The Alabama Messenger

ALABAMAMESSENGER

THE

January/February 2019 Volume 33/Number 1

2019 SPEED THE LIGHT Date

Section

Location

Time

January 8

Andalusia/Monroeville

Youth Rally

East Brewton First Assembly of God

7 PM

January 9

Phenix City

Youth Rally

Phenix City First Assembly of God

6:30 PM CST

7:30 PM EST

January 10

Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston/ Sylacauga— Lunch Banquet

Lunch Banquet Tennessee Valley/Cullman

Youth Rally

Top Golf, Birmingham

12 PM

Hartselle First Assembly of God

7 PM

January 11 January 21

Montgomery

Dinner Banquet

Safe Harbor Outreach Center, Prattville

7 PM

January 22

Dothan

Lunch Banquet

Old Mill Restaurant, Dothan

12 PM

January 22

Enterprise

Dinner Banquet

Chancellor Assembly of God

7 PM

January 23

Demopolis

Youth Rally

Jackson First Assembly of God

7 PM

January 24

Mobile

Dinner Banquet

Moffett Road Assembly of God

7 PM

January 25

Baldwin

Youth Rally

Island Church, Orange Beach

7 PM

2019 CP&D Pastor/Board Banquet Tour Date

Section

Location

Time

February 4

Anniston

Top of the River, Gadsden

7 PM

February 5

Cullman

Jim ’N Nicks, Cullman

7 PM

February 7

Dothan

City Church, Dothan

7 PM

February 8

Demopolis

David’s Fish House, Thomasville

7 PM

February 11

Enterprise

Bethel Assembly of God, Ariton

7 PM

February 12

Phenix City

Phenix City First Assembly of God

6:30 PM CST

7:30 PM EST

February 15

Monroeville

Appleton Assembly of God, Brewton

7 PM

February 18

Mobile

Praise Family Church

7 PM

February 19

Baldwin

Foley Assembly of God

7 PM

February 21

Tuscaloosa

Yampertown Steak & Seafood, Winfield

7 PM

February 22

Tennessee Valley

Hartselle First Assembly of God

7 PM

February 25

Birmingham

Dreamland BBQ, Five Points South

7 PM

February 26

Sylacauga

Sylacauga First Assembly of God

7 PM

February 28

Montgomery

Catfish House, Millbrook

7 PM

March 1

Andalusia

Westview Assembly of God, Opp

7 PM

Ken Draughon ALABAMA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ds@adcag.org

I trust that you had a wonderful holiday season and now you are ready for all God has for you in 2019. As I look back on 2018, I am amazed at all that God in His faithfulness has done for us and in faithful anticipation, I am ready to partner with Him for this New Year.

2019 is a land not yet possessed. You remember how the Book of Joshua begins, “Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.” (Josh. 1:11) The word “possess” means to “occupy” by driving out those that are presently living there. God has given us territory that is already occupied by those who God does not intend to leave there, but we must move by faith to dis-occupy them.

There are demonic strongholds and earthy philosophies that are attempting to keep us from “occupying” what God intends for us to have through His promises.

Let me encourage you as the Lord did to Joshua in verse 9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” He is with you even though everything visible or in the natural doesn’t line up with that declaration. That is the definition of FAITH (evidence of things NOT seen).

Walk in FAITH! My heart is full of expectation and anticipation for you, your church, your family and this district as we posture for greater things in our ministry and lives this year. God never calls us to greater things without giving us greater power. We are people of promise and power!

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. DISTRICT SECRETARY-TREASURER msharp@adcag.org

EPIPHANY – JESUS, the KING of LIGHT for ALL the WORLD The Christmas Season begins on December 25 and lasts through January 5. On January 6, Chris>ans celebrate Epiphany, the revela>on of the infant Jesus to the Magi as the King of the Jews and the Light of the World.

We read about the visit of the Magi in the Gospel of MaIhew 2:1-12. MaIhew has been telling the story of Christ’s lineage from Abraham, his miraculous concep>on, and his birth as the promised Messiah, seed of Abraham and Son of David. In every possible way MaIhew has emphasized that all of God’s promises to Abraham, to David, and to Israel will be fulfilled in Jesus.

MaIhew con>nues the story of David’s Son with the story of his first revela>on to Gen>les. The story of the Magi is not a birth story – it is an announcement story. It is the story of the King of Light for all the world. God had promised that David’s Son would rule the na>ons and that God’s People would be a light to the na>ons. The glory of God would be revealed in God’s king, a light to those who lived in darkness. Na>ons would come to his light and kings to the brightness of his dawn.

