STAR Summer '24

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Searching resources on Amazon.com on the topic of “leadership” there are currently 137,827 results, with new titles added daily. Everyone seems to be the expert. Still, with all of this at our fingertips, we still suffer from leadership deficiency – in our nation, workplaces, churches and homes. We have too many leaders who believe their position mandates their influence, rather than their influence enabling them to be effective in their position. I’m concerned when leaders lead by forced coercion - “my way or the highway.”

John Maxwell says, “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It’s about one life influencing another.”

God has placed all of us in a position of leadership, So, He gave us one resource that has a lot to say on the topic of effective leadership, and it’s available for free. It’s the Bible, and the passage is Proverbs 16. This chapter is packed full of leadership lessons. Consider nine principles that are critical characteristics of a good, godly leader.

Tim R. Barker Network Superintendent 2 South Texas Ministry Network

A GOOD LEADER SEEKS GOD’S DIRECTION.

Is there anything more important in a leader than he or she seeking God’s direction? Proverbs 16:1 says “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Verse 3 adds, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” And verse 9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” A good leader seeks the Lord, commits his way to the Lord, and the Lord establishes the next steps.

A GOOD LEADER IS MODEST, NOT ARROGANT.

Maybe you’ve encountered the know-it-all leader, the “submit-or-else” type of leader. But Proverbs 16:5 says, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” I don’t think any of us want to be referred to as an abomination to the Lord.

That’s some pretty scary stuff.

A GOOD LEADER IS A PEACEMAKER.

Proverbs 16:7 says “When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Yet so many leaders aren’t interested in examining an opposing viewpoint or other ideas. We’ve lost the ability to empathize with others, and compromise has become a bad word.

There’s something to be said of sticking to principles. I believe God calls us to be steadfast. However, when our “boldness” is interpreted as “coldness,” we are not doing it right.

A GOOD LEADER IS FAIR AND JUST.

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8). I believe in goals, and working hard to achieve them. But, the end always justifying the means is simply not true. A good leader is more interested in doing things the right way.

A GOOD LEADER SURROUNDS HIMSELF OR HERSELF WITH HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY COUNSELORS … AND THEN LISTENS TO THEM.

“Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right” (Proverbs 16:13). A smart leader surrounds himself or herself with smarter people, who are willing to speak their minds and offer sound counsel. After all, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).

A GOOD LEADER IS A GOOD LEARNER.

Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” A good leader should always be learning, growing and improving. The day you feel there is nothing left to learn is the day that pride and arrogance have taken root.

A GOOD LEADER IS HUMBLE.

Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:19). So much could be said, but the Word speaks for itself.

A GOOD LEADER IS SENSIBLE AND KIND.

“Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips” (Proverbs 16:22-23). Being smart and sensible makes a good leader more persuasive and effective. A good leader uses “gracious words” (verse 24), not speech that is “like a scorching fire” (verse 27).

A GOOD LEADER IS SLOW TO ANGER.

The Bible says that “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

I pray that as you read through these qualities of a good leader, you find them as challenging as I do. God tells us how to be effective, godly leaders. It’s up to us to put our human tendencies aside and embrace these principles. It’s also up to us to pray for those under which we serve, that they too would be the good leaders God wants them to be.

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4 South Texas Ministry Network

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REGIONS & SECTIONS REGION 1. — (Formerly San Antonio Section)

Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Wilson, Karnes, Atascosa, Medina, Frio, LaSalle, Uvalde, Zavala, Dimmit, Kinney, Maverick, Kendall, Kerr, Bandera, Real, and Edwards Counties

Brush Country Section

First A/G, Carrizo Springs | Discover Church, Castroville | Bethel A/G, Devine | First A/G, Karnes City | Hope Church, La Vernia | Grace Bible Church, Lytle | Gateway Fellowship Church Medina County, Natalia | First A/G, Pearsall | Living Water Fellowship, Pleasanton | Quemado A/G, Quemado | First A/G, Stockdale

San Antonio East Section

Living Hope Church, Boerne | Church in the Wildwood, Canyon Lake | Discovery Church A/G, Cibolo | Revelation Church San Antonio, Garden Ridge | Real Life Community Church, New Braunfels | AGORA Ministries Mission Center, San Antonio | Calvary Temple A/G, San Antonio | Camelot Christian Center, San Antonio | First A/G, San Antonio | Heart of Praise Worship Center, San Antonio | Northwest A/G, San Antonio | Baruch Hashem Congregation, San Antonio | Southeast A/G, San Antonio | Hillcrest A/G, Seguin | Victory A/G, Universal City

