MIRIAM GRIER
Girl’s Ministries Director
Director
PRESBYTERS
HONORARY
PRESBYTERS
Dustin Woodward
Ruben Guajardo III
Marcus McClain
David Vistine
NETWORK PASTOR A NEW SEASON!
As I write my final article for Link while serving in this role as Network Pastor, one of the books I’m reading now is an amazing book by Dr. Henry Cloud called “Necessary Endings”. By the way, it’s a book that I highly recommend for everyone; it is rich and insightful relative to the various seasons of life and leadership.
One of the characteristics of seasons is that they have a beginning, and they have an ending, which ultimately makes room for the next season God has ordained for our lives. The seasons of our lives and ministries are ordained and ordered by God, and one of the keys to an ongoing and fruitful life is to live, learn, and bear fruit in every season, and recognize that when one season comes to a close, another is about to begin.
So it is with our New Mexico Ministry Network as Becky and I are stepping away from the role of Network Pastors after the amazing joy of serving you for the last 16 years. Words simply can’t describe our gratitude to you for the incredible honor of serving you, our New Mexico churches and ministers over these years. Thank you for your grace shown to us, for your loving, encouraging support, and for allowing Becky and I to go on the journey of a lifetime with you. We are blessed!
And, we want to express our deepest gratitude to all involved with the celebration event at Network Conference. We laughed and cried together as we reflected over these years, and we want to thank every single one of you for your kindness and generosity shown to us. And then, at the end of the celebration, to be handed the keys to a brand new truck…Oh my goodness! We are still in shock. We are forever grateful!
We are so thrilled and honored to join with all of you in welcoming our newly-elected Network Pastors, Dereck and Gail Owen, as they transition into this role. These leaders have distinguished themselves over the years through their faithful and exemplary service, and now God has called them to this new place of leadership.
It is our joy to transition with them during this season as we walk together day by day with a commitment to equip and prepare them for the journey ahead. As we shared at Network Conference, we’ll be serving together until August 1st at which time Becky and I will complete our assignment and begin the journey of moving on to our future God assignments. But, we will always be here, praying for you, cheering you on, and celebrating every accomplishment along the way.
I close with the final words of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen!”
We love you all!
Pastor Mike Dickenson
NetCon25 Highlights
Breakout Session Speakers
General
Host Pastor
Dustin Woodward
NetCon25 Ordination
50 YEARS OF ORDAINED MINISTRY with the Assemblies of God
Micheal Dickenson - Albuquerque Network Pastor
Jerry Rotan - Albuquerque
Seniors Pastor @ Harvest
Barbara Wellard - Los Lunas Retired
Click below for MORE pics!
THE DICKENSON FAMILY
A Louie Esquibel, Estancia
Tyler Harris, Albuquerque
AUGUST 2, 2025
RSVP:
Miriam Grier, GM Director
College of Business & Education - Bachelor Degrees
Delaney Elizabeth McCreary
Education (Pre-Professional) Carlsbad
Amber Brooke Owen Business Tucumcari
College of Music & Communication Arts - Bachelor Degree
McKenzie Ellen Carrasco (Magna Cum Laude & Pi Kappa Lambda) Worship Leadership Roswell
NEWLY-ELECTED NETWORK PASTOR
Summer’s Opportunity: Preparing for the Harvest
Before I was in vocational ministry, I had some experience working in an apple orchard and a corn farm. Both of those experiences gave me insight into ministry and life. One of the lessons that I think about most often is optimizing every season.
As summer swoops in with its longer days and lighter schedules in some arenas, we’re given a unique gift: time. Time to breathe, reflect, and retool. For those of us in ministry leadership, this season can offer a strategic window—not to accelerate the frantic pace, but to pause and prepare. Just as a farmer sharpens his tools before the harvest, we too can take intentional steps to ensure we’re ready for what’s ahead.
Summer isn’t just about slowing down; it’s about changing pace with purpose. With relaxed rhythms in many communities, we can take a fresh look at the systems and structures in our churches and ministries. What needs refreshing? What’s bearing fruit? What’s merely taking up space? As you review your calendar and ministry strategies, ask yourself:
• What opportunities could this season open up that aren’t available in other months?
• How can I steward this time to strengthen my team and refresh our mission?
This is also a season to model rest. Not idleness, but the kind of rest that restores your soul and reconnects you with the heart of God. Rest is not the enemy of productivity—it’s the foundation for it. If we lead from burnout, we lead poorly. But if we lead from rest, we offer clarity, vision, and presence.
Let this summer be a time of both rest and readiness. Use the extended daylight not just to do more, but to do better— sharpening your focus for the spiritual harvest to come.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”
—Psalm 23:2–3
May this be a season of soul-deep renewal and fruitful, Pastor Dereck Owen
CREDENTIAL UPDATES
REMINDER:
NEWLY CREDENTIALED ORDAINED:
Makaela Elliott, Vietnam
Fred Espinosa, Las Cruces
Louie Esquibel, Estancia
Tyler Harris, Albuquerque
Justin Vistine, Portales
LICENSED:
Patrick Long, Carlsbad
ORDINATION APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR APRIL 2026 CANDIDATES
Application and forms must be received in Network Office by September 1, 2025.
Please contact Devonna (dcummins@nmministry.net or call 505.899.5399) for application forms no later than August 1.
PENTECOST SUNDAY
June 8, 2025
As we approach Pentecost Sunday, Ignite Parenting wanted to share a special resource with you. Listen to this one-minute prayer from our Assistant General Superintendent, Rick DuBose, created specifically for this meaningful occasion.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