The Magi were Wise Men, scholars, probably astrologers from the east, toward Babylon and Persia. They were spiritual seekers. MaIhew has no word of rebuke for these Gen>les. God meets hungry souls where they are, speaking to them in ways they understand, leading them to a clear witness of the one Savior of the world. They saw in the heavens, the realm familiar to them, a new and inexplicable light. God had promised in Numbers 24:17 and in Isaiah 60:1-6 that something like this would happen. The Magi viewed it as a sign, an omen, that a great king was being born. Drawn by God, they came to worship the King of Light for all the world. The Magi became the first-fruits of a vast future harvest from the na>ons of the Earth.

Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi as well as celebra>ng an event later in Jesus’ life: His bap>sm by John the Bap>st. In that event Christ iden>fied himself in solidarity with the lost humanity he came to save. He submiIed to John’s bap>sm of repentance, even though Christ needed no repentance himself. He fully submiIed to the Father’s mission to save a lost humanity, was revealed as God’s beloved Son, and was anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his mission.

Both of these events – the visit of the Magi and Christ’s bap>sm by John – are cri>cal moments in the life of Jesus. They are moments of revela>on, manifesta>ons of the ul>mate nature and purpose of Jesus of Nazareth: The Son of Man who came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came as the Lord and Savior not only of Israel, but of all the na>ons of the world.

Both events direct every Chris>an into Jesus’ purpose: Revealing the good news of God’s Messiah to the na>ons of the world. Celebra>ng Epiphany reminds the Church that we must always be on mission to go and make disciples of Jesus in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, to the uIermost parts of the Earth,

For me, this is yet another reason to follow the Chris>an Year. At Epiphany we are thrust into mission at the beginning of the year, ending the Christmas Season on a high note of purpose and ac>on. When Pentecost concludes the Easter Season half-way through the year, we are again thrust into mission in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us always be about our Father’s business of sharing the Gospel that reveals Jesus as the King of Light for all the world.

Let us always be about our King’s command to make disciples, teaching believers to how to follow him. Epiphany exists to remind us of this mission. Let’s celebrate it!

334-279-7172 Ext. 4

CE DIRECTOR: VINT NORRIS

vnorris@adcag.org www.adcag.org

We have a great privilege to teach and train children and to raise them up as Spirit filled believers. This doesn't just happen. We have to be intentional; to intentionally teach them intentionally train them, and intentionally give them the tools they need. This must be of the highest priority in all of our churches. We are here to serve you and help you to accomplish this in any way that we can.

Please consider partnering financially with the CE Department. Thank you in advance for your support.

KIDS CAMP 2019

serving Christ...Serving Kids ALABAMA KIDMIN TRAINING DAY FEBRUARY 9, 2019 10AM-2PM

HELD AT THE ALABAMA DISTRICT OFFICE

BGMC Giving January-November 2018 LUNCH PROVIDED

REGISTER AT THE ALABAMA DISTRICT WEBSITE, ADCAG.ORG; UNDER EVENTS

Orchard A/G Clearwater A/G Lomax A/G Phenix City First A/G New Home A/G Jackson First A/G Thompson Chapel Montgomery First A/G Pleasant Grove First A/G Ashland First A/G

$22,788.85 $19,162.41 $15,800.00 $13,170.00 $7,040.00 $6,672.85 $4,888.56 $4,808.74 $4,064.00 $3,872.10

Sunday School Tithe January-November 2018 The Crossing Faith A/G Weatherly Road A/G Harper's Joy A/G Kingwood A/G Montgomery First A/G Lusk A/G Weeks Memorial Hobson A/G Shady Grove A/G

$750.00 $675.12 $623.04 $550.00 $550.00 $550.00 $511.50 $452.00 $446.00 $413.50

On November 4th, Braden Doty received the Gold Medal of Achievement with Merit. Braden earned the highest award in three age groups. He is the first ever to receive this type of award in Alabama. This is a great honor for Braden and Alabama Royal Rangers. Congratulations Braden on a this great achievement!

