The Alabama Messenger July 2017

ALABAMAMESSENGER

THE

July/August 2017 Volume 31/Number 4

WOMEN’S

FALL BREAKAWAY September 14-16, 2017

See page 8 for more information.

WORSHIP BY

Greg Woodall

GUEST SPEAKER

Leisa Nelson

GUEST SPEAKER

Laura Powell

DIRECTOR OF AL WOMEN

Cyndi Draughon

MEN’S ENCOUNTER DONE IN LOVE BE WATCHFUL

STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH ACT LIKE MEN; BE STRONG LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE

I CORINTHIans 16:13-14

September 21-23, 2017 See page 10 for more information.

Mike Rakes

David Strahan

Pat Schatzline

Greg Woodall

EDWARD WILSON

DISTRICT SECRETARY‐TREASURER

ewilson@adcag.org

Continuing Education

It is important for those who are seeking to please God to further their education. Paul said, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5: 39)

The Alabama district presbytery approved Alabama School of Ministry (ALSOM), a non‐accredited Bible school, several years ago to assist in educating our future ministers, as well as those who want to advance their biblical knowledge for personal benefit and/or help others in their spiritual walk. ALSOM has trained hundreds. Some have become ministers or advanced in the three credential levels the Assemblies of God offers. Others have become better local church teachers in Sunday School, Girl’s Ministry, Royal Rangers, small groups, etc. More than 120 students are presently enrolled in our school.

Qualified instructors teach subjects like The Pentateuch; Christ in the Synoptic Gospels; Poetic Books; Old Testament Survey; New Testament Survey; Prison Epistles; Acts: the Work of the Holy Spirit; Eschatology: The Study of Last Things; Romans; and the Corinthians Correspondence. Other subjects include Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance; Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible; Effective Leadership; Church Administration, Finance and Law; Relationships and Ethics in Ministry; Pastoral Ministry; and Homiletics. All are geared to assist the student in becoming the church member, spiritual leader, and Christian needed in a world void of many of the ethics and principles of yesterday.

Pentecostal writers who have studied and applied the scripture to their own lives authored each textbook.

Preparation for class requires ten hours of pre‐class study. Each subject is taught in one four‐hour class on Saturdays. Scores on the written exam determine the actual grade for each class. Each grade is recorded and a transcript is developed for future reference.

ALSOM has three campuses: North Campus at Evangel Assembly of God, Mt. Olive; Southeast Campus at First Assembly of God, Newton; and Southwest Campus at Grace Way Fellowship, Evergreen. One class for each credential level is taught January through May and August through November.

Class schedules, enrollment forms, and contact information may be found at www.adcag.org. The deadline for enrolling in the August 2017 class is July 15th. Tuition is kept low to make our school affordable. We use only Berean School of the Bible material.

For those seeking a Bible school degree, the Alabama district developed a scholarship program to financially aid students entering college or advancing a degree. Each year approximately $50,000.00 is awarded in scholarships to those who are attending or who are going to attend an approved Assemblies of God college or university.

Scholarship applications are available on our website, www.adcag.org in January of each year. The deadline for submitting the application is March 31. The committee meets and awards scholarships in May.

Regardless of your level of study, the beginning comes with personal devotional time. We all need to get alone and allow God to speak to us as we read and meditate on His word. The greatest teacher is the Holy Spirit. He can speak directly to you, as well as through the instruction of others. The psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway.” (Psalm 119: 105) Allow God to lead you in this dark, sinful world.

Ken Draughon ALABAMA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT Be the Church!

Happy Birthday to America! She was 241 years old on July 4th. The Bible has a lot to say about how much God desires to bless the nations of the earth. Listen to the Psalmist in the 33rd Psalm: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Another translation reads: “How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen to be his special possession.”

The greatest gift we could give to America for her 241st birthday is a “Spirit-filled Church.” When the church functions like the New Testament church—America will be blessed.

Of all the nations, which have ever been established, conceived, or made, America is without a doubt the greatest nation to ever grace the face of the earth. As a superpower, our ability to change leadership without firing a shot serves as a model for the rest of the world. How we conduct business and enjoy freedom are the envy of millions of people around the world.

Today, our spiritual foundation and moorings have been all but demolished and uprooted by leaders who do not think as deeply and certainly not as spiritually as our forefathers. We have now become world leaders in all the things detested by God. Evil, violence, and immorality prevail. If something doesn’t change, God will either judge America or have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. We are a nation in need.

