Link Spring 2015

Spring 2015 Network Pastor/ Executive Director Micheal Dickenson

Assistant Executive Director David Vistine

mdickenson@nmministry.net

dvistine@nmministry.net

Executive Administrator/ Chief Financial Officer Marcus McClain mmcclain@nmministry.net

MINISTRY DIRECTORS: Women’s Ministries Becky Dickenson bdickenson@nmministry.net

Men’s Ministries Shawn Amburgey samburgey@nmministry.net

Student Ministries Jeral Dickenson jdickenson@nmministry.net

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS: Southwest Area David Crispin pastordave@oneworship.

Northwest Area Randy Joslin pastor@theoasis.us

AREA PRESBYTERS: East Central Area Lemuel Perry arbidee@plateautel.net Southeast Area Melvin Suttle kdmdsuttle@yahoo.com

New Mexico Ministry Network (505) 899-5399 phone info@nmministry.net www.nmministry.net

Native American Area Carlos Baki baki69@hotmail.com West Central Area Brenton Franks pastorbrenton@evangelchristiancenNortheast Area Randall Floyd pastor@claytonag.org

EMPOWERED

In recent weeks, as I’ve thought about our upcoming Network Conference, I’ve revisited in my mind the events that are detailed for us in the first chapter of Acts. Can you imagine what it must have been like for these followers of Jesus?

In the weeks preceding this, they have witnessed the crucification, the resurrection, and over the last 40 days, Jesus has appeared from time to time to the apostles, proving to them that He was actually alive. He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, and gave them clear instructions, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised…John baptized with water, but in just a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Just before His ascension, Jesus spoke these words to them: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Of course, we know how the story unfolds, as these followers of Christ gathered together, united in prayer, waiting for this promise to be fulfilled. I’ve often wondered how they felt; what their conversations were; what they expected as they were gathered here. But, when the day of Pentecost came, the fulfillment of the promise became reality as the Holy Spirit was poured out, as these individuals were empowered as never before, and the Church was birthed in the power of the Holy Spirit with miraculous signs following. They were EMPOWERED to be the church that would change the world, and they did!

As we read through the Acts of the Apostles and through church history, we know the im-

plications of this on the church then. But what about us today?

In just a few weeks, we’ll gather at Harvest Fellowship in Albuquerque for our 2015 Ministry Network Conference. The theme is EMPOWERED! I urge you to make Network Conference a priority, both on your schedule and in your heart, and come this year hungry and ready to be EMPOWERED anew by His Spirit. Our world is desperately in trouble, and only finds itself more lost in the darkness of sin every day, but the church EMPOWERED by the Spirit is the answer to our world today, even as it was in that first century so long ago.

You will be challenged and blessed by the ministry of Pastor Scott Wilson, as well as everything else thats being planned. So, whatever you do, don’t miss a single session as we come together to be encouraged, inspired, instructed, and EMPOWERED by God to fulfill our mission, until He comes.

Start the countdown now! On April 2123rd, let’s experience together the EMPOWERED Ministry Network Conference. I’ll see you there!

Micheal Dickenson Network Pastor/ Executive Director

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Spring 2015

Network Pastor

Spring 2015

Executive Administrator

If we are truly an ‘Acts 2’ Fellowship that is made up of congregations that honor the Holy Spirit and are being led by Spirit-directed pastors, then it would seem that a critical element of 21 century Spirit-led leadership would be the personal, intimate interaction that our leaders have with the Holy Spirit. In consideration of our need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit we have been given the greatest tool, the privilege and ability to “pray in the Spirit.”

It is a tried and true principle that what is expressed publicly begins in private expression. The 21-century culture, as those generations and cultures before, must have this in practice for the harvest to be fulfilled. So, what are the benefits of “praying in the Spirit?”

Let me list what I consider the “Fab Five:”

1. Fresh Worship – As the Jews who was wandering in the wilderness on their journey to the Promised Land needed fresh manna to nourish them daily, so the New Testament follower of Christ needs the nourishment and refreshing that comes from worship that is expanded by not only praying in the Spirit but also singing in the Spirit.

2.Warfare Empowerment – The enemy of our Lord must not encounter a weak wimpy Body of Christ but one that is empowered by the Holy Spirit fully dressed in the Armor of God. When we use our spirit language in prayer and worship we are infused with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. If we are to be devil defeaters we need to be Spirit empowered warriors.

3. Heavenly Conversation – 1 Cor. 14:2a “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God.” Did you get that? When we are praying in the Spirit we are in direct conversation with the Creator of All. Include with that 1 Cor. 14:14 “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays…” We can conclude that the Spirit, who created us as spirit beings, has provided a path so that we can be in direct, intimate communication. If we are to walk in His Will we benefit tremendously by praying in His language.

