement. With that being said no one can build relationships behind a desk barricaded in an office including the Pastor. I love and enjoy people and have diligently searched for many ways to be salt in the community: the local gym, periodic stops in to local businesses for the purpose of just showing my face, in everyday lifestyle and even our local police department. I pursued and serve as one of the chaplains for the Farmington Police Department. After being connected to Rural Compassion and Convoy of Hope, New Life Church has focused more heavily on being an influence in our communities. Through the help of Convoy of Hope, NLC has been able to present every staff person of the PD with their own special edition Law Enforcement Bible as part of the devotion during a department meeting. The feedback given even from those who may not profess a clear relationship with Christ was overwhelming. Through the power of the word, many God conversations have occurred and continue to occur which has led to several commitments to Christ. If you walk into the facility, it is not uncommon to see these Bibles sitting on desks or at workstations. Many can be found in the officer s squad cars. As a result, men and women are picking up this book and reading it and it s changing lives! Now, one may drive up to a parked squad car to find an officer reading a bit of scripture for the day. New Life experienced 41 reported conversions in 2015 and 36 reported conversions in 2016 through the ministry of the church. Though some of these were a result of a Sunday morning or Life Group experience, MANY OR MOST of these were outside of a church service and in the community. Yes that s correct people DO receive Christ apart from a church service. I have been personally blessed to lead many of these listed to Jesus myself. Several have been led to the Lord in a local park, in my personal vehicle, in my office, my home, and even in a squad car! These opportunities are best found OUTSIDE of the church! We continue to see God move through these relationships and through Bibles in hand. One particular incident occurred where one of the officers and I started to pray. During the process, several others stepped up to the vehicle and joined in prayer. A few minutes later 6-7 of us gathered for what could be considered a prayer circle within the station to pray for a need mentioned by one of the officers present. What a HUGE step! From a relationship, to a Bible, to transformed lives, the thread continues as each affects one another. I was reminded of the power of such relationships most recently when our finished basement of our own home completely flooded. We were so encouraged as five personnel from the PD and one lawyer I met at our local gym arrived with hands and feet helping us to clear out our basement and remove the soaked carpeting. The level of love and concern was definitely demonstrated that day! Amazing what a little salt will do! Much of the current growth of NLC has occurred through these relational opportunities of lifestyle evangelism. Amazing what God will do if we as Pastors remember that missions and evangelism are a lifestyle! It is the Word of God that changes lives (Heb 4:12) but it is the salt of each person that makes others thirsty. Have we lost our saltiness? Kevin Kappler 6 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

7 Missions Banquet 2017 Thank you!!!! What a wonderful response for our Missionaries at the Missions Banquet. I believe your response shows that Southern Missouri is committed to be a part of the task of the Great Commission. Thank you to Dan Betzer for stirring our hearts with a powerful message at the Banquet. Carroll Deal worked tirelessly to help our Missionaries receive needed support. Tim Rickman, my administrative assistant, the missions reps and candidate missionaries all came alongside to make sure the Banquet was a success. Most of all, I want to say thank you to the Holy Spirit that made us aware of the need of a lost world and crowned the service with His presence. Stan Welch MISSIONS Stan Welch stanwelch@somoag.org Wow! What a Missions Banquet! The event and the response was truly amazing. In fact, it was all that we had hoped for and more. Reverend Dan Betzer rung the bell as he challenged us to invest in missions, the redemption business. Our new missionaries presented were overwhelmed at the love and Carrol Deal generosity of God s people. Each candidate has received $12, 000 towards their cash budget and monthly support beyond their expectations. It was truly a miraculous night and the rejoicing continues. Thank you for partnering in missions. Be Blessed! Carrol R. Deal The Influence of the Pastor s Wife have been so blessed to have a wonderful wife who filled the I role of the pastor s wife with such excellence. She knew how to be a great part of the life of the church, but also place her family first. With all the work Sherry did for the church - and she did a lot - our family was always first. Our children grew to know the Lord and they are working for Him today; and I believe that Sherry s influence as a pastor s wife has contributed greatly to this. I would not have been able to do the work of pastoring without Sherry, a powerful woman of God filling the role of pastor s wife. My mother and mother-in-law both were pastor s wives. They modeled the role of a Godly woman and a wonderful pastor s wife. Both of these women filled a role that was desperately needed in the church and they made their husbands who pastored be more effective than they could have ever been on their own. Pastors wives, your husband needs your commitment and involvement in the life of the church, but he needs you to be his wife more than anything else. Pastors wives, I honor you! You have a powerful ministry in the life of the local church. May you allow God to continue to use you mightily for Him. Bro. Stan Welch Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 7