In this country, we have placed many things before God. Most go into the voting booth these days and vote their pocket book instead of biblical principles. By the way, there is a difference in conservatism and Christianity.

The greatest need we have is the favor of God, and that will never take place without the people of this nation returning to God. The story recorded in 2 Chronicles 15 is a script written for America. The king, Asa, called the nation to repentance and when they removed the idols and repented and made a covenant with God, His blessings and favor were returned to Israel.

Here is a prescription for the healing that we need found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The only way this land will get “healed” is if God hears from heaven and forgives our sin. Again, America needs a church functioning like the New Testament church. Be that church!

Mark these dates: • District Office closed – Tuesday, July 4 • 57th General Council & Fine Arts - Anaheim, CA Mon., Aug. 7 to Fri., Aug. 11TH • District Office closed – Monday, Sept. 4 • District Credential Testing – Monday, Sept. 11 at the District Office at 9 AM • District Sectional Council Tour – Sept. 25 – Oct. 5 • District Ministers Gathering in the Smoky Mountains – Oct. 16-18 Thanks for your partnership in the ministry here among the Alabama AG family.

ds@adcag.org

Michael D. Sharp, D. Min. Christian Education Director

msharp@adcag.org

Sunday School Tithes January - May 2017 Atmore First AG 1,000.00 Harper’s Joy AG Montgomery First AG Faith AG The Crossing Kingwood AG Montgomery First AG Lusk AG Creola AG

375.00 308.70 308.00 300.00 250.00 250.00 204.70 201.00

BGMC Giving January - May 2017 Clearwater AG Orchard AG Phenix City First AG CenterPointe AG Montgomery First AG Thompson Chapel AG Pleasant Grove First AG Jackson First AG Northside AG

$10,389.69 9,864.24 4,250.00 3,787,67 2,982.82 2,396.88 2,330.86 1,950.39 1,765.00

Beyond

Missionary Phil Schmidt - Latin America $10,000 - BGMC Funds needed for ChildHope Feeding Program (Latin American Child Care). Accepting funds toward this project.

Missionary Susan Ricketts - Japan $5,000 - BGMC Funds needed for Chi Alpha Ministry.

These funds have been raised thanks to our Alabama churches!

Missionary Charles Hasselbring - South Africa $45,000 BGMC Funds needed to build nine tabernacles in South Africa. Accepting funds toward this project.

ABOVE

Missionary Cynthia Lucas - Paraguay $5,000 BGMC Funds needed to purchase equipment for children’s ministry. These funds have been raised thanks to our Alabama churches!

Missionary Tom McLane - Africa $13,000 BGMC Funds needed for help with outreaches to the women of Africa.

Alabama Youth Ministries ALABAMAYOUTHMINISTRIES.COM

DISTRICT YOUTH DIRECTOR: STEVEN

AUG 7-11 // NATIONAL FINE ARTS AUG 26 // G5 SEP 7-8 // YOUTH REP/CABINET SEMINAR SEP 27 // SEE YOU AT THE POLE OCT 15 // SPEED THE LIGHT DAY NOV 2-4 // YOUTH LEADER’S SUMMIT NOV 18 // ALABAMA MOUNTAIN MUDDER

A. MASON

EMAIL: DYDSEC@ADCAG.ORG

2017 TOP

YOUTH GROUP

OFFERINGS ATMORE FIRST- $1,000 PINEDALE AG- $500 DOTHAN FIRST- $284 JACKSON FIRST.- $250 MONTGOMERY FIRST- $250 EVANGEL, MONTGOMERY- $125 MOFFETT RD., MOBILE- $125 HANCEVILLE- $100 TUSCALOOSA FIRST- $100 SUMITON FIRST- $75

2017 TOP

SPEED THE LIGHT

GIVING

MONTGOMERY FIRST $9,561.92 NEWTON FIRST $8,255.00 PHENIX CITY FIRST $7,500.00 JACKSON FIRST $5,832.62 BETHEL, ARITON $3,451.67 HAW HILL, BRUNDIDGE $3,438.38 MADISON ASSEMBLY $2,395.46 ROBERTSDALE FIRST $2,375.00 CHURCH OF HIS PRESENCE $2,223.00 APPLETON, BREWTON $2,215.14

Aim2thousand17 A group of 69 students and leaders from 18 different churches across the state of Alabama left Tuesday, May 30th for an amazing 8 day missions trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras where we had the privilege of working with Alabama missionary Bill Strickland, and his amazing team at CEAD church. God showed mercy and favor to us in Honduras as we had many doors opened for us to minister and many lives changed.