ALABAMA DISTRICT POW WOW APRIL 26-28 For more info, contact Jim Robinson at hls.robinson@gmail.com

2018 BGMC CHILDREN’S AWARD At our 2019 Kids camp, we will honor children who have excelled in their giving to BGMC. We have put together a special “BGMC Award Package" to present to one boy and/or girl to demonstrate our appreciation for their sacrifice and commitment to BGMC. This presentation will be done in front of the whole camp during one of our gathering times.

Please help me make this happen by sending stories about kids in your church that are doing great things for BGMC. Stories about sacrificial giving, helping with fund raising, how God has blessed them through their giving, what it has done to your church’s children’s ministry, etc. See the District Website for the nomination form.

January 23-26 $85 per Person

Breakout Sessions Comedy Barn Smoky Mountains Cades Cove Ober Gatlinburg Spirit of the Smokies, Pigeon Forge, TN (865) 453-0370 Forms to register can be downloaded from the Alabama District website adcag.org

A Big THANK YOU to all churches and individuals who have given to the Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by Hurricane Michael.

"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'" Matthew 25:34-36

THANK YOU ALABAMA!

Hurricane Michael Relief Effort from the Alabama District: • 22 loads of supplies (food, tarps, cleaning supplies, etc.)

• 14 Debris removal teams • 9 Cooking teams • 11 Food distribution teams • 12 Supply Drop off sites throughout our District (AG churches) • Financial support of over $56,138.00 to aid churches and Pastors • Thanksgiving meal feeding over 400

Thanks from West Florida District Superintendent Pastor Tommy Moore: On October 10, 2018, our District experienced one of the worst natural disasters in our country‘s history. With over 50 churches damaged, 20 of them seriously, and five of them catastrophically, everyone was overwhelmed. The Lord has so graciously ministered to our needs over the last two months. He has used friends like you in the Alabama District to come alongside our District and our churches to offer, not only the financial assistance needed, but also the labor and most of all the supporting prayers that have given us strength to make it through. There are no words to say how much we appreciate the contribution you all have made to our Project 2:20 efforts. It is our prayer that God will bless you greatly and will return it a hundredfold to you and your district. Thank you again for all you have done to help. Your partnership has made a great difference.

- Pastor Tommy Moore -

Coordinator: VINT NORRIS

For more info or to donate, please call 334-279-7172 Ext. 4

ALABAMA DISTRICT MISSIONS & MEN’S MINISTRIES DISTRICT DIRECTOR DAVID STRAHAN email: dstrahan@adcag.org

us & world missions

church planting & development

men’s ministry

lftl

CP&D Top 25

Through November 2018

2019 CP&D Pastor/Board Banquet Tour

Montgomery First A/G

$34,800

Date

Section

Time

Dothan First A/G

$27,500

February 4

Anniston

Top of the River, Gadsden

7 PM

Robertsdale First A/G

$15,740

Phenix City First A/G

$15,000

February 5

Cullman

Jim ’N Nicks, Cullman

7 PM

February 7

Dothan

City Church, Dothan

7 PM

February 8

Demopolis

David’s Fish House, Thomasville

7 PM

February 11

Enterprise

Bethel Assembly of God, Ariton

7 PM

February 12

Phenix City

Phenix City First Assembly of God

6:30 PM CST

7:30 PM EST

February 15

Monroeville

Appleton Assembly of God, Brewton

7 PM

February 18

Mobile

Praise Family Church

7 PM

February 19

Baldwin

Foley Assembly of God

7 PM

February 21

Tuscaloosa

Yampertown Steak & Seafood, Winfield

7 PM

February 22

Tennessee Valley

Hartselle First Assembly of God

7 PM

February 25

Birmingham

Dreamland BBQ, Five Points South

7 PM

February 26

Sylacauga

Sylacauga First Assembly of God

7 PM

February 28

Montgomery

Catfish House, Millbrook

7 PM

March 1

Andalusia

Westview Assembly of God, Opp

7 PM

Lake City A/G

$9,176

Ashland First A/G

$8,055

Clanton First A/G

$7,400

CenterPointe A/G

$6,000

Marvin Chapel A/G

$5,775

Calvary A/G, Decatur

$5,500

Harper’s Joy A/G

$4,875

Evangel Church, Montgomery

$4,800

Moffett Road A/G

$4,400

Florala First A/G

$4,000

Weatherly Road AG

$4,000

Tuscaloosa First A/G

$3,800

River of Life Worship

$3,643

Fountain of Life Church

$3,500

Creola A/G

$3,342

Trinity A/G-Red Bay

$3,300

Faith Temple A/G

$2,750

Appleton A/G

$2,500

Butler First A/G

$2,400

Calvary A/G, Mobile

$2,400

Christian Life, Birmingham

$2,200

As we begin our CP&D Banquet Tour, please pray with us for what God would have us do in ALABAMA!