San Antonio West Section

Gateway Fellowship Church, Bandera | First A/G, Kerrville | Gateway Fellowship Church, Kerrville | Living Waters A/G, Kerrville | Bethel Covenant A/G, San Antonio | City on a Hill A/G, San Antonio | Faith A/G, San Antonio | Gateway Fellowship Church Northwest, San Antonio | Gateway Fellowship Church Northwest Night, San Antonio | Gateway Fellowship Espanol, San Antonio | Gateway Fellowship Church Farwest, San Antonio | Gateway Fellowship Church Highlands, San Antonio | Gateway Fellowship Church Westside, San Antonio | Life Church A/G, San Antonio | Motion Church, San Antonio | New Harvest A/G, San Antonio | Tabernacle House of Worship, San Antonio | THREE: 16 Church, San Antonio | Westover Hills A/G, San Antonio | Westover Hills Espanol, San Antonio

REGION 2. — (Formerly Corpus Christi & Rio Grande Valley Sections)

McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Refugio, Aransas, San Patricio, Nueces, Webb, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Jim Hogg, Brooks, and Kennedy Counties, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron Counties

Corpus Christi Section

First A/G, Alice | Crossroads Church, Aransas Pass | Christian Worship Center, Beeville | Bethel A/G, Corpus Christi | Church of Hope, Corpus Christi | Gateway Christian Center, Corpus Christi | Glad Tidings A/G, Corpus Christi | Grace Temple A/G, Corpus Christi | Koinonia Church of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi | Spirit Life Fellowship, Corpus Christi | The Lord is Peace Worship Center, Corpus Christi | The NET Fellowship, Corpus Christi | Trinity Worship Center, Corpus Christi | Maranatha A/G, Falfurrias | Victory Fellowship A/G, Gregory | First A/G, Ingleside | Abide Church, Kingsville | First A/G, Mathis | Portland Revival Center, Portland | | | First A/G, Refugio | First A/G, Rockport | Grace Church A/G, Sinton | Open Fields A/G, Taft | First A/G, Three Rivers

Laredo Section

Divine Grace AG Church, Laredo | First A/G, Laredo | Gateway A/G, Laredo | Global Impact Prayer House, Laredo | Iglesia Cristiana Vino Nuevo, Laredo | La Iglesia Del Pueblo, Laredo | La Voz De Cristo, Laredo | Lighthouse A/G Church, Laredo | Mision Maranata, Laredo | New Creation Family Church, Laredo | New Life A/G, Laredo | Pan De Vida Asamblea de Dios, Laredo | Victory Faith Center A/G, Laredo | Rio Bravo Church, Rio Bravo | Nueva Generation En Christo, Zapata

Rio Grande Valley Section

Hosanna A/G, Brownsville | Faith A/G, Combes | Life Ministries Church, Edinburg | Harvest International Church, Edinburg | Redemption Valley Fellowship, Edinburg | Limitless Church, Harlingen | First A/G, McAllen | Rock of Ages A/G, Pharr | Lighthouse A/G, Port Isabel | First A/G, Raymondville | Labors of Love and Hope Church, Weslaco | Mid-Valley A/G, Weslaco

REGION 3. — (Formerly Victoria & Gulf Coast Sections)

Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, DeWitt, Colorado, Goliad, Victoria, Jackson, Wharton, and Calhoun Counties, Brazoria, Galveston, and Matagorda Counties

Brazoria Section

Faith A/G, Alvin | Faith Family Fellowship, Alvin | Central A/G, Angleton | First A/G, Angleton | Family Worship Center, Bay City | First A/G, Brazoria | Destination Church, Clute | First A/G, Freeport | Souls Harbor, Jones Creek | Bethel Church of the Assemblies of God, Lake Jackson | Access Church, Pearland | Life Point Church, Pearland | His Grace A/G, Sweeney | Gulf Coast Christian Center A/G, West Columbia

