The Alabama Messenger Jan Feb 2024

KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN. NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT ds@amnag.org

RESET IN ’24 TO SEE MORE! 2024 has arrived with all the clichés and New Year’s resolu ons. We have completed 2023, and it is in the rearview mirror of our lives. You can’t go back and “redo” anything we may not have done as we wished, but we can learn from our past “misdo’s” and not do them again.

You will hear a lot of slogans that rhyme with "24". I remember in my early pastoral years, I o en started a new year in the church with a slogan like, "Let's Do More in '94!" I have already seen more than a dozen: Faithful and More in 24; Embrace God's Open Door in 24; Let Love Outpour in 24; Shine and Explore in 24; Grace to Adore in 24; Rise and Restore in 24; Unite and Soar in 24; Breakthroughs are in Store for 24: Thrive and Explore in 24; Inspire and Restore in 24; Rise, Explore, and Soar in 24; Thrive and Restore in 24.

Slogans and themes won’t necessarily change the church. Changing the church’s future isn’t necessarily done through neat slogans or programs even if they are cool and trendy. Too o en we are pulled into looking into the “rearview mirror” of the church instead of focusing on God’s “intended” future. Don’t fall for that! Look forward into God’s intended future for your church.

I remember the words of Alice in Alice in Wonderland when she was trying to nd direc on; Alice: "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" The Cheshire Cat: "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to." Alice: "I don't much care where." The Cheshire Cat: "Then it doesn't much ma er which way you go."

The church leader MUST know where they are going, or it doesn't really ma er which way you go. Pastoral ministry is extremely busy and o en frustra ng due to the pressures and demands of the ministry. We are so BUSY! Finding God's direc on for the church is extremely di cult in the "heat of the kitchen." So many voices cry for your a en on when the only voice that "really" ma ers is that of the Lord. It o en becomes too easy to listen to other voices that say they have heard from the Lord rather than hear from Him ourselves. We can adopt their vision and direc on instead of the one the Lord has speci cally for our church and our lives.

We read throughout the Bible about men and women who heard from God personally and marched on those orders to see the miraculous manifested among them. This is the urgency the church faces in 2024—leaders who lead through God’s inspira on. We need to know where the church is going—it ma ers. Ruth Haley Barton writes in chapter 3 of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry that you can set a jar of muddy river water down, and the physical law of gravity will cause the sediment to se le, and the water will become clear. She says that the spiritual law of gravity works like that as well. If you get s ll before the Lord long enough, your spirit will clear, and you can clearly see things in the spiritual realm. My slogan for 2024 is “Reset in ’24 to see more.” Seek God’s presence by ge ng aside to “see clearly.”

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I sincerely believe the best days of the church are right before us. The only way to see ’24 become all that God has in store for you and your church is to RESET in your spirit and hear from God for YOU and your CHURCH. RESET IN ’24 TO SEE MORE!

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. Network Secretary-Treasurer msharp@amnag.org

EPIPHANY – JESUS, the KING of LIGHT for ALL the WORLD The Christmas Season begins on December 25 and lasts through January 5. On January 6, most Christians celebrate Epiphany, the revelation of the infant Jesus to the Magi as the King of the Jews and the Light of the World. We read about the visit of the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12. Matthew has been telling the story of Christ’s lineage from Abraham, his miraculous conception, and his birth as the promised Messiah, seed of Abraham and Son of David. In every possible way Matthew has emphasized that all of God’s promises to Abraham, to David, and to Israel will be fulfilled in Jesus.

Matthew continues the story of David’s Son with the story of his first revelation to Gentiles. The story of the Magi is not a birth story – it is an announcement story. It is the story of the King of Light for all the world! God had promised that David’s Son would rule the nations and that God’s People would be a light to the nations. The glory of God would be revealed in God’s king, a light to those who lived in darkness. Nations would come to his light and kings to the brightness of his dawn.

The Magi were Wise Men, scholars, probably astrologers from the east, toward Babylon and Persia.

They were spiritual seekers. Matthew has no word of rebuke for these Gentiles. God meets hungry souls where they are, speaking to them in ways they understand, leading them to a clear witness of the one Savior of the world. They saw in the heavens, the realm familiar to them, a new and inexplicable light. God had promised in Numbers 24:17 and in Isaiah 60:1-6 that something like this would happen. The Magi viewed it as a sign, an omen, that a great king was being born. Drawn by God, they came to worship the King of Light for all the world. The Magi became the first-fruits of a vast future harvest from the nations of the Earth.

Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi as well as celebrating an event later in Jesus’ life: His baptism by John the Baptist. At his baptism Christ identified himself in solidarity with the lost humanity he came to save. He submitted to John’s baptism of repentance, even though Christ needed no repentance himself. He fully committed to the Father’s mission to save a lost humanity, he was revealed as God’s beloved Son, and he was anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his mission.

Both of these events – the visit of the Magi and Christ’s baptism by John – are critical moments in the life of Jesus. They are moments of revelation, manifestations of the ultimate nature and purpose of Jesus of Nazareth: The Son of Man who came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came as the Lord and Savior not only of Israel, but of all the nations of the world.

Both events direct every Christian into Jesus’ purpose: Revealing the good news of God’s Messiah to the nations of the world. Celebrating Epiphany reminds the Church that we must always be on mission to go and make disciples of Jesus in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, to the uttermost parts of the Earth.

For me, this is yet another reason to follow the Christian Year. At Epiphany we are thrust into mission at the beginning of the year, ending the Christmas Season on a high note of purpose and action. When Pentecost concludes the Easter Season half-way through the year, we are again thrust into mission in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us always be about our Father’s business of sharing the Gospel that reveals Jesus as the King of Light for all the world. Let us always be about our King’s command to make disciples, teaching believers to how to follow him. Epiphany exists to remind us of this mission. Every year we should celebrate Epiphany!

DAVID STRAHAN Network Missions & Men's Director dstrahan@amnag.org

2024 CP&D BANQUET TOUR Section

Date/Time

Location

Phenix City Power of Praise, Phenix City 02/05/2024 - 6:30 pm CST Demopolis David’s Catfish House, Thomasville 02/06/2024 - 6:30 pm Tuscaloosa Yampertown Steak & Seafood, Winfield 02/08/2024 - 7:00 pm Tennessee Valley Lawerence County Dream Center, Town Creek 02/09/2024 - 7:00 pm Monroeville Excel Assembly of God, Excel 02/12/2024 - 7:00 pm Andalusia David’s Catfish House, Andalusia 02/13/2024 - 6:30 pm Enterprise McLin’s, Daleville 02/15/2024 - 7:00 pm Sylacauga Good Ole Boys BBQ, Sylacauga 02/16/2024 - 6:30 pm Anniston, Birmingham, Springville Camp & Conference Center 02/19/2024 - 7:00 pm Cullman Dothan David’s Catfish House, Dothan 02/20/2024 - 7:00 pm Montgomery Evangel Church, Montgomery 02/22/2024 - 7:00 pm Mobile Moe’s BBQ, Mobile-Downtown 02/26/2024 - 7:00 pm Baldwin Wolf Bay Lodge, Foley 02/27/2024 - 7:00 pm TO REGISTER YOUR CHURCH, EMAIL SHERRY AT SSOWERS@AMNAG.ORG, OR CALL 334-279-7172 EXT. 901

360Equip

South Region March 16, 2024 CenterPointe AG Mobile

North Region April 13, 2024 Weatherly Road AG Huntsville

Central Region May 11, 2024 Christian Life Fellowship Calera

Regional Men's Ministry Training

YOU're INVITED!

Gordon Houston 360Equip Director Guest Speaker

Pastors, men's leaders and every man interested in ministry to men.

Central Region

$10 per man

April 13, 2024

All Current/Active 360Man members are FREE

David Strahan Alabama Men's Director Event Host

DIRECTOR:

CYNDI DRAUGHON

Gulf Coast WOMEN’S

CONFERENCE

FEB 22-24 2024 Thursday & Friday Services: 7 PM Saturday Service: 9 AM

CELEBRATION CHURCH FAIRHOPE, AL

: RISHA r e T k a e p S ODEN

NDI N : Y t s C o H O AUGH DR

Everyone is Welcome $40 Deposit and $40 Due Upon Arrival

ALABAMA WOMEN, LET’S MAKE 2024 A PURPOSEFUL YEAR! Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse of many people. It is a verse that reminds us that God’s inten ons toward us are for good. One overlooked truth from this verse is that God does indeed have plans. God is purposeful!

