Dec Volume 75, N0.5

Transcription

1 Dec Volume 75, N0.5

2 MINISTERIAL UPDATES New Pastors: Butler, First A/G...W. Kenneth Plaster Eldon, First A/G...Christopher L. Baker Sedalia, Bethel A/G... Christopher Gray Springfield, North Point...Jeremy Johnson St. Louis, Remedy...Joshua Burton Transfers In: Andre Davis...N. Texas Chad Fagerland...Ohio Christopher Gray... N. Missouri Charles R. Greenaway...Mississippi Albert Johnson...Tennessee Jeremy Johnson...Northwest Stanton L. Miller...Oklahoma W. Kenneth Plaster... Potomac Charles J. (Chip) Sanders Illinois Leroy Wiese...Arizona Transfers Out: Barry W. Copeland...Illinois J. Cole Dudiak... Potomac Matthew Farkas...N. New England Kyle Forgey...Indiana William W. Hampton...New York Kent Kelley...Rocky Mountain Sarah Killam... N. California/Nevada Brent A. Nelson...Oklahoma Adrian P. Rosen...Ohio Marvin M. Thomas... S. New England Marshall Windsor...N. Texas In Memoriam Loretta I. Blauvelt (LI) 7/27/12 Kenneth Best (OR) 8/27/12 Thomas Lee Morris 9/8/12 Rev. Thomas Canter: fill-in ministry... (314) Rev. James Bentley: Part-time or pulpit supply pastor...(417) Kevin Boggs: fill-in ministry...(417) Randall Darden: weekends 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 Ted Furry: revitalization ministry Sophia Garcia: Hispanic or English Ministry: Women, Marriage Enrichment Rick Ianniello: interim, fill-in min Delana Ingram: fill-in ministry Richard Johnson: pulpit ministry, weekends or interim Rev. Mearl (Eddie) Kendall:...(916) Rev. Jim Maddox: fill-in ministry Executive Presbyters Superintendent...Don Miller Assistant Superintendent...Lowell Perkins Secretary-Treasurer...Stan Welch S. E. Region...Darrel Loughridge N. E. Region...Jack Hembree S. W. Region...Alvin Blackard N. W. Region...George Westlake III District Ministries Admin./Stewardship...Rhonda Amer Missions/Men s...james G. McHaffie Women s Ministries...Sherry Welch Church Growth & Ed....Jim Calvin Youth Ministries...Darin Poe Royal Rangers...Jerry Millhouser Girls Ministries...Sherry Welch Fifty Plus Ministries...John Heide Cross Pointe Camp.. Curtis & Cindy Washam Items of Interest LAKE FRONT HOME FOR SALE: On Cross Pointe Camp and Retreat Center. 3 bedroom, two full baths, fireplace insert, 14 x 12 aluminum screened in porch and deck, two lake front lots and 3 second tier lots, garage and shop with two efficiency apartments and 12 x 16 metal storage building. 24 x 32 two well dock, two lifts and a 2005 Odyssey Pontoon/ Will divide to sell. Roger Perkin or cell AvAILABLE for Ministry District Leadership 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 bimonthly by the Southern Missouri District Council. Products and/or services advertised in the MESSENGER are not necessarily endorsed by the Southern Missouri District Council. Kirk Metzger: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings, Sundays Bill McGarity: fill-in ministry emphasis on miracles Vincent M. Newfield: Crystal Nickel: fill-in ministry hoperestored@live.com John Piraino, Jr.: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings, Sundays Kelly Pryor: fill-in ministry / kellypryor@centurytel.net Michael Rattenne: fill-in ministry Jack Robinson - fill-in, interim Gerald Stewart: fill-in ministry Chris Tankersley: fill-in ministry ctank81@hotmail.com Phil Tanner fill-in ministry Matthew Thomas: fill-in ministry H. Gene Thrasher: fill-in ministry, weekend revivals Rev. L. Dianne Weber: ldianneweber@yahoo.com Ryan Winters: fill-in ministry / ryanlw5@aol.com Matthew Woodroof: fill-in ministry mattwoodroof@hotmail.com Sectional Presbyters Cape Girardeau...John Chamness Clinton...D. Eugene Ekstrand Joplin...Ken Robinson Kansas City...Jason St. John Kennett...Charles Clark Park Hills... Dwight Jones Saint Louis...Joel Oliver Sedalia...Trevor Hayes Springfield North... Gary Ankrom Springfield South... Ted Cederblom Sullivan...Danny Kemp Van Buren...Michael Evans West Plains... Tom Fortner Ethnic Fellowship...Keith Kisart NEEDED: Part-time Children s Pastor at Faith A/G in Springfield. Interested parties should call (417) or info@ springfieldfaithag.org NEEDED: Joy Fellowship, Kansas City, is in need of an organ. SUBSCRIPTION RATE: Individual - $7.00/year Church Bundles of 5 - $30.00/year Single copy - $1.35/each CONTACT the District Office at: Phone: Fax: info@somoag.org 2

