Fall 2014 - Southern Missouri District

Southern Missouri District
Fall 2014
MESSENGER
Celebrate!
News & Noteworthy
MINISTERIAL UPDATES
New Pastors:
Seneca, A/G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Denny Sikes
Transfers In:
Kendall Alfaro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arkansas
Corbyn M. Bartels. . . . . . Pennsylvania/Delaware
Paul C. Bartels. . . . . . . . . . Pennsylvania/Delaware
J. Ward Benton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky
Torin A. Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. New England
Gilberto Ceballos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pen/Florida
Daniel Cobb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arizona
Joe Contreras. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Jersey
Marilyn J. Contreras. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Jersey
Nathan Davis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illinois
Jason Espinoza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indiana
David P. Hillis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illinois
Rachel Leonard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky
Daniel Morrison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana
Timothy Nelson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Texas
Ronald Pettet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Texas
Larry Russell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S. California
John C. Swinford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky
Transfers Out:
Trenton Andreason. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky
Erin Biggerstaff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Missouri
Shawn Deal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S. California
Amy Foley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Texas
Steven Foley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Texas
Alyssa Friend. . . . . . . . . . . . N. California/Nevada
Jordan Hansen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennessee
Brett Harrison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Northeast
Mason Horsley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ohio
Brenda Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Missouri
Ryan Keller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana
David Krstevski. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York
Kristen Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illinois
Randolph Nelson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Northeast
Brodie Pirie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illinois
Alicia PoChing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Texas
Paul Sesock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky
William Shackelford, II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oklahoma
Chelsea Smith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W. Florida
Luis Soto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W. Texas
David Trementozzi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky
George Varghese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Missouri
Joy Varghese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N. Missouri
Brandon Yamamato. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S. California
Jubilee Zielke. . . . . . . . . . Wisconsin/N. Michigan
In Memoriam
Stanley M. Horton (OR). . . . . 7/12/14
Edward E. Gamble (CM). . . . . . 8/1/14
Mark T. Jones (OR). . . . . . . . . . . 8/5/14
Hugh Cerutti (OR). . . . . . . . . 8/16/14
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
AVAILABLE FOR MINISTRY
Carol Brown: Available for fill in ministry, revivals,
women’s services and/or retreats....314-378-7438
[email protected]
Rev. Thomas Canter: fill-in ministry...... (314) 550-2222
Evangelist Terry Carter:................................417-773-4151
Kevin Boggs: fill-in ministry.........................(417) 380-1149
[email protected]
Randall Darden: weekends........................ 918-946-6550
[email protected]
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: 816-304-6244 or [email protected]
Rev. Dennis DeLine:..............................(816) 524-7543
Michael Dobony: fill-in ministry.................417-429-1841
safety & child protection training
Ronald Duncan: fill-in ministry, revivals,
interim....................................................636-586-8151
Jim Ellis: fill-in ministry..................................928-303-9553
[email protected]
Ted Furry: revitalization ministry..............417-227-2953
[email protected]
Sophia Garcia: Hispanic or English Ministry: Women,
Marriage Enrichment.............................417-881-1919
Rick Ianniello: interim, fill-in min............816-322-6825
[email protected]
Delana Ingram: fill-in ministry.................. 856-577-1227
Rev. Mearl (Eddie) Kendall: ......................(916) 413-8309
[email protected]
Kirk Metzger: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings,
Sundays................................................... 417-207-1543
Bill McGarity: fill-in ministry........................583-392-1316
emphasis on miracles
John W Medlin: Fill-in or Interim...........(417) 678-4509
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 314-6090179 or [email protected]
Vincent M. Newfield:......................................314-225-5887
www.preparethewaytoday.org
Crystal Nickel: fill-in ministry...................469-237-6101
[email protected]
John Piraino, Jr.: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings,
Sundays..................................................417-280-6352
Michael Rattenne: fill-in ministry...........913-764-6509
Duane Rice:....(636) 875-4639 / [email protected]
Jack Robinson: fill-in, interim....................417-885-0050
Gerald Stewart: fill-in ministry................417-593-6086
Chris Tankersley: fill-in ministry............... 417-576-2377
[email protected]
Matthew Thomas: fill-in ministry...............618-401-1014
H. Gene Thrasher: fill-in ministry,
weekend revivals..................................573-265-1937
Rev. L. Dianne Weber: .................................508-818-0043
[email protected]
Ryan Winters: fill-in ministry...................... 417-485-3079
618-967-0055 / [email protected]
Matthew Woodroof: fill-in ministry......828-332-1008
[email protected]
Heather Zimmerman: Available for fill in ministry,
women’s meetings/holiday speaking events......
