Alabama Messenger May 2025

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

The Power of Gathering Together "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhor ng one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." These powerful words from Hebrews 10:25 remind us of a fundamental truth in our Chris an walk - we were never meant to journey alone. As I looked around our Alabama Annual Network Conference at Evangel Church this week, I saw this scripture embodied in each of you who made the choice to gather, to assemble, to be present with your brothers and sisters in Christ. In a world that increasingly pulls us toward isola on and individualism, our gathering today is both an act of obedience and a powerful tes mony to our unity in Christ.

Throughout scripture, God calls His people to come together. From the ancient Israelites assembling for worship and fes vals to Jesus gathering His disciples, the Bible consistently portrays faith as communal rather than solitary. When Jesus said, "Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" in Ma hew 18:20, He wasn't merely sugges ng a good prac ce - He was revealing something essen al about His kingdom. The call to gather isn't just a religious obliga on; it's an invita on to experience Christ's presence in a unique and powerful way that simply isn't possible in isola on. In gathering, we don't just nd each other - we nd Him in our midst.

The early church gives us compelling examples of this unity in ac on. Acts 4:32-35 tells us they were "one in heart and mind" and shared everything they had, ensuring no one among them was in need. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended when they were gathered in one place with one accord. In Acts 12, the church was earnestly praying together for Peter's release from prison. These weren't just social gatherings - they were powerful demonstra ons of how the body of Christ func ons when united in purpose and spirit. The early believers understood that their strength wasn't in individual spiritual heroics but in their uni ed devo on to Christ and one another.

This brings us to the heart of what I want to share: there is unique strength found in Chris an community that cannot be experienced in isola on. We need Network and Regional gatherings. When we gather, we create space for mutual encouragement that for es our faith when challenges come. We gain wisdom through diverse perspec ves and spiritual gi s that no single believer possesses alone. We nd accountability that helps us grow beyond our blind spots and persistent struggles. We experience burden-sharing that makes our heaviest loads bearable. Most importantly, we par cipate in collec ve worship that magni es our praise and deepens our experience of God's presence. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Our unity in Christ creates a spiritual strength that far exceeds the sum of our individual faith journeys.

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I challenge each of us to renew our commitment to a end gatherings that bring us together - not just at special events like this conference but in our regular rhythms of life. In a world where digital connec on o en subs tutes for physical presence, let's be inten onal about crea ng space for authen c community. Let's follow the example of the early church by priori zing fellowship, breaking bread together, praying for one another, and sharing our resources.

Let's resist the cultural pull toward isola on and remember that every me we gather, we're not just ful lling a religious duty - we're par cipa ng in a powerful tes mony to the unity we have in Christ. As Hebrews reminds us, let's con nue encouraging one another "all the more as you see the Day approaching." For in our gathering, we nd not only each other but the very presence and power of Christ among us. That, dear friends, is worth assembling for!

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER ____________________________ msharp@adcag.org

God’s Kingdom is Not of This World “ 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”…“14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”…“15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”…“1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, 2 for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,…”– John 18:36, Heb 12:14, 1 Pet 3:15, 2 Tim 2:1-2.

There is a false gospel preached today: the Seven Mountain Mandate (7MM) or dominionism. It twists Scripture to justify the evangelical/charismatic Church taking control of the “seven mountains of society” – education, religion, family, business, government, arts, media – then imposing cherry-picked “christian” beliefs and practices in all areas of life. This Dominion Theology entered charismatic circles in the 1970’s. It is supported heavily by the Apostlesand-Prophets movement (NAR/Latter Rain). It has no recognized biblical scholars, uses bad hermeneutics, misinterprets Scripture and uses it in ways misrepresenting God’s kingdom (Deut 7, Isa 2:2, Rev 17:8, et al). No Christian denominations, including evangelicals and Pentecostals, have ever endorsed this philosophy. It presents a great danger to the Church, our nation, and the witness of the Church in our nation.

Jesus was clear in teaching about his kingdom: “My kingdom is not of this world!” Christ’s kingdom, including the Church, is not produced by the methods of this world. His kingdom is that realm where God reigns in the lives of humans through the Spirit’s power, transforming their characters to be like Jesus. Such lives, conformed to the image of Christ, are to be the salt and light of all the world’s kingdoms, influencing but not domineering. The Bible teaches that all kingdoms of men – political, religious, economic – are beastly empires whose rulers, philosophies, and economies oppress and defile human beings. We are repeatedly warned against being deceived by earthly kingdoms.

They seek to dilute our pure devotion to Christ and his kingdom and exploit us to achieve their own selfish ends.

