KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN.
A FAREWELL TO THE ALABAMA MINISTRY NETWORK
For the past twenty-six years, it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the Alabama Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. For nine of those years as Missions, Men’s, and Church PlanDng Director and seventeen years as your Superintendent. Cyndi led the Women’s Ministry for seventeen of those years as well. We have had the privilege of walking alongside some of the most faithful pastors, leaders, missionaries, and churches anywhere. The camaraderie of our Network leaders and presbytery has been a giI from God.
We have worshiped together in churches across this state, prayed through challenges, celebrated victories, and believed together for what God wanted to do through this fellowship. Alabama has never just been a network to us — it has been family.
I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and Cyndi to help lead this fellowship. The friendships we have formed, the lives we have seen changed, and the churches that conDnue to carry the Gospel forward will always remain close to our hearts.
I believe with all my heart that God has great things ahead for the Alabama Ministry Network. The future is bright, and the Lord will conDnue to raise up leaders with fresh vision and renewed passion to lead this fellowship forward. This is our reason for seNng down a year early so this fellowship can select three new execuDve officers and rally behind them to accomplish God’s intended plan for the Alabama Assemblies of God. We will miss you, but we will look forward to gatherings where we can hug your necks and fellowship together. We will be your new leaders’ biggest cheerleaders. Remember what Former Superintendent Vaudie Lambert used to say, “What God does next is always beSer than what He did before.”
Thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving you. Cyndi and I will always cherish the years we have spent with this incredible Alabama Assemblies of God family. I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church (Assembly) of God.” (Acts 20:28).
With deep graDtude and love,
Ken and Cyndi Draughon
MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN.
NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER
FAREWELL
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. … May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (Numbers 6:24-26, 2 Corinthians 13:14).”
As far as I know, this Network Conference marks the end of my life as a full-time minister. My wife, Debra, and I are church kids. Born, raised, came to faith, and will die, in the church. So many people, including our parents modeled lives of sacrificial service and giving before us. In the small to mid-size churches that created this Fellowship and upon which we are built everyone had to live this way! The only way Debra and I know to follow Jesus is in lives devoted to him and to his church. All we know is work and service.
Every opportunity to serve has been a privilege. I have had that privilege of serving the church as a volunteer janitor and yard man, Sunday School teacher from primaries through adults, Royal Ranger commander, choir member, deacon, bi-vocational and full-time pastor, and Adjunct Professor. I served for five years on the Birmingham Sectional Committee as a Secretary-Treasurer and Assistant Presbyter, followed by fourteen years as Sectional Presbyter. Finally, there were eight years as Christian Education Director, then eight years as Secretary-Treasurer and ALSOM Director. I have lost track of all the committees on which I served at the state and General Council level.
I cannot remember all the changes to our AMN Bylaws that I have written through the years to move our Network forward in meaningful, sustainable ways that permanently benefit our ministers and churches. We even managed to get an excellent change made to the General Council Constitution and the Bylaws. I still see so many changes that desperately need to be made in our Network Fellowship that would, again, permanently benefit our ministers and churches in real, sustainable ways. We still face major challenges in the years immediately ahead. So much remains to be done.
Although I knew with certainty that it was God’s will that I come, Debra and I never wanted to leave the pastorate and serve in the Network office. God’s word is clear: the local church is the ground and source of all other ministry endeavor, and the pastors and elders of the local church are the cornerstone ministries in the Church. All else we do in the kingdom of God flows from these local expressions of the body of Christ. My happiest years of greatest fulfillment were in my service at local churches, for I knew those places and ministries were explicitly ordained by God’s word. All ministry structures beyond the local church are man’s creation, our best efforts to fulfill God’s commands in some way or other.
Although Debra and I may never again be paid a full-time salary to serve the Lord by serving or leading the church, we will continue to serve in our local church. We look forward to teaching Sunday School, preaching as needed, visiting the sick, serving however and whenever we are asked. And we look forward to occasionally visiting minister friends we’ve made through the years.
So, farewell friends. May the Lord bless you and your families and keep you in humility, holiness, truth, and love until he returns, whether that is tonight or 1,000 years from now. Go with God.
DAVID STRAHAN, D. MIN.
Network Missions & Men's Director d s t r a h a n @ a m n a g . o r g
MISSIONS - MEN’S MINISTRIES - CHURCH PLANTING & DEVELOPMENT - LFTL
ALABAMA MINISTRY NETWORK MISSIONS SERVICE
Tuesday, April 21, at 9:30 am
Special Guest
Dr John Easter
AGWM Executive Director
Guest Speaker Rev. Austin Jacobs Director of Operations for Church Health
MISSIONS - MEN’S MINISTRIES - CHURCH PLANTING & DEVELOPMENT - LFTL R
CHURCH HEALTH WORKSHOP
15-16,
CHURCH PLANTING LUNCHEON
Tuesday, April 21, at 11:30 am in the Loft (gymnasium building)
MAN UP! CONFERENCE SOUTH REGION
Man Up Conference - South Region, March 21st, Fountain of Life, Saraland 3-7 pm The cost is $20 per man. Join us for a time of food, games, worship and fellowship with guest speaker Lee McBride, Evangelist, Birmingham, AL.
