KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN.
Network Superintendent
ds@amnag.org
THREE DIMENSIONS OF CHRISTIANITY
The Apostle Paul wrote, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the voca=on wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one bap=sm, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:1-6)
I remember when I was a liPle boy, I used to read comic books all the =me. I'll never forget when I read my first "3D" comic book. It was unbelievable! I would put on my "3D glasses," and as I read the comic book, it was as if the book came alive. I would see things come out of the pages—I'm talking about, s=ck right up out of the page. It looked so real; it made you feel like you could touch it, and it could touch you. In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, we find the Bible is "3D." This passage talks about the "3 Dimensions" of Chris=anity. It reaches right up from the pages and touches us where we live.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul challenges us to "walk out" our Chris=an profession in verses 1-16. As you study this passage, you will discover that God has a specific purpose for His church, and each of us is a part of the body of Christ and that purpose. You have a mission—you have a calling from God.
Look at these “3 Dimensions” of Chris=anity briefly:
First, We must Demonstrate Our Unity v.13, “…oneness in faith.”
Second, We must Discover Our Victory - v.13, “…comprehend the full knowledge of the Son of God.”
Third, We must Distribute Our Tes=mony - v.15, “…let our lives express (the truth in all things….”
God has given us “oneness” in Him and we are to “live that out” in our everyday lives. Our “ver=cal” rela=onship with God has EVERYTHING to do with our “horizontal” rela=onship with one another. It is in UNITY that we learn to operate in VICTORY and when we live victoriously we will be able to share our TESTIMONY.
You can put some “meat” on these bones and preach a great sermon. I con=nue to look forward to “pulling” along side of you to see Alabama reached for the King of Kings.
As we close out 2024 through the upcoming holidays, I am reminded in November of how thankful I am for your presence in my life. Like the Apostle wrote: “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph. 1:16). Thank you for your partnership in the ministry and fellowship in this wonderful Alabama AG family.
Cyndi and I pray that the true light of Christmas will light up you and your family’s lives during this miraculous season. We want to wish you and your family a special season of miracles during the holidays. I am sensing the word, “thrive” for the upcoming year. We seek to “Thrive in ’25!” Be blessed!
MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN.
NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER
PURSUE THE TRUTH OR BE DECEIVED
By which verse shall we live and die: “23 Buy the truth and do not sell it, wisdom, instruction and insight as well.” (Proverbs 23:23), or “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.” (1 Kings 22:23)
God’s people are supposed to be lovers of truth. Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to seek the truth, embrace the truth, love the truth, live in truth, obey the truth. Sadly, sometimes we don’t do these things. Eventually, truth can no longer enlighten us, cleanse us, transform us, guide us. We gradually lose our ability to distinguish truth from error. We listen to voices other than God’s word. We begin to believe lies, love error, walk in deception, and we don’t even know it! God’s people can be deceived
This usually happens because we have refused to study God’s word deeply and obey all that we read. We remain ignorant of most of God’s word. We retain idols in our hearts: People, possessions, power, popularity. Idols are enthroned within us. We dethrone Christ and replace him with an antichrist.
We see this in church trouble. Someone rebels, gossips, campaigns against leadership. Good people begin to believe lies. Their friendships are more important to them than truth. Longing to remain in their “group” they take up the offense of their friends. Emotion rules over logic. Temper trumps truth. They don’t want to research the matter, speak to leadership, hear both sides. They are only open to information that confirms their existing passions. They spiral down a rabbit hole of gossip, half-truths, and lies, until they are blind and deaf to truth. They reject God’s truth and demand a god who will satisfy their disordered passions. Sometimes, God gives them that very thing for which they long and pray as a judgment. Does God really use deception as a form of judgment? Yes. He does. We see that explicitly in 1 Kings 22. King Ahab passionately wanted to attack Ramoth Gilead. Micaiah warned Ahab that he would be defeated but Ahab rejected God’s true word and demanded another. God gave Ahab what he wanted. A deceiving spirit led Ahab to attack and be killed. In Ezekiel 14:9-11 God says he will give his compromising people and prophets the prophetic word they insist on, but it will lead to a disaster. In 2 Samuel 24 David and Israel were trusting in their own strength instead of in God. God incited David to number Israel, and then judged Israel for doing so. In 2 Thessalonians 2 we see God sending delusion upon people who reject the truth of Christ so that they will instead believe in a man of lawlessness.