8 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR Rhonda Amer Joyful Pastor s Wife In every walk of life there are positives and negatives. When the theme for this issue of the Messenger was decided, I immediately wanted to focus on the positive because there are many!!! Therefore, I asked my friend Paula Fortner to share a little bit about her life as a pastor s wife. Paula and Tom Fortner pastor at Norwood Assembly of God. I really do love the calling God has placed on our lives! Being raised in a Pastor s home, we learned at an early age the joys and the not so joyful times of ministry! I grew up watching my Mother live consistently for Jesus and saw her dedication to God, my Dad, and every church family God placed her in! I knew I wanted to be just like her! I love meeting people and sharing the joy that comes from serving Jesus! I feel that each one that comes through our church doors is looking for something! It s an overwhelming opportunity and responsibility to help them find it! I also love my Pastor husband! We are fulfilling the destiny God planned for us together! People need the Lord, they need love and they need to make Heaven! That s my calling! With God s help, I do everything I can to make that happen! Joyfully and gladly! Serving Him with my whole heart! Paula WHAT SHOULD I TITHE ON? A question that I have been asked numerous times is what should I tithe on? Allow me to share from my heart for a moment in answer to some specific questions as to what I personally do, but the decision is ultimately yours. Do I tithe on gross or net? Throughout the Word of God it explicitly states that it is ALL His, therefore, I tithe on ALL of it (gross amount). Do I tithe on my Housing Allowance? You bet I do! That is income. Should I tithe on the Social Security benefit my church gives me? Personally, I do. That is also income. What if I get a bonus? You re not going to like this, but yes. As a minister this has to be recorded on our W-2 and it is income. What about tithe to the District? The bylaws state that not less than one-half of a minister s tithe from ministerial and secular income should be contributed on a recommended monthly basis. The bottom line - tithe and giving is a matter of the heart. Though we don t tithe and give to get a return, it is a biblical principle that takes place. The question is what type of return are you investing in? In April, Bob and Thresia Brinkley, MAPs team coordinators, led a team of 61 people to Saltillo, Mexico to work on phase one of the first ever Assemblies of God University in Mexico. They completed or furnished funds for 98% of the project which included a library with bookshelves to accommodate 10,000 books, bathrooms, a computer lab with 20 computers, classrooms, a completed and sealed roof and welded security gates. They worked with Southern Missouri District Missionaries, Mary and Guillermo Landa. Mary is currently the Registrar of the University and Guillermo is the Dean of Students and a professor at the fully accredited University. The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Mexico, Brother Abel Flores and his wife Alma, are pastors of the Templo Getsemani Assemblies of God church in Saltillo, MX where the University is being built. BOB & THRESIA BRINKLEY MAPS Coordinators for MID-STATES MISSIONS Oak Ridge Drive Rocky Mount, MO Bob s Cell: Thresia s Cell: Pastors Abel and Alma Flores and team member Michaela Kinney Missionaries Mary and Guillermo Landa bbrinkley98@gmail.com 8 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