3 The Blessing of Christmas A number of years ago, our family received a Christmas card with simple, yet profound words on which I now reflect nearly every Christmas season: Joseph Walks, Mary Rides, Baby Cries, World Tilts The World has never been the same since He came In a few words, the card sums up the most amazing event of the universe. Our minds are taken back and catch a glimpse of that night as Joseph and Mary are coming into Bethlehem. Joseph is leading the donkey with a very pregnant Mary riding uncomfortably and ready for the trip to be over! Then our minds zoom ahead to the second frame; a dark, cold stable. Suddenly, the stillness of the night is broken as a child is born and laid in strips of cloth to keep Him warm. What a breath-taking picture! We envision the shepherds coming later and looking with astonishment at mother and child. Mary reaches down and scoops up the baby in her arms. Then she extends Him gently toward the oldest shepherd and says, Do you want to hold Him? The shepherd gingerly holds the child in his rough hands and looks deep into the eyes of the Savior of the World! Now our culture will gladly focus on Joseph, Mary, and a precious baby in a lowly manger. However, they struggle with the fact that he didn t stay in the manger. Yet, the fact is that Jesus, two thousand years ago, came to this earth on a world-tilting mission! He grew up, he ministered, and he died on a cross for our sins! As long as they can leave him a baby they only struggle a Superintendent Don Miller little. But a cross? A grave? An empty tomb? The world did not tilt because a baby was born. The world tilted because this baby was sent from God. This baby was God in the flesh; fully God and fully man. This baby was born to die. This baby who would never sin would become sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God! What a wonderful thought that the cross was not God s Plan B. Before the earth was ever created, God knew that we would sin. But the Father loved us so much that He created us anyway knowing that our redemption would cost the ultimate price; His very Son! In a minister s schedule, there is probably no busier time than Christmas. Presents to buy; Christmas Baskets to prepare and give away; Christmas cards to mail; services to plan; family to visit and all of this while trying to continue normal day to day activities of life. Unfortunately, due to the hustle and bustle we can often fail to enjoy the moment. We are so focused on what has to be done that we don t really live! And we are often distracted by the mundane from thinking about the profound. During this special season, may we take time to reflect on the true message of this season. May we take time to give thanks to God for the most wonderful Christmas present ever; eternal life through Jesus, our Lord! Merry Christmas! Precious Gifts...Vicki Miller Oftentimes we become so busy with the present and preparing for the future that we forget the past and how it affects the person we are today. It is this time of year that I reflect on Christmases past and the sweet memories of childhood during this beautiful season. Although the giving and receiving of gifts was always fun and most definitely looked forward to, it is not this event that stands out in my mind. My most cherished memories are those of time spent with family and friends, Christmas caroling, and going to Grandma and Grandpa s house. There were certain things that we could always count on things that demonstrated stability things that were tradition. Tradition, just for the sake of tradition, isn t always a strong quality. However, when it contributes to your character or the making of the person God wants you to be, then it is a valuable and priceless gift. When my family lived within traveling distance of my maternal grandparents you could count on us being at their house on Christmas Eve. It was a time to be together with aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course Grandma and Grandpa. My grandparents, who were hard working dairy famers, lived simply, taking pleasure in the small, but important things in life. They loved their family; their greatest joy being that of spending time with any of their 11 children and 32 grandchildren. They taught me that the most precious gifts in life are not the material things they are the eternal things, the relationships with people, and being faithful with what God has given. (continued on page 16) 3