Galveston Section

Faith A/G, Bacliff | Dominion Church, Dickinson | West Bay A/G, Dickinson | Lighthouse Family A/G, Galveston | New Life Fellowship, Galveston | Mainland A/G, Hitchcock | Living Faith A/G, La Marque | Faith A/G, League City | His Touch A/G, San Leon | Day Spring Church, Santa Fe | Maranatha Christian Center, Santa Fe | First A/G, Texas City | Glad Tidings A/G, Texas City

Victoria Section

Tree of Life Church, Bloomington | Columbus Community Church, Columbus | Cuero A/G, Cuero | River of Life; The New Beginning, East Bernard | First A/G, Edna | New Life A/G, El Campo | Gateway Fellowship Church, Gonzales | Hallettsville Community Church, Hallettsville | Gospel Lighthouse, La Grange | Nixon A/G, Nixon | New Beginnings A/G, Port Lavaca | Six Mile A/G, Port Lavaca | First A/G, Seadrift | First A/G, Victoria | Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, Wharton | Faith Christian Fellowship A/G, Yorktown

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REGION 4. — (Formerly San Jacinto & Houston Sections) Washington, Waller, Austin, and Fort Bend Counties, and all that portion of Harris County lying west of the Santa Fe Railroad (along Mykawa Road) H.B. & T. Railroad, and Rock Island Railroad, the portion of Harris County lying east of Santa Fe Railroad (along Mykawa Road), H.B. & T. Railroad, and the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the portion of Liberty County lying South of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and west of the Trinity River, and the portion of Chambers County lying west of the Trinity River.

Northwest Houston Section Cornerstone Christian Center, Brenham | The Ark Fellowship, Cypress | Harvest Family Church, Cypress | Iglesia Nueva Vida, Cypress | New Life Church, Cypress | Champion Cowboy Church, Hockley | Divine Mercy A/G, Houston | Faith Church, Houston | Discover Church, Cypress | Iglesia Fuente De Agua Viva, Houston | Lindale A/G, Houston | The Pursuit Church, Houston | Real Life Church, Houston | Christian City Fellowship, Sealy | Iglesia Esperanza Viva, Tomball | Local Church A/G, Tomball | Tomball A/G, Tomball

Houston South Section

Braeswood Church, Houston | Braeswood Church West Campus, Houston | Emmanuel A/G, Houston | Fountain of Life Christian Center, Houston | Gloryland A/G Church, Houston | | Living Word Tabernacle, Houston | New Song Fellowship, Houston | Space City Church, Houston | Family Life A/G, Katy | Amazing Grace Assembly, Manvel | Alpha and Omega Assembly, Missouri City | Brave Church, Missouri City | The Source Church, Needville | Friendship Church A/G, Richmond | Embassy Church, Rosenberg | Legacy Church, Stafford | New Pointe Church, Stafford | Firebrand A/G, Sugarland | Victory A/G, Sugarland

North San Jacinto Section

First A/G, Channelview | East Houston Revival Center, Channelview | First A/G, Dayton | Old River A/G, Dayton | Cathedral of Praise, Houston | Coat of Many Colors, Houston | Crossroads Fellowship, Houston | LifeStream Church, Houston | | | Seeker Hill, Houston | Mercy Gate, Mont Belvieu

South San Jacinto Section

Bayway Drive A/G, Baytown | The Lighthouse, Baytown | New Life Ministries Int’l, Baytown | Trinity Assembly, Baytown | Anchor Church, Deer Park | Faithbridge Church, Deer Park | Galena Park A/G, Galena Park | Christ’s Church, Houston | Ebenezer A/G, Houston | Gulf Palms A/G, Houston | First A/G, La Porte | Iglesia Gracia Divina, La Porte | Calvary Chapel A/G, Pasadena | Connect Community Church, Pasadena | Faith A/G, Pasadena | Living Springs A/G, Pasadena | Reach Church, Webster

REGION 5. — (Formerly North Houston Section) Walker, Grimes, San Jacinto, and Montgomery Counties, and all that portion of Harris and Liberty Counties north of Rock Island Railroad, H.B. & T. Railroad, and Missouri Pacific Railroad Conroe Section All Nations’ Worship Center, Conroe | Capstone International, Conroe | Cornerstone Church, Conroe | First A/G, Conroe | Lone Star Cowboy Church, Montgomery | City Church, Houston | The Bridge Church, Houston | First A/G, Huntsville | New Birth A/G (PAC), Huntsville | The Journey Fellowship, New Waverly