9 CHURCH PLANTING Jerry Harris Words from a Church Planter's wife... Remedy Church Go-Live hit the ground running in the MRH High School October of Josh and I, along with our team, have certainly been in a season reflecting on our rich Survivor-like journey as we approach our 5th anniversary. We ve seen lives transformed, callings answered, adventure and have formed a deeply relational church community. With those also have come devastating disappointments, moments of hard failure, seasons of exhaustion filled with tears, pain, and grief. As my husband, leader and mission partner, Josh s steadfastness, raw grit, and transparent faith has kept our church, family and myself grounded through the biggest hail storms. I m privileged to say he s always championed the calling of ministry on my life, however, not everyone has joined him. The boxes, binds, and expectations that sometimes are inadvertently placed on pastors' wives, or just church leaders in general, can, unfortunately, be the bulk of these difficulties I ve personally faced. Dr. Seuss, Do You Like My Hat has nothing on all the different hats I may be expected to wear in a given week, all while keeping perfect emotional balance, managing sports and homework, dinner on the table during a 40 hour work week, and always a prayer or encouraging word in my back pocket to offer. With such binds it s easy to feel nothing short of inadequate, loneliness, and misunderstood. After several tough rounds, the greatest antidote to these binds have been intentionally developing authentic relationships with those around me and devotion to how God s Word articulately frames our identity that can only be rooted and grounded in Christ. Both these are a great prescription for freedom to be WHO we are and enjoy WHERE we are, on the way to where we want to be. After all, if true life change happens in the context of relationships, that goes for ministry leaders, too! There are not enough words to express our gratitude for the support and true partnership with the Southern Missouri District. We are expectant of many more victories before us as we remember, Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9. Jessica and Josh Burton are Lead Pastors of Remedy Church in urban St. Louis along with their two children, Caleb (11) and Destiny (9). The Burtons have been married for 16 years and have pastored in Traverse City, MI and churchplanted in Hilo, HI. Jessica has been an ordained minister for over 10 years serving alongside Josh as Worship Leader. She also works as an Innovation Technology Project Manager for Ascension Health. Coaching has become the second fastest growing industry in the United States because of its ability to transform the way individuals deal with situations in their lives. Did you Know...? According to the 2014 International Coaching Federation study, across the United States, over 3/4 of individuals that categorize themselves as coaches are women and 60% of individuals that have been coached, are women. Women are interested in becoming coaches because of the opportunity to care for others and are interested in becoming clients because they want to learn how to improve their work/life balance. We hope to see that just as women have shined in the coaching world across our country, we will start to witness more women coaches be a part of the SMD Coaching Network. SMD Coaching Network is dedicated to creating a coaching culture in our district. The SMDCN team hosted a Coaching Forum at District Council sharing the SMDCN vision and giving a coaching demonstration. A total of 23 people attended the forum and over half of them were new to the Network! Please continue praying for this ministry, pray that many individuals from our district will be willing to join the Network so that they may be equipped with the proper coaching skills to be a blessing to others. If you are interested in learning more about the SMD Coaching Network, visit our website and we will help you get started on your coaching journey today. Facebook/smdchurchplanting Twitter/@smd_churchplant Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 9