The Church Health Workshop is a two-day experience for pastors and teams The Workshop alternates between teaching from seasoned ministry leaders and interactive discussions on IMPLEMENTING CHANGE MULTIPLYING LEADERS
GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES
Alongside other churches, your team will receive proven, principle-based instruction and real-world insights on how to create and sustain a culture of health and multiplication At the Workshop, pastors will connect with a coach for a series of strategic follow-up conversations to deepen and contextualize the workshop's content. Empower your team to discover healthy rhythms in their roles as you guide your church toward a mission -driven future
DIRECTOR: CYNDI DRAUGHON
Ladies Luncheon AMN CONFERENCE
Lisa Taylor
GUEST SPEAKER
Join us Tuesday, April 21 at Dothan First AG for our annual Ladies Luncheon. This is for all women in ministry! This year, our friend, Lisa Taylor, will be the guest speaker. She has been a pastor’s wife, teacher, prayer warrior and so much more. I know she will be an encouragement to our women in ministry! Lisa is a wonderful story teller. She’ll have us laughing one moment and crying the next. Make plans to be at this event.
We will also be celebrating the churches who gave in 2025 towards our Life Rally goal. We can’t wait to see you in Dothan for the AMN Conference and especially at the Ladies Luncheon!
COST: $25
PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE LUNCHEON WITH YOUR AMN CONFERENCE GENERAL EVENT REGISTRATION
2026 Grand Club
CHURCHES
DIAMOND AWARD CHURCHES ($25,000+)
Montgomery First Assembly of God
New Life Assembly- Westover
Phenix City First Assembly of God
Vincent Revival Center
Dothan First Assembly of God
$97,377.50
$71,489.37
$64,723.66
$63,049.13
$38,536.49
The Island Church- Orange Beach $31,718.84
Free Life Church- Creola
$25,875.73
PLATINUM AWARD CHURCHES ($10,000-$24,999)
Newton First Assembly of God
CenterPointe AG, Mobile
$23,205.00
$23,007.52
River Valley Church- Madison $23,000.00
Fellowship Church- Oxford
$21,308.42
Gospel Lighthouse AG- Semmes $18,507.01
Bethel Worship Center- Wetumpka $17,465.24
Butler First Assembly of God
Harper's Joy AG- Dothan
Jackson First Assembly of God
Ashland First Assembly of God
Lifechurch Birmingham
$16,900.00
$15,000.00
$13,801.38
$13,181.00
$12,236.35
Fountain of Life Church- Saraland $11,061.32
Hartselle First Assembly of God $10,818.92
Crossroads AG- Albertville $10,127.00
GOLD AWARD CHURCHES ($5,000-$9,999)
Lomax Assembly of God- Clanton
Anchors Church- Oneonta
Faith Christian Center- Ozark
Appleton First AG- Brewton
$8,930.00
$7,526.67
$7,500.00
$7,074.15
Pinedale Assembly of God- Clanton $7,000.00
Christian Life Church-Birmingham $6,650.58
Coleman Assembly of God- Frisco City $6,096.95
Burns Assembly of God- Slocomb
$6,000.00
Haw Hill Assembly of God- Brundidge $5,626.39
Weatherly Road AG- Huntsville $5,504.01
New Life Assembly of God- Athens $5,112.00
Praise Family Church- Mobile
$5,000.00
Clearwater Assembly of God- Wagarville $5,000.00
YOUTH MINISTRIES Alabama
SILVER AWARD CHURCHES
($2,500-$4,999)
Tuscaloosa First Assembly of God
Thompson Chapel AG- Jemison
Foley Assembly of God
El Bethel AG- New Brockton
Lake City AG- Guntersville
$4,618.26
$4,580.98
$4,562.91
$3,582.00
$3,570.42
Mount Vernon Assembly of God- Elba $3,555.00
Shady Grove Assembly of God- Samson $3,500.00
Calvary Temple AG-Saraland
Marvin Chapel AG- Coffee Springs
$3,500.00
$3,300.00
River of Life AG Church- Demopolis $3,164.00
Safe Harbor Outreach Center- Prattville $3,077.00
Chancellor Assembly of God $3,000.00
Bayside Church- Mobile
$3,000.00
Orchard Assembly of God- Semmes $2,971.20
Brewton First Assembly of God $2,934.10
Excel Assembly of God
$2,919.85
Summerdale Assembly of God $2,820.00
Bay Assembly of God- Bay Minette $2,754.51
Florence First Assembly of God $2,734.52
River of Life Worship Center Alex City $2,584.00
Sunshine Assembly of God- Clanton $2,535.00
New Haven AG- Brundidge $2,500.00
Holloway Tabernacle- Coffee Springs $2,500.00
The Bridge Church- Cusseta $2,500.00
HONOR AWARD CHURCHES ($1,000-$2,499)
Georgetown Assembly of God- Wilmer $2,494.55 Odyssey Church- Loxley $2,150.00
Life Church of the AG- Rainbow City $2,148.97
Connect Church- New Brockton $2,081.95
Calvary Assembly of God- Mobile $2,029.97
Taylor Assembly of God- Dothan $2,000.00
Empire Assembly of God
$2,000.00
Copeland Assembly of God- Millry $2,000.00
Awaken Church Mobile
$2,000.00
Daleville Assembly of God $1,813.53
Temple Assembly of God- Clanton $1,745.68
Risen Life Church- Columbiana $1,686.09
Robertsdale First Assembly of God $1,666.00
Trinity Assembly of God- Montgomery $1,635.00
Refuge Church of Mobile Alabama $1,534.78