Cell 573-760-5330, Home 573-747-0972,
[email protected]
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP
Executive Presbyters
Superintendent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Miller
Assistant Superintendent . . . . Lowell Perkins
Secretary-Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stan Welch
S. E. Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Chamness
N. E. Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Hembree
S. W. Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Ankrom
N. W. Region . . . . . . . . . . . George Westlake III
Ethnic Presbyter . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aubrey Kishna
District Ministries
Business Administrator. . . . . . . . Rhonda Amer
Church Plant & Revitalization. . . . Jerry Harris
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
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason St. John
Kennett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Clark
Park Hills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Ross
Saint Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Zarro
Sedalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Hayes
Springfield North. . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad McAtee
Springfield South . . . . . . . . . . . Ted Cederblom
Sullivan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danny Kemp
Van Buren. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zachary Hindman
West Plains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Fortner
Items of Interest
For Sale: Young Chang Grand Piano, Made
House For Sale: At Assemblies of God
in Korea Model G-185 Serial #G107417 6
Campground: 2 level, lakefront house with
Ft 1 inch, Ebony High Gloss (Pictures availdock. Magnificent view. Two living areas,
able) Black Piano cover. 417-592-2604 (leave
5 bedrooms, 4 baths, hardwood floors, 2
message if necessary) Rev. James Link pastor
decks and screened in porch. Jerry or ShirVictory A/G Neosho, MO. 64850
ley Burnett 636-394-4560
For Sale: Hammond #2300 Organ and Leslie House for Sale: Spacious two bedroom, two bath
Speaker. Price negotiable. Calvary Assembly
home on the Assembly of God Campground
of God, Kansas City, MO. Contact Pastor
with a beautiful view of the lake. The home
Denny Smith 816-686-6189
sits on four lots and includes a storage shed
and a large workshop. For more information
contact Four Seasons Realty (573) 365-8596.
EDITORS
SUBSCRIPTION RATE:
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.
CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT:
Phone: 417-881-1316
Fax: 417-883-5924
[email protected]
Don Miller, Executive Editor
Rhonda Amer, Managing Editor
Individual - $7.00/year
Church Bundles of 5 - $30.00/year
Single copy - $1.35/each
SUPERINTENDENT
Don Miller
[email protected]
Celebrate the Win
At times, it seems that celebration is a lost art. We
finish one task or project and immediately begin into the
next. We finish one event or outreach at the church and
move quickly into the next endeavor. Yet in the rhythm
and flow of life, it is very beneficial (and evenly godly) to
incorporate celebration! Take time to enjoy the win; take
time to congratulate those who have worked together on a
job well done.
In the great “Lost” chapter of the Bible, Luke 15, we
find three different individuals who are searching for lost
items. The shepherd is looking for the lost sheep; the
woman is looking for the lost coin; and the father is looking for the lost son. In each case, the individual is longing
for the return of the lost item. For the shepherd, the sheep
is precious to him and very vulnerable by itself. For the
woman, the coin evidently represented her marriage vows
and to lose one coin would bring great embarrassment.
For the father, his heart ached and yearned for his wayward son to “come to himself ” and return to his family.
Each party looked for the lost object. The shepherd
left the ninety-nine sheep to find the one. The woman
swept the house diligently, frantically attempting to recover the coin. When the lost son returned, his father ran to
meet him. Can you picture the father working in the field
day after day? As he works with the crops, he becomes
distracted as his hoe sits still on the ground and his eyes
gaze at the horizon looking, always looking for the son.
Then, it happens. He sees the distant form of his hungry,
tired, humiliated son approaching from a distant land. The
farming tool drops to the ground as the father runs with
all of his might with his arms outstretched to welcome the
son that he loves more than life itself.
Yet, there is part of each of these stories that we
sometimes overlook. Each successful searcher exclaims
to friends, family, and neighbors, “Rejoice with me! Let’s
celebrate!” Their excitement is too great to be kept to
themselves. They cannot just move on to the next task or
look for something else which is lost. They take time to
celebrate the victory.
For those who are task-driven, the benefit of celebration can at times be missed. But rejoicing is part of the
process. We prepare for a task; strategizing, gathering
resources and personnel to accomplish the mission. Then,
the moment arrives and we begin the task. Next, we see
the missions accomplished! Now it is time to celebrate.
But what is the benefit of this celebration?
1. It causes us to purposefully take time to acknowledge that through God the task is complete. Though
He uses us as vessels, yet all victories can ultimately
be attributed to His strength, wisdom, and power.
We thank Him that He allowed us to be part of his
ultimate vision.
2. We take time to acknowledge the contribution of
the entire team. Most things worth accomplishing
require more than one person to get the job done. In
celebration, each team member is honored for their
contribution and thanked for their efforts.
3. In celebration, we reflect upon the journey which
brought us to the victory. We relive the pain and joy
which we went through to complete the task. Reflecting helps us to appreciate the victory even more. As
we reminisce with the team, we laugh together and
cry together rehearsing the special moments of the
trip which tighten the bonds between us. As well,
the recounting allows us to learn the lessons of the
process.
4. Lastly, the celebration gives us the chance to catch
our breath and to regroup for the tasks that lie ahead.
There is a Sabbath rest in the celebration. We idle
down the motor of our life and allow our bodies,
minds, and spirit to recoup.