WWW.AFRICASHOPE.ORG

2019 Malawi Missions Trip

MAY 16 - 22, 2019

MAY 16-22, 2019

Join Us for this exciting opportunity!

Alabama District Missions Department

& Africa’s Hope

Ministry-Vision Trip for Ministers and spouses!

MALAWI VISION TRIP

A Strategic Partnership with Af rica’s Hope You are invited to join Reverend David Strahan, Dr. John Easter, and Africa’s Hope for a vision trip to Malawi, Southern Africa. The dates of the trip are May 16-22, 2019. The dates were chosen so that you would only have to miss one Sunday. The trip will consist of ministry in partnership with the Malawi Assemblies of God and the Malawi Bible School. The trip will conclude with a safari at the Luangwa National Park in Zambia. We believe you will be deeply impacted by this trip as you experience the exciting things that are happening in Malawi.

For more information, contact the Missions Department at 334-279-7172 ext 5.

COST OF TRIP: $3,000 This cost includes flights, lodging, meals, and a 2½ day safari.

RSVP TODAY: Email Sherry Sowers at ssowers@adcag.org

Men’s Ministries Stateside Missions Trip May 19-24, 2019

Smoky Mountain Dream Center

MISSIONARIES Keith & Alicia Hall

TEAM LEADER Bobby Formby

COST $350 per man

(Money is due April 1. You need to register as soon as possible. $100 deposit is due at registration. Call our office ASAP. We have room for only 20 men.)

For more information, contact the Missions Department at 334-279-7172 ext 5.

Thank you Alabama!

Alabama World Missions Legacy Fund Thank you for faithfully supporting our Alabama Missionaries around the world.

Without your continued support we would be unable to aid our missionaries in time of need.

We have just completed our 2018 LFTL Banquet Tour!

Tom Greene and David Raley did a wonderful job sharing the message of LFTL and how it provides in many different ways.

Missions Monday

2019 UPCOMING EVENTS

#CountMeIn

2019 is here and we have dedicated the first Monday of each month as Missions Monday.

We asked that you join us in praying for our missionaries.

Pray: 1. Favor with the National Leadership 2. Pray for Open Doors 3. Pray for Protection

JANUARY 16-26

Men’s Ministry Nepal Trip

FEBRUARY

CP&D Pastor/Board Banquet Tour

APRIL 22-24

District Council

MAY 16-22

Pastor’s Malawi Vision Trip

MAY 19-24

Men’s Ministry Stateside Trip Smoky Mountain Dream Center

SEPTEMBER 12-14

Men’s Encounter Speaker: Choco De Jesus

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

LFTL Banquet Tour

Alabama Women’s Ministries Director: Cyndi Draughon

for every woman...

CYNDI DRAUGHON Event Host

RESE MOORE

Thursday & Saturday Speaker

CRYSTAL CROSBY

Women’s Ministry Day Sunday, February 24

Friday Speaker

The theme for 2019 for women in the Assemblies of God is: “Adored by the God Who Sees Me”. As you step into this journey, you'll discover God's love for you and women everywhere. The life He offers is filled with purpose and hope. National Women’s Ministries Day for Assemblies of God churches across the United States is the last Sunday in February, but churches can recognize the women of their congregation on any day of the year.

2019 Life Rally & Girls Night Out Tour Day of the Week

Date

Time

Section

Location

Friday

February 8

7:00 PM

Birmingham

TBA

Saturday

February 9

10:30 AM

Tennessee Valley East

Athens First AG

Saturday

February 9

4:30 PM

Tennessee Valley West

Hope Church

Saturday

February 23

9:30 AM

Baldwin County

Christian Life, The Island Church

Thursday

February 28

6:30 PM

Mobile

Orchard AG

Tuesday

March 5

6:00 PM

Montgomery

Thompson Chapel

Tuesday

March 12

6:30 PM

Sylacauga

Sylacauga First AG

Friday

March 15

6:30 PM

Tuscaloosa

Fayette First AG

Saturday

March 16

11:00 AM

Cullman

Life of Faith Tabernacle

Saturday

March 16

4:30 PM

Anniston

Calvary Temple

Tuesday

March 19

6:30 PM

Monroeville

Appleton First AG

Thursday

March 21

6:30 PM

Dothan

Dothan First AG

Saturday

March 23

10:00 AM

Demopolis

Thomasville AG

Friday

April 5

6:30 CST

Phenix CIty

Phenix City First AG

Saturday

April 6

11:00 AM

Andalusia

Sanford AG

Saturday

April 27

3:00 PM

Enterprise

Enterprise First AG

for more information, please call the Alabama Women’s department 334-279-7172, ext. 1 or email trussell@adcag.org

