Link August 2011

Ministry that makes a difference

August 2011

C O N T E N T S

Ministry That Makes a Difference!

Superintendent Mike Dickenson

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Is Your Church Making a Difference Pastor, Dereck Owen, shares from Tucumcari his story.

The Church- making a difference in the community.

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Student Ministries A summer filled with life changing messages.

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Women’s Ministries Women’s Conference is coming in September. Don’t miss the stories of women in ministry.

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NMSOM Great opportunity for having theological training for anyone who feels called to the ministry.

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H AV E A N A RT I C L E I D E A ?

Email your idea: pulmer@nmaog.org

August 2011

ministry that makes a dif ference

the guest article by Pastor Dereck Owen and the church in Tucumcari. And then hopefully you will be challenged personally in your Jesus’ words in John 14:12 church and ministry as you Superintendent look at the reflective continue to speak to us all Micheal E. Dickenson questions for all of us as we when He said, “…whoever seek to be people involved in believes in me will do the One of the things that works I have been doing, and ministry who live and serve to becomes very clear as you make a difference. they will do even greater read through the New things than these, because I Testament is that Jesus This is what ministry is all am going to the came to make a about. And this is my difference! Everything One of the things that prayer for you, and for about Him, from His me, and for all of us, becomes very clear as you birth to the cross, and wherever we serve read through the New the resurrection, and Testament is that Jesus came across New Mexico. everything between Let’s be the people Jesus reflects this fact. to make a difference! spoke of in John 14:12; Let’s be the church that Follow Jesus through the Father.” (NIV) This was and exists to Make a Difference! gospels and you will see and is Ministry that Makes a hear a parade of testimonials Difference! of people whose lives were radically changed as a result But what does this look like of their encounters with Him. today, in New Mexico, where They were healed, set free, you and I serve? Within the and eternally changed pages of this issue of LINK, because of Christ who made you will see a little of what a difference in their lives. this means across New Mexico. As you read about And then you see the our Camps, Fine Arts, continuation of this as Luke Women’s Missions Trips, Girls writes of the Acts of the Ministries, School of Ministry, Apostles through the power etc., you will see first hand of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has that all of these are the ascended, but now it’s His stories of Ministry that Makes church, empowered and a Difference! You’re going to ministering to their world… be blessed and inspired by making a difference.

People’s lives were changed as they were intersected by Christ or His church.

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August 2011

Is your church making a difference?

One of the most effective strategies we’ve adopted is a priority to invest in our community.

Since then, our church has committed to serving If our church were gone tomorrow would it our community so that our kindness might show negatively affect the community? That was a God’s love. This is not a one time event or once a sobering question the :irst time I heard it. At year outreach project, but rather a mindset that :irst I wasn’t sure, and the longer that this church is here to serve this community for the question milled around in my head, my heart remainder of the communities existence. After all, said “No, it wouldn’t”. That began a process of most every investment does better over the long revitalizing our church. term. As a result, each passing year the “Does it yield good return?” “Are return on our investment is more For us, revitalization apparent and we are reaching more starts with evaluating lives changing?” And, “Does it people than ever before. The result of everything. The help us accomplish our this is that we are being able to help questions we begin disciple the people God has given us. mission?” with are: “Does it yield We realized that Jesus wasn’t the one a good return?” “Are holding us back, it was either the enemy or it was lives changing?” And, “Does it help us ourselves. accomplish our mission?”

Author: Dereck Owen

We’ve learned that everything has a lifecycle.

As soon as it’s born, it begins to die. We have to be willing to let go of any ministry or program that is not fruitful, today. And fruit means people being saved and becoming disciples.

I started playing team sports when I was young.

And I learned quickly that I enjoyed the thrill of being on a winning team. And I know what it’s like to lose. Winning is better and people want to be on a winning team.

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August 2011

Valuing the momentum that winning gives to us all, we want all regular attendees to have an active part on the team, and we want them to have an opportunity early on. Our experience is if they never learn to be a pew-­‐ sitter they will never just sit in a pew. As we began putting this principle into practice, we saw the team grow in number, in skill, and momentum.

Every church could use more people on the team. The issue is, we often want to produce something that we aren’t. And the fact is that you don’t produce something you aren’t you produce who you are.

Another principle that allows us to evaluate our ministries is something that Billy Graham said years ago, “Let your critics be your coaches.” Because we as Pastors pour our lives into ministry, we take personal any criticism of our church or its ministries.

Instead of defending or making excuses for why things are the way they are, we try to ask ourselves…What about that criticism is accurate? What can we learn from it?

Ask yourself these questions: What would I do different if I knew that God was with me?

Am I a good member of my church?

Do I invest through serving in ministries?

Do I invest :inancially?

Do I inspire others to be a part of the team?

Am I committed to see future generations be changed by the power of God? If so am I making decisions that assure that is happening?

Am I allowing my budget to limit my vision?