10 CHURCH DEVELOPMENT Greg Perkins Ministry is a Team Effort! As I reflect on 30+ years of ministry and all the twists and turns that journey has provided, I am profoundly aware that I did not get to where I am on my own. It was a team effort. Yes, there are the teams of volunteers and staff members at various places along the way that shared the load, filled in the gaps, and helped carry out the vision, mission, and plans but it s more than that. Yes, there are the teams of leaders (elders and deacons) that prayed, endured long meetings, and helped support the vision, mission, and plans but it s even more than that. In 30 years, I have worked on many different teams in the churches where we have served, but there is one team that has remained CONSTANT throughout the entire journey. It s my HOME TEAM which consists of my wife and me. Sure, we ve had a couple of other players (our two boys), who continue to play key roles from time to time, but they are establishing their own teams now. Our team continues to forge ahead. While I am grateful for the other teams on which I have had the privilege of serving, my HOME TEAM is the one God provided me to be a CONSTANT source of encouragement, support, accountability, and refuge in the midst of every trial we have endured. While individual responsibilities on our team have changed based upon the seasons of life and/or ministry, we both remain committed to our primary roles as husband and wife to build up, to preserve, and to protect each other so we can glorify God and remain fit for ministry. In most situations, there has generally been an agreed-upon set of responsibilities and expectations that have gone along with my title of pastor, but rarely has this been the case for my wife. The reasons for this are as varied as the number of churches there are in the world, but it does present challenges for the Pastoral Team to navigate, doesn t it? It did for ours. Is the term Pastor s Wife merely the result of someone being the wife of one who is a pastor? Is Pastor s Wife a title? is it a position?...what are the responsibilities?...what are the expectations? Because there is little written material on the subject, pastoral couples have been forced to find their own way through trial and error (mostly error). Gladly, this is changing through the many resources that are now being offered through our Superintendent s wife, Vicki Miller, as well as through our district and national office. I challenge you to take advantage of these resources, AND to find other ministry couples that you respect to glean from their experience. More importantly, begin to view you and your spouse as a TEAM to encourage and support each other in the work of the ministry. While I made many mistakes in navigating these challenges, I commend the pastor s wife of my church (MY wife) for being patient and loving through it all. I m thankful God provided me with just the team member that I needed in our work to build the Kingdom. May God bless YOUR team in the days ahead! For most of our team s existence (married life), we have been referred to as Pastor and Pastor s Wife, because of the role I filled in leadership of the church. Greg Perkins, Director Like our page on Facebook/smdchurchplanting and check out this month s new Revite Pastor Spotlight. Featuring Pastor Paul Scheperle of Life Stream Assembly of God. Before After 10 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

11 District Council God s presence was so evident and powerful from the very beginning of the Momentum Conference until lights went out Wednesday evening following the District Council Ordination Service. We are so thankful for the ministry of multiple speakers throughout the week that included Bryan Jarrett, Jeremy DeWeerdt, Don Miller, Dan Betzer, George Wood, Pam Morton, Ted Cunningham, and Mark Batterson. Worship teams led by Bryant Urich, Central Assembly and Sheffield Family Life Center were all part of 2017 District Council and once again impacted the services in a great way as they led with passion and anointing. Spending time with fellow ministers is always a highlight each year what a blessing it is to call you friend! Momentum Monday Celebration Service Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 11

12 District Council Tuesday Missions Banquet Wednesday Ladies Lunch Wednesday Men s Lunch 12 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

13 Wednesday Prayer and Praise Wednesday Ordination Banquet Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 13

14 District Council Wednesday Ordination Service More Highlights Pastor Don Vision Cast Church Planters Greg Mills 461 Response Under 40 Reception Supt Award of Honor presented to C.L. and Sandra Stage 14 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

15 FCF Frontier Adventure Every year we have the Frontiers Camping Fellowship Spring Outing and Frontier Adventure. This is a time when the new member candidates; Greenhorns to the FCFers meet together with the regular members to receive training in the FCF activities and events. This year there were a total of 29 new members. They joined 61 members on Friday night In the Activity Building due to heavy rain in a time of worship and a devotion by Jim Wallen ( two crows ) from Englewood Assembly in Independence. Seven boys responded to the salvation call at the end of the message by two crows. On Saturday after their Bible reading they joined again for the morning assembly and a devotion by our District Scout, Rieder Sprague. Through the day the new candidates worked together as Brigades of the Daniel Boone Chapter and attended 6 classes to learn the skills to prepare them for the Trail Walk - the testing to become a Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship Member. Every FCFer encouraged them to work together as a team and never leave one man or young man behind. The District FCF Officers verified that each and every one of them successfully completed their goal of earning the right to sit with the members that night at the final ceremony. And since this was also the Spring Outing many of the members were in heated competitions all the while the Greenhorns were in training. Competing in such activities as Hawk and Knife throwing, Flint & Steel,fire building, and judging of their Outfits. The winner of the Outfits contest was Old Timer Ron Patterson. ROYAL RANGERS Jerry Millhouser rangers@somoag.org Rieder Sprague Scout Mark Jones Company Clerk Frank Reed FCF President Jim Wallen Special Speaker Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 15