May all of us endeavor to do all that we can for the
Kingdom. May we purpose to pursue the plan of God
with all our might! But may we never forget to take time
to celebrate the win!
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
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WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Vicki Miller
[email protected]
I’m Only Going
for the Cake
“I’m only going for the piece of cake!” Yes, I’ve heard
it said and have probably thought it at some point in my
lifetime. Celebrations, whether they be wedding, birthday,
or baby showers, are reasons to acknowledge victories, accomplishments, milestones, and special events. While the
focus should be on those being honored, we often make it
about us. Perhaps we participate half-heartedly for what we
can get out of it—the scrumptious slice of moist, decadent
cake slathered in rich, butter cream frosting. On a spiritual note, how often do we enter into our day,
our worship of God, with what we can get out of it? Do we
celebrate our risen King because
He is truly worthy, so deserving
of everything we have, everything
we are? Or do we praise Him halfheartedly, distracted with thoughts
of the day, going through the motions and looking for an emotional
lift, our “piece of cake”’? The
psalmist, David, wrote: 4
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise
him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise
him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with
strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise
him with loud clashing cymbals!” Psalm 150:1-6 I can only imagine what this kind celebration
must look like. I think I’ll put down my plate and with
the psalmist celebrate Jesus with this same passion and
fervency!
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
George Westlake III
Passing the Baton
Thank you Bro. Perkins for
your many years of service
on the District Presbytery.
George Westlake III
Southern Missouri welcomes George Westlake III
as Assistant Superintendent
George is the Lead Pastor of Sheffield Family
Life, a multicultural megachurch in the Urban Core
of Kansas City, Missouri.
Prior to this, George played drums professionally, served as a Youth Pastor, Youth Evangelist,
Associate Pastor and an Executive Pastor in Kansas
City, Naperville IL, and Ft Myers FL, respectively.
George also hosted a nationally broadcast television show for five years.
George has served as Vice President of the CBC
Alumni Board: Vice Chairman of the CBC Board
of Directors and currently serves on the Evangel
University Board of Trustees.
He has served as a Sectional Presbyter, Executive Presbyter and presently serves as the Assistant
Superintendent of the Southern Missouri District of
the Assemblies of God.
George is married to Annette and has three children. Geo, Austin and Lexi.
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
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EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Stan Welch
[email protected]
The God of Celebration
I believe that we are serving a God that loves to celebrate. We that are called Pentecostal in doctrine need to be
Pentecostal in experience. The Pentecostal experience opens
the door to times of great rejoicing. One of the most inviting
things about the church to the lost soul should be the spirit
of celebration that fills the lives of believers and the spirit of
celebration that should fill our times of corporate worship.
What makes God celebrate?
God celebrates when we invite Him into our midst.
Zeph. 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be
glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your judgments, He
has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD,
is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more. 16 In that
day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, let
not your hands be weak. 17 The LORD your God in your
midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you
with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” God has emotions. I believe
God experiences joy and celebration when we allow Him
to manifest His presence in our midst. God is not just an
onlooker. He is a participant in our times of worship.
Let’s look at three ways that God celebrates over His
children from Zeph. 3:17
1.
He will rejoice over you with gladness. God feels
exuberant joy over His children. I believe that God
dances for joy over our relationship with Him. Sometimes
I feel we do not begin to comprehend God’s feelings toward us. We know we should love and praise God, but we
forget that God is celebrating His love for us.
In the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the
lost son we find a God that rejoices over that which is
found. Always remember God is much happier over what
we find than what we keep. Luke 15:7 I say to you that
likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need
no repentance. Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, there is
joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
who repents.”
There was a great party when the prodigal came home.
There was dancing and rejoicing by the Father at the
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
return of his son. Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his
servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and
put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And
bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be
merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he
was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. Luke
15:32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad,
for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost
and is found.
I believe that God dances for joy over you and me! God
is excited over our relationship with Him and He openly
expresses His joy.
2.
He will quiet you with His love. When God celebrates over us we sense His love for us. God brings a
great calm into our lives as we experience His love. We have
trembled at God’s rebuke, but we have also experienced
great peace and calm when we realize that God is celebrating our relationship with Him. God celebrates over us by
touching us with His great love and bringing the calmness
and peace that accompanies knowing Him!
3.
He will rejoice over you with singing.” God sings
about us! We sing about the greatness of our God,
but God says through the prophet Zephaniah that He sings
songs that are about us. Wow!! I serve a God that celebrates my relationship with Him with singing. God has
composed love songs about you and me, these songs tell of
His great love for us. I have heard these songs at different
times in my life. God has put these songs in my heart at
times of great joy and victory; He has also sung over me in
times of great testing and trials. When God sings over me,
I sense His great and prefect love for me.
Since I serve a God that loves to celebrate, I need to
join in the celebration. I pray may my life be known for
exuberant joy and celebration. I pray that Assemblies of
God Churches of the Southern Missouri District be known
as places of great celebration. We will reach our world if
we are enjoying our relationship with God. Let’s invite
people to the party!
