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The Alabama Messenger January 2026

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KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN. Network Superintendent ds@amnag.org

A NEW YEAR, A GREATER CALLING As we begin this new year, we step forward with renewed faith and fresh expectancy, con dent that God is not nished with His Church or His servants. “Being con dent of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it un l the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). God is s ll growing His leaders, shaping hearts, re ning vision, and expanding in uence for His glory. This is not a season for retreat, but for renewal—a me to lean deeper into His wisdom, sharpen our spiritual discernment, and lead with humility, courage, and Christlike love. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). God’s call upon our lives con nues to mature as we do. He invites us to stretch beyond what is comfortable and to steward faithfully what He has entrusted to us. “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). In a changing world, our leadership must be rooted in eternal truth, guided by the Spirit, and fueled by compassion for people. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6). May we commit ourselves to growing not just in knowledge, but in character; not just in skill, but in servanthearted leadership. Jesus Himself reminded us, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Mark 10:43). Let our private devo on strengthen our public ministry, and let integrity, prayer, and obedience be the founda on of all we do. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). Unless we PRAY—we become PREY of the devil! As we draw closer to Christ, may those we serve be strengthened, the weary restored, and the next genera on (Next Gen) equipped to stand rm in their faith. “And the things that you have heard from me… commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). May our churches be united in purpose and strong in witness, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Let this year be marked by spiritual growth, bold faith, and fresh anoin ng. “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). And may we, as leaders, re ect the heart of the Great Shepherd—“the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25)—leading with wisdom, loving without condi on, and serving with joy, so that God’s purposes are ful lled through us for His glory.

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Enjoy the journey!


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 then tells of Christ’s first revelation to Gentiles. The story of the Magi is not a birth story – it is an announcement story about 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, astrologers from the region of 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 submitted to the Father’s mission to save a lost humanity, was revealed as God’s beloved Son, and was anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his mission. Both 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 purpose of Jesus of Nazareth: The Son of Man who came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came as the Savior of Israel and 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. 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 excellent 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 Jesus. Epiphany exists to remind us of this mission. Every year we should celebrate Epiphany!


2026 Women’s Theme:

AS IN HEAVEN

Our vision and theme for this year, As In Heaven, is rooted in the powerful invitation of Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer: “ Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10, NKJV

LIFE RALLY TOUR

I hope to see every one of you in YOUR SECTION for our Life Rally Tour. We are going to have a great time together as we dream and plan for what we, as women, can do for missions at home and around the world! Mark your calendar now for when we will be in your section. Section

These words are not a suggestion but a commission. They call us to live in alignment with God’s heart, carrying His presence, peace, and power into every corner of our lives. We long to see women encouraged and equipped to embody this prayer, walking in faith, courage, and step-by-step obedience to the Holy Spirit. This year, our prayer is that our lives would become living examples, conduits of God’s love, power, and redemption, breaking into the broken places of earth. May we boldly live on earth as it is in heaven.

Date

Time

Location

Saturday, February 21

10:30 AM

TN Valley

Hartselle First AG

Tuesday, March 10

6:30 PM

Sylacauga

Sylacauga First AG

Thursday, March 12

6:30 PM

Montgomery

Clanton First AG

Friday, March 13

6:30 PM

Mobile

Free Life, Creola

Saturday, March 14

10:30 AM

Baldwin

Summerdale AG

Tuesday, March 17

6:30 PM

Monroeville

Appleton AG, Brewton

Thursday, March 19

6:30 PM

Tuscaloosa

New Life, Woodstock

Friday, March 20

6:30 PM

Cullman

Life of Faith Tabernacle

Saturday, March 21

10:30 AM

Andalusia

Florala First AG

Tuesday, March 24

6:30 PM

Anniston

Rainbow City

Thursday, March 26

6:30 PM

Dothan

Harpers Joy AG, Dothan

Friday, March 27

6:30 PM

Phenix City

Phenix City First AG

Saturday, March 28

10:30 AM

Demopolis

Copeland AG, Millry

Tuesday, March 31

6:30 PM

Enterprise

Geneva First AG

Thursday, April 9

6:30 PM

Birmingham

Journey Church, Mt. Olive


David Strahan, DMIN

Missions and Men’s Director

Section Phenix City Monroeville Sylacauga Anniston Demopolis Enterprise Dothan Mobile Baldwin Tuscaloosa Tennessee Valley Cullman Birmingham Montgomery Andalusia