A new year o ers us a wonderful opportunity for a reset, and we should take advantage of that opportunity. As your new year begins, take me to re ect on 2023. Don’t let the past year be wasted, instead, learn from all we have experienced. Then, commit to live a purposeful life in the year ahead.

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Don’t live the en re year without purpose, only reac ng to what happens from day to day. Take me to prayerfully decide on a word or phrase for 2024 as something that will direct your approach to life for the next 12 months. Be er yet, begin to ask God what your focus should be in the coming year. Remember, He has plans for you. Finding your purpose is empowering. A purpose is life-giving. God is purposeful, and He has created us for a purpose.

Christian Education Department CE DIRECTOR: VINT A. NORRIS

(334) 279-7172 Ext. 4 vnorris@amnag.org

www.amnag.org

UPCOMING DATES 1/6 – Evangel, Montgomery 2/3 – Evangel, Montgomery 3/15-16 - Springville Camp 4/6 – State Finals 5/3-4 – SE Regionals, Phenix City First A/G 6/6-8 - Nationals, Griffin First A/G

2023 BGMC GIVING JANUARY-NOVEMBER

Copeland A/G...................................... $53,000.00 Vincent Revival Center..................... $28,453.38 First A/G, Phenix City..........................$28,200.00 Clearwater A/G.................................... $19,887.00 Christian Life Church......................... $15,275.00 Praise Family Church........................ $11,750.00 Orchard A/G.......................................... $9,755.46 First A/G, Ashland............................... $9,581.93 First A/G, Robertsdale....................... $9,118.63 First A/G, Butler..................................... $9,027.00

2023 SUNDAY SCHOOL TITHE JANUARY-NOVEMBER

First A/G, Atmore.............................. $2,000.00 Horizon Church.................................. $910.00 Weeks Memorial................................ $729.00 Harper's Joy A/G.............................. $660.00 Hobson A/G......................................... $649.00 The Crossing....................................... $600.00 First A/G, Montgomery.................. $550.00 Faith A/G............................................... $503.73 Temple A/G......................................... $443.63 Kingwood A/G.................................... $400.00

For more information on these events & more, please contact: Kristi Norris at knorris@amnag.org or (334) 279-7172 Ext. 201 Or visit our Facebook pages: Alabama JBQ Alabama AG Children’s Ministries Alabama AG Ministers Alabama Assemblies of God Girls Ministries Alabama Senior Adult Ministries AL KID MIN

Alabama Youth Ministries www.alabamayouthministries.com Email: dydsec@amnag.org

Steven A. Mason District Youth Director

334-279-7172 x 401

2023 Top Speed The Light January-November

2023 Top Youth Group Offerings January-November

Phenix City First Assembly

$56,056.30

Atmore First Assembly

$2,000.00

Vincent Revival Center

$33,695.87

Pinedale Assembly

$700.00

Ashland First Assembly

$30,001.00

Montgomery First Assembly

$550.00

Montgomery First Assembly

$28,947.14

Crossroads Albertville

$500.00

Burns Assembly

$22,000.00

Hartselle First Assembly

$350.00

Sunshine Assembly

$11,633.69

Evangel Church Montgomery

$275.00

Harper’s Joy, Dothan

$10,000.00

Tuscaloosa First Assembly

$220.00

Range Assembly

$8,957.75

New Beginnings

$165.00

Evangel Church

$8,515.73

Robertsdale First Assembly

$165.00

River Valley Church

$8,242.54

Goodman Assembly

$150.00

Week 1 | June 17—21 Chris Estrada

March 8-9 // Youth Convention-The Rock Church, Huntsville

Week 2 | June 21—28 Jeremy Austill

May 3-4// Fine Arts Festival-Kingwood, Alabaster

Week 3 | July 1—5 Jonathan Rivera Week 4 | July 8—12 Peter Reeves

* U P C O M I N G * E V E N T S * April 24 // STL Grand Club Banquet May 27-June 4 // Foreign AIM– Belize July 15-20 // Stateside AIM– New York August 5-9 // National Fine Arts Festival-Columbus, OH August 22-23// Youth Rep Cabinet Seminar August 24// G5 Conference

Our new schedule layout is below. ALSOM students may take any courses needed during each quarter.