I hope that this is an encouragement to you and provides something for you to think about regarding the church where you serve. All of our churches are different and that’s on purpose, but God is using you and your church to help change the lives of the people in your city.

Pastor Dereck and his wife Gail moved to Tucumcari in 2001. After becoming senior pastor, Dereck has seen the church increase from one service with 100 people to two services with 200. On average, they see 6-8 salvations take place every weekend, sometimes more. Over 50% of the congregation is currently involved in hands on ministry. This multi-generational congregation rejoices as they see Heaven advance into Tucumcari.

Is your church ... making

a difference?

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PICTU

August 2011

August 2011

SE ASK YOUR

...

LF

if our church disappeared today... would the community notice?

WHENWILLi TAKE THE NEXTSTEP?

who is the church?

what is our mission?

FIELD Who whoismy God neighbor? me to be? created

who has Godcalled us to be?

Jesus i DIDlast ?

WHEN

share

August 2011

coming up in september...

Women’s

conference September 15-17, 2011 Tramway Community Church click here for more info and registration

SELAH

PAUSE, REFLECT

IDEA EXCHANGE & RETREAT A retreat, that took place at Cook Canyon Ranch, to seek God’s plan for the future of the Girl’s Ministry in New Mexico.

REMEMBERING

July 21-23, 2011

August 2011

SELAH

WONDER NO MORE

by: MICHELLE OSBORN

Unlike most days where I hit the ground running, looking forward to whatever God calls me to do that day, I woke up the morning of Girls Ministries Leaders Retreat feeling overwhelmed, weary and sad. Tears came quickly and so did God’s comfort…2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore, we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all...”

God used the ministry of the Girl’s Retreat to make a difference in my life through the messages that were shared by the speaker, Tina Haroldson. God laid out, perfectly and in detail, the very things that were weighing on my heart. He used Tina to introduce me to Zipporah, a woman who left everything she knew to accompany her husband on his mission.

God knew that I was reluctantly leaving a job I loved to venture into something that I knew nothing of. That is, enrolling in college for the first time at the age 47 to fulfill a calling that I now know was placed in my life by God when I was just 14. Throughout this message, I wept and prayed that whatever I used to call “mine” be now and completely “His.” It was such a sweet surrender. Then the stinging message of Moses focusing so much on his calling that he failed to take care of his family responsibilities. Wow God, thank you for pointing this out to me in Your most loving way. A humbling message that I will not soon forget.

Day three brought the final message of God’s resolution to my woes…don’t do it alone. Jethro made it clear to Moses that it is not good to carry the load alone.

Disciple, empower and encourage others to share in my mission and recognize those who God sends to speak into my life as I journey.

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August 2011

PASTOR

INSTALLATION

The New Mexico District is happy to welcome Daniel and Amanda O’Doherty as the new pastors in Lovington.

W O M E N ’ S M I S S I O N S T R I P On June 6th Women’s Ministries loaded several vehicles with supplies and headed to Shiprock, New Mexico to join forces with First Wash Assembly and Four Corners Community Church. 17 Women from around the New Mexico District participated in this mission’s trip.

The Four Corners project centered on outreach to children and home visits to community members, while the First Wash project focused on painting the sanctuary and staining fences.

Face painting at Four Corners

Fence Painting at First Wash

A Friday evening service was held at Four Corners and people from both churches and the surrounding community came together to worship, celebrate and receive. Relationships were built as the Holy Spirit did His work.

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August 2011

Builds strong Biblical foundations!

Establishes spiritual formation!

Develops ministerial character, ethic and integrity!

Practical in structure!

Academically accountable!

Instills discipline of study, time and lifestyle!

Time measured and cost affordable!

Only 1 Saturday per month: 9am-1:45pm

First class is Saturday, September 10th, 2011

Classes will be held at: Harvest Fellowship Assemblies of God 5331 Montano NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 (505) 899.0594 “The School of Ministry puts you in and around other people to spiritually grow with during this journey.�

- Chris Ball

nf i re o m n! r o f atio e er istr h k reg c i Cl

r o o

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August 2011

New Mexico District Leadership Team Executive Officers:

CHECK US OUT AT:

Superintendent Micheal Dickenson mdickenson@nmaog.org

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CHECK US OUT AT:

Tell us about it!

Help us link New Mexico by informing us of ministry happenings in your church and community. pulmer@nmaog.org

Assistant Superintendent Dave Vistine dvistine@nmaog.org

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

–2 Peter 1:8

Secretary-Treasurer Marcus McClain mmcclain@nmaog.org

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Ministry Directors: Men’s Ministries Kent Barnard kbarnard@nmaog.org

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Student Ministries Jeral Dickenson jdickenson@nmaog.org

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Women’s Ministries Becky Dickenson bdickenson@nmaog.org

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Royal Ranger’s Commander Bart Garrison bgarrison@nmaog.org Senior Adult Ministries Greg Burchfield gburchfield@nmaog.org

New Mexico District Council 6640 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 505.899.5399 . fax 505.899.5859 . email: info@nmaog.org

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