Humble/Cleveland Section

Bethel A/G, Cleveland | Cross Church, Cleveland | Hi-Way Tabernacle, Cleveland | Lifestyle Community Church, Cleveland | Peace Tabernacle A/G, Cleveland | Sole Mission/The Resource Center, Conroe | Simmons Bottom A/G, Dayton | Radius Church, Humble | New Life Church on Northpark, Kingwood | Embrace Church, New Caney | New Life A/G, Patton Village | Dayspring Church, Porter | Family Deaf A/G, Porter | Grand Parkway Church, Porter | First A/G, Romayor | First A/G, Shepherd | Plum Grove A/G, Splendora | Splendora First A/G, Splendora

Spring Section

High Calling Church, Houston | Imperial Valley A/G, Houston | North Side A/G, Houston | Grace Chapel A/G, Magnolia | Living Waters A/G, Magnolia | Fusion Church A/G, Spring | North Central Church, Spring | Northwood A/G, Spring | Praise and Worship Center of Spring, Spring | Spring First Church, Spring | Springs of Living Waters, Spring | Spring Creek Fellowship Church, Tomball

REGION 6. — (Formerly Beaumont & Neches Valley Sections) Orange and Jefferson Counties and that portion of Liberty and Chambers Counties lying east of the Trinity River, Tyler, Jasper, Newton, and Hardin Counties Beaumont Section

Satellite Campus of Cornerstone Community Church Winnie, Anahuac | One City Church, Beaumont | New Birth A/G, Beaumont | First A/G, Bridge City | Harvest Church, Daisetta | Encounter Church, Groves | Moss Hill A/G, Hardin | Bethel A/G, Liberty | Revive Church, Nederland | Community Church, Orange | Encounter Church – Orange County Campus, Orange | Faith Harbor A/G, Port Arthur | Glad Tidings A/G, Port Arthur | The Rock Outreach Center, Port Arthur | Faith A/G, Vidor | River of Life Worship Center, Vidor | Cornerstone Community Church, Winnie

Neches Valley Section

New Life Church, Batson | Lakeside Christian Fellowship, Brookeland | First A/G, Buna | First A/G, Colmesneil | New Beginnings Church, Evadale | Hillister A/G, Hillister | First A/G, Jasper | First A/G, Kirbyville | Victory A/G, Kirbyville | First A/G, Kountze | Honey Island A/G, Kountze | Little Rock A/G, Kountze | Faith A/G, Lumberton | First A/G, Newton | First A/G, Saratoga | Caney Head A/G, Silsbee | First A/G, Silsbee | New Covenant A/G, Silsbee | Oak Grove Harvest A/G, Spurger | Abundant Life Fellowship, Woodville | Trinity A/G, Woodville

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Reverend Doug Roberts Doug Roberts and his wife, Janet, were both born and raised in Peoria, Illinois and moved to San Antonio in 1984. For 10 years they were both employed by Texas State Optical and during that time he became the Youth Pastor at Faith Assembly of God in San Antonio.

They went on staff there at Calvary Temple Assembly of God in January of 2000. He was serving as Associate Pastor and Janet was the church secretary. They became lead pastors in March of 2003 when Pastor James Brothers retired. For the past 12 years he has had the privilege of serving as the San Antonio Section Presbyter. It is a joy and honor to continue to serve the South Texas Ministry Network in this new role of Executive Presbyter.

Reverend Deborah Prihoda Deborah Prihoda served as Associate Pastor for 8 years and then was elected Senior Pastor of Embassy Assembly of God where she served for 20 years until resigning in 2022. She is certified as a Mass Care Chaplain and has been deployed in numerous mass disasters and critical incidents such as hurricanes, mass shootings, FLDS separation in San Angelo and others. She is active in her community and has served as a chaplain to both the Rosenberg Fire & Police Departments.

In June of this year, she and her husband Greg celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

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Dr. John Aniemeke Dr. John Aniemeke serves as the Lead Pastor of Bethel Covenant Assembly of God in San Antonio, Texas.

Pastor John was born in Nigeria into a clergy home. He and his five siblings were raised by his parents who were ordained ministers in the General Council of the Assemblies of God, Nigeria. John’s father, Rev Christian Aniemeke until his passing in 1987 served actively as the AG Nigeria National Director for College Campus Ministries called CASOR - Christ Ambassadors Students Outreach (the Nigerian equivalent of Chi-Alpha). From the age of 13, John knew that he was called by God into the ministry when he was baptized with the Holy Spirit. He has served actively from a tender age in multiple church ministry groups and roles such as the Children’s Choir, Junior Bible Quiz, Sunday School Department , Royal Rangers, Evangelism, Music Director, Campus Ministry President, Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor.