Quarter 1 January – March

Quarter 2 April – June

Quarter 3 July – September

Quarter 4 October – December

Courses Open for Purchase: January 1

Courses Open for Purchase: April 1

Courses Open for Purchase: July 1

Courses Open for Purchase: October 1

Last Day to Purchase: March 10th

Last Day to Purchase: June 10th

Last Day to Purchase: September 10th

Last Day to Purchase: December 10th

Tests Must be Submitted

by March 31st

Tests Must be Submitted

by June 30th

Tests Must be Submitted

by September 30th

Tests Must be Submitted

by December 31st

Each quarter, we will post our entire ALSOM catalog for purchase. The courses required for each level of credentialing are listed below.

Level One (Certified) BIB 214 Old Testament Survey BIB 212 New Testament Survey BIB 121 Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible BIB 114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels THE 211 Introduction to Theology THE 114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine THE 152 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance MIN 171 A Spirit-Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry MIN 191 Beginning Ministerial Internship

Level Two (Licensed) BIB 115 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers BIB 117 Prison Epistles BIB 215 Romans: Justification by Faith THE 245 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism MIN 223 Introduction to Homiletics MIN 251 Effective Leadership MIN 261 Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders MIN 291 Intermediate Ministerial Internship

Level Three (Ordained) THE 311 Prayer and Worship BIB 313 The Corinthian Correspondence BIB 318 The Pentateuch BIB 322 The Poetic Books MIN 325 Preaching in the Contemporary World MIN 327 Church Administration, Finance, and Law MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry MIN 391 Advanced Ministerial Internship

To enroll in an ALSOM course, please visit https://alsom.edvance360.com/. Across the top of the page, you will see several tabs. Click on “Store” to purchase a course. Once you add a course to your cart and proceed to check out, you will be prompted to login. If you are a first-time user, you will be asked to enter your email information. After you complete your purchase, an email will be sent to you to create a username and password. When you purchase the course, you will receive access to the course. To access the course, click on the tab “Courses.” This is where you will do all the work for your course. Each course has a pdf textbook.

Some courses have additional content such as video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and additional reading. Your test will come from content from all sources.

ALABAMA NETWORK

APPLICATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 16, 2024

The application period for the Alabama Ministry Network Scholarship Program (AMNSP) is now open.

Applicants may contact Jennifer Harris at jharris@amnag.org to receive an application packet. The forms are also available on our website at www.amnag.org.

The Alabama Ministry Network Scholarship Program (AMNSP) gives financial assistance to qualifying Assemblies of God students who are going into traditional and non-traditional ministry, helping them to attend endorsed Assemblies of God colleges, universities, and graduate schools. The AMNSP is open to high school seniors and college or seminary students who are attending Assemblies of God churches. In order to receive scholarship money, winners must attend an endorsed Assemblies of God educational institution.

The Network Scholarship Committee evaluates all properly completed applications and, based on availability of funds, awards one or more of each of the following scholarships: •

Superintendent’s Scholarship ……………………….. $5,000.00 Students pursuing degrees designed for Pastoral/Preaching ministry

•

Pastor’s Dependent Scholarship ……………….…… $4,000.00 Children of Alabama Ministry Network Assemblies of God ministers

•

Church Ministry Scholarship …………………………. $3,000.00 Students pursuing degrees designed for ministries such as Youth, Children, CE, Music, etc.

•

Distance Learning (Degree program only) ……... $1,000.00 Students pursuing online/correspondence degrees at the institute, college, or graduate levels

The deadline for applications, including all reference forms and either an Initial (first-time) Application or a Continuation Application, is February 16, 2024. It is the student applicant’s responsibility to see that the completed application, including all completed reference forms, have been received by the Network Office by February 16, 2024. All application forms may be mailed to the Alabama Ministry Network Scholarship Program, 5919 Carmichael Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117. They may also be emailed to the Network Office at jharris@amnag.org.

Please contact the Network Secretary-Treasurer’s office at 334-279-7172 ext 103, or at jharris@amnag.org, with any questions you may have.

BOOK REVIEWS: GROWING DEEPER by READING the BIBLE WELL The most common mistake people make regarding reading the Bible well is thinking that anyone can do it without help or training. They think the Bible is always simple, always clear, and all they need is the Holy Spirit’s help.