May God put dancing in my feet; joy in my heart, and a
song in my mouth. If God celebrates because I’m His child
I must join the celebration because He is my loving Father.
MISSIONS
Stan Welch
2014 Banquet Update
:
D
E
S
I
A
R
L
TOTA
[email protected]
$160,000
The offerings and faith promises impacted each of
our eight candidate missionaries. A cash offering
of $35,102.68 was divided amongst our candidates.
Monthly faith promises brought their budget to the
following levels:
James & Kimberly Boley. . . . . . . . . . . . . 83%
Randy & Kathy Cartwright . . . . . . . . . . . 39%
Greg & Rachelle Colegrove. . . . . . . . . . . 72%
Brandon & Shayla Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16%
Tim & Jenny Land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23%
Sam & Lisa Paris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42%
Michael & Melinda Prince. . . . . . . . . . . . 21%
Nathan & Jennifer Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . 30%
One missionary stated, “You did for us in one night
what it would have taken us 6 months to do.”
Contribution toward the Bible school in Lumbumbashi
was $67,781.58. Building continues on this project.
The walls are up and the contractor is awaiting the
arrival of trusses to
complete the roof.
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
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BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
Rhonda Amer
[email protected]
Cele brate Giving!
1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced because they had
offered so willingly, for they made their
offering to the Lord with a whole heart,
and King David also rejoiced greatly.
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to
whom it is due, when it is in your power
to do it.
Proverbs 11:24-25
There is one who scatters, and yet
increases all the more, and there is one
who withholds what is justly due, and
yet it results only in want. The generous
man will be prosperous, and he who
waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 21:26
…the righteous gives and does not hold
back.
Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed, for
he gives some of his food to the poor.
Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never
want, but he who shuts his eyes will
have many curses.
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the store-
house, so that there may be food in My
house, and test Me now in this,” says the
Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you
the windows of heaven and pour out for
you a blessing until it overflows.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. They
will pour into your lap a good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure
it will be measured to you in return.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave
his only begotten son, that whosoever
believes in Him wouldn’t perish, but
would have eternal life.
Acts 20:35
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help
the weak and remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is
more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must do just as he has purposed
in his heart, not grudgingly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
giver. And God is able to make all grace
abound to you, so that always having all
sufficiency in everything, you may have
an abundance for every good deed.
2 Corinthians 9:10
Now He who supplies seed to the sower
and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase
the harvest of your righteousness;
Philippians 4:15-17
And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia,
no church shared with me in the matter
of giving and receiving but you alone;
for even in Thessalonica you send a gift
more than once for my needs. Not that
I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the
profit which increases to your account.
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one
of you says to them, “Go in peace, be
warmed and be filled,” and yet you do
not give them what is necessary for their
body, what use is that?
SENIOR ADULT MINISTRIES
John Heide
[email protected]
Celebrating New Leadership
We would like to introduce our new Assistant Director for the 50 Plus department, Reverend Junior and Cleta
Vaughn. They are currently serving as the 50 Plus reps for
the West Plains section and have been very active in encouraging the section’s churches to begin ministering TO and
THROUGH their senior adults. The Vaughn’s have been in
ministry since 1958 and have pastored in Arkansas and Missouri and are currently interim pastors at Dawson Assembly
of God. They have been married fifty-three years and have
four children (including a daughter Vicki who happens to
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
be our own Superintendent Don Miller’s wife.) the Vaughn’s
have twenty grand and
great grandchildren. We
look forward to their valuable input and experience
to help us continue to
reach out across the district to strengthen churches
in their ministry to those in
the Second Half of Life!
CHURCH PLANT & REVITALIZATION
Jerry Harris
[email protected]
Communicate & Celebrate Vision
Where there is no vision, the
people perish. (Proverbs 29:18)
For the last several months, I have been privileged to be in
all sizes of churches and have been able to work with pastors, church planters, and revitalization projects all across our
district. During these travels there has been one reoccurring
theme. It has been centered on the topic of vision. Questions
such as, what is the difference between vision and mission?
(There is a vitally important difference, but for the sake of
space I will focus only on vision in this article). How do I
communicate the vision? How often should I talk about vision? Is it really that important?
This topic is critical! As you know everything rises or
falls on leadership. I don’t think that’s truer anywhere than in
ministry. Someone has said,
“If you want to know the temperature
of your church, put the thermometer in
your mouth.”
I think that’s a good statement. I think you can never take
people farther than you are yourself, spiritually or any other
way. Leadership is the key. When I talk about leadership, you
don’t have to be a charismatic (in the emotional sense) leader
to be a great leader. Some of the greatest charismatic leaders
of this century were also the worst—Stalin, Mao, Hitler. They
were all very charismatic people so personality has nothing
to do with dynamic leadership. It’s not the charisma of the
leader; it’s the vision of the leader.