Alabama Youth Ministries ALABAMAYOUTHMINISTRIES.COM

DISTRICT YOUTH DIRECTOR: STEVEN

A. MASON

EMAIL: DYDSEC@ADCAG.ORG

JAN-NOV 2018

YOUTH GROUP

OFFERINGS DOTHAN FIRST- $672 JACKSON FIRST- $550 MONTGOMERY FIRST- $550 PINEDALE, CLANTON- $500 SUMITON FIRST- $300 EVANGEL, MONTGOMERY- $275

HANCEVILLE AG- $260 MOFFETT RD, MOBILE- $250 RISEN LIFE CHURCH- $190 TUSCALOOSA FIRST- $180

{Grand Club Banquet}

JAN-NOV 2018

GIVING

TOP TEN CHURCHES MONTGOMERY FIRST $35,095.36 PHENIX CITY FIRST $27,335.50 JACKSON FIRST $16,625.47 VINCENT REVIVAL CENTER $14,698.18 NEWTON FIRST $11,834.00 CITY CHURCH, MOBILE $7,395.29 SUMITON FIRST $6,550.00

{March 22, 2019}

RSA Activities Center, Montgomery

Free for lead pastors, youth pastors and their spouses of churches that gave $1,000 or more to STL in 2018

BETHEL, ARITON $5,935.67 CENTERPOINTE, MOBILE $5,039.76 HARPER’S JOY, DOTHAN $5,000.00

SEE YOUR YOUTH LEADER FOR AN APPLICATION OR VISIT ALABAMAYOUTHMINISTRIES.COM APPLICATIONS MUST BE TURNED IN BY DEC. 31, 2018 —SPACE IS LIMITED AND MAY FILL UP BEFORE THIS DATE—

YORK CITY south NEW NEW YORK africa AIM STATESIDE AIM

FOREIGN

JULY 15-21, 2019 /// COST: $1,150 *PRICE MAY VARY BASED ON AIRFARE

AIM2019

with New York Sch!l of Urban Ministry

MAY 27-JUNE 7, 2019 /// COST: $2,550 with Mi"ionaries

Charles & Ta#y Ha"elbring

ALSOM 2019 Class Schedule Class Date

Level 1 Courses (Certified) THE 142 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance

Level 2 Courses (Licensed) THE 211 Intro to Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective

Level 3 Courses (Ordained) THE 311 Prayer and Worship

February 2 February 2 February 16

BIB 114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels

BIB 212 New Testament Survey

BIB 318 The Pentateuch

March 2 March 2 March 16

THE 114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine

BIB 214 Old Testament Survey

BIB 313 The Corinthian Correspondence

April 13 April 13 April 27

BIB 115 Acts: The Work of the Holy Spirit

BIB 215 Romans: Justification by Faith

BIB 322 The Poetic Books

May 11 May 11 May 25

BIB 117 Prison Epistles

MIN 223 Introduction to Homiletics

MIN 325 Preaching in the Contemporary World

August 10 August 10 August 17

BIB 121 Introduction to Hermeneutics

THE 245 Eschatology

MIN 327 Church Administration, Finance and Law

September 7 September 7 September 7

MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism

MIN 251 Effective Leadership

MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry

October 5 October 5 October 12

MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders

November 2 November 2 November 9

MIN 171 A Spirit Empowered Church

MIN 261 Introduction to AG Missions

No Class Period for Ministerial Internships (MI)

MIN 191 Beginning MI

MIN 291 Intermediate MI

January 5 January 5 January 12

MIN 391 Advanced MI

(Black denotes North Campus – Mt Olive) (Blue denotes Southeast Campus – Newton) (Red denotes Southwest Campus – Evergreen) You may contact the office of the ALSOM Director and District Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Michael D. Sharp, for more information at 334-279-7172 # 8, or msharp@adcag.org.