If God’s people or unbelievers stubbornly refuse to seek and obey truth and instead demand an idol, God may well send a spirit of delusion upon them and give them what they ask for! This judgment may be for destruction or to bring repentance, regardless of how they “feel” about it. We might be enjoying our “answered prayer” or our “victory” in the church fight or in some other conflict, but if we have rejected God’s word and God’s will, we may actually be under God’s active judgment and not yet know it!
Is an idol enthroned in your heart today? How do you feel when God’s word, God’s Spirit, or God’s people challenge that idol? Are you continually seeking, loving, and obeying the truth in all things? Or are you afraid you might lose face or friends if you do so? Friend, don’t be afraid! Don’t be deceived! Freedom comes through pursuing truth at all costs. God’s love rejoices in the truth! (1 Cor 13)
ALABAMA WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
THANK YOU: Ladies, I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for standing in the gap for me in prayer over the past weeks. My body was in need of a physical touch from Him, and you went to the Father on my behalf. I’m forever grateful for your love and kindness! I’m thankful to know the Alabama AG family stands with me!
LIFE RALLY TOUR: Our Life Rally Tour schedule will be available in the coming weeks. This is the opportunity I have to travel to each section of the state to meet with the women of our churches to dream and believe for what we can do for missions in the coming year. Be on the lookout for when I will be in your section. I can’t wait to see you!
GULF COAST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE:
Start planning your trip to the Gulf Coast for GCWC 2025! Celebration Church in Fairhope, Alabama will host us on February 20-22 with Evangelist Jessica Bryan. She’s being used by God across the nation to minister in a powerful way. We are excited to see what God will do as we gather together in His presence. A mail out will be sent to the church in November with more information on this event.
2024 LFTL BANQUET TOUR
LIGHT FOR THE LOST SUNDAY JANUARY 26, 2025 For more information or to download the most recent Celebrate The Light videos, VISIT: https://lftl.ag.org/About/LFTL-Day
Phenix City First AG
Montgomery First A/G
Vincent Revival Center
Newton First A/G
Harpers Joy A/G - Dothan
The Island Church - Orange Beach
The Bridge Church - Cusseta
Celebra=on Church - Fairhope
Dothan First A/G
Gospel Lighthouse - Semmes
$44,492.95
$44,000.00
$26,655.97
$18,413.00
$15,000.00
$14,500.00
$11,097.30
$10,000.00
$9,144.64
$8,296.00
Pinedale A/G $700.00
Crossroads A/G - Albertville
$500.00
Montgomery First A/G $500.00
Tuscaloosa First $200.00
New Beginninngs A/G
$150.00
Robertsdale 1st $150.00
El Bethel A/G
Fountain of Life Church
Lake City A/G
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
BOOK REVIEWS
GROWING SPIRITUALLY BY READING THE GOOD BOOK WELL
If I am to read and understand the Bible as God intended, it will require a lot of study by me, a lot of help from qualified people, and a hungry, teachable heart open to the Holy Spirit’s help through those qualified people. Jesus never promised even his Apostles that the Spirit would lead them into all truth or preserve them from error as individuals. He made that promise to his Apostles as a group, in community. No one is qualified to read and understand Scripture entirely on their own. God ordains that we learn the Scripture together, receiving instruction from those who have been thoroughly trained to teach us. That’s why we continually consult God’s gifts of Teachers by reading books like those reviewed here. Though each is brief, these three books are outstanding helps in reading, understanding, and living God’s Word.
