KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN.
Network Superintendent
ds@amnag.org
IT’S IN THE BLOOD
In late August, a-er feeling extremely fa4gued (nothing to do with a bumper to bumper schedule), I went to my doctor and he did bloodwork. I le- to speak in Birmingham. On the way back to Montgomery I received a call from my doctor and he told me to go to the ER because my hemoglobin was cri4cally low. My hemoglobin was 6.5 which is considered “life threatening.” The organs begin to starve for oxygen. My heart was bea4ng out of my chest trying to push oxygen to my organs. The very first thing they did in ER before admiLng me was to give me a blood transfusion. The reversal of blood numbers was almost immediate.
The Bible tells us in Levi4cus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” This wasn't just a spiritual principle— it was a scien4fic fact that God revealed thousands of years before modern medicine confirmed it. Think about this: every 2 seconds, someone in America needs blood.
When I was twenty-two years old and sta4oned in Oxford, England in the Air Force. I was in an accident and ended up in Radcliffe Infirmary which is the teaching hospital for Oxford University. I was bleeding out given less than a 30% chance to live. Without a blood transfusion I would have died within hours. I received sixteen pints of blood to stabilize me. If those Brits hadn’t given their blood, I would have died.
When you need blood to live, your life depends en4rely on receiving someone else's blood. What happens during a transfusion is remarkable. The donor's blood—rich with oxygen, nutrients, and everything needed for life— flows into the recipient's body. The dying cells revive. Organs that were shuLng down begin to func4on again. Color returns to pale skin. What was dying begins to live again. This is not just medical science—it's a divine picture God created in our very bodies. Psalm 139:14 reminds us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God designed our bodies to receive life-giving blood from another when our own is depleted or damaged. He built this physical reality to teach us a profound spiritual truth.
Just as physical blood carries life throughout our bodies, the Bible repeatedly emphasizes the power of Christ's blood for our spiritual lives. Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In him we have redemp4on through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Spiritually speaking, we were all in cri4cal condi4on. Sin had drained the life from our souls. We were spiritually anemic, dying from within. No amount of our own effort could replenish what was lost. We needed a transfusion. This is where Jesus steps in. On the cross, He became the ul4mate blood donor. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Jesus didn't just donate a pint—He poured out His very life so that we might live. His perfect, sinless blood was the only transfusion that could save humanity. When we accept Christ, we're essen4ally receiving a spiritual blood transfusion. His life flows into our dead spirits. What was corrupted is cleansed. What was dying begins to live. This isn't just religious symbolism—it's the central reality of our salva4on. Think about it, if Jesus had not hung on the cross and given His blood to us we would die spiritually FORVER.
Here’s where I want to land with this. In all that we do to DO CHURCH: decor, worship style, preaching emphasis, internal culture, community outreach—EVERYTHING—If Jesus isn’t the center of it all—if He and His shed blood isn’t the center of it all—their will be NO life and if there is no life we’re NOT doing church like the New Testament did. If Jesus isn’t the center stage of all that a church does—that church is in terrible “Mission Dri-!”
MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN.
NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER
TRUE REVIVAL IS IN GOD’S HANDS
In my lifetime I have seen both genuine seasons of the Spirit’s outpouring as well as false revivals. I’ve seen the genuine revival of the early charismatic and Jesus People movements of the 1960’s, and the genuine season of church renewal in the late 1990’s. I’ve seen the false revivals of charismatic Christian television, the exciting but evil politicization of evangelicalism by the Moral Majority in the 1980’s, the patriotic “revival” after 9/11, and the feardriven political-religious fervor of recent years. Failure to discern the difference between false and true revival seriously damages the Church and her witness for years to come. That is happening right now before our eyes. For Christians “revival” should mean a season when the Holy Spirit brings new life to his people or brings many to faith in Jesus Christ. In Scripture and the history of the God’s People, deep repentance is always a hallmark of genuine revival. We are never promised continual revival, never promised that all of God’s people throughout the earth will experience a “last-days” revival. The Spirit poured out on all flesh indicates the multi-ethnic, multi-national nature of the Spirit’s presence and the spread of the gospel, accompanied by persecution and suffering. Though there will come a great falling away, God will continue to send times of refreshing by his Spirit as and when he wills. Believers often mistake emotionally or culturally driven seasons of excitement for true revival. A passionate speaker or manipulative music powerfully moves their emotions. A terrorist attack or the killing of a popular public figure excites their nationalism or their partisan spirit. Passions and crowds increase, attendance grows, carefully manipulated surveys produce statistical signs of “revival.” But, there is no ongoing breaking of spirits, no humbling of hearts in repentance, no radical transformation of character and lifestyle, no sustained hunger for God’s word, no continual discipleship, no baptisms of love for God and for others, no broken-hearted compassion for suffering people all around, no longing to be one with Christ, to be more like him every day. All “revivals” without these are false revivals! They are manufactured by man and will bear no eternal fruit. Over time they produce a spiritual, emotional wasteland, a burned-over field of disillusioned, hardened hearts toward God and the gospel. The passion dies, the crowds dissipate, the flags are furled, and hearts, families, and societies roll along largely unchanged.