4 Assistant Superintendent Lowell Perkins Christmas Warnings I still remember that New Year s Eve 22 years ago when I walked out of the Kmart store where I had worked through my college and seminary days. I was finishing my eighth and last Christmas shopping season as a retail employee. That New Year s Eve would be my last day at Kmart, and in a few days I would start my new job as youth pastor. I thought to myself as I exited the store that evening, Finally, I ll be out of the retail business and I ll get to relax and enjoy the holidays! Was I in for a surprise! Leaving the retail business for pastoral ministry was jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire as far as holiday busy-ness is concerned! Christmas is a triumphant and festive time for Christians, but it can be a very demanding time for people in ministry. The month of December is like a whirlwind. Special services, parties and celebrations, ministry activities, gift-giving and card-writing--all of it can consume us quickly. Christians must learn to manage it all while keeping the joy of the Lord flowing. In the midst of that struggle, let me send out five Christmas warnings! Number 1: A Warning to the Wrappers Of course, the first warning any preacher would shout from the pulpit when it comes to Christmas is a warning to the wrappers--to those who are caught up in all the tinsel and trimmings and trees and toys and trinkets of Christmas. When those things capitalize our Christmas experience, it leads to some very dangerous traps. The traps of Christmas involve feeling security in money, falling to the sin of materialism, and focusing on the superfluous and mundane. The true treasures of Christmas are the gift of forgiveness and freedom, the gift of faith-filled families, and the gift of a fantastic future. Warn the wrappers! It s not all about stuff! Number 2: A Warning to the Weary The Christmas season is marked by a hectic pace, by heavy pressures, by heightened people priorities, and by high prices! It s easy to become overwhelmed and worn out by the physical and emotional demands. And when we re worn out physically and emotionally, the spiritual impact can be dramatic. Consider these four warnings to the weary during December. Stay strong spiritually. Stay smart spiritually. Stay sweet. And stop to see the Savior in the midst of all that running and rushing around! Number 3: A Warning to the Weepers Though the Christmas season is supposed to be a joyous season, it s an emotionally tough season for many. Some face significant difficulties, and the problems don t take a holiday for Christmas. Others face seasonal despair. The holidays remind them of lost loved ones or of better days gone by. To those who are tempted to be downhearted and depressed at Christmas, I speak these words of warning. Look to the strength of the Lord. Lay down your sorrows before the Lord. Linger a little longer with the saints of the Lord. Lift up a song to the Lord. And live with a smile in the Lord. Declare in faith, I will rejoice in the Lord! Number 4: A Warning to the Workers This warning is really a word of encouragement to those who are living with an awareness of their divine purpose, to those who know that every season and every situation offers opportunity to work for the Lord. To you Christian laborers I give this warning: don t miss the many opportunities afforded by the Christmas season. Christmas is a season for evangelizing sinners and for embracing and encouraging the saints. Reach out with the love of Jesus and touch people. Do the work of real ministry during this season! Number 5: A Warning to the Worshipers My last warning is to the worshipers. I ll never forget hearing someone say years ago, I don t like singing all those Christmas songs in church; they re not very worshipful! It is true that familiarity can rob from us the appreciation for very powerful truth. May that never be the case for us. May we realize that the Christmas season is a time for evaluating and exalting our Savior and for enjoying our salvation. In the midst of the Christmas season and in our Christmas services, let s worship the Lord with a festive passion and joy! Don t lay aside your dynamic Spirit-filled worship and slip into holiday formalism. Shout Hallelujah! while you re singing Joy to the World! Lift your hands in triumphant praise during Hark! the Herald Angels Sing! Let there be some glory in the midst of Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Let the truth and joy of Christmas lift your worship to the highest heights! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! May the Lord bless you with a season of great abundance and favor, friends! Merry Christmas! Pastor Lowell Perkins 4