Location Lake Point State Park Eufaula David’s Catfish House Monroeville The Wharf Seafood Sylacauga Top of the River Anniston David’s Catfish House Thomasville McLin’s Restaurant Daleville The Blue Plate Restaurant Dothan, Ross - Clark Circle Dreamland BBQ Mobile Wolf Bay Lodge Foley Yampertown Steak & Seafood Winfield Greenbriar Restaurant Madison Jim N Nicks BBQ Jasper The Fishmarket Restaurant Birmingham, Highway 280 Catfish House Millbrook David’s Catfish House Andalusia REGISTER AT: WWW.AMNAG.ORG/EVENTS

PHONE: 334-279-7172 EXT. 901 DSTRAHAN@AMNAG.ORG

Date 01/30/2026 01/30/2026

Time 11:30 am CST 6:30 pm

02/02/2026

11:30 am

02/02/2026

6:30 pm

02/03/2026

11:30 am

02/03/2026

6:30 pm

02/20/2026

6:00 pm

02/23/2026

6:30 pm

02/24/2026

6:30 pm

02/26/2026

6:30 pm

02/27/2026

6:00 pm

02/28/2026

11:30 am

03/02/2026

6:30 pm

03/03/2026

6:30 pm

03/05/2026

6:00 pm


Montgomery First AG

$72,377.50

Vincent Revival Center

$60,568.93

Phenix City First AG

$60,556.55

The Island Church, Orange Beach

$26,208.84

Free Life Church, Creola

$23,290.05

CenterPointe AG, Mobile

$14,062.49

New Life, Westover

$13,200.64

Ashland First AG

$13,181.00

Butler First AG

$11,800.00

Newton First AG

$10,770.00

Atmore First A/G

$1,000.00

Pinedale A/G

$700.00

Montgomery First A/G

$600.00

Crossroads A/G - Albertville

$500.00

Tuscaloosa First

$240.00

Evangel Church-Montgomery

$175.00

New Beginninngs A/G

$150.00

El Bethel A/G

$120.00

Fountain of Life Church

$120.00

Lake City A/G

$120.00


2026 TOUR

SPEAKER/AR DYD Phenix City January 7, Wednesday Rally 6:30PM EST @ Phenix City First AYM Office 334-279-7172 x401

Birmingham/Tuscaloosa Anniston/Sylacauga January 8, Thursday Lunch 11:30AM @ Top Golf, Birmingham Jon Delmark 503-442-8430 Jeffery Williams 256-307-7106 Elijah Glad 256-239-9248 John Hires 205-746-2220

Tennessee Valley/Cullman January 9, Friday Rally 6:30PM @ Hartselle First Andy Oram 256-506-6589 Nick Russell 205-353-7960

Andalusia/Monroeville Demopolis January 10, Saturday Rally 5PM @ Coleman Assembly Ray Bundy 334-406-6721 Andrew Sawyer 251-363-3311 Kevin Lewis 256-504-8679

BEN RUSSELL

Alabama DYD

SPEAKER/MISSIONARY Mobile January 11, Sunday Rally 6:30PM @ CenterPointe AG Nathan McKinley 251-510-8782

Montgomery January 12, Monday Dinner 6:30PM @ Safe Harbor, Prattville Cory Williams 334-277-2670 Dothan/Enterprise January 13, Tuesday Dinner 6:30PM @ Newton First Assembly Will Ceaser 334-695-8430 Tyler Sawyer 251-363-5326 Baldwin January 21, Wednesday Rally 6:30PM @ Celebration Church Daniel Wilson 334-452-0980