16 Southern Missouri Youth Ministries Director - Darin Poe dpoe@somoag.org My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me. - Winston Churchill And all the husbands out there say - Amen! I am so grateful for the friend, helper, confidant, and counselor God brought into my life in Heather. While I am not a Pastor in a local church, she is still in ministry beside me at every district event and actually serves in the Youth Ministry at our home church. I am blessed! May the Lord bless our spouses and our families with health, strength, and peace! NATIONAL STL YOUTH DAY October 15, 2017 Please take advantage of this opportunity to highlight Speed the Light in your church. There are some great stories, videos, sermon ideas, and pictures at stl.ag.org. Current Missionary Needs = $495, Vehicles / 2 Sound and/or Video Packages 500 Tablets for Training Pastors (Africa s Hope and Europe) Take Advantage of Summer! 1. TIME - most students have an abundance of time during the Summer. Be intentional about spending time with students: take them out to coffee or ice cream; read God s Word together and talk about it; serve the church or community by working with students on a project. 2. DISCIPLESHIP - run a program during the Summer that takes the students deeper in their relationship with God. Until All Know is a new book by our National Youth Director, Heath Adamson. This would be a great book to lead students through. 3. RELATIONSHIP - I did mention above spending more time with students. Build relationships during the Summer that will endure the busy-ness once the new school year starts. southern missouri youth ministries Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

17 Darin Poe Husbands and wives, have fun with each other. I'm convinced it makes all the difference in the world. - Zig Ziglar Summer time can be fun time. Take advantage of the opportunities to get outdoors and do fun things together. Maybe go on a picnic or canoeing, perhaps garage sales you get the idea. And gentlemen, unless your wife thinks it s a good idea, fishing doesn t count! Have a great Summer - see you at Retreat! 2017 Tour Results Over $220,000 in New LFTL Pledges 56 New Councilmen Thank you for your continued support of Light for the Lost. You are giving our missionaries the necessary tools to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Go to to access all information about Southern Missouri Men s Ministries' Events and Programs! Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 17

18 WOMEN S MINISTRIES Sherry Welch wms@somoag.org An unsung hero - that s what you could call a minister s wife. Rarely do church members understand how much the pastor s spouse endures and gives up for her husband s ministry. The calling is not for the faint of heart and many feel alone and judged by their congregation. It s easy for wives to fall into the trap of feeling that they must meet expectations from their church. Having the church monitor your parenting skills can be more than a little upsetting. Just remember that the church hired your husband to be their pastor; they didn t hire him so they could critique you as a mother. It is very important to be yourself and to use the giftings God has entrusted in your life. Trying to be like someone else isn t good for you. Being you, who God says is fearfully and wonderfully made, is awesome! Be a real person and you will minister to more women s hearts than any other attribute you have. As a ministry wife you need to tell your husband when you need some time to rest. We hope our husbands see how exhausted we are and suggest that we take a break. I feel it s important to be honest and let your husband know when you ve hit a wall. The truth is, he probably already knows it anyway. Everyone needs a break from time to time, including you. This district offers many opportunities for you to get away from life for a few days! The spring offers, Empowered to Serve Conference, packed with sessions that pertain to life as a woman, and training to help you to be a better leader. Refreshed Ministry Wives and Credentialed Women Event is designed just for you! The fall brings our Southern Missouri District Cross Pointe Camp and Retreat Center Fall Retreats. No better events to attend to relax and be ministered to! I think you are all awesome! I have been where you are. I know the hurts and the pain. The good news is there is no greater rewarding experience than being in ministry! I thank the Lord each and every day that He considers me trustworthy! I love this scripture in Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. You are Loved and Appreciated! ~Sherry 18 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