A Registration Form may be found on the ALSOM page at www.adcag.org

DATA CHANGES

ALABAMA DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

TRANSFERRED OUT:

Jon Beyer (L) David Reneau (O) DECEASED:

Rev. Charles Atkins Sylacauga, Alabama

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

DISTRICT MISSIONS/ MEN’S DIRECTOR

Kenneth Draughon District Superintendent

David Strahan

John A. Loper, Jr. Assistant Superintendent Michael D. Sharp District Secretary-Treasurer

For more information on upcoming events visit the Alabama District Council of the Assemblies of God website at: www.adcag.org

GENERAL PRESBYTERS Kenneth Draughon Murray Kelley George Sawyer

DISTRICT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Vint Norris DISTRICT YOUTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

Steven Mason DISTRICT WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

Cynthia Draughon

Sectional Committee Members Section Andalusia Anniston Baldwin Co Birmingham Cullman Demopolis Dothan Enterprise Mobile Monroeville Montgomery Phenix City Sylacauga Tennessee Valley Tuscaloosa

Presbyter George L Arnett Marty Phillips Michael Lynn David Wooten Michael Joyner Scottie Fulcher Eddie Littlefield James F Smith Sr. Jerry Jenkins Jeff Scurlock Randy Reid Barry Danner Keith Jones David Kelley Charles Lenn

Assistant Presbyter Lane Simmons Joe Simmons Ferron Smith Clark White Steven Moore Kevin Lewis Thomas Harrison Dwight Johnson David Edwards Russ McDonald Greg Kelley Tony Willis Michael Waldrop ( Vacant ) Chad Payne

Secretary Ray Bundy Jeremie Harrison Judd Sessions Tommy Conner Jack Thorn Jeff Walters Tommy Giddens Scott Crooms John White Chuck Morris Jim Ingram Boyd Cochran Seth Jones Jason Parnell Darryl Ballew

In Loving Memory…

Reverend Charles Ray Atkins, of Sylacauga, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at the age of 79.

Services were held on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Trinity Assembly of God with Rev. Atkins’ four sons officiaJng. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Rev. Atkins served as associate pastor for five years at Lockport Assembly of God, senior pastor for seven years at Old Path (The Bridge Church) and twenty-seven years at Trinity Assembly of God in Sylacauga.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, four sons, Roger, Gary, Darin, and Paul Atkins ten grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, one brother and one sister.

Credential Renewal LATE DEADLINE: January 15 (with additional fees)

After the deadline there are additional fees and reinstatement.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD MINISTERS ALABAMA DISTRICT CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES Sec8on 2 - Obliga8ons of Ministers a. All ministers shall be required to remit on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income earned from Gospel ministry and from secular work for the support of the District general fund. b. The following excepAons are permiBed: 1. Ministers who receive wages strictly from secular employment and regularly aBend a local assembly shall be required to support the local assembly with 5% of their income, and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

2. Evangelists shall be required to support the local assembly of which they are a member with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

3. Financial obligaAons of missionaries, military and industrial chaplains, and naAonally appointed home missionaries are as outlined in ArAcle VII, SecAon 8c of the General Council Bylaws. c. Compliance with the above requirements shall be a prerequisite for membership in the Alabama District Council and for the renewal of credenAals of all acAve ministers. Any minister whose obligaAon falls into arrears shall be required to appear before his/her respecAve SecAonal commiBee at the Ame of the SecAonal Councils, and his/her credenAals will be withheld unAl such Ame as his/her ďŹ nancial obligaAon is brought upto-date.

BOOK REVIEWS The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home, Russell Moore, Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 2018, 320 pages.

Although we someBmes view the Church as the insBtuBon most under aGack in American culture, it may well be the family as God designed it that is the most endangered organism in our culture.

SomeBmes the pressures against biblical values and relaBonships in the family are indirect, but oMen they are explicit, directly aGacking foundaBonal values that God ordained. The aGack of alternaBve values and acBviBes that our culture brings to bear are channeled through extended family members, media, school systems, friends, every means available to draw families away from devoBon to God, his Word, and his Church. The result is oMen a storm-tossed family, whose anchor in Christ has broken, now blown off course as it disintegrates from within. Pastors oMen feel powerless to stop the process they see in such families. SomeBmes it is because they themselves have failed to portray radically counter-cultural lifestyles, thoroughly biblical in their devoBon to God in all things. Always it is because, whether in leadership or in laity, a family has ceased to live a cruciform life. They are aGending the church but not authenBcally following Jesus. They are no longer shaped by the Cross.