His love for God and passion for kingdom advancement has been a major catalyst in his life and ministry.

In 2013, John and his wife, Chidinma Aniemeke, were led by the Lord through the help of the Holy Spirit to establish a multicultural ministry/ church plant in San Antonio for believers of all backgrounds to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth.

Under his servant-leadership, Bethel Covenant Assembly of God which began with nine (9) foundation members has grown exponentially in number with congregants from over 35 different nations. In May of 2017, He was ordained by the General Council Of the Assemblies of God USA. Dr. Aniemeke is an author, singer, songwriter, teacher and preacher of God’s Word! He has a dynamic and unique pulpit ministry style that combines fervent prayers, prophetic ministrations and deep practical teachings of God’s Word. His unequivocal passion for God and love for God’s people is the driving force of his successful ministry. He has a fresh mandate to bring end time revival to the body of Christ and advance the gospel of Jesus Christ globally!

Dr. John Aniemeke, and his beautiful wife, Dr. Chidinma, are also practicing board-certified Periodontist and Physician respectively.

They enjoy being a blessing through their medical practices as well as serving the Lord in pastoral ministry. John & Chidinma have been happily married since 2010 and are blessed with 3 lovely children; Miriam, Timothy & Emmanuel.

Dr. Dolly Thomas Dr. Dolly Thomas is a wife, mom, licensed clinical psychologist, speaker, and author.

Since 2009, she has ministered to the staff and students of Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas, where she currently serves as the Director of Counseling and Training. In 2013, she founded Transform Counseling to bring God’s love, truth and healing to the broken and hurting. She completed post-doctoral training at Yale Medical School, and holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham University. Dolly has been an ordained minister since 2017. She and her husband George enjoy raising their four children, Jadyn, Liana, Caris and Luke, in Houston. An avid runner and hobby artist, Dolly loves rainbows, reading her Bible, and seeing a soul added to the Kingdom of God.

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Ministers & Churches Changes and Updates

New Certified

Eseosa Akioya Shirdora Brown

Jacob Butts

Joshua Gomez

Michael Jones

Glen Holland Sherri Hunter Renee Ransom

Daniel Van Hook Emily Van Winkle

New License: Jonah Salinas Upgraded to License: Thomas Ramey Upgraded to Ordained David Bangura Clifford Crain Tien Dang

Reinstated:

Azeneth Dominguez Guillermo Dominguez Aaron Flynn Ursula Gutierrez

Transfers in:

Michael Cochran - Iowa District

Carl Hayes - Michigan District

Transfers Out Huey Paul Bradford Jr – Louisiana District Thomas Chacko – Penn Del District Christina DiGirolamo – Tennessee District Vincent Duran – Texas Louisiana Hispanic District Bessy Farris – Texas Louisiana Hispanic District

Delores Fields – Arkansas District Timothy Padron – Texas Louisiana Hispanic District Harold E. (Eddie) Smith – North Texas District Christian Straus – New Mexico Ministry Network Cameron Ward – Illinois District

New Pastors Pastor Larry McGuire – Victory Fellowship | Gregory, TX Pastor Stephen Samuels – Community Church Assembly of God | Orange, TX Pastor Carl Hayes – First Assembly of God | Brazoria, TX

New Churches Abide Church – Kingsville, TX – Lead Pastor: Sean Waters Koinonia Church of Corpus Christi – Corpus Christi, TX – Lead Pastor: Steve Lopez Mision Maranata – Laredo, TX – Lead Pastor: Pedro Garcia Divine Grace AG Church – Laredo, TX – Lead Pastor: Patricia Flores La Voz De Cristo – Laredo, TX – Lead Pastor: Jose Torres Iglesia Cristiana Vino Nuevo – Laredo, TX – Lead Pastor: Laura Mendez

Church Name Change Bethel Church of the Assemblies of God – Lake Jackson, TX | Formally: Shady Oaks Assembly of God

General Council Affiliated First Assembly of God – Jasper, TX | Lead Pastor: Ricky Roach River of Life The Beginning – East Bernard, TX | Lead Pastor: Stephen Meredith