5 Secretary-Treasurer Stan Welch What s Wrong And What s Right With Christmas? Every year when Christmas season comes around we hear people say two things. Some tell us what s wrong with the Christmas season; others tell us what is right about the Christmas season. If we look at the Christmas story, it tells us what was wrong that first Christmas and it s still what is wrong today; and what was right about that first Christmas is what is still right about Christmas today! I. WHAT S WRONG ABOUT CHRISTMAS? A. THE FIRST THING I SEE WRONG IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY, THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR JESUS. Luke 2: 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. -There was no room for Jesus simply because the inn was filled with others. What a shame to be so filled with other things that you don t have room for Jesus. -No room for Jesus because there was no effort made to make room for Jesus. -No room for Jesus because there was no compassion. -If you do not make room for Jesus, Christmas will never be right. B. THE SECOND THING I SEE WRONG WITH THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS, MANY WERE TROUBLED BY JESUS AND HAD NO PEACE. Matt 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him. 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. -King Herod was troubled because he thought someone would take away his power and authority. He didn t want to lose control. There is no peace when the Lordship of Christ is resisted. -All Jerusalem was troubled because some were probably just like Herod in that they didn t want their power taken away. Others were afraid for they knew if Herod was upset it would bring them problems. - The Shepherds weren t troubled for they were filled with praise and glorified God and told everyone they saw. They weren t concerned about others, they rejoiced for they had found the Anointed One. Christmas will never be right until Jesus is in complete control of your life. What is wrong with Christmas will be conquered by what is right about Christmas! II. WHAT IS RIGHT ABOUT CHRISTMAS? A. THE PLAN OF CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT. Gal 4:4-7 God planned at just the right time to send His Son to buy our freedom from the slavery of sin and make us His children. What a glorious plan! The plan of Christmas is interwoven throughout Scripture. -A promise given to Adam and Eve. Gen 3:15 -Abraham is given the promise of God s plan to bless all mankind. Gen 22: God had to plan to have a star in the heavens at the perfect time and perfect place to shine over Jesus. Matt 2:1-2 B. THE PERSON OF CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT. Matt 1: 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. God sent the only person that could make Christmas meaningful, His only Begotten Son! John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Let us rejoice because the person of Christmas is our own personal Savor. C. THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT. Matt 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. - The purpose of Christmas was to express God s love to mankind. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - The purpose of Christmas is to make propitiation for the sin of mankind! 1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - The purpose of Christmas was to win God s favor by Christ coming in the flesh, and being the sacrifice for our sins. D. THE POWER OF CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible. - There would have been no Christmas without the power of the person of the Holy Spirit. - Christmas is a message of God s awesome power. Christmas is when the power of the Holy Spirit caused the impossible to happen. -If you re in an impossible situation remember; 37 For with God nothing will be impossible. God always works in the realm of man impossibilities! The power of the Holy Spirit is here today to do the impossible. All that is wrong with Christmas can be seen in the first Christmas story. Christmas will never be right if you have no room for Jesus. Christmas will never be right if you are troubled by the Lordship of Christ; you will not experience peace until Jesus is the Lord of our lives. What is right about Christ far out weighs what is wrong about Christmas! What is wrong comes from the heart of man, what s right about Christmas comes from the heart of God! THE PLAN THE PERSON THE PURPOSE POWER OF CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT! I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head There is no peace on earth, I said, For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men. Sherry and I wish you a Merry Christmas may your times with family and friends be favored with the Presence of Jesus. Office of Deacon As we approach the New Year the selection and ministry of the Deacon becomes fresh on the minds of pastors and churches. It will soon be time to prayerfully make the selection of those that will serve Christ, His Church and the pastor in the office of Deacon. I have the privilege of ministering in many of our churches concerning the relationship of the Leadership Team of the Pastor and Board of Deacons. It is vitally important that the relationship between the Pastor and Board is healthy for the church will never go beyond this relationship. We are excited to offer you teaching and training that will help this relationship be strong as God ordained it to be. Feel free to contact us if we can help you in this area of your church. Stan Welch, District Sec/Treasurer Recently our church transitioned from a being a District church to a General Council church. The Southern Missouri District did an amazing job in assisting us throughout the process. The training the District provided for the deacon and pastor relationship was extremely valuable and definitely worth the time. The teaching and preaching on the subject was well received by our congregation. I would highly recommend this training for all churches. Thanks to the Southern Missouri District for their investment in our church. Bro. Mike Homan 5