There are no formulas, marketing, or methods, no amount of human energy that can create a genuine move of the Spirit. We cannot earn revival by our prayer or fasting or longing. God is sovereign and moves where, when, and how he wills. No denomination or political movement, no preacher or politician, can “bring” revival. No amount of decreeing it will make it so. It is altogether good to long for more of God’s presence, to consecrate more of our selves to God, to rid ourselves of human definitions of revival. It is altogether wrong to lust after the explosive emotion, supernatural phenomenon, or numerical growth that might accompany revival. God does not visit his people to validate our sectarian theology, do magic tricks, or elevate our personal or national sense of significance.
The Spirit blows where he wills. We can never know from where he has come, where he is going, or what that will look like. We can only know that our sovereign God will come to us He will cleanse us, renew us, heal us We should desire that daily as we read, pray, and obey. I do not pray that God would revive or “save” my nationstate, the USA. I never see the Church doing that in Scripture or in the true revivals of history I do pray that the Spirit would come in convicting, cleansing power to make me more like Jesus. And, that my personal renewal would become communal, changing my family and church and others beyond as God wills. God calls hungry hearts to join in humbling repentance, in letting God move as he wills, in becoming his healing hands extended to the outcast, the refugee, the immigrant, the broken. That is revival.
ALABAMA WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
THANK YOU: Ladies, I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for loving people and standing in the gap for them. Any time there is a need, you all step up to the plate to meet needs and be women of prayer. I’m so grateful for your love and kindness to those in your communities and around the world!
LIFE RALLY TOUR:
Our Life Rally Tour schedule will be available in the coming weeks. This is the opportunity I have to travel to each section of the state to meet with the women of our churches to dream and believe for what we can do for missions in the coming year. Be on the lookout for when I will be in your section. I can’t wait to see you!
GULF COAST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE:
Start planning your trip to the Gulf Coast for GCWC 2026! Mark your calendar for February 26-28 with guest speaker- Pastor Avery Forrest. She’s being used by God in a powerful way out of an overflow of the time she spends with God. Not only does she serve as the Associate Pastor of Anchor Point Church in Foley, but she and her husband planted this church in 2009. I can’t wait to hear the word that she shares with all of us.