They are wrong. Neither Judaism nor the Christian church has ever taught this. The most basic truths about God, humanity, and salvation are indeed clear. However, the Bible as a whole, is very complex. We all need help in reading the Bible well, understanding what God is saying, and applying it to our lives. God has given us wonderful teachers who spent years studying the languages, literature, history, and cultures through which God gave his Word. Here are some outstanding resources available for those serious about growing deeper by reading the Bible well.

The “How To Read” series published by InterVarsity Press and written by prominent Old Testament scholars Tremper Longman III and John Walton is perhaps the best small series you can buy on reading the Old Testament well. Each book is brief, easy to read, and packed with outstanding scholarship explaining how to read a book of the Bible. Each volume examines the relevant aspects of history, culture, literary techniques, and the biblical writer’s theological themes. They explain what kind of literature each book contains and how to read that kind of writing.

Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs, Daniel, Job, and Genesis are all very different kinds of literature, and they cannot all be read in the same way. Readers like you and I must know how the ancient Hebrews wrote poetry, proverbs, wisdom literature (Job), creation stories, apocalyptic, and narrative history, if we are going to read and understand it correctly.

In each of these volumes at the end of each chapter Longman offers suggestions for reading, discussion questions, points for reflection, and other helps for personal and small group study. He also lists several more books for further reading. This series is a tremendous resource for personal growth, small group study, or pastoral teaching.

In “How to Read Genesis” Longman calls on another great Old Testament scholar, John Walton, to help write this superb guide to reading Genesis. In successive sections the authors: Explore how to determine the author’s intent, discuss the literary techniques and structures found in Genesis, contrast the Genesis creation stories with surrounding ancient cultures, address Genesis as the Story of God acting in the primeval history, the narratives of the patriarchs, and the story of Joseph, and conclude by explaining how Genesis points forward to Jesus Christ. Longman and Walton consider all the relevant issues essential to understanding Genesis, including the date, original authorship, revisions after the Exile, and the influence of surrounding cultures. The revolutionary nature of God’s revelation to Israel and its contrast to surrounding cultures is also illuminated. This volume presents the best scholarship currently available. It is a trustworthy guide to reading Genesis. It will help eliminate many common misunderstandings and enable you to read and teach Genesis well.

In “How to Read Exodus” Longman examines one of the Old Testament books foundational to Jewish and Christian understanding of God’s nature and purposes in the world. The book of Exodus and the events it describes became a defining story of Jewish and Christian identity forever after. The themes and structure of this book are found repeated throughout the Old and New Testaments. The deliverance described in Exodus must be deeply understood if we are to understand the direction and ultimate consummation of salvation history, and the ultimate destiny of humankind. Longman begins by explaining how to carefully read Hebrew narrative and how that reveals the meaning more clearly. He then examines Exodus as a historical account set within its ancient near eastern context. He proceeds by exploring Exodus as God’s Story, highlighting the original author’s intentional exaltation of God and of His mighty acts on behalf of His People. The book concludes by explaining how this story flows into the New Testament where its truths are replicated in the lives of Christ and His Church throughout this age. Learning and applying the principles in this volume will forever enrich your reading of Exodus.

UNDERSTANDING OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS We sometimes find that, for whatever reasons, some of our ministers are not clear on our financial obligations to the Alabama District. We have begun to publish these more frequently in order to clear up any misunderstandings proactively before ministers fall behind in their giving. Here are the District Bylaws followed by an explanation.

ALABAMA DISTRICT CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES Section 2 - Obligations of Ministers

a. All ministers shall be required to remit on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income earned from Gospel ministry and from secular work for the support of the District general fund. b. The following exceptions are permitted: 1. Ministers who receive wages strictly from secular employment and regularly attend a local assembly shall be required to support the local assembly with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

2. Evangelists shall be required to support the local assembly of which they are a member with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

3. Financial obligations of missionaries, military and industrial chaplains, and nationally appointed home missionaries are as outlined in Article VII, Section 8c of the General Council Bylaws. c. Compliance with the above requirements shall be a prerequisite for membership in the Alabama District Council and for the renewal of credentials of all active ministers. Any minister whose obligation falls into arrears shall be required to appear before his/her respective Sectional committee at the time of the Sectional Councils, and his/her credentials will be withheld until such time as his/her financial obligation is brought up-to- date. d. All ordained ministers shall recognize their obligation to support our General Council headquarters office in Springfield by contributing from their tithes or as an offering, the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month.