CONTACT THE AYM OFFICE FOR MORE INFO 334.279.7172, ext 401

DYDSEC@AMNAG.ORG


BOOK REVIEWS: OUR ANCIENT-FUTURE FAITH Robert Webber’s Ancient-Future Faith series is the premier examination of the church’s life and worship done in our lifetimes. In it Webber compares the life, worship, and ministry of the ancient church with that of modern evangelicalism, including Pentecostals. He demonstrates how the American church has “shallowed out” in every way. Drawing on the core concepts and practices of the ancient church, Webber describes how the Church can recover a powerful, effective life for the future we face. He is correct in his diagnoses and in his prescriptions for change. These books have had a profound impact on thousands of evangelical and Pentecostal ministers and churches, particularly some younger emerging leaders. They are biblically, theologically, historically, and practically solid. They are brief and easy to read. I encourage you to buy them, read them, and put them into practice. They are rich, deep, and will enrich and deepen you and your church.

Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World, Robert E. Webber, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999, 240 pages. Drawing from the church of the first few centuries, Webber demonstrates how the classical understanding of Christianity relates to postmodern mindset. This book can be read as a “primer on the Christian faith” or as an “explanation of what is happening in the church today.” Webber traces the historical deterioration of modern evangelicalism, including Pentecostalism, into its current state of life and worship. He shows how classical Christian ways of being the church and conceiving Christian truth effectively engage our culture in the areas of Christ, the church, worship, spirituality, and mission. This first book in the series serves as a basis and a forecast for those that followed. No other book on this subject approaches this book in both depth and accessibility. It is a classic.

Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community, Robert E. Webber, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003, 219 pages. For fifty years the American church has increasingly failed to carry out Christ’s great commission: Make disciples. That failure is now considered catastrophic, having produced shallow, compromised “christians” even in “growing” churches. Webber traces this disaster’s development over time, examining our misplaced priorities on “decisions” and our individualistic, subjective understanding of “salvation.” Drawing on ancient, historic church concepts and methods he describes a path through evangelism, discipleship, spiritual formation, to Christian vocation. He provides resources from classic rites of passage along this formational path, to the use of the Christian Year in the church’s perennial formation. This is one of the most thoughtful books on formation you will ever find. This is an outstanding, holistic approach.