Phenix City First AG
$47,692.66
Montgomery First A/G $20,377.50
Free Life, Creola
CenterPointe AG- Mobile
Newton First A/G
Harper’s Joy AG- Dothan
Fountain of Life- Saraland
$13,290.05
$13,067.37
$10,770.00
$10,000.00
Fountain of Life Church $100.00
SPEAKER/AR DYD
P h e n i x C i t y
J a n u a r y 7 , W e d n e s d a y R a l l y
6 : 3 0 P M E S T @ P h e n i x C i t y F i r s t
A Y M O f f i c e 3 3 4 - 2 7 9 - 7 1 7 2 x 4 0 1
B i r m i n g h a m / T u s c a l o o s a
A n n i s t o n / S y l a c a u g a
J a n u a r y 8 , T h u r s d a y L u n c h
1 1 : 3 0 A M @ T o p G o l f , B i r m i n g h a m
J o n D e l m a r k 5 0 3 - 4 4 2 - 8 4 3 0
J e f f e r y W i l l i a m s 2 5 6 - 3 0 7 - 7 1 0 6
E l i j a h G l a d 2 5 6 - 2 3 9 - 9 2 4 8
J o h n H i r e s 2 0 5 - 7 4 6 - 2 2 2 0
T e n n e s s e e V a l l e y / C u l l m a n
J a n u a r y 9 , F r i d a y R a l l y
6 : 3 0 P M @ H a r t s e l l e F i r s t
A n d y O r a m 2 5 6 - 5 0 6 - 6 5 8 9
N i c k R u s s e l l 2 0 5 - 3 5 3 - 7 9 6 0
A n d a l u s i a / M o n r o e v i l l e
D e m o p o l i s
J a n u a r y 1 0 , S a t u r d a y R a l l y
5 P M @ C o l e m a n A s s e m b l y
R a y B u n d y 3 3 4 - 4 0 6 - 6 7 2 1
A n d r e w S a w y e r 2 5 1 - 3 6 3 - 3 3 1 1
K e v i n L e w i s 2 5 6 - 5 0 4 - 8 6 7 9
SPEAKER/MISSIONAR
M o b i l e
J a n u a r y 1 1 , S u n d a y R a l l y
6 : 3 0 P M @ C e n t e r P o i n t e A G
N a t h a n M c K i n l e y 2 5 1 - 5 1 0 - 8 7 8 2
M o n t g o m e r y
J a n u a r y 1 2 , M o n d a y D i n n e r
6 : 3 0 P M @ S a f e H a r b o r , P r a t t v i l l e
C o r y W i l l i a m s 3 3 4 - 2 7 7 - 2 6 7 0
D o t h a n / E n t e r p r i s e
J a n u a r y 1 3 , T u e s d a y D i n n e r
6 : 3 0 P M @ N e w t o n F i r s t A s s e m b l y
W i l l C e a s e r 3 3 4 - 6 9 5 - 8 4 3 0
T y l e r S a w y e r 2 5 1 - 3 6 3 - 5 3 2 6
B a l d w i n
J a n u a r y 2 1 , W e d n e s d a y R a l l y
6 : 3 0 P M @ C e l e b r a t i o n C h u r c h
D a n i e l W i l s o n 3 3 4 - 4 5 2 - 0 9 8 0
BOOK REVIEW: PENTECOSTAL RESPONSES to the REFUGEE CRISIS
The largest humanitarian crisis of the past 50 years is presently happening worldwide. It is the ongoing migration of many millions of people around the globe to escape natural disasters. Because of these disasters, ranging from climate change, to famines, wars, endemic abject poverty, to political and religious persecution and violence. millions are fleeing for their lives, many as families with children.
One of the religious traditions most affected by this crisis is the worldwide Pentecostal movement. Both as refugees and as local churches in areas to which refugees are fleeing, Pentecostals are caught up in this movement. In America the denomination most likely to have churches on the front line of the crisis is the Assemblies of God. With over 40% of U.S. AG members and adherents already belonging to non-Anglo ethnic or language churches and districts, the U.S. AG is being directly impacted by the crisis. Over 30% of the non-Anglo U.S. AG members and adherents are already Latino. Every year the percentage of the U.S. AG that is non-Anglo (non-white and/or speaking English as a second language) grows larger. In addition, most immigrants entering the U.S., whether documented or undocumented, are Spanish-speaking. Because of the growth of Pentecostalism in the Spanish speaking world of Mexico, and Central and South America, many of these Hispanic immigrants are already Pentecostals. Most of the Anglo U.S. AG does not realize that in a few decades the majority of the U.S. AG will be non-white, non-Anglo, and most may well speak English as a second language.
The U.S. AG has always been a Fellowship focused on world missions, sending the majority of missionaries to non-white, non-Anglo Majority World nations and ethnic groups. Today there are significant tensions within the Anglo U.S. AG between our continued emphasis on sending missionaries to Majority World nations and ethnic groups, and a culturally / politically driven antipathy to immigration by refugees from those same nations and ethnic groups, many of whom are people of color. In Anglo U.S. AG churches, a welcoming attitude to immigrants and refugees that results in proactive assistance appears, at present, to be rare.