Paul compares Christians to soldiers in a spiritual battle who mustn’t become enmeshed in civilian affairs, and to athletes who will only win if we play by God’s rules (2 Tim 2). He warns against angels of light that come preaching corrupted gospels of any kind (Gal 1). He warns against demonizing human “enemies”, reminding us that our real enemies are evil spiritual beings (Eph 6). Rather, we are to love and pray for all who oppose us, even the rich, the powerful, and the rulers, letting them see by our holy compassionate lives the truth of Christ’s gospel. The Son of God humbled himself, came to poor people oppressed by a wealthy empire, died for all, rose again, ascended to the Father.

Jesus did not grasp at power: He still awaits the Father’s command to come and rule the nation(s) as King (Phil 2).

We cannot defeat evil and bring in God’s kingdom by using the ways of this world. We are warned against the weapons of this world – money, power, violence, deceit – for this was never Christ’s way of convincing sinful humanity to repent and serve him. Rather, through the preached and lived gospel of Jesus the Spirit calls all to repent and commit their lives to Christ. God’s voice brings conviction of sin, belief in Christ’s saving work, and new birth through the Spirit.

It is not, and can never be, a forced compliance to the authoritarian commands of a christianized beastly empire.

Christians are called to take up their crosses, not their crowns (Matt 16:24-26).

The 7MM is a counterfeit gospel, polluting Christ’s church, twisting God’s word, appealing to our basest carnal impulses to war against those unlike us, defeat them, and gain worldly power. It is not the way of Christ! It is not the way of holiness, love, and servanthood. Please heed the warnings of godly scholars and teachers: Reject this heretical movement! Take up your cross and follow Jesus, the servant of the saved and the lost.

Phenix City First AG

$8,523.66

Butler First AG

$7,500.00

Chris an Life Church, Birmingham

$6,650.58

LifeChurch Birmingham

$5,046.56

The Island Church, Orange Beach

$3,608.84

Vincent Revival Center

$3,591.44

Ashland First AG

$3,139.00

Jackson First AG

$3,117.50

Shady Grove AG, Samson

$2,500.00

CenterPointe AG, Mobile

$2,380.32

Pinedale A/G

$700.00

Crossroads A/G - Albertville

$500.00

Montgomery First A/G

$200.00

Evangel Church-Montgomery

$100.00

Tuscaloosa First

$80.00

New Beginninngs A/G

$60.00

El Bethel A/G

$50.00

Fountain of Life Church

$40.00

Lake City A/G

$40.00

Dothan First A/G

$30.00

May 26-June 4 // Foreign AIM Trip to Costa Rica June 16-July 11 // Summer Camp July 13-18 // Stateside AIM to NYC August 3-9 // Na onal Youth Conference August 21 // AYM Cabinet Mee ng August 23 // G5 Conference September 24 // See You At The Pole Sep. 29, 30 & Oct. 2 // Regional Conference October 10-12 // PK Retreat

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October 19 // Speed the Light Day

Rese Moore shared such an on time word straight from the Father at our AMN Ladies Luncheon. The room was filled with women from many walks of ministry. Rese encouraged us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. What a wonderful reminder! Women in ministry can often find themselves busier than we plan. A time of rest is not only needed, but it’s instructed by Christ.

Thank you to each one of you who were able to join us for the luncheon!

Thank you to every church who came, who gave, and believes in missions at home and around the world. Our Life Rally Tour was a success because of you! God is doing great things the Alabama AG Churches. Let’s keep working and see what all God has in store for this coming year.

We were blessed with several missionaries who toured the state with me for many of the Life Rallies. It was a joy to have a missionary who I’ve seen grow into a woman of God chasing after him to speak during this tour. Since she serves in a sensitive area, I won’t mention her name, but please lift our missionaries in prayer as they return to the field God has called them to.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my Women’s Reps- you come alongside of me and serve with joy. God is using you at the grassroots of our state to empower women. Keep up the great workHIS WORK!

ALABAMA WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

E G A G EN RETREAT SEP 11-13 LODGES: $150 CABINS $140

at SPRINGVILLE

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CONFERENCE CENTER

more info coming soon!

Special Guest

LAURA

Event Host

ALLRED

CYNDI DRAUGHON

6

5

2025 ORDINATION CLASS Jennifer Presley Susan Strahan

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Student Cayla Carlson

School GBL

Deceased: N/A

Emma Edgar

NU

Ava Lugo

SEU

Chase Mason

SEU

Maci Mills

SEU

Lane Sasser

SEU

Deborah Sekaya

SEU

Carsyn Sims

SEU

Joel Sims

SEU

New/Upgraded Creden als:

Kevin Sowers

NU

Thomas Baker (C) Rachel Bolin Lazaro (L) Joseph Monroe (L) Jeremy Patrick (C) Nicholas Russell (L)

Emma White

NU

Molly Kate Williamson

SEU

Noah White

SEU

Fellowship Church, Smiths Sta on – Andrew S nson

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Troy Community – Je Jackson

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Jason Paul Willis Grace Ann Cormier

Transferred in: N/A

Pastoral Changes: Mt. Vernon – Jack Chancey

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Jennifer Hall Je erey Jackson John Robinson