During our visit, we had many opportunities to share the gospel and love of Christ. We ministered in the local schools, the church’s Teen Challenge and orphanage, as well as in their church services. Our youth pastors and pastors were able to be a part of the church mass baptismal service where over 300 new believers were baptized in water. We also were able to participate in street ministry and pray with people and invite them to church. There were many divine appointments and miracles that took place on this trip!

In all, we ministered to thousands of people through one on one evangelism, dramas, puppet songs, and human video presentations, and hundreds of people dedicated their lives to Christ! Needless to say, this team was very busy doing all of this in just a few days. We would like to say “Thank You” to the churches that allowed these students and their pastors and youth pastors to go on the AIM trip this year. I believe the fruit of this year’s missions trip is yet to be seen!

ALABAMA DISTRICT MISSIONS & MEN’S MINISTRIES DISTRICT DIRECTOR

DAVID STRAHAN

email: dstrahan@adcag.org

Early Bird Registration—Cost $125.00 per man Must be postmarked by September 1, 2017

After September 1—Cost $150.00 per person

Greg Woodall

September 21-23 @ Springville Camp

Pat Schatzline

MEN’S ENCOUNTER

men’s ministry David Strahan

church planting & development

Mike Rakes

us & world missions

$50.00 per person Non-Refundable deposit due with church registration Remaining balance due at camp check-in Calling All Pastors and Men’s Ministry Leaders!!

Join us Friday afternoon for our Men’s Leaders Forum with Rev. Pat Schatzline

Royal Rangers

SCCC SKEET SHOOT Friday, September 22, 2017

Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship

FREE T EVEN

TOMAHAWK THROW EVENT Friday, September 22

ALL NEW this year there will be a Pastor’s Only Category

COST:

$10.00 per round If we furnish gun and ammo 9:00 am-11:00 am morning session

session for Royal Rangers following the Friday Evening Service in the back of the Chapel

Friday, September 22

$5.00 per round If you bring your own gun and ammo

Schedule: SPECIAL 10-minute Information

Wheels of Faith LFTL Benefit Motorcycle Ride

Contact # 334-322-3705 Billy Smith—WOF State President & Captain $25.00 per rider to raise funds for LFTL Fire Bibles

1:30 pm-3:30 pm afternoon session

Early Registration Post Marked by September 1, 2017,

For more information visit: www.adcag.org under the Men’s Encounter Event page, or call 334-279-7172 ext. 5

Will receive a FREE BENEFIT RIDE T-SHIRT

lftl

11th annual

Alabama District Men’s Encounter Golf Tournament

grill competition

RTJ GOLF TRAIL AT SILVER LAKES

Grill Competition Thursday, September 21, 2017

1 SunBelt Parkway, Glencoe, AL 35905 Located in Northeast Alabama, between Anniston and Gadsden, Silver Lakes is set on rolling terrain with stunning views of the surrounding Appalachian foothills. Silver Lakes also boasts 36 holes of newly renovated Champion ultra dwarf putting surfaces, arguably the best on the Trail.

Head Cook:_____________________________________ Team Name:___________________________ Church:_______________________________________________________________________________

INFORMATION:

Address:______________________________________________________________________________ Phone:___________________________ Email:______________________________________________ Entry:

4 MAN SCRAMBLE

September 22, 2017

(Bring your own team, or you will be assigned to one.

8:00 AM SHOTGUN START $75 PER PERSON $300 PER TEAM LUNCH & AWARDS CEREMONY (Ceremony will be held immediately following the tournament.)

________ Brisket ________ Ribs

——Prizes for each category will be Awarded—— — —Four Man Teams—— ——Sites open at Daybreak for setup——Judging begins at 6 PM——

(Sign in before 8:00 a.m.)

(Includes cart, green fees, range balls, lunch, and prizes.)

______ Boston Butt ________ Chicken

Each team member (up to 4 members) will receive a FREE competition T-shirt, when your registration is received by Friday, September 1, 2017.

Grill Competitors are able to come up on Wednesday night at an extra cost of $10 per man # of Men coming on Wednesday night $__________ For more information, please contact Jeff Scurlock at 251-363-8652.

Please mail registration forms to Alabama District Council, ATTN: Men’s Department, 5919 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36107 To download and print registration forms, t-shirt forms and rules go to: www.adcag.org

For Registration Information: Please call 334-279-7172 ext. 5 or email ssowers@adcag.org

All Men’s Encounter Information including registration forms, waivers, posters

and flyers can be downloaded at:

www.adcag.org under the Men’s Encounter Events page.