As pastors, our job is to continually keep us on track of the
original purpose of the church, the original New Testament
purposes. That gets harder and harder the larger the church
becomes. Especially among pre-Christians who come to
Christ and aren’t aware of various ministries or how the church
functions. These individuals are actually easier to share vision
with because they don’t have any preconceived ideas. When
you get people who come from other churches, you get people
who bring cultural baggage with them. What they think and
expect the church to be is stated, “We did it like this at my old
church.”
Our number one responsibility is to continually clarify and
communicate our vision. What are we doing? Why are we
here? That is why it is critical to the health and growth of the
church to have some type of connect classes that introduce
new people to who we are and why we are here. In other
words, “communicate vision.” If we are not communicating
vision, we will become managers of systems.
We can choose to be a leader or a manager. There is a difference between leadership and management. If you take any
management course, they’ll be composed of these three things:
• Analysis
• Problem solving
• Planning
Leadership consists of:
• Vision
• Values or purpose
• Communication of both
If you don’t clarify the purposes as the leader, who will?
Most churches are over managed and under led. You need
them both. The problem is, if you only have management in
the church, you get the problem of paralysis of analysis. It’s
like “Ready… Aim …. Aim…. Aim….” and they never fire.
They’re always analyzing and looking. Then you get other
churches that are “Ready…. Fire!” and they don’t take aim.
You need both.
Proverbs says “Without a vision the people perish.” The
difference between a dream and a vision: A vision is a
pragmatic dream. Lots of people have great dreams. But
they never can get them in a concrete form where you can do
something about it.
A vision is a dream that can be implemented!
I am convinced that the best-kept secret in motivating
people is vision. People are looking for something to give
their lives to. People are looking for a goal, for a purpose, for
a vision, for a mission in life that makes their life meaningful
and worthwhile. Anybody that comes along will attract people
like that if they have vision. People are looking for a vision.
So have a big vision. Lead your church in the discovery of
who they are and why they are here and ask God to give you
a BIG vision and then start speaking it into every person you
meet!
Part of our vision for Southern Missouri is having one hundred places of worship established in ten years. Celebrate with
me as we see this happening, one church at a time. This year
we are on track to see twelve new places of worship reaching
people for Christ. Let’s communicate vision and see what God
will do!!
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
Youth Camp 2014
“God taught me so muc
faith, about learning to h about growing up in my
to soak up His Spirit. Hodepend on Him alone, learning
faith - to find more mat w good it is to grow up in my
urity and hunger. God
good!”
is SO
“God has heard my prayer and s
helped me find the answers I wah
looking for. He has filled me wit
the Holy Spirit!”
!
“Peace. So much peace”
!
“He freed me!”
“I was out by
the pool with
my counselor,
Amy. She
prayed with me
and I got
saved.”
“He broke chains I didn’t
even know I had.”
!
“I redevoted my life to God
and he called me to be a
missionary!”
2014 Youth Camp:
!
1520 Students attended Youth Camp
61 Students accepted Christ for the 1st time!
709 Students re-commited their lives to Christ!
163 Students filled with the Holy Spirit for the 1st time!
175 Students felt a call to full-time ministry!
339 Students healed!
1295 Students had a genuine encounter with God!
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
11
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Sherry Welch
[email protected]
being a resource, and being a blessing to
our Missionary families.
The word celebrate means to make
known publicly and proclaim!
First I would like to say Women of
Southern Missouri celebrate Jesus Christ
every day! Our love for Him is the
driving force for all we do in ministry!
We also celebrate, “The Southern
Missouri Women” and their
compassionate hearts! Our Department
exists for you!
What a privilege to be your District
Women’ Director for the past 14 years!
God has given us favor as we
have served from a heart of love and
compassion.
We celebrate our National
Women’s Department and our
National Leader, Kerry Clarensau!
The National Women’s Department
of the Assemblies of God exists to
help equip churches to effectively
minister to women. The department
provides strategies, training, and
resources for district directors and
local congregational leaders to create
intentional, effective ministry to
women. As women in Assemblies of
God churches become fully devoted
followers of Jesus Christ, they will
discover greater joy and fulfillment,
creating healthier relationships, families,
churches and communities.
The Southern Missouri District
Women’s Department exists for the
same reason! We are intentional about
equipping the women of our District,
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
We celebrate, Equipping
Every Woman” Online Training
We believe every woman is called to
minister. Whether or not you consider
yourself a leader, you can impact your
struggling neighbor, coworker, or friend.
Our vision is for you and every other
Christian woman to be equipped to
minister within your circle of influence.
To find out more information on the
“Equipping Every Woman” membership
opportunity, please visit our website.
Website: http://women.ag.org/
equipping.aspx?id=0&langtype=1033
Channels: Discipleship, Adults,
National Women’s Department
We Celebrate, “Secrets” help
for our marriage!