6 Administration/stewardship Rhonda Amer Counting Christmas Blessings A man noticed that his friend was looking very sad, so he walked up to him and asked him what was wrong. The man said, I m so depressed. Three weeks ago my uncle died and left me $40,000. Then, two weeks ago a cousin of mine died and left me $85,000. Then, last week a great aunt died and left me a quarter of a million dollars. The other man looked at him and said, That s great! So, why do you look so sad? The man looked at him and said, This week, nothing! This is a funny, fictitious story, but at times so true. How many of us have so much that when our family asks us what we want for Christmas, it s difficult to even think of anything because we ve already got everything we need? As I reflect over past Christmases and how blessed I am and have been, the most special Christmas I can remember had nothing to do with material gifts. Dad was sick with leukemia, and unless God changed the situation the outlook was bleak. That Christmas we could have cared less about having a present to unwrap, all we cared about was being with my Dad, and spending every precious moment with him that we could. As it turned out, that was our last Christmas on earth with Dad, and oh what precious memories we made. What a blessing it was to have that time with my very special Dad! This year as my family gathers on this special day, I will once again be counting my blessings as time is spent with Mom, two brothers, two sister-in-laws, and three nieces. Oh, how blessed I am! 50 Plus Ministries John Heide johnheide2002@yahoo.com The Other baby of Christmas! Most Christians enjoy the Christmas season. In our ever increasing secular society, it is the one time of the year you may hear songs throughout stores that actually speak of Christ and real Joy to the World! More than ever, people need to hear that they can have Peace on Earth and good will toward men! In a world where so much is wrong there is still a lot of right! God s love that came in the small gift of a baby to this world continues to give us hope and purpose. Actually, the Christmas story also features another baby, besides Jesus, who would play a prominent role in the story of redemption. As far as Scripture records there were no angels singing or shepherds who came to see this birth. No wise men brought gifts to this child, but still it was a miraclous birth and it introduces us to the Christmas narrative. The story begins with two 50 Plusers, older people, Second Halfers, whatever the term used, the Christmas story begins with Zacharias and Elisabeth. Two ordinary people who play roles in a wild story when God came to announce the coming birth of John the Baptist who would introduce us to, baptize, and ultimately give his life for this other baby...jesus! This couple who submitted their shaky present and unknown future to the Lord experienced the miracle of Christmas in a different way. Why would God choose to introduce his story of redemption through another baby? The miraculous birth of John the Baptist to an older couple can give hope to all those in the Second Half of life. In our uncertain times God s program will be accomplished and regardless of age, each of us have a role to play. Like Zacharias and Elizabeth we also can help bring others to faith. Each of us can be a forerunner of the Messiah, announcing, not his first coming, but, his Glorious Second Coming. 6

7 Pastor Attitudes MISSIONS James G. McHaffie By Ted Cederblom, Lead Pastor Life 360 Church in Springfield, MO Are you a pastor who dreads and avoids phone calls from missionaries? When I became pastor at Life360 Church, we made the following resolution: we will return on the same day the phone call of every missionary. We made a covenant to treat missionaries honorably instead of dishonorably. Our church proclaims that missionaries are our heroes how then could I ever treat them poorly by avoiding them and not even giving the courtesy of a return call? Perhaps you are thinking that the avalanche of calls would bury you. It s actually easier than you think. Here s what we do: When a missionary calls, I always take the call if available. If I m busy or out of the office, the secretary will text me the missionary name and number. With today s smart phones, it is easy then to onetouch dial the number. I can then call while I am on the road, making good use of my travel time. I promise each missionary three things. First, I give every missionary who calls a missions window. Missionaries bring flavor and passion to our church services, and our people are regularly exposed to the missions heart of God. Second, I let them know that we will consider them for support, explaining that if the missions account is tight that it is likely we will not be able to take them on. I never say no up front about monthly support, because I want to leave room for the Holy Spirit to speak to me and the missions action team (our missions committee). I have not met a missionary yet who has not appreciated having such candid, straightforward answers. Third, I pray with them for God s provision and anointing upon their itineration and ministry. Not only do missionaries love our church for showing basic kindness and consideration, but I believe God has blessed us in return with a win-win situation: increased tithe for church ministries and increased missions giving for more missionaries. If the Great Commission is true, our plans are not too big; they are too small. -- Pat Morley To register for the World Missions Summit: 7