Withdrawn From the Assemblies Of God LifePoint Church – Magnolia, TX King’s Way Family Church – Kingsville, TX Magnolia Assembly of God – Port Neches, TX

Church Closure The River Assembly of God – The Woodlands, TX

Church Transfer Grace Community Church – Woodville, TX | Transferred to: Texas Louisiana Hispanic District

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Looking Back to Look Forward When it comes to ministry, we must be careful to avoid Missional Drift, being slightly off course or getting out of balance. I’ve discovered that often our enemy’s first shot to steal, kill and destroy is to confuse and/ or distract us from the path marked “God’s Will”. Oh, sometimes it’s just a small departure or an addition that is outside the boundaries.

And, he will often endeavor to get us to trade the best for the good.

On the other hand, change is inevitable! Some change is vital! Many are stuck in the past and going nowhere! The wheels may be turning, but just spinning in the same place! Another of Satan’s ploys is to get us to believe change is not necessary! I will never forget sitting in the apartment of David Mohan in Madras, now Chennai, India. We arrived at 2:00 AM and stayed in an apartment on the third floor of New Life AG, next to where he lived. The church had seen explosive growth. We ate breakfast with he and his wife the next morning. On the wall, next to the kitchen table, was a plaque that said: “Constant Growth is impossible without change”! His explanation was amazing.

We must hold tenaciously to our “Doctrine”, but our approach to ministry, our tactic, will be subject to the necessity of adjustment!

Our church in Sacramento was located on 1.8 acres of land. We had grown from 150 to 750 people on Sunday morning. At one point we had three Sunday Morning services and two full Sunday Schools. We were constantly making changes to accommodate the growth and keep us positioned for continued growth.

So, realizing we must hold tightly to certain things and not so tight others, that takes wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

With that in mind I went back to review the beginnings of Seniors With Purpose, what we believed the Holy Spirit had directed us to establish for the foundation of the ministry. I discovered some drift and additions that need a bit of correction and some steering to stay on course.

Rather than look at the negative, I would like to share the principles we believe were and still are the God given directives for SWP. Oh, it’s not a huge departure, but a little here, a bit there and if not careful, you wind up shadow boxing! So, here is what we called our Seniors With Purpose Manifesto:

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Seniors With Purpose Manifesto Targeted Results of SWP Seniors Experiencing Purpose and Value Seniors Loyal to Jesus, Family, Church and Pastor Seniors Strategically Engaged in Ministry Seniors Living a Spirit Filled Life Seniors Engaged in Continued Spiritual Growth Seniors Involved in Missions (Local Church First) Seniors Developing and Enjoying Relationships SWP Development Developing a strong Leadership Team Resourcing the Local Church for Ministry to Seniors Tools and Opportunities for Evangelizing Our Demographic Intentionally Reaching Boomers Tactical Seniors Ministry Expansion Great Events Strategic Partnerships All STxMN Departments Other District/Network SAM Directors National SAM Director Missions Ministries AGWM

U. S. Missions

Builders International etc.

Non-AG Senior Ministries

We have done fairly well at some things and not-so-well at others! So, we take a look back and make adjustments and corrections to stay on course because there is “No Coasting to the Finish Line”!

Wayne and Judy Clark

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MISSIONS CELEBRATION! If you missed Tuesday evening at the Network Conference earlier this month, you missed a great evening, beginning with amazing worship, and great Word from AGUSM Director Malcolm Burleigh, and we had fun honoring 26 different churches that gave over $100,000 for missions & the 3 Top “Per Capita” Givers!

Here are the Top 3 “Missions Givers” for 2023: 3rd - Bethel Covenant Assembly of God, San Antonio-Drs. Pastor John & Chidi Anemieke 2nd - Crossroads Church, Houston-Pastor Mike & Danelle Allard 1st - Westover Hills, San Antonio-Pastor Jonathan & Danae Mussett The Grand total Missions Giving for the STX Ministry Network in 2023 was $12,515,488.00!!

Now that’s something to celebrate!!

We want to thank EVERYONE who gave, prayed, and went on a short-term mission trip, and especially those who answered the call to full-time missions! Missions is one of the foundations of the Assemblies of God, it’s not a suggestion that was given to us, but rather a mandate to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” as it says in Matthew 28:19.