Secrets:
Transforming Your Life
and Marriage by Kerry
Clarensau
Web:
secretsbiblestudy.com
Hashtags: #secretsbiblestudy
We Celebrate, “Her Green
Room”
For women
whose husbands
are in full-time ministry
Join the conversation at our Her
Green Room online community for
ministry wives! Find blog posts, videos
with discussion questions, and the “Meet
Her” series, featuring other ministry
wives. Her Green Room: a place to be
refreshed and renewed—your place out
of the spotlight! “Every pastor’s wife needs hope.
Every pastor needs hope. Every
ministry family needs hope. Every
church needs to multiply hope. And
every layperson in every church needs
hope. Simply stated, hope means you
can count on God’s promises in spite
of circumstances and limitations. He is
always faithful, reliable, trustworthy and
honest. He guarantees His promises.
Apply those words to your situation—
faithful, reliable, honest, trustworthy
and guaranteeing. Try seeing your
setting through God’s perspective. Then,
in a matter of seconds, obstacles and
hindrances look so different. Keep hope
alive, regardless of the obstacles.”
—from Married to a Pastor: how to
stay happily married in the ministry, by
H.B. London and Neil B. Wiseman
Contact Information for Southern
Missouri District Women’s Department
Find the Southern Missouri District
on Facebook at: Southern Missouri
District Women’s Department.
Email:[email protected], or call 417881-1316 extension 138 and 135.
Contact Information for National
Women’s Department
Find the National Women’s
Department on Facebook at: AG Women,
Pinterest at AG_Women, and on Twitter:
@AG_women. Email: women@
ag.org, or call: 417-862-2781, extension
4060.
Dear Sherry,
, Rhonda
ty to say “THANK YOU” to you
I want to take this opportuni
to the
er
ist
min
veling to Tanzania to
Amer and Linda Miller for tra
ool.
Sch
ija
ang
Buh
to the children at
women of Ukerewe Island and
r
eve
t
firs
the
was
rewe Island
The Women’s Conference on Uke
e so
the District and Section wer
of
p
shi
der
lea
held there and the
istered
had an opportunity to be min
thankful that the women there
s in
nge
m and they face many challe
to. Life is very hard for the
their difficult lives.
d and close to 300 women in
There were 225 women registere
them,
these beautiful women; saving
attendance. God moved among
m and
the
ng
agi
our
enc
healing them,
filling them with His Spirit,
their
m,
the
of
t
mos
For
situations.
giving them hope in hopeless
your
h
d by the power of God throug
lives have been forever change
the
ing
ing of the Holy Spirit dur
anointed teaching and the mov
powerful times of prayer.
d
ut 285 total, have been blesse
The children of Buhangija, abo
ly
emb
Ass
ico
Pux
m
fro
ound equipment
through the gift of the playgr
of
on
ati
don
the
h
wit
ng
da Miller alo
of God and the family of Lin
smiles
s the Miami Tent Company. The
own
who
ily
fam
the tent by the
nd of
sou
sparkle in their eyes and the
on the children’s faces, the
blessing they received.
laughter are evidence of the
been a
thern Missouri District have
Sou
You and the Women of the
ble
hum
h
wit
e
cam
I personally. You
tremendous blessing to Tim and
ia as
zan
Tan
of
en
ldr
chi
the women and
servant hearts to minister to
and
ful
uti
bea
y
man
So
!
l!!
gifts as wel
well as us, and you brought
what
m;
en to us from the Treasure Roo
wonderful things have been giv
a blessing it has been to us.
rds
e you, Sherry, set the standa
We also know that it is becaus
en.
wom
r
you
ore
bef
and their families
and you keep the missionaries
to
ng
eri
ist
min
m
fro
are moving away
Many District women’s groups
ing us a
. Thank You, Sherry, for mak
ies
nar
sio
mis
the needs of their
the Southern MO District.
focal point of all you do in
cared for by the women of the
We are blessed to be loved and
Southern MO District.
to call you “friend”.
And, I am especially blessed,
ibu Tena! (Welcome again)
May God richly bless you! Kar
Africa,
For an Increasingly Redeemed
Joyce Jarvis
Your Missionary to Tanzania
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
13
GIRLS MINISTRIES
Deshae Thrasher
[email protected]
No
Needed
Have you ever found yourself preparing for an event and
think balloons would add a festive feeling? Then as you try
to be a good steward you go to the bargain store where you
can get more balloons for your money in hopes of adding
excitement to your event. But, as you walk out of the store
you wonder how you are going to get a handful of balloons
that are wildly blowing in the path of their own choosing
into the car. Then once you manage to get the balloons in
the car you contemplate how you will safely drive to your
destination while wrangling this small herd of wild balloons. During the drive you think to yourself, are balloons
really that important to the celebration? No balloons are
needed to truly celebrate the amazing gifts God puts into
our lives everyday. Whether it’s a milestone, a team win,
victory or a great parking spot it’s time we celebrate. It has
been my pleasure celebrating with girls in our district over
the past few months at the Girls Ministries Mini Retreats.