For the first few decades of their existence the Pentecostal movement and the U.S. AG were largely pacifist and apolitical. Members and ministers were discouraged from becoming involved in politics or government (see the NST Article and Book Reviews in the 2025-Sept/Oct issue of TAM). Over the past several decades U.S. AG ministers and churches have become increasingly influenced by partisan politics and by charismatic doctrines that have moved them to the right politically. It is now easy to find the strong influence of the Seven Mountain Mandate and Christian Nationalism movements in Anglo U.S. AG churches, district offices, and national offices.
Finally, very few Anglo U.S. AG ministers or members are aware of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS), the leading Pentecostal scholarly society in the world, co-founded by AG scholar William Menzies in the 1970’s. Issues are addressed and advances in Pentecostal scholarship presented at SPS meetings long before they become influential in local churches, and district or national offices. Nor are most people aware that Pentecostal scholarship worldwide is increasingly led not by Anglo U.S. AG scholars but by Pentecostal and AG scholars from the Majority World and Europe.
So, it is exciting to see the publication of the groundbreaking book reviewed below. It is the first publication of papers presented at the 2024 meeting of the SPS. Edited by SPS President Dr. Lois Olena, this volume contains papers presented by 15 Pentecostal scholars, most of them affiliated with the Assemblies of God. It is filled with biblical, theological, practical, and missional insights on the issues of immigration and ministry to refugees. As is so often the case, it is the academy and the well-educated, well-formed scholarly ministers who understand issues most deeply and see the way forward most clearly. Along with such highly respected AG scholars as Amos Yong, Ivan Satyavrata, Byron Klaus, and others, I heartily recommend this volume to you. Through it may the Holy Spirit convict the hearts and illuminate the minds of AG members, ministers, and officials across the U.S. and around the world.
HERMENEUTICS – Correctly Handling the Word of Truth
The greatest problem in the Pentecostal-charisma4c church today is our constant mishandling of God’s word. One way we do that is to read figura2ve language as if God meant us to take that language “literally.” Unfortunately, when we say “literal” or “literally ” we usually mean “literalis2cally ” , that the words should be understood as describing a physical / chronological event that happens exactly as described. However, understood correctly, the word “literally ” should mean “literarily ”, or “according to the kind of literature that it is.”
Figura4ve language is an literary conven4on inspired by the Holy Spirit TELLING you, “Do NOT take this literalis4cally!” Figura2ve language – a figure of speech – is a word or phrase the paints an image for the reader that is not intended to be taken literalis2cally. It is a figure: A word-picture intended to communicate more – oJen including emo2ons like awe, fear, longing, and so forth – than mere straighKorward, objec2ve, descrip2ve language could convey. Figura2ve language is picturesque language that paints an arres2ng, aNen2on grabbing picture. For example, metaphor is one kind of figura2ve language: Jesus is described as the “door ” to salva2on. Figura2ve language appears in all kinds of biblical literature – narra2ve, law, poetry, prophecy, etc. Apocalyp2c books or passages like Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Christ ’s Olivet Discourse, and Revela2on are filled with figura2ve language.
One kind of figura2ve language oJen found in apocalyp2c passages is called “collapsing universe” language. Collapsing universe language is used to signify catastrophic judgment from God, the fall of na5ons, the end of and era, the beginning of a new age It does this by describing the event as being accompanied by stars falling from the sky, the sun or moon ceasing to give light, the sky turning red, the earth or universe burning up.
When Isaiah prophesied the destruc2on of Babylon he used collapsing universe language: “the stars of heaven and their constella5ons will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises, And the moon will not shed its light” (Isa 13:10). This prophecy came to pass in 539 BCE and it was the catastrophic end of an era.
When Isaiah prophesied the destruc2on of Edom he used collapsing universe language: “All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall...” (Isa 34:4). This prophecy came to pass in 586 BCE and it was the catastrophic end of a kingdom.