Let’s make 2024 even better by doing more for missions than before! We have a great opportunity for your lead pastor to join our Superintendent Tim & Jill Barker, along with Builders International for the STXMN France Vision Trip for Pastors this October. There is also a France Construction trip planned at the same time for anyone wanting to join with Wayne & Judy Clark. See the attached flyers for more information!

STXAGM To The Nations!

Roger & Debbi Audorff Network Missions Directors

“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”

Hudson Taylor

South Texas Ministry Network

A GOD OF TRANSFORMATION This is part of the series of real-time stories from one of our STXMN Global workers, Reinier & Kristen Vorster who serve in Madagascar Have you ever been a part of a story that when you look back, you know that it could’ve only been because of God? This is one of those stories.

Menja, a Malagasy man, was part of the Daholo. The Daholo (or cattle thieves) are the most violent gang in Madagascar. After years of violence and witchcraft, God transformed Menja’s life after an African missionary preached the gospel in his village. He went from part of the Daholo to part of the Kingdom of God and the trajectory of his life changed. He started a church and called it “The Assemblies of God”. He didn’t even know about our fellowship at that time! Through a God-ordained series of events, he ended up at the Assemblies of God Bible School here in Antananarivo and then became a pastor in a small village called Ambohitromby.

Now, this is where our story and his story intertwine.

In 2019, Kristen’s dad was diagnosed with cancer. He fought hard, but in 2020, he went to be with his Savior. While none of this is what we would have chosen on our own, God had plans bigger than ours. You see, someone paid for the funeral, with the request that when the life insurance money came in, it would be used for ministry.

Kristen’s mom, Vicki, prayed for many months on what to do with the money and as she prayed, she felt God was leading her to build a church in an unreached village in the country of Madagascar. She talked to our team leaders, and they had the place: Ambatomainty Nord.

This is a few hours walk from the village where Pastor Menja has his church. As our leaders prayed, they believed that Pastor Menja was the one who should be pastoring this new church.

As they called Pastor Menja and told him about this new church and the opportunity to pastor it, he asked them, “How did you know?”

God had spoken to him not long before that he was supposed to pastor a church in this village!

God is the God of transformation. Years ago, Menja was a cattle thief. Today, he pastors in two villages, walking for hours each week between the two so that he can share the love and grace of Jesus to the Malagasy people.

We had the opportunity to visit both villages a few months ago, and to see the life that is happening in these places can only be because of God. As you thank God for his grace today in Pastor Menja’s life, be praying for those whose lives need transformation. Only HE can do it!

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A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON GAMBLING POSITION PAPER (ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL PRESBYTERY IN SESSION AUGUST 1 & 3, 2015) The unprecedented pervasiveness of gambling in American culture and its consequences demand a critique from a Christian perspective. To determine whether participation in gambling is appropriate, Spirit-filled followers of Jesus must recognize the problematic nature of gambling, understand relevant principles derived from Holy Scripture, and apply those principles prayerfully and with sensitivity to the potential impact that gambling has on the individual and others in the individual’s circle of influence.

The Nature of Gambling The basic dictionary definition of gambling is “to play a game for money or property; to bet on an uncertain outcome.”1 A more precise, legal description may help Christians understand gambling and differentiate it from legitimate transactions in which creative efforts, useful skills, and responsible investment (positive expected returns, at least in the long term, as well as inherent value independent of the marginal risk being taken) are integral factors: A person engages in gambling if he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence. . . . Gambling does not include bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, such as the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health or accident insurance.2 Gambling, then, is recognized as any activity in which wealth changes hands, mainly on the basis of chance and with risk to the gambler.

Gambling involves a wide variety of activities, both illegal (and thus prohibited by state and/or federal law) and legal (and thus usually highly regulated by state and/or federal law). Legalized gambling is often euphemistically referred to as “gaming” in the United States, and includes many types of games in which even some Christians may sometimes find themselves participating recreationally. These include, generally, three categories: fixed-odds (or “pari-mutuel”) betting, including horse and greyhound racing and other sporting events; casino gaming, both table and electronic (e.g., slot machines, video poker); and noncasino gaming, such as bingo, dead pools, lotteries, scratch cards, carnival games, card games, confidence games (e.g., the shell game) and dice-based games.

Activities (such as raffles and sometimes, bingo) that are designed primarily to support a charitable cause, and only secondarily to generate a possible return on a purchase, are not usually considered to be “gambling,” though certain of these may be a matter of personal conscience.