19 GIRLS MINISTRIES Deshae Thrasher The Face of Love Growing up in church I remember my eyes often times being drawn to the woman towards the front of the church with the perfect outfit, hair and smile. She must have such a great life and everyone must love her. These were honest observations of the childhood me. Fast forward to reality, as I am the woman standing toward the front of church with sweaty hair in a mess after some last minute errands, an outfit that is full of wrinkles and a smile as I remind myself I am just a human. As we sing songs about needing Jesus, I know that I need Him more than anyone in the place. A pastor s wife has a heart to serve and cares for the people in her church, but she also has similar desires to everyone else. Will someone shake her hand today or encourage her? Will someone talk to her today other than to tell her about a problem with the bathroom? Will she be able to share her own prayer needs without fear of the Monday gossip line? On behalf of the girls in your church and community I would like to say thank you for the hours you spend in prayer and preparation, but most of all thanks for being obedient to the call of God on your life. You are appreciated and God has put you on this course for a reason so finish the race strong. If you need reminded, we are here to cheer you on! The struggle is real,but the reward is greater. The mission reminds us of our purpose and that is where our passion for Jesus and people is rekindled. One of the five-fold purposes of Girls Ministries is to win girls to Jesus Christ through love and acceptance. The very essence of discipleship is sharing life together and as a pastor s wife you are in an influential position to change the course of a girl s life with a simple hug and attention. Include the girls in your church into what you are already doing so they can see powerful examples of women loving Jesus and each other. If you have the opportunity, there are free resources that you can use to disciple the girls in your church through specific topics including growing up without a dad, handling stress and thought life. Some of the stresses you feel in your life are the same as girls in your church. A constant desire to be successful or measure up. We all must remind each other that to be the best pastor s wife, daughter, sister, mother, student, employee that we must first be the best Christ follower we can be. When we put our attention back on following God and less on pleasing the people in our life we will experience the joy of our salvation. The truth is in every church there are girls that need the pastor s wife to show her love and relationship and in turn she will do the same for you! CELEBRATION October 14, 11 a.m. For more information check out somoag.org Finding answers to many of today s complicated cultural issues can be frustrating and confusing. Hot Topics are designed to provide leaders with a guide to lead biblically-based discussion on topics that are relevant to girls today. Download these Free Discipleship Resources at Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 19

20 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Jim Calvin 20 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

21 The importance of the 50-plus pastor's wife can be seen in the very word PLUS: SENIOR ADULT MINISTRIES John Heide Prayer - The 50-plus pastor's wife can be a real strength as she prays for her husband, her family, and the church they serve. While some wives may feel inadequate in this area, over the years most have learned to turn everything over to Jesus. They have had to keep their sanity while raising children, taking care of a home, and being involved in the ministry. Love - So often the pastor's wife is looked to for loving the entire congregation from children to the aged. God has given the woman inability for compassion that sometimes men fall short on. Maybe it's that rib that God took from Adam, near his heart to make Eve that allows the woman to feel that nurturing, loving capacity more than the average man. The 50-plus pastor's wife has learned how to love through a lifetime of experience. Understanding/Unity - The 50 Plus pastor's wife can help to create a spirit of unity in the church as she works with different groups from children's workers to women's ministries. She plays a vital leadership role in helping to cast to Pastor s vision to the church from her "woman's perspective. Survival/Sweet - The 50 Plus pastor's wife has had to survive church conflicts, personal and family issues, ministerial changes sometimes requiring several moves during their ministry and to remain sweet through it all. While often overshadowed by the pastor or in the background, the 50 Plus pastor's wife is often the real strength of making the pastor a success in the ministry. To quote from Proverbs 31 regarding the godly woman, "her price is far above rubies" and so is the 50 Plus pastor's wife. Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 21