Ezekiel prophesied the destruc2on of Egypt with collapsing universe language: “When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord GOD” (32:7).
All these prophecies came to pass, and some are described elsewhere in the Bible in straighKorward descrip2ve language. God did bring catastrophic judgment on Babylon, Edom, and Egypt. Na2ons fell. Epochs changed. BUT, no stars fell, the sun and moon were not darkened, none of the other cosmic signs actually, physically occurred. The cosmic collapsing universe language was intended to convey in a picturesque manner how catastrophic, how transforma2onal God’s judgement and the fall of na2ons would be. The collapsing universe language was NOT meant to be understood literalis2cally! The language used to describe each “day of the Lord” was apocalyp4c figura4ve language, metaphorical, but not literalis4c.
Jesus used this kind of language to prophesy Jerusalem’s destruc4on in 70 AD (MaS 24, Mk 13, Lk 21): “Immediately aHer the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, Christ was vindicated as Son of Man, an era ended: The Old Covenant was gone forever, and the New Covenant People established as God’s People forever. BUT, no collapsing universe cosmic signs actually, physically occurred. Always be alert for the use of figura2ve language, including cosmic figura2ve language. The presence of figura2ve language is God and the human author telling you, “Do not read this literalis5cally!” Reading any kind of figura2ve language in a literalis2c way will result in bad interpreta2on, expecta2on, and applica2on. You will end up making God into a liar, claiming he said things that he never said. God expects you to read his word well!
Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director
RENEWAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!!!
Renewal season has begun and ends on December 31. Since General Council and Alabama Network offices are closed the last week of the year, our national office advises that all renewals be submitted by December 15
ONLINE ONLY RENEWALS!!!
The General Council no longer mails out paper renewal forms. Instead of receiving a paper renewal in the mail, you must log in beginning November 1, 2025 to complete your minister credential renewal online before the December 31, 2025 deadline.
The General Council’s secure login system called AG Accounts will allow you to create a login if you have not already created one. Please see below for helpful tips on creating an account.
1. Please go to https://ministers.ag.org and click on the Log in with Your AG Account button.
2. If you already have an AG Accounts login, enter your email and password, then select Login.
3. If you have not set up an AG Accounts login yet, select Create Account and follow the prompts. When asked “Are you an AG Minister?” click Yes, then enter your AG Account number and zip code. Next, click Add Account Number. 4. Once logged in, you will be able to update your contact information and access other resources such as the General Superintendent’s Value-Added Videos, AG Church Directory, AG Ministers Directory, and more.
NOTICE TO ALL MINISTERS REGARDING RENEWAL SEASON and LAPSED CREDENTIALS
Failure to renew means that as of January 1 you have lapsed your credentials and you are no longer an Assemblies of God minister. After December 31 there are late fees, and after January 15 you cannot renew: You must apply for reinstatement at a cost of $100.00. After March 31 a background and credit check must also be done for all reinstatement applications. Any background or credit issues that have arisen since the minister first obtained credentials will have to be addressed according to General Counc il guidelines before the minister can be reinstated Finally, lapsing for more than seven years requires all of the above as well as passing all three of the newest credential exams in order to be reinstated. Please remember that when ministers holding credentials at the License level allow their credentials to lapse for more than three months, their required two years of holding License credentials before upgrading to Ordained begins all over again at the time their License credentials are reinstated. All credentialed ministers – Certified, Licensed, and Ordained – should remember that lapsing will cost a minister more time, more work, and more money when reinstating.
We hope that this information delivered proactively will be beneficial in your understanding of these particular General Council credentialing requirements. Please check to ensure you are current in your giving
RENEW EARLY!
Renew your credentials BY NOVEMBER 30 and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $500.00 gift card.
OR … Renew your credentials BY DECEMBER 15 and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $250.00 gift card.
This will be a blessing to you and to your Alabama Network and National offices!
In Remembrance Of…
Rev. Tommie Harrell
Tommie J. Harrell, age 81, of Kinston, Alabama passed away Monday, October 13, 2025 at his home.