4. Revelation – ‘Musterion’ is the Greek word for mystery. It simply means ‘revealing a former secret.’

Which helps us understand I Cor. 14:2b which reads, “…

Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” In other words, as we pray in our prayer language, the Holy Spirit begins to bring revelation to us regarding Christ, understanding of the Word of God, insight into ourselves, and discernment of others.

5. Personal Edification – Paul states in 1 Cor. 14:4 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…” and as Jude 20-21 puts it “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” As we pray in the Spirit we resource Him regarding life situations, rest and refreshment during spiritual warfare, engaging God’s wisdom regarding life choices and so much more.

I remember vividly staring at the TV when the scene changed to a crusty old cowboy kneeling at a campfire stirring a pot of chili. He looked up at the camera and eventually into my eyes and spoke of the wonderfulness of a fresh bowl of “Wolf” brand chili. The commercial concluded when the cowboy asked this question, “Neighbor how long has it been since you have had a good bowl of chili, well, that has been too long!” It was at that precise moment that the Holy Spirit spoke into my heart and asked the question, “How long has it been since you spent time with me praying in the Holy Spirit, well, that has been too long!” It was there that I fell on my face and cried out unto my Lord. As you can imagine I have never forgot that moment of divine intervention and the Holy Spirit frequently draws my attention back to it. So neighbor, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU HAVE SPENT TIME WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRAYING IN HIS LANGUAGE? WELL….

Marcus McClain

Executive Administrator/ Chief Financial Officer

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BECOMING AN ACTS 2 CHURCH

Most of us as Pastors have just sent in our ACMR to the National Resource Center to give a report on how we did last year. Most of us don’t like to look at those numbers because those numbers are cold hard facts of how our churches are doing in many ways.

Our Assistant General Superintendent, Alton Garrison just sent out an article in the quarterly newsletter, Called to Serve, about becoming an Acts 2 church! In that letter he shared some eye opening facts that in our fellowship across America that 34.9% of our churches are growing and 24.7% have plateaued and 40.3% are declining. He also shares how we are doing in reaching the lost and discipling new believers.

His observation was that for churches to become an Acts 2 church that is healthy and growing four things needed to happen.

1. We must have a new vision in our pulpits and our pews for the church to grow and be healthy! It really all starts with the Pastor and his key leaders spending time in prayer and catching a vision for what God wants for the future! Vision is so important because it shows what the church can be in the near future. Vision is the element that helps us get through the hindrances and obstacles to achieve what God wants done. Someone said it’s like crossing a raging river. You have to have a rope that you can tie off to the other side so you can cling to it as you make your way across the dangerous currents. Without vision a church will fail because there is no clear direction of what we are to be doing!

God is looking for Pastors and leaders that can hear the heart of God and see the needs of the community and say this is what needs to be done! Let’s pray that God would give each of us a vision of what He can do with our churches and us!

2. The second thing that causes decline in the church is the inward focus on our own church. When we begin focus inward on just what we have we move into a maintenance mode and we quit doing ministry outside of the four walls of the church! We cannot have a status quo mindset! Church can’t be just about what we like or what we want, but what can we do to get out-

side the four walls of the church to reach a lost world!

We need to get our people to say often it’s not about me but about others! I read the story of William Booth when he got up into years and his health began to fail.

He couldn’t make it to the conference he conducted for years and he sent them a message to read. All his message said was “OTHERS”! That is the mindset we need to develop with our people! It is about reaching others!

3. The third thing that Alton and his research shared that was needed to turn a church into an Acts 2 church was a team! We can’t do ministry alone! It has always required a team to truly impact a community and to do anything great for God! Remember TEAM means Together Everyone Achieves More! The early church pulled together and they prayed together and they reaped a harvest together! So pull people around you and develop a team.

4. The last thing that was mentioned and we have already touched on it was this, only a new vision will lead to new life! It’s amazing to watch churches that have declined over the years in some of our communities and they were on life support and barely alive!

Then new vision was interjected into the church and new life began to spring forth, and today those churches are thriving and growing and reaching their communities!

I want to challenge each of you as Pastors to take a hard look at those ACMR’s and look at the facts.

We need to remember what our Business is and then we need to ask ourselves, “How is our Business doing?”

Then we need to go to work and make some changes to make us more effective for the Kingdom of God!

David Vistine

Assistant Executive Director

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Spring 2015

Assistant Network Pastor

Spring 2015

Womens Ministries

“I AM FREE” WOMEN’S ENCOUNTER 2014 “I AM - The Tour” was a huge success as more than 500 ladies gathered for area meetings all across NM. These women accepted the challenge to rise up to join a powerful, marching army of God to turn New Mexico upside for Him! 2015 is the year to be discipled, developed and deployed so that we can carry out God’s great commission. Join me for this amazing “I AM FREE” Women’s Encounter!