22 CROSS POINTE CAMP Curtis & Cindy Washam, Directors Camp Celebration 2017 Churches districtwide are asked to set aside a day in September to celebrate what God has done and is continuing to do at Cross Pointe. As part of Camp Celebration Sunday (officially Sept. 17), all churches are asked to take up a special offering for our campground. If each church in our district gives $75 or more, we should be able to complete the campuswide facelift already in progress at Cross Pointe! We have put together a brief video for churches to show in their services if they would like. To download it, visit crosspointecamp.com. You also may request a DVD copy of it by calling or ing crosspointeretreatcenter@gmail.com. We are so thankful for God s blessings and provision at Cross Pointe throughout the past 75 years! Together, we can accomplish bigger and greater things for Him at/through our district campground! Cross Pointe Celebrates 75 Years of Life-Transforming Ministry In 1941, the Southern Missouri District purchased land in Rocky Mount for a new campground. The first camp was held on the property the following year in July. Previously, the district had been having camp meetings at various locations throughout the state. However, they wanted to find a permanent location to host camps and other special events for people of all ages a place where churches could come together, seek God and keep the Pentecostal fires burning. In the early years, the campground s facilities were primitive, to say the least. Platforms were built to accommodate tents for lodging. An open-air tabernacle also was erected, as well as a dining hall. Now in its 75th year of operation, Cross Pointe is one of the nicest campgrounds owned by the Assemblies of God. New facilities have been built, and physical conditions have greatly improved. However, the greatest transformations have been and continue to be in the lives of children, youth, men and women each year at our camps and retreats. It has been said that many years before the camp was established, a woman whose family owned the property received a vision while praying in the Spirit. In this vision, she reportedly saw thousands of young people coming to the property and being touched by the power of God. Throughout the past 75 years, that vision has come to pass in a mighty way. Thousands of youth, as well as adults, already have been saved, filled with the Spirit, healed and called into the ministry while at a Cross Pointe event. And the legacy continues... Cross Pointe then and now (below): The first tabernacle building (top left); the tabernacle building now (top right); the first lodging accommodations (bottom left); and the cafeteria now (bottom right) A Note of Thanks... We would like to thank everyone who came and helped on Camp Work Day, as well as the church groups from across the district that have helped out at the campground over the past few months. Most recently, Pastor Kevin Gamber and several men from Turning Point Church in Kansas City did some work for us. They are pictured above. In addition, Pastor Brad McAtee brought a group of men from Peace Chapel in Fair Grove to help get the campground ready for the 2017 camp and retreat season. We greatly appreciate your assistance and dedication to this vital ministry! 22 Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger

23 2017 SMYM Scholarship Winners Hannah Truncone Van Buren, MO - First Assembly of God GPA Class Rank - #1 - Attending Evangel University Activities Include : Honor Roll, Varsity Softball, Varsity Basketball, President of Student Government, Yearbook Editor, President of Science Club, Worship Leader, Youth Alive Campus Missionary, Bible Quiz, Fine Arts Jillian Griffith Ozark, MO - James River Church GPA Attending Evangel University Activities Include : National Honor Society, Music Honor Society, High School Honor Band, Writer s Guild, President of Tri-M, Leadership Council, Bible Quiz, Junior Bible Quiz Coach, Fine Arts, National Award of Merit for Poetry Carrie Thornhill Arnold, MO - People s Church GPA Attending Evangel University Activities Include : National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Drama Club, Speech & Debate, Advanced Women s Choir, School Bible Study President, Shakespeare Society, Worship Leader, Assistant in Kid s Church, Engage the Campus Superintendent Don and Vicki Miller commissioned Joey and Kristen Ruth as Senior Pastors of Bernie First Assembly of God on April 9, Brandon and Ashley Watkiss were commissioned as Senior Pastors of Englewood Assembly of God, Independence, on April 23, 2017 by Superintendent Don and Vicki Miller. On April 30, 2017, John and Kerri Fransisco were commissioned as Senior Pastors of Versailles First Assembly of God by Superintendent Don and Vicki Miller. Summer 2017 Assembly Messenger 23

24 SOUTHERN MISSOURI DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD 528 WEST BATTLEFIELD ROAD SPRINGFIELD, MO NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID REPUBLIC, MO PERMIT 99