In this book, Russell Moore addresses all of these issues and more that are destroying families today. His answer is powerful and true: Only by forming our personal lives and families around the Cross of Jesus Christ and all that it means can families be saved in this culture. Moore addresses the implicaBons and power of the Cross for correctly understanding life and family, in spiritual warfare, marriage and sexuality, ordered family relaBonships, conflict resoluBon, aging, family and church, prioriBes, and so on. Throughout he shows from Scripture that neither parents nor children are “first.” Rather, Christ and conformaBon to his image are first. All else must give way to that. I recommend this excellent, Bmely book. Your family would be greatly blessed by applying it.

The ForgoAen Church: Why Rural Ministry MaAers for Every Church in America, Glenn Daman, Moody Publishers, 2018, 228 pages.

I cannot provide a more challenging preparaBon for reading this bold, important book than this extended quotaBon from the author. It is powerful!

“What do you see when you drive through the fields and forests of rural America? When you drive by dilapidated and neglected towns, what thoughts enter your mind? When you catch a glimpse of an old broken-down house with the laundry hanging in the breeze, do you think of the people who live there, or is it merely a place you’re passing through, hurrying along to your next desBnaBon? … (Some) see rural America as a decaying and dying landscape where people are stuck in the past and are as rundown as the old homes that dot the landscape. SBll others see rural people as close-minded bigots who reject modernity and perpetuate long-standing racial and economic biases. Christ sees people who are without a shepherd … devastated by the ravaging effects of sin … in desperate need of the gospel. And, what do you see when you drive by a boarded-up church? Do you see a church that died because it was stuck in tradiBon and legalism? Do you become sad, knowing that it represents a light on a hill that has become darkened? When you pass a small church on the side street of a small town, do you see a vital part of the faith community providing a witness for the gospel? Or do you see a church that drains denominaBonal resources that should be closed so those resources could be beGer used elsewhere? Rural America is rapidly becoming a spiritual wasteland, where churches are being closed because they are overlooked and cast aside by the larger church community as a place deemed to insignificant or unworthy of our a<en=on.”

Daman’s book is filled with relevant, accurate, detailed informaBon about the state of the church in rural America. This is a sobering call to the Church to make rural mission a top priority. I urge you to read this book.

Michael D. Sharp, D.Min. District Secretary-Treasurer

Alabama District Council Scholarship Program

Superintendent’s Scholarship $5,000.00

Church Ministry Scholarship $3,000.00

For students pursuing degrees designed for pastoral/preaching ministry

For students pursuing ministries such as: youth, CE, leadership, music, administra6on, etc.

Pastor’s Dependent Scholarship $4,000.00

Distance Educa9on Scholarship $1,000.00

For children of Alabama AG creden6aled ministers

For students pursuing online/ministry degrees at the ins6tute, college, or graduate level

The deadline for completed applica9on is March 31, 2019 District Scholarship applica6ons are available online now at www.adcag.org. Please contact the office of the district secretarytreasurer at 334-279-7172 or msharp@adcag.org for more informa6on.

All applicants must be preparing for full-6me church ministry. Only those planning to aNend one of the eighteen approved Assemblies of God colleges or universi6es will be considered for scholarships.

American Indian College Global University North Central University Trinity Bible College

Assemblies of God Theological Seminary La6n American Bible Ins6tute-California

La6n American Bible Ins6tute-Texas Northpoint Bible College Valley Forge Chris6an College Southeastern University Caribbean Theological Collect Northwest University

Vanguard University Evangel University Na6ve American Bible College Southwestern University Western Bible College

2019 ~ The Year of the Camp If we were able to take a poll of everyone who reads this article, we’d be overwhelmed with the goodness that God has placed inside each of us while visiting Springville Camp and Conference Center. Over the years, thousands have come to know the Lord; answered the call of ministry; received the baptism of the Holy Spirit; and, had their lives changed while attending an event at one of these camps.

This year, the Alabama Fellowship will be featuring the camp as a primary focus during District Council. We will be sharing fresh direction for the camp’s future. Please be praying about what you can personally do to invest in future generations by investing in Springville Camp and Conference Center.

It’s going to be an exciting time as we build towards the future!

Alabama District Council of the Assemblies of God 5919 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36117-2507