8 men s ministries James G. McHaffie mchaffie@somoag.org 2012 Men s Retreat Real Men Determined, was the theme for Southern Missouri District Men s Retreat, held at Cross Pointe Camp, September Alton Garrison, guest speaker, challenged the men to live a life obedient to Christ. The weather was perfect and the men enjoyed competition in many sports. A special offering for Fire Bibles totaled $5,280. Belton A/G won the largest attendance award. 8

9 Merry Christmas from Southern Missouri District Council Don and Vicki Miller Family Superintendent Lowell Perkins Assistant Superintendent Stan and Sherry Welch Secretary-Treasurer/ Women s Ministries SUPPORT STAFF Amanda Haws, Tara Anders, Tim Rickman, Nancy Cook, Kevin Parkison, Sharon Julian, Connie Weddle 9

10 DISTRICT MINISTRY James and Dorothy McHaffie Missions/Men s Rhonda Amer Administration/Stewardship Jim and Pam Calvin Family Christian Education Darin and Heather Poe Family Youth 10 Jerry and Brenda Millhouser Royal Rangers John and Judy Heide 50 Plus

11 Executive Presbyters Alvin Blackard George Westlake, III Jack Hembree Darrel Loughridge Sectional Presbyters Gary Ankrom Ted Cederblom John Chamness Charles Clark Eugene Ekstrand Mike Evans Trevor Hayes Tom Fortner Dwight Jones Danny Kemp Keith Kisart Joel Oliver Ken Robinson Jason St. John 11

12 2012 Minister s Spiritual Renewal Moving Forward: Stepping into your Destiny RESOURCE RELATIONSHIP RENEWAL 12

13 Top 10 Christmas Blessings! youth Darin Poe Another Packer Superbowl (wish) 9. Apple Technology 8. Opportunity to serve as DYD 7. SMYM Youth Leaders 6. SMYM Students 5. Friends 4. Family - Poes and Blocks 3. Megan & Gavin - incredible kids 2. Heather - beautiful bride of 23 yrs 1. Jesus! February 7-9, 2013 The Hilton Branson Convention Center Thursday Night: Scotty Gibbons Friday Night: Jason St. John Workshops on Friday for All Leaders A Leadership Conference - Together * More info. on all events and programs at Stats... * * The number of teens who drive after drinking has dropped by more than half 54% since 1991, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.; more than 2,000 kids between ages 16 and 19 are killed on the road each year and many deaths are alcohol-related. Real Life Essentials Series - To Infinity and Beyond: The End Times (Leader s Guide) - $9.95 Offered by GPH, this is an up-close and personal look at events and prophecies leading up to the end times. 13

14 WOMEN S MINISTRIES Sherry Welch wms@somoag.org What wonderful Fall Retreats with our Special Guest Speaker Marigold Cheshier! Our team prayed for God to lavish his love on the ladies as never before. We prayed, fasted, and planned knowing that if we would do our part, God would do his! I am thankful for our Sectional Representatives and Support Team! We worked together as a team and I feel our Love Revealed retreats were the best ever! God s Love Revealed Fall Retreats 2012 Much thanks to Steven Welch and his band who led our worship in the evening services. DeShae Thrasher conducted the Young Women s forum during Friday afternoon of each retreat. They were blessed as DeShae led them with topics to help them as married and single young women. Young Women s Forum DeShae Thrasher Nite Time Blessings Our beautiful decorations! Sherry s Chariot Our speaker, Marigold Cheshier Purse Auction for Missions Emma 97 years young Altar Time Our Golf Cart Drivers Steven and Sumer Compassionate Heart Rally The Tripp Girls Girls Ministries at Work 14

15 Session Speakers Lavished with Love Winners Missionary Projects 2012/2013 Karaoke Your Rep s at Work Princess Sandie Dace Top Giver for Missions Projects Eastpoint, Kansas City, MO 15