Rev. Harrell is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Maughon & husband, Jimmy; sons, Tommy Harrell, Jr. & wife, Traci, and Lee Harrell &wife, Susan; sister, Sheila Brown; 8 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Jean Wilson Harrell; and parents, Ruby Lee Stanford Harrell and Nathan Gaston Harrell.
Funeral services for Mr. Tommie J. Harrell was held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from Wyat Funeral Home Chapel with services being concluded at Wyat Funeral Home. Visita4on will be held one hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest next to his wife in Blue Springs Cemetery with the family holding a private graveside at a later
Rev. Eddie Watson
Eddie Dale Watson, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on November 3, 2025, at the age of 71 in Columbus, Georgia. Born to Leon Watson and Patsy McMahon Watson on August 11, 1954, in Tishamingo, Oklahoma, Eddie grew up with a deep apprecia4on for his roots and the values of family and faith that would guide his life's journey.
RENEWAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!!!
Renewal season has begun and ends on December 31. Since General Council closed the last week of the year, our national office advises that all renewals be submitted
Eddie married Rhonda Maughon Watson, and they were together for 48 years. They built a life filled with love and dedica4on. He was a devoted father to his two daughters, Tara Watson and Britany Watson Shores (Tyler). His joy mul4plied with the arrival of his three grandchildren, Katelyn Smith, Mason Smith, and Lizzi McCall Shores, who brought endless happiness into his life. He also leaves behind his caring sister, Elanie Powell, who shared many fond memories of their childhood together as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
ONLINE ONLY RENEWALS!!!
Ronald Starns (O)
We want to make you aware of a change with the 2025 credential renewal process receiving a paper renewal in the mail, you must log in beginning November credential renewal online before the December 31, 2024 deadline. The General Council’s secure login system called AG Accounts will allow you to create created one. Please see below for helpful tips on creating an account.
His commitment to his faith was unwavering, as evidenced by his 20 years of service as a minister in the Assembly of God. In recent years, he con4nued his ministry at Cornerstone Assembly of God in Smiths Sta4on, touching countless lives with his kindness and wisdom. Before his ministry, Eddie honorably served in the Navy, and a-er his service also worked as a skilled HVAC refrigera4on technician at Doctors Hospital and Piedmont Hospital.
Deceased:
Tommie Harrell
Eddie Watson
1. Please go to https://ministers.ag.org and click on the Log in with Your AG Account 2. If you already have an AG Accounts login, enter your email and password, then 3. If you have not set up an AG Accounts login yet, select Create Account and follow you an AG Minister?” click Yes, then enter your AG Account number and zip code.
4. Once logged in, you will be able to update your contact information and access General Superintendent’s Value-Added Videos, AG Church Directory, AG Ministers
NOTICE TO ALL MINISTERS REGARDING RENEWAL SEASON and
A Funeral Service was held on November 6 at 2 PM EST at Colonial Funeral Home, with a viewing before, from 1PM-2PM and a visita4on immediately following the service. A private interment with Navy Honors was held at Ft. Mitchell Na4onal Cemetery, where Eddie will be laid to rest with the respect befiLng a man of his stature. In lieu of flowers that family ask that dona4ons be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Pastor Eddie lived a life marked by devo4on to his family, his faith, and his country. As we gathered to remember and honor him, we are reminded of the legacy he leaves behind-a legacy of love, service, and the simple joys of music and togetherness. Though he may have departed from this world, his spirit and the memories he created will con4nue to live on in the hearts of those he touched.
Failure to renew means that as of January 1 you have lapsed your credentials and of God minister. After December 31 there are late fees, and after January 15 you reinstatement at a cost of $100.00. After March 31 a background and credit reinstatement applications. Any background or credit issues that have arisen credentials will have to be addressed according to General Council guidelines before Finally, lapsing for more than seven years requires all of the above as well as credential exams in order to be reinstated. Please remember that when ministers level allow their credentials to lapse for more than three months, their required credentials before upgrading to Ordained begins all over again at the time their All credentialed ministers – Certified, Licensed, and Ordained – should remember more time, more work, and more money when reinstating.