This time together offers girls the opportunity of making
friends, having fun and growing in their relationship with
Jesus. Each event offers many reasons to celebrate as this
gives me a glimpse into the way that God is shaping, using
and discipling Southern Missouri District Girls to change
their world. Celebratory moments come in many different
packages; some may be spiritual, physical, emotional, or
financial. If you haven’t celebrated yet today, pause, and get
ready because collectively through the mini retreats over
200 girls attended with 60 sponsors and 6 girls gave their
heart to the Lord for the first time. Yeah! That’s not all, the
girls raised more than $2,750 dollars for Kids Fire Bibles.
God has given us many moments to celebrate so don’t wait
for something more exciting celebrate today. Join the celebration and get the girls in your church to the Girls Ministries Live Event on October 11 & 12. Check out somoag.org
(girls ministries) for more information.
Thank you Pastors!
Your involvement and investment in girls ministries doesn’t go unnoticed. You are making a difference.
Special thanks to the following churches for outstanding missions giving during the 2014 mini retreats!
**$500 or more
Sullivan First Assembly of God**
St. James First Assembly of God**
Malden First Assembly of God**
Portageville First Assembly of God
Pebble Creek Assembly of God
Bolivar First Assembly of God
Ellsinore First Assembly of God
Patterson First Assembly of God
Windsor First Assembly of God
Senath First Assembly of God
Linn Family worship Center
Steelville First Assembly of God
Faith Assembly of God ( West Plains)
Check out somoag.org for more information about the Girls Ministries Live Event !
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Jim Calvin
[email protected]
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
15
YOUTH
Darin Poe
www.smymonline.org
[email protected]
Happy….!
!
You can fill in the blank with Birthday, Anniversary, Mother’s
Day, Thanksgiving, YOUTH Day… the list could go on. !
!
How about Psalm 144:15, which states “happy is that people,
whose God is the Lord!” (KJV)!
!
Just a reminder that you can be happy today, any day, because
the God you serve IS the Lord!
DYD - Darin Poe!
[email protected]
YOUTH CONVENTION
November 21 & 22!
James River - West Campus!
Special Guest: Johnnie Wilson!
Worship: James River Church!
* Sponsored by James River Leadership College
Join the Human Right Movement at www.thehumanright.org
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
MEN’S MINISTRIES
Darin Poe
Darin Poe - Director
www.smymonline.org
“Husbands, love your wives”!
- Paul !
“I know that there is nothing better
for people than to be happy and to
do good while they live.” - Solomon (Ecc 3:12)
!
Let me encourage you to “live life to the
FULL” by doing good and being happy.
Both of these are choices you can make
- today - while you are alive.
!
May the Lord bless your efforts!
10 Actions That Say !
“I Love You”!
Love is expressed in action. !
Consider how women have responded when
asked to complete this sentence: !
“I wish my husband would love me by…”!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
listening to me!
saying thank you for the things I do!
communicating more openly with me!
being interested in my life!
showing affection when others are
around!
6. including me in the things he does!
7. trying to understand me!
8. remembering me with little gifts!
9. helping in the discipline of the kids!
10. accepting me just as I am!
2015 Men’s Conference!
March 20-21!
St. Charles First Assembly!
with special guest!
Monty Hipp
- Adapted from Neil Kennedy’s blog The
Daily Champion
www.pursueconference.com
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
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ROYAL RANGERS
Jerry Millhouser
[email protected]
w
o
W
w
o
P
s
r
e
g
n
2014 Royal Ra
The Southern Missouri District Royal Ranger Pow Wow was
held at the Southern Missouri District Royal Rangers Campgrounds on June 5 – 8, 2014 with a “Space Trek” theme – “The
Heavens Declare the Glory of God” – Psalms 19:1. This was one
of the best Pow Wows that we have had, beautiful weather and
almost no rain.
On Thursday night a Prayer Vigil was held in the Royal Ranger
Education Building where Royal Ranger boys and leaders spent
about an hour just in prayer for various needs in Royal Rangers
and for the pastors of our churches and for other Royal Ranger
leaders and boys. There were two fabulous evening council services on Friday and Saturday nights with a great fireworks display following the Friday night service. Special speaker for the Pow Wow
this year was: Rev. Brian Sederwall, Inner City Outreach Pastor
for Denver Colorado United Church. Brian was a Royal Ranger
when he was a boy and achieved the Gold Medal of Achievement.
It all happened when the 536 Royal Rangers from 39 churches
of Southern Missouri District began to set up camp for the 49th
Annual District Royal Ranger Pow Wow. At the various services,
over fifty boys and young men (too many to count) responded for
the Salvation call at the end of the services. Also, some boys were
filled with the Holy Spirit.
Special recognition was given to churches at the Pow Wow
with the highest over-all scores on the Pow Wow Inspection
Report. Scores were earned by the efforts of the Outposts in
participation in the assemblies and activities; uniform inspection; control and discipline and camping techniques like campsite
layout, sanitation and health and safety.