Agape Assembly of God- Eclectic $1,514.40
Wooten Chapel- New Brockton $1,450.00
New Beginnings AG- Warrior $1,430.00
Millbrook First Assembly of God $1,375.00
New Life Assembly of God- Woodstock $1,366.06
Geneva First Assembly of God $1,298.63
Evangel Church- Montgomery $1,296.45
Vive Church- Fort Payne
$1,256.00
Liberty Assembly of God- Millport $1,256.00
Elba First Assembly of God $1,233.23
Range Assembly of God- Repton $1,145.44
All Tribes Native American Indian AG
$1,000.00
Piney Grove Assembly of God- Newton $1,000.00
Brooks Assembly of God- Red Level $1,000.00
Samson First Assembly of God $1,000.00
Sumiton First Assembly of God $1,000.00
Lighthouse Assembly- Union Springs $1,000.00
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS – IMPORTANT WORKS FOR OUR TIMES
Since, after over 20 years of writing reviews for every issue of the Messenger, this may (I don’t know) be the last time I am able to recommend books to our churches and ministers, I’m going to use this issue to simply recommend as many excellent resources as possible. These are the books that well-read ministers and scholars write, read, and use in their kingdom work. I encourage you to add them to your libraries. They will deepen your knowledge, broaden your horizons, and improve your understanding better than any other works I could recommend.
ROBERT WEBBER’S ANCIENT-FUTURE FAITH SERIES … Robert Webber’s Ancient-Future Faith series is the premier examination of the church’s life and worship done in our lifetimes. These books have had a profound impact on thousands of evangelical and Pentecostal ministers and churches, particularly some younger emerging leaders. I encourage you to buy them, read them, and put them into practice.
Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World, Robert E. Webber, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999, 240 pages. READ THIS VOLUME FIRST.
Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year, READ THIS VOLUME SECOND.
Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God’s Narrative, READ THIS VOLUME THIRD.
The Divine Embrace: Recovering the Passionate Spiritual Life.
Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community
ZONDERVAN’S COUNTERPOINT SERIES features brief discussion on critical issues facing the church today. Proponents of 3 to 4 orthodox perspectives on an issue present their cases which are critiqued by those holding a different perspective. Of the 25+ volumes in the series the ones below address the hottest, most important issues on the table today. I urge you to access these brief volumes. You will better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective. All are published by Zondervan, edited and written by experts on each topic.
Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy, This volume examines the current spectrum of positions on inerrancy. All the writers are evangelical Christians, and all views presented are viable options within orthodox, evangelical, Pentecostal faith.
Four Views on Hell, This volume examines the current spectrum of positions on inerrancy. All the writers are evangelical Christians, and all views presented are viable options within orthodox, evangelical, Pentecostal faith. An excellent related work is Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue, by Edward Fudge and Robert Peterson, Westmont: IVP Academic, 2000, 228 pages.
Three Views on Creation and Evolution, An excellent related volume is Four Views on the Historical Adam, All of the authors for both volumes are evangelical Christians. All views presented are found among evangelicals and Pentecostals.
Three Views on The Millennium and Beyond, An excellent related volume is Four Views on the Book of Revelation, All views presented in both books are orthodox, and are present in evangelicals and Pentecostals
In Loving Memory of…
Rev. Iris Davis Bonner
Iris Fay Stockman Davis Bonner, age 76 of Carbon Hill, age 76 of Carbon Hill, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Princeton BapDst Medical Center.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Abundant Life Church, funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery. Ken Draughon will
Mrs. Bonner is survived by her Husband-Robert Daniel Bonner; Mother-Florance L. Stockman; Daughter-Inda L. Davis; Son-Greg Bonner (Michelle); Sisters-JaneSe Grace (Larry) and Deborah McCluskey; Brother-Mack Fred Stockman, Jr. (Joycie); GrandchildrenWeston and Josie-Mae; Four Great Grandchildren.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES
Transferred in:
Nelsy Mayorga Cascante
Erick Araya Munoz
Melissa Harvey
John G Thomas
Deceased: Iris Bonner
Pastoral Changes: N/A
New/Upgraded CredenKals:
Michael Maher (C)
Dakota B Price (C)
Charles K Longshore (L)