Jonathan N Brown (C)
Brandon R Dill (C)
Christopher Walton (C)
Jacob Musgrove (L)
We hope that this information delivered proactively will be beneficial in your understanding Council credentialing requirements. Please check to ensure you are current in
Susan Grimes (L)
In Remembrance Of…
Rev. Nelson White
Reverend Nelson E. White went to meet his Lord and Savior on October 25, 2025. He was born to Darwin and Esther White on February 7, 1930 and lived a long and wonderful life of 95 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Ruth White as well as his parents, three brothers, and one sister. He is survived by a daughter, Ruth Gray (Tim) of Tuscaloosa, a son, Clark White (Kelly) of Alabaster, and four grandchildren, Caleb Gray (Savanna), Abbey-Paige Gray Johnson (Connor), Emma White and Joshua White. He also has three great grandsons, Bennet Gray, Mason Gray and Elliot Johnson.
Reverend White, also affec4onately known as Brother White, Dad, and Pop, lived a long and fruiuul life dedicated to his ministry of the gospel and love of family and friends.
His ministry began in his early 20s and con4nued for over 70 years. His first full-4me ministry was as a Youth and Music Pastor at Crichton Assembly of God in Mobile, where he met and married Billie Ruth Dixon in 1954. From there, they embarked in evangelis4c ministry, followed by their first pastorate at Temple Assembly of God in Clanton beginning in 1956. In 1963, they accepted the call of the Alabama Assemblies of God to serve as District Christ Ambassador President (D-CAP) serving the youth of Alabama through summer camps, rallies, and youth conven4ons. In 1967, they took the pastorate of First Assembly of God in Tuscaloosa, anchoring themselves to the city where they would live the remainder of their lives. Their ministry at First Assembly was marked by re4ring debt and advancing the church in its heart for global missions. In 1982, they became pastors of North Bibb Assembly of God in Woodstock. Brother White then enjoyed a second season of evangelis4c ministry with his son Clark as they took their trombones across Alabama in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In his prime years of pastoring, Reverend White also served the Alabama Assemblies of God as the Assistant Superintendent from 1970 to 2000, and served as a member of its Presbytery Board for 41 years.
The later season of his ministry included 15 years of fruiuul work at the Bibb County Correc4onal Facility where he and Sister White were beloved and saw many salva4ons. Alongside that work, they became pastors at Bethesda Assembly of God in the Benevola community where they served a loving congrega4on un4l their re4rement in 2020. They also served in local nursing homes and VA facili4es bringing encouragement in each seLng. Reverend White was an accomplished trombonist and enjoyed playing for the Lord as well as local symphonies and the 5th Alabama Regimental Band, for which he served as Chaplain.
Brother White used his gi-s, talents and love of music to fulfill his desire to minister to others, well into his 90s.
Over 70+ years of ministry, he impacted thousands of souls for Jesus. He had the honor and privilege of not only preaching the gospel, but also performing numerous weddings, bap4sms, funerals, and other special events.
As a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he was well loved by his family. He invested his life generously into the lives of those he loved who affec4onately called him Pop. We rejoice in the legacy he le- to us.
A visita4on was held on Friday, October 31st at 10:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at First Assembly of God in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A private commital service took place a-erwards. Honorary pallbearers include the congrega4ons he served in Mobile, Clanton, Tuscaloosa, Woodstock, and Benevola, as well as his beloved Alabama Assemblies of God fellowship.
THE ALABAMA MINISTRY NETWORK
OF THE ASSEMBLES OF GOD
2026
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS CALENDAR
Our new schedule layout is below. ALSOM students may take any cou rses needed during each quarter.
Quarter 1
January – March
Courses Open for Purchase: January 1
Last Day to Purchase: March 10th
Tests Must be Submitted by March 31st
Quarter 2
April – June
Courses Open for Purchase: April 1
Last Day to Purchase: June 10th
Tests Must be Submitted by June 30th
Quarter 3
July – September
Courses Open for Purchase: July 1
Last Day to Purchase: September 10 th
Tests Must be Submitted by September 30 th
Quarter 4
October – December
Courses Open for Purchase: October 1
Last Day to Purchase: December 10th
Tests Must be Submitted by December 31 st
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.