16 girls ministries Girls Ministries continuing to break new ground with Candy Tolbert, National Girls Ministries Director Oftentimes it s hard for established ministries to create a new stir of interest in the Assemblies of God - or in any denomination - as people come to believe that the older the ministry, the less relevant it becomes. Assemblies of God Girls Ministries Director Candy Tolbert agrees. Ministries that embrace a stoic position that resists creativity and refuses to address cultural trends and fashions will soon find themselves on the outside looking in, she explains. We ve found that by listening carefully to our audience and adapting to serve their changing needs, our programs and materials have become increasingly appealing - even to groups outside of the Assemblies of God. Tolbert points out that Girls Ministries leadership training books - originally developed to train women to work with girls - are packed with so much practical, relevant material that they are now sought-after resources used to train men and women in all areas of children s ministry. We pay very close attention to what those who are working with girls are saying - as typically their needs, reflect the needs of all those working with children and teens, Tolbert says. Girls Ministries is constantly evolving as we work to supply our leaders with the types of tools and resources they are requesting. Katie Mattiuzzo, Girls Ministries Teen Girl Specialist, provides a simple example of a small, but effective change. After a positive response to our Girls Only Club T-shirt redesign, we redesigned the Friends Club T-shirt, she says. We learned the original T-shirts had lost some of their appeal - fashion and style had changed - so we created some new looks. The new Friends Club T-shirts have been instant hits - we re placing our second reorder in less than 6 months. Tolbert says that those who grew up involved in Mpact Girls Clubs and Teen Girl Ministries (formerly known as Missionettes), would recognize the values and biblical standards of the programs, but today would find the means and methods of communicating those truths vastly different. We have blogs, newsletters, videos, downloadable materials - we even have an online magazine that deals with all kinds of teen issues, from dressing modestly but fashionably to addressing theological questions and even practical helps with dealing with bullies, Tolbert says. New ways, new means, new look, but the gospel message is always there, never deviating. Tolbert admits that overcoming the stereotype of an established ministry can be difficult. Sometimes people rely upon experiences that are decades old to make their evaluation of the relevancy and effectiveness of a ministry, Tolbert says. I encourage those who have questions about Girls Ministries to look through our website, send us an or give us a call with any questions they might have. We ve broken a lot of new ground in the past few years and have new projects in development now. I believe God is working incredible things through this ministry and the leaders we serve. 55,000,000 Babies This project was birthed in my spirit by a desire to tastefully but poignantly make a statement concerning the value of life to our surrounding community. I personally believe the sin of Molech (Leviticus 20:1-5) is rampant in our nation and we (the church) have remained too silent. Our personal conviction needs a way of giving voice to the issue and this seemed an acceptable way. We have thus far had only positive feedback. We will gladly share our display with any church or share instructions so any group can build their own display. Dennis Fite, Pebble Creek Assembly of God, Kansas City, Missouri (816) Church Office (continued from page 3) Of course no Christmas was complete without reliving the birth of our Savior. I cannot recall a time when my parents did not take time to remember the true meaning of Christmas whether through the singing of carols, the Christmas pageant, or the reading of Luke chapter two. How these events and traditions impacted my life I m sure I ll never fully know, but I do know that I am thankful for the legacy past onto me and for the privilege of passing some of these traditions along with new ones to my children and now my grandchildren. It is good to be reminded of the heritage God has given me He is worthy of much praise! 16

17 The annual Southwest Division Royal Ranger Cardboard Boat Regatta was held at Stockton Lake on August 10 & 11. This year there were over one hundred boys and family members in attendance at the race with twenty five boats entering. A prayer and devotional time was held on Friday night with many boys re-dedicating their life to Christ. On Saturday, the excited boys raced their cardboard boat across the cove of the lake with some completing the race without sinking but some sank. The boys did wear life jackets. The National Ranger Ministry Camp (NRMC) was held at the National Royal Ranger Training Center at Eagle Rock, MO on Sept This camp is a leadership training camp for Royal Ranger commanders. They learn some camping skills using the patrol method and it is a very spiritual uplifting camp. Eight men from Southern Missouri District attended this camp and eleven royal rangers Jerry Millhouser rangers@somoag.org served on the staff for this camp. On September 21 23, the Frontiersman Camping Fellowship held the annual Fall Trace at Doug Laut s farm near Frederick Town, There were approximately seventy five in attendance. Luke Cooper achieved the position of District FCF Scout through competition and the voting of the membership. A missions offering of $ was collected and $ was pledged making a total of $ to go toward the upkeep and repairs at the District Royal Ranger Campground. The results for the competition was as follows: archery, Titus Breshears & Kody Whinery; knife throw, Jared Burnes & Frank Reed; hawk throw, Nathan Smith & Ryan Reed; flint & steel, Titus Breshears & Frank Reed; outfits, Kaleb Breshears & Ryan Reed; Stump preaching, Nathaniel Jensen & Noel Bell; horn blowing, Trenton Sederwall & Wes Young; rifle shoot, Kaleb Breshears & Rick Dostal. 17