For more information, contact the Men’s Department at 334-279-7172 ext. 5

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Gaming Competition Thursday and Friday night after service.

Night 1: Madden-2 Man teams Night 2: Halo 3-4 Man teams Prizes will be awarded!

Tournament to be held Friday, September 22, 2017 9:00 am-12:00 pm $5.00 PER PERSON $15.OO FOR A TEAM

REGISTRATION DEADLINE Friday, September 1, 2017

Annual Fishing Competition Friday, September 22, 2017 Sunrise until 2:00 pm Prizes Awarded in 3 Divisions Bass: Biggest Caught Catfish: Biggest Caught Pan Fish: Largest Amount Caught No Registration Required!

Dr. Robert E. Carter, Jr drcarter@mon‐cre.net

Encouragement

1 Thess. 5:11 “So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

Time is winding down. The end times are upon us. So many today are discouraged by the rampant sin in our land, the economic stress, the lack of fervency for God, and so much more. It would be easy to get caught up in all the mal‐ aise and life draining negative thinking. Yes life is a challenge today, but we also have the wonderful promises of God and a future that has been established by God's great love. I believe we need encouragement more today than ever, and we need to make a new concerted effort to be encouragers. To encourage is to give strength and courage to a faltering faith or a depressed heart. Let me share a few things to do to help you become an encourager.

1. Turn on your spiritual radar. We walk right pass so many on a daily basis that need encouragement. Ask the Lord to help you see the needs of others around you, and to be willing to reach out.

2. Look past the negatives and see the need. We tend to notice the bad in others, the faults or weaknesses. Deter‐ mine to see their potential, to see them as God sees them.

3. Plan and prepare to encourage. Keep a little cash aside for someone in need. Don't be so rushed you can't stop and pray with someone. Keep a Bible handy, perhaps one you can leave with someone.

4. Ask for God's wisdom, discernment and direction. You need God's direction to know how someone needs to be encouraged. Some just need a hug or to be told you care, some need prayer, some may need financial or physical help, and some may need a listening ear. When you see someone always be open to God's Spirit directing you to encourage in ways you may not have thought of.

5. Take time daily to listen for God's encouragement list. Besides those you may encounter during the day, spend some time with God and let him place the names of people in your heart that need encouragement. Many times I have just sat in God's presence waiting for the Lord to lead me. God will give me a name for me to pray for or send a card to, or an encouragement email. So often they respond with, "that card came just at the right time".

6. Realize encouragement is Spiritual maintenance for the Body of Christ. As we are encouraged, built up and strengthened we help the church be all she can be. Just a few words of encouragement can recharge a believer's batteries and they are off again to minister. I know the words, "Pastor that was a great message", or "I just want you to know I appreciate you" has been a blessing to you.

As the Scripture implies, when we are tired, depressed, discouraged, and weak....encouragement build us up and places us on the front lines once more to serve with power and effectiveness.

Acts 13:15 "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."

VISION STATEMENT We are a Spirit-empowered, diverse community of believers on university campuses, declaring in word and lifestyle our faith in Jesus Christ, equipped to fulfill our purpose in God’s global plan.

MISSION STATEMENT We reconcile students to Christ, equipping them through Spirit-filled communities of prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship an d mission to transform the university, the marketplace, and the world.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA TROY UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

Class Date

August 5 August 5 August 19

Level 1 Courses (Certified)

Level 2 Courses (License)

Level 3 Courses (Ordination)

Introduction to Hermeneutics

Eschatology

Church Administration, Finance and Law

The Local Church in Evangelism

Effective Leadership

Pastoral Ministry

Conflict Management for Church Leaders

Introduction to AG Missions

September 9 September 9 September 9

October 7 October 7 October 14

Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

November 11 November 11 November 18

(Black denotes North Campus) Mt Olive

(Blue denotes Southeast Campus) Newton

(Red denotes Southwest Campus) Evergreen

Enrollment form may be found at www.adcag.org Please contact Edward Wilson for more information at (334) 279‐7172 or ewilson@adcag.org.