HERMENEUTICS – To Interpret, Explain, Translate, Give the Meaning “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). There is no more important thing a minister or believer can learn than to learn proper principles of how to interpret the Scripture. If we do not know how to do this then we may grossly misunderstand God’s word, apply this wrongly in our lives, and even teach this bad understanding to others. If we don’t continually learn the best principles of interpretation, we are in danger of claiming that “God’s word says” when God never said that! We put error into God’s mouth, making God a liar, even leading people to destruction (2 Pet 3:14-16). On the afternoon of Resurrection Day, the risen Lord Jesus Christ joined two of his disciples who were walking down the road to Emmaus. Distraught over the crucifixion, they did not recognize Jesus. Christ soon turned their conversation to the Old Testament Scriptures, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). The word “interpreted” is translated “explained” in the NIV and “expounded” in the KVJ, both of which relate to the best translation, which is “interpreted.” The original word is hermeneuo, meaning to interpret, explain, translate, give the meaning. As Jesus’ words opened the Scriptures to them, enabling them to understand how the Old Testament pointed forward to Messiah and was being fulfilled in Messiah, their hearts began burning within them. Then, when Christ broke and blessed the bread, their eyes were finally opened, and they knew it was Jesus! After Jesus left them, the two disciples hurried back to Jerusalem to find the Eleven and other disciples. They shared their story, and then Jesus appeared to that gathering as well. “He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45). It is clear that, when Jesus did this same thing in His first two post-resurrection appearances, and when under the Spirit’s inspiration Luke carefully reported both of those moments in the Gospel, God was shining a brilliant spotlight on this truth: Jesus forever exalted knowing how to correctly understand the Scriptures as the primary, indispensable starting point for His Church. This is a focal point of Luke 24. The opening of the disciples’ hearts-minds-eyes depended on the opening of the Scriptures. In other words, until Jesus correctly interpreted and explained God’s Word to them, they could not see, understand, or believe. Everything depended on the Book being correctly understood and believed as it revealed Jesus of Nazareth for who He really was and what He really did, leading to obedient submission to Christ as Lord and God! From Resurrection Sunday until His ascension forty days later, Jesus spent his time with the disciples teaching them how to correctly read the Old Testament through Himself, His person and His work. In His final forty days on this Earth, Christ conducted a forty-day hermeneutics seminar! And, many of these followers had been with Him for over three years. How much more do we continually need to grow in our ability to correctly interpret and understand God’s Word! Luke 24 is a glorious chapter, bringing together the redemptive history of God from Genesis to Revelation. Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Luke crafted this chapter as the explanation of the crucifixion, and as the bridge into the Book of Acts, the second volume of his two-volume work. There, in Acts 1-2 and beyond, the story continues without interruption. We move from the crucifixion, to resurrection, to ascension, and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost which proves that Jesus truly was Messiah and Lord. There at Pentecost the breath and fire of God’s Presence forever marked the followers of Jesus as the People of God, God’s image upon the Earth, God’s unique and final temple, the meeting place of God and humanity. There the Church was launched into sacrificial, supernatural Gospel ministry until Christ returns. How important is it to have God-given principles of interpretation guiding our Bible reading, our study, our teaching and preaching? Well, according to Jesus Christ, it is the single most important aspect of your devotion to God. Sound hermeneutics, with Christ as the lens and as the fulfillment through which all Scripture is understood, produces everything else: Understanding, seeing, believing, obeying, following Jesus into the Mission of God. I think I will agree with Jesus and continually learn more about understanding God’s Word. How about you? Michael D. Sharp, D.Min.

Network Secretary-Treasurer

ALSOM Director


ALABAMA NETWORK

APPLICATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 13, 2026

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 https://www.amnag.org/amnscholarships. 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 13, 2026. 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 13, 2026. 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.


AMN

SAVE THE DATE

APRIL 20-22, 2026 DOTHAN FIRST AG

NETWORK COUNCIL 2026

IN MEMORY OF Pastor Be y Guine e Biggs Lindsey

She is survived by:

February 6, 1961 - December 15, 2025 Pastor Be y Guine e Biggs Lindsey, age 64 of Brewton, Alabama passed away Monday December 15, 2025 in a Birmingham, Alabama hospital a er a brief illness. She was a na ve of Mobile, Alabama, a former resident of Bon Secor, Alabama, and a long me resident of Brewton, Alabama. Pastor Guine e was an associate Pastor, worship leader, and an integral part of Rock Hill Assembly of God Church, She was employed as a school bus driver with the Escambia County, Alabama School System, and was a homemaker. She loved her family and Church family very much. Husband of 46 years- Donnie Lindsey of Brewton, Alabama (4) Daughters- Guin (Mike) Cosey of Brewton, Alabama Donna (Lee) Falkenberry of Repton, Alabama Gabriella Lidsey (Kearby) Turner of Brewton, Alabama Ti any (Tyler) Jackson of Brewton, Alabama (2) Brothers- Ricky (Lucy) Biggs, Donald Ray (Leila) Biggs (2) Sisters- Yvonne Warren, Dorothy Wheelus (12) Grandchildren (1) Great Grandchild

Visita on was held from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton, AL. Funeral Services were Thursday morning, December 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Rock Hill Assembly of God Church with Rev. Je Scurlock and Rev. Jason Lindsey o cia ng. Interment followed in Rock Hill Cemetery in Brewton, Alabama.

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RENEWAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!!!


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The Alabama Messenger January 2026 by Alabama District Council of the Assemblies of God - Issuu