Licensed ministers shall contribute the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per month, and certified ministers shall contribute the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per month.

e. Each minister should accept the responsibility to provide a retirement income for himself and his/her family by contributing an amount equal to 5% of the minister’s salary to the MBA minister’s account.

Explanatory Note: If a credentialed minister receives any income from ministry, whether regular or irregular, parttime or full-time, or if they serve in a pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income from all sources, including secular work. If a credentialed minister receives no income at all from ministry, and only receives income from secular work, and does not serve in any pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 5% of their income from all sources. Exceptions are only as provided in Paragraph b. In both scenarios, the remainder of the minister’s tithe should be paid to the local church they attend or serve. You may pay your tithes by mail, or online at the Alabama District Website at www.adcag.org, or by Text at Text #73256 Message: ADCAG. If paying online, always enter your personal name in the memo box to ensure that your tithe is credited properly to your account.

Ministers who meet the following conditions: 1) are 59 ½ or older, 2) receive no regular income from ministry, 3) do not serve as permanent lead pastor, and 4) have formally requested and received a ministerial status change to SENIOR RETIRED, have no financial obligations to either the General or District Councils. Senior Retired ministers may still be volunteer chaplains, serve without regular remuneration part-time on church staffs, serve in pulpit supply and as short-term interim pastors for love offerings or honorariums, etc. Please contact the district office with any questions as to your proper status.

Any exceptions based on category of ministry (missionary, evangelist, etc.) are as described in the Bylaw. Whenever you have questions about how the District requirements apply to your particular circumstances, please contact the District Secretary-Treasurer’s office. - Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

REVIEWING ACCREDITATION CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD

“Your ‘credits’ will not transfer. You used an unaccredited ‘school.’ They will not satisfy our Fellowship’s educational requirements for ministerial credentials. You should not have tried to take the easiest, quickest, cheapest route.”

Sadly, many people trying to enter the ministry are hearing these very words today.

Because of the potential student loan debt load, some people prefer a non-accredited educational preparation for ministry. When that is the case, the two institute level options our Network recommends are Berean School of the Bible or the Alabama School of Ministry (ALSOM). The content of these two options is produced by our national office, covers all of the courses required for ministerial credentials, and provides a very low-cost alternative for ministry preparation. We are always working to improve the educational experience for ALSOM students. If you must use a non-accredited, low cost alternative, we recommend that you consider these institute level opportunities.

However, if you do desire a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in preparation for ministry, it is extremely important that you obtain your education from a properly accredited institution. There are many Internet sites and some church-based schools that call themselves colleges, seminaries, and universities, claim to have some kind of accreditation, claim to offer all levels of authentic degrees, but in reality all of their claims are false. The problem of bogus degree mills and accreditation mills continues to plague Christian higher education. If you sense a call into ministry and you desire a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, our Fellowship strongly recommends that your first choice for education be one of our regionally accredited Assemblies of God universities.

Fully accredited degrees are available from Global and other AG universities through inexpensive distance education.

We recommend that parents and students pursuing education in any field, especially the ministry, carefully research the accreditation status of prospective schools. Never simply trust what a website, church, or minister tells you! The website may be lying, and even well-meaning churches or ministers may be misinformed.

An unaccredited or improperly accredited institution has NO real accountability for their educational product.

Their degrees are not recognized, and their credits will almost never transfer to legitimately accredited institutions.

When you see any website try to explain away their lack of accreditation, or claim they are avoiding government interference, or cite an unrecognized accrediting agency, but still claim to prepare you for a lifetime of ministry, you should NOT use that institution. They are lying. It is a con. Legitimate institutions will clearly describe their nature and status and will not claim to be something they are not.

Many degree mills create fraudulent accreditation mills that will then turn around and “accredit” the fraudulent “educational” site! Because the website looks slick and legit, because they use spiritual and educational language, because they offer the quickest, cheapest way to get a “degree,” many innocent people are deceived.