18 CHURCH GROWTH & EDUCATION Jim Calvin Do We Really Believe It? We talk a lot about Christmas being the time for giving, but do we really believe that? May we all be more intentionalnot just during the holiday season but throughout the entire year about giving to Christ by being a blessing to the people around us. Our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and especially our children need to see that we are practicing what we preach and that the Bible is really true when it says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year from the Christian Education Department! Jim 10 Ways Your Church Can Spread Christmas Joy 1. Encourage your entire congregation to read the Christmas Story from the Bible at some point on Christmas Day. 2. Have a Christmas party and have every one invite their neighbors. 3. Go Christmas caroling at a local hospital or nursing home. 4. Prepare and deliver a meal for first responders (police, fire, ambulance) who have to work on Christmas Day. 5. Have your church adopt a less fortunate family in your church or community and provide gifts and a meal for Christmas. 6. Have a concise yet meaningful candlelight worship service. 7. Have the youth or kids of your church bake cookies and take to shut-ins. 8. Invest in an ad in the local newspaper wishing all in your community a Merry Christmas. 9. Set up a Free Hot Chocolate table/booth in a prominent shopping area in the hectic days before Christmas. 10. Volunteer to be a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army. Christmas Cheer Two little boys went to their grandparents place for Christmas. At bedtime, the youngest one began to pray at the top of his lungs. I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE... I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE... I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE... The older brother exclaimed, Why are you shouting? Do you think God is deaf. The little one promptly replied, Nope! But Grandma is! 18 Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries. -- George W. Truett A CHRISTMAS BLESSING By Wilda English God grant youthe light of Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.

19 Greatest Christmas Blessing CROSS Pointe camp Curtis & Cindy Washam, Directors The greatest Christmas blessing that we have is knowing the savior, the one who left heaven to come to earth as a babe. He is Immanuel, God with us, come to earth to show us the Father and to provide salvation to mankind. That is the greatest gift! In light of what we have in Christ, we cannot sit back unconcerned about a world that does not know Christ. We must be about our masters business as he is not willing that any should perish. Christ s commission in Matthew 28:18 says Go into all the world and make disciples. Compared to the church in other parts of the world, the church is America is not growing. Statistic from paper. The following is from the Discipleship By Design demonstrates the power of discipleship in evangelism. The following chart will demonstrate the effectiveness of discipleship. Let s look at two possible ways to evangelize. First there is the Super Evangelist (SE). We ll pray for Super Evangelist, provide for Super Evangelist s material needs, and book services ahead from city to city. We ll do everything in order for the Super Evangelist to concentrate exclusively on evangelism. If the fruit of Super Evangelist s labor would be that 1,000 people are converted each and every day for 10 years, how many would be saved through this incredible process? Now, lets take one equally committed person who would share the Lord throughout the normal course of day-to-day activities and would see 5 conversion a year. We ll call this person Faithful Discipler (FD). Not only will Faithful Discipler lead people to Christ, but he would train them to share their faith just as freely as he had with them. Faithful Discipler will spend a year discipling the 5 new converts and then in the next year those disciples would each reach and disciple 5 others. If this process were to occur over 10 years, how many would be saved after this manner. The following chart reveals the numbers of each approach and which is the most effective evangelism model. It should not surprise us that this is the model that Jesus used. This model does not depend on programs or buildings, but on individuals who will take up the commission to be a disciple and to disciple others. Jesus provided a model that should encourage us that everyone, right where they are at, can begin to have an impact from local to global. The Lord has given us all we need, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to be effective disciplers and reach our world with the gospel. May You Be Blessed by the Presence of Jesus this Christmas season! Curtis and Cindy Washam Matthew, Niah and Cara King Cross Pointe Staff 19

20 Monday, April 22 District Council 2013 Monday Evening, April 22 - Wednesday, April 24 Sponsored by Southern Missouri District at James River West SOUTHERN MISSOURI DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD 528 WEST BATTLEFIELD ROAD SPRINGFIELD, MO NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID REPUBLIC, MO PERMIT 99