DATA CHANGES KILPATRICK, JOHN A. (O) (BRENDA) 33250 LIATRUS LN SEMINOLE, AL 36574 251-621-2105

NEW MINISTERS AZAR, THOMAS (L) (BETHANY) 106 ERIE DR DOTHAN, AL 36301 334-350-1385

LEWIS, ROBERT E. (O) (DONNA) 6617 WINCHESTER CIRCLE PELHAM, AL 35124 205-621-0112

DAVIS, JEREMY W. (CM) (CARLA) 6584 CO RD 24 VERBENA, AL 36091 334-657-4165

LUNSFORD, JAMES H., JR. (O) (AMANDA) 304 APPLE DRUPE WAY HOLLY SPRINGS, NC 27540 334-277-2670 WILLIAMS, JASON S. (L) (JANE) 2223 SYLVESTER RD LAKELAND, FL 33801 334-714-5135 CHURCH CHANGES CALVARY ASSEMBLY OF GOD 4839 CALVARY BLVD DECATUR, AL 35671 MAIL: PO BX 35603 DECATUR, AL 35603

GOSSETT, FRANK (L) (KATHRYN) 91 CLOVERDALE RD ATMORE, AL 36502 251-348-3890 LAY, CHARLES (CM) (AMANDA) 1943 LAKE FOX RD CHANCELLOR, AL 36316 334-360-5097 LUNSFORD, MARTHA (L) (LOMAX) 52 DAISY ST MONROEVILLE, AL 36460 251-575-9375

PRUITT, M. CORY (CM) (MADONNA) 1489 JIMMY RAPER RD RED BAY, AL 35582 256-460-7884

REV. JOSEPH JOHNSON TO THE WEST FL DISTRICT REV. STEVEN SUBEL TO THE WEST FL DISTRICT

SALSMAN, REBECCA (L) 2105 HWY 280 HARPERSVILLE, AL 35078 256-343-5177

ALABAMA DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

SMITH, BILLY (L) (JODELL) 119 BRUNER AVE EVERGREEN, AL 36401 334-322-3705

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Kenneth Draughon, District Superintendent John A. Loper, Jr., Assistant Superintendent Edward Wilson, District Secretary‐Treasurer

GENERAL PRESBYETERS Kenneth Draughon Johnny E. Jones Murray Kelley

MINISTERIAL UPGRADES SANCHEZ, EMILO (L) MINISTERS TRANSFERRED IN GRADONE, CHERYL (CM) (JOHN) 5625 12TH AVE S BIRMINGHAM, AL 35222 205-873-5281 FROM THE NEW JERSEY DISTRICT

DISTRICT PRESBYTERS George Arnett Barry Danner Scottie Fulcher Jerry Jenkins Keith Jones Michael Joyner Charles Lenn Eddie Littlefield

Lomax Lunsford Michael Lynn Marty Phillips Randall Reid George Sawyer James F. Smith, Sr. David Wooten

DISTRICT WORLD MISSIONS DIRECTOR David Strahan

DISTRICT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR Michael Sharp

Steven Mason

LIVING WATERS A/G SELMA, AL IS NOW: NO LIMIT CHURCH

PATTERSON, ASHLEY (L) 13426 ROCKY RIDGE DR NORTHPORT, AL 35475 205-200-1014

DISTRICT YOUTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

MINISTERS TRANSFERRED OUT REV. TRENT STUART TO THE WEST FL DISTRICT

DISTRICT WOMEN'S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Cynthia Draughon

In Loving Memory….

Rev. Mary Watford‐Stabler went home to be with the Lord April 25, 2017 at the age of 95. Funeral services were held at Monroe Chapel Funeral Home, Monroeville, Alabama, April 30, 2017, with Rev. Brandon Rowell, Rev. Robert Wiggins, Rev. Edward Wilson, and Rev. Kenneth Draughon officiating.

Sister Watford‐Stabler began her ministry as a young teenager. She founded Faith Chapel Assem‐ bly of God in 1939 at the age of sixteen. She served as pastor of Faith Chapel until her retirement in 2014. Sister Watford served faithfully as assistant Women’s Ministry president and, upon the death of the president, she serves as president until the next District Council.

Sister Watford‐Stabler is survived by a brother‐in‐law, Rev. Dusty Coover, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rev. Ruby Prater went home to be with the Lord May 10, 2017 at the age of 89. Funeral services were held at Collins‐Burke Chapel with Rev. Bryan Tidwell, Rev. James Aaron, and Rev. Jeral Dean Self officiating.

Sister Prater, a graduate of Dayton Bible Institute, was granted a certificate of ministry in 1968 and a license to preach in 1969. She served as pastor of Pineywoods Assembly of God, Jasper, pres‐ ently Victory Assembly of God, from 1970 until 2004. She also served as bookkeeper at Alabama Teen Challenge for many years.

Sister Prater is survived by one daughter, one adopted son, and seven grandchildren.

Alabama District Council of the Assemblies of God 5919 Carmichael Road Montgomery, Alabama 36117