An Encounter is a dramatic experience that can completely change the course of our lives. It presents a series of experi-ences and personal teachings that result in visible, manifested changes in the lives of all who participate. It offers people an environment and March 27 & 28, 2015 opportunity to discover how to establish their relationship with God, how to have direct fellowship with Him and how to commit to His Lordship in their lives. Participants are taught the claims of the Gospel and experience forgiveness of sin, freedom from bondage, emotional and physical healing,and restoration of worth and value. They also learn the value and the blessing of a covenant relationship with God. Check out www.nmministry.net to download the poster! To register, go to the events page at www.thefamilylifeline.net and then choose March 27th to find the link. I’m excited about the plans and purposes God has for us as women join together to encounter Him!

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Spring 2015

SAVE THE DATE! WOMEN’S CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 17-19 @ TRAMWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH 4800 TRAMWAY RIDGE DR NE ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87111 KERRY CLARENSAU, National Women’s Ministries Director for the Assemblies of God, will be our speaker. Let’s explore how to enjoy a life that soaks in love and shares it with others. Discover some simple changes you can make today to grow love in your life--so you, too, can enjoy a beautiful life!

A prolific writer, Kerry creates resources for ministry to women and is the author of Secrets, Love Revealed, Redeemed, and this year’s theme-related book, A Beautiful Life.

Becky Dickenson

Network Womens Director

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Spring 2015

MINISTERIAL NEWS

PASTOR INSTALLATION

Lapsed: Joseph Drinkard (L) Christopher Lopez (C) Robert Nemeth (C) Aaron Perez (C Rena Peters (L) Transferred In: Michael Johnson (O) Mountainair Carolina Lapusan (C) Hobbs Joseph Lapusan (C) Hobbs Gabriel Salazar, Jr. (L) Bloomfield Tim Schaffer (C) Waterflow Transferred Out: Beverly Clindaniel (L) Arizona Steven Clindaniel (O) Arizona Michael Dominguez (L) Arkansas Johnny Elliott (O) Oklahoma Blair Overturf (O) N. Tx Joseph Snodgrass (L) W. Tx Victor Villalobos (C) Alabama

New Mexico Ministry Network is proud to announce Rev. Pablo and LupĂŠ Cerquera as the new pastors of Life In Red of Santa Fe, NM. 08

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AIM 2015

My District Youth Director, Darrell Kelley, would frequently challenge the churches of New Mexico to get every teenager on a missions trip before high school graduation. As a student, I didn’t fully understand the significance of this, but I am so thankful that he presented this challenge. I had the opportunity to participate in numerous AIM missions trips prior to graduating high school and my life was greatly impacted by each experience. Every AIM trip location provides unique experiences and opportunities for participants to expand their world view, their comfort zone and their understanding of Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

It is extremely important that we give students opportunities to practice the Word of God at home and in unfamiliar places and cultures. By encouraging participation and helping students prepare for an AIM trip, you are playing a vital role in setting them up for spiritual success. Students that participate in missions trips are actively placing themselves into the will of God and it’s in those moments that they experience the presence and provision of God promised in the last part of Matthew 28:20.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Every student should participate in a missions trip before they graduate high school…New Mexico AIM exists to help make that a possibility!

Jeral Dickenson NM Student Ministries Director

AIM 2015 - Nicaragua Come with us as we venture to the second most populated city in Central America to share the love of Jesus with those who do not yet know Him. On this trip, you will experience ministry in the city as well as the jungle. This is a great trip for first-time AIMers as you will join together with students and leaders from around New Mexico and West Texas for onsite training each day prior to venturing out into ministry.

While in Nicaragua, you will practice real love by sharing the Gospel as a team through drama,

testimonies, music, preaching and acts of service. Don't miss this opportunity to change lives for eternity while being transformed yourself!

When: July 6-14, 2015 Cost:

$1600*

Where: Managua, Nicaragua Age Requirement: 14+

Info and application: www.nmyouth.org

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47 PKS AND GROWING!!!

February = fun for NM PKs.

47 New Mexico Pastors Kids gathered over President’s Day weekend for the annual NM PK Retreat. With the switch from summer to winter, PK retreat added snow activities to the usual awesomeness of friends, bonfires, games, food and late night activities.

NM CHURCHES ,

THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR PK’S THROUGH PARTNERSHIP FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AND MAKING PK RETREAT POSSIBLE.

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New Mexico Ministry Network 6640 Caminito Coors NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 (505) 899-5399 www.nmministry.net