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Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
Trophies were presented to the following:
Churches with attendance of over 300:
1st. - Outpost 107, First Assembly in Bolivar
2nd. - Outpost 6, Central Assembly in Springfield
3rd. – Outpost 97, Evangel Temple Assembly in Springfield
4th. - Blue Springs Assembly in Blue Springs
Churches with attendance of 300 and less:
1st. - Outpost 100, Arcadia Valley Assembly in Ironton
2nd. – Outpost 248, Southside Assembly in Marshall
3rd. – Outpost 226, First Assembly in Strafford
4th. – Outpost 348, Dayspring Christian Fellowship in Springfield
Outpost 100, Arcadia Valley Assembly in Ironton won the Best
Costume Contest and Life 360 Church, Outpost 360 and Central,
Outpost 6 in Springfield tied for the largest attendance. Outpost
100, Arcadia Valley Assembly in Ironton won first place in the
Best Outpost Flag Contest. Outpost 97, Evangel Temple in Springfield had the Best Entryway to their campsite.
Boys and men brought a missions offering of over $750.00 to
go toward the “Master’s Toolbox” project for BGMC.
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
We are celebrating another great camping season here at
Cross Pointe Camp. This is Cross Pointe’s 72nd year of camps
and retreats for the Southern Missouri District. The property
was purchased in 1941 and became the permanent home for
camp meetings. Previous to this, the Southern Missouri District
had camp meetings in various places across the state.
The first camp, held on the campgrounds, began July 16th,
1942. A screened in tabernacle and screened in cafeteria had
been built by the first camp. These buildings were used until
the present tabernacle and cafeteria were built in the early 70’s.
There were several cabins for rent, but most people stayed in
tents on wooden platforms. Although the accommodations
were rustic, the excitement and expectation that people had
about coming to the camp to receive from God was real. We
know that God has used this place and ministry powerfully in
our district, due to the impact on generations of people in our
district.
Since we became directors at Cross Pointe, we have heard so
many testimonies of powerful experiences with God, that people
have had over the years, at our camp. As this year’s camps come
to a close, we are hearing of many more sharing that same
testimony in their lives at camp. Of the almost 4,000 kids and
youth who came to camp this summer, 2,868 students reported
salvation, rededication, Holy Spirit Baptism, healing, or being
called into the ministry. What an exciting testimony to what
God is doing through our camps.
God’s faithfulness to touch lives at camp has not changed
over the years, but our facilities have. Due to the wisdom and
foresight of past leaders, and a realization of the great value of
the ministry of our campgrounds, we have wonderful facilities
here at Cross Pointe. Even though there are still some buildings on the camp grounds that we would love to have replaced,
our camp is one of the nicest in the nation. We have heard this
many times from people visiting Cross Pointe.
There are several things we can say about our camp, from
the testimony of people who have experience from other camps.
1. We have some of the best facilities for a camp, in our
nation. The camp is in one of the most beautiful settings, the Lake of the Ozarks.
2. We have the most economical camps for camper and
workers in the nation.
3. We have some of the most excellent camp programs at
our camps and retreats.
4. We have powerful anointed services, where people
are touched with the power of God, at our camps and
retreats.
If you are a pastor, and have not used this resource for the
people in your church, please consider bringing a group to one
of our district’s camps or retreats.
1st Tabernacle 1942
Camp Meeting 1950
fore
r housing be
Tents used fo ures were built
ruct
permanent st
Old Tabernacle Boys camp
Mid 1940’s
Pray St. Louis
- Join the leadership of southern Missouri, and the leaders and pastors of the
St. Louis section as we come together to pray on Sunday evening, October 26th, at 6:00pm at West County
Church, 13431N. Outer 40 Rd., Chesterfield, Missouri. There are many spiritual obstacles to the gospel in this
area, southern Missouri’s greatest mission field. We know the remedy for this is for the body of Christ to come
together in united prayer. Come join us as we call out to god for the harvest in St. Louis.
For more information, contact Curtis or Cindy Washam
Southern Missouri District prayer coordinators (573)365-0600
Fall 2014 • Assembly Messenger
19
Minister’s Renewal
Golf Tournamant
Thursday, October 16
Tee off 9:00a.m.
Osage National Golf Resort
2 Man Scramble $70 per person
Includes 18 hole with Cart, Lunch,
& Bucket of Range Balls
Guest speaker Rev. Tom Jacobs
was elected the Superintendent of
the Iowa Ministry Network of the
Assemblies of God in 2007. A graduate
of Oral Roberts University, Tom has
served as an assistant chaplain, a staff
pastor, a church planter, and lead pastor of Morningside Assembly of God
in Sioux City, Iowa. He currently serves
on the boards of Church Extension
Plan, North Central University, Evangel
University and Trinity Bible College. He
and his wife, Lori, believe that ministry
flows out of relationship, and they are
committed to building healthy Pentecostal leaders and churches through
relational connections.
SOUTHERN MISSOURI DISTRICT COUNCIL
OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
528 WEST BATTLEFIELD ROAD
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807
NONPROFIT
US POSTAGE PAID
REPUBLIC, MO
PERMIT 99