The Problem of Gambling The prevalence of gambling has increased as a result of its accelerated legalization3, enhanced media exposure through mega-lotteries, expanded accessibility through online gaming and state-sanctioned lotteries, perceived acceptability of “gaming” as healthy social activity and recreational entertainment, and professed claims of economic benefit through job creation. Nonetheless, gambling’s troublesome consequences, both individual and societal, remain.

For many persons gambling results in psychological addiction4 that mirrors other forms of addiction, such as alcohol and drug dependence, in terms of symptoms5 and variation in brain chemistry.6 Gambling’s threat to public health is understood in terms of its susceptibility to organized criminal influence and control, as well as its detrimental impact on society in terms

of marital dissolutions7, impoverished families, bankruptcies, suicides8 and costs of associated social services, such as treating addictions and responding to increased crime.

In the social sciences, the term “gambling disorders” incorporates both “problem gambling” and “pathological gambling,”9 the latter being the more severe and subject to clinical diagnosis. Researchers spanning three decades estimate that from slightly less than 1 percent up to 1.9 percent of the U. S. general population suffers from pathological gambling.10 In a metaanalysis of 120 previous studies, researchers at the Center for Addictions at Harvard Medical School found that approximately 1.1 percent of the adult general population were past-year level three [pathological] gamblers and an additional 2.8 percent were classified as level 2 [problematic] gamblers who were having some problems as a result of their gambling but did not meet diagnostic criteria as pathological.11 This research suggests that almost 4 percent of the adult population in the United States suffers from some form of gambling disorder. Of the pathological gamblers, approximately 75 percent have an alcohol use disorder and 38 percent also have a drug use disorder.12 Sadly, more recent research conducted by the Research Institute on Addictions at the University of Buffalo indicates that 6.5 percent of young people (ages 14–21) are at-risk and problem gamblers (mostly male), a rate much higher than the general adult population.13 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamble, accessed March 9, 2013. http://definitions.uslegal.com/g/gambling/, accessed March 9, 2013.

3 Especially since passage of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

4 This is illustrated classically in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Gambler, 1867. Originally published in Russian, it is available in many English translations and in online free editions. See also Howard J. Shaffer, “Understanding the Means and Objects of Addiction: Technology, the Internet, and Gambling.” Journal of Gambling Studies 12:4 (1996): 461–469.

5 This includes increasing tolerance (e.g., needs to gamble more money to achieve the desired excitement); symptoms of withdrawal if gambling is stopped or reduced; and an inability to stop or reduce gambling.

6 John Mangels, “Gambling Addicts Arise from Mix of Flawed Thinking, Brain Chemistry and Habitual Behavior,” The Plain Dealer, May 15, 2011. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/05/gambling_addicts_arise_from_mi.html accessed March 12, 2013.

7 “It is estimated that one problem gambler affects at least seven other people—spouses, children, extended family members, and friends. Problem gambling can hurt not only one’s finances, but one’s physical and mental health, as well as relationships.” AAMFT Therapy Topics, American Association for Marital and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/ imis15/Content/Consumer_Updates/Problem_Gambling.aspx accessed March 12, 2013.

8 Alex Blaszczynski and E. Farrell, “A Case Series of 44 Completed Gambling Related Suicides.” Journal of Gambling Studies, 14 (1998): 93–110.

9 The diagnosis of “pathological gambling” was added to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980.

10 Christine Reilly, “The Prevalence of Gambling Disorders in the United States: Three Decades of Evidence” in Increasing the Odds, Vol. 3, Gambling and the Public Health, Part 1, 2009. http://www.ncrg.org/sites/default/files/uploads/docs/monographs/ncrg_ monograph_vol3.pdf accessed March 9, 2013.

11 Ibid., 4. Reilly cites a 1997 study by Shaffer, Hall & Vander Bilt. Research supported by a grant from the National Center for Responsible Gaming.

12 Ibid., 5. Reilly cites a 2005 study by Petry, Stinson & Grant, University of Connecticut Health Center and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2005.

13 John W. Welte, Grace M. Barnes, Marie-Cecile O. Tidwell & Joseph H. Hoffman, “The Prevalence of Problem Gambling Among U.S. Adolescents and Young Adults: Results from a National Survey.” Journal of Gambling Studies 24:2 (2008): 119-133.

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