Even local church-based schools of ministry sometimes do not use acceptable sources for their educational component. Parents should be very wary of locally produced material and all non-AG distance “education” offerings.

You should thoroughly investigate the accreditation status of any “degree-granting” “school” you consider.

You may access AG Higher Education at http://colleges.ag.org. Names of the legitimate accrediting agencies and other important information are available at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, http://www.chea.org, and at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation and http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Finally, I will be glad to speak with you at any time to answer questions about education, accreditation, or preparing for ministry. If after checking the accreditation of a school you are still in any way uncertain or confused, please call the Network Office and ask for Dr. Sharp. This is a life-changing decision. We are here to help you choose wisely. – Michael D Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

MINISTERIAL CHANGES Transferred in: Daniel Wilson (O)

Deceased: Lillian Lambert Marie Skinner

Pastoral Changes: Rev. Eric Johnson, Sr. Life Church, Rainbow City

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New/Upgraded Creden als: Rev. Shon D Bryan Rev. Kathryn A La amme Rev. Gra ana S Taylor Rev. Mirand Teddy Willis

In memory of those who have gone before us…

Rev. Lillian Webb Lambert

Rev. Lillian Webb Lambert passed away Monday evening, December 4, 2023 at the age of 97 at her daughter’s home in Montgomery, Alabama.

Lillian was born February 2, 1926 in Montgomery, AL to NJ & Maggie Webb. She lived most of her 97 years, 10 months and 2 days in Montgomery. She and her childhood sweetheart, Vaudie Lambert and their families a ended Montgomery First Assembly of God, where as youth they both played in the church orchestra, Lillian trumpet and Vaudie violin. She was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School, Class of 1944. A er their gradua on from Southeastern Bible Ins tute (Lakeland, Florida) in May 1950, Lillian and Vaudie married on June 27, 1950 in Montgomery, Alabama, Rev. T. H. Spence o ciant.

They embarked on what would become a life me of full- me ministry in the Assemblies of God. She was not able to a end his ordina on with the Alabama District Council in Montgomery on June 26, 1952 while pastoring Orchard Assembly of God, Mobile, Alabama because of the soon arrival of their rst child. Steve was born July 4, 1952 in Mobile. While pastoring Central Assembly, Montgomery, Alabama their daughter Julie was born, August 10, 1960.

They spent the first 23 years of their full-time ministry pastoring churches in Alabama and Florida. Their last pastorate was Evangel Temple (Central Assembly) in Montgomery. Lillian served as minister of music, directing church choirs, mentoring ladies of all ages, leading prayer groups and substitute-teaching in Montgomery public schools. They spent the next 27 years of their ministry serving as leaders in the Alabama District Council with distinction. During her husband’s years as District Superintendent, Lillian served as District Women’s Ministry Director, retiring in 1998. Vaudie retired the following year.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her son, her sister Janice, and her brother Nathan.

She is survived by her daughter Julie Lambert Sayre-Harris (Todd) of Montgomery, Alabama, her daughter-in-law Ruth Lambert-Smith of Montgomery, Alabama, and her sister, Margaret Webb. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Crystal Mason (Steve), Steven Lambert (Michelle), Taylor Lambert (Kat), Cory Sayre (Kim), and Tyler Sayre (Caroline) and 10 greatgrandchildren: Hannah, Colby and Chase Mason, Ocean and Asher Lambert, Peyton, Noah, Remi and Sam Sayre, Navy Sayre and #11, Kai Lambert due Feb. 2024.

She will be remembered for her generosity and her genuine love for Jesus, her husband, her family, her friends, and her church. Her life, prayers and generosity have blessed and influenced many lives, especially those she loved and served as a Godly matriarch: her family.

“A life lived for the glory of God and for eternity’s sake.”

Rev. Marie Skinner

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Sister Marie Skinner, U.S. Missionary to the Native Americans, has gone home to be with the Lord. Her Homegoing Celebration was held in Marianna, FL on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

The family requests that donations made to the Christmas Stocking Fund that they have worked so diligently to develop for the children on the reservations. These donations may be sent to their working account at Assemblies of God U.S. Missions (Account Number 2256774-09-Christmas Stockings) or mailed to Project Hope, P.O. Box 457, New Brockton, AL 36351. Please keep Bro. Albert in your prayers.