The Bible is not a manual for self-improvement, or full of secrets for success-in-life, or about leadership principles, or steps to fulfilling your destiny, or a detailed map of the “end times.” It is the Great Story of God’s mission to redeem for Himself both His Creation and a People from every nation through the person and work of Jesus Christ. To read or preach the Bible in any other way is to place our lies in God’s mouth and claim He said them. Whatever our “feelings” or apparent “success” if we do this, it will not go well for us when we stand before Him and give an account for what we have said in His Name. Here are some excellent aids to reading the good book well.
Reading the Good Book Well: A Guide to Biblical Interpretation, Jerry Camery-Hoggatt, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007, 240 pages.
Jerry Camery-Hoggatt is a retired Professor of New Testament at Vanguard University, an Assemblies of God school in California. In this book the author has provided an engaging, easy-to-read introduction to reading and interpreting Scripture. He uses simple language and stories from life to explain and simplify the complexities of biblical interpretation.
In Part 1 Hoggatt deals with The Why of Exegesis. Here he explains the determinative role of Scripture on what we can accurately know about God and about humanity. The nature and importance of hermeneutics is explained, exploring the necessity of sound interpretation if we are to understand God’s Word at all. He discusses the importance of recognizing our own paradigms that influence how we read the text and of correcting those lenses so that we can see God’s Word more clearly. Finally, the issues in Bible translation are discussed.
In Part 2 Hoggatt deals with The How of Exegesis. He deals with the wide variety of topics that must be covered to understand hermeneutics and exegesis, the topics with which we must become at least somewhat familiar if we are to read God’s Word correctly: Literary genres, historical context, biblical cultures, manuscript issues, translations, the importance of careful exegesis, everything relevant to correctly understanding God’s Word is covered well. He also deals with intertextuality - when one passage is clearly drawing upon or interacting with another passage - and how that affects interpretation.
The author repeatedly demonstrates how to determine what the text meant “then” (when first written), and only afterward what it means for us today. The importance of the original author’s intent in governing the meaning of a passage and of our understanding of that passage is emphasized. His approach is both comprehensive and succinct, fresh in its perspective and its structure. The book is filled with excellent and helpful charts, diagrams, and drawings that beautifully illustrate Hoggatt’s points.
Jerry Camery-Hoggatt’s other specialties are narrative theology and storytelling. This shines in his conversational writing style filled with relevant stories and witty humor. His writing flows naturally, smoothly, and clearly throughout the book. This is a unique and excellent introduction to reading Scripture well. It is an excellent starting place for beginners and an excellent refresher for the experienced
RENEWAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!!!
Renewal season has begun and ends on December 31. Since General Council and Alabama Network offices are closed the last week of the year, our national office advises that all renewals be submitted by December 15
ONLINE ONLY RENEWALS!!!
We want to make you aware of a change with the 2025 credential renewal process this November. Instead of receiving a paper renewal in the mail, you must log in beginning November 1, 2024 to complete your minister credential renewal online before the December 31, 2024 deadline. The General Council’s secure login system called AG Accounts will allow you to create a login if you have not already created one. Please see below for helpful tips on creating an account.
1. Please go to https://ministers.ag.org and click on the Log in with Your AG Account button.
2. If you already have an AG Accounts login, enter your email and password, then select Login.
3. If you have not set up an AG Accounts login yet, select Create Account and follow the prompts. When asked “Are you an AG Minister?” click Yes, then enter your AG Account number and zip code. Next, click Add Account Number. 4. Once logged in, you will be able to update your contact information and access other resources such as the General Superintendent’s Value-Added Videos, AG Church Directory, AG Ministers Directory, and more.
NOTICE TO ALL MINISTERS REGARDING RENEWAL SEASON and LAPSED CREDENTIALS
Failure to renew means that as of January 1 you have lapsed your credentials and you are no longer an Assemblies of God minister. After December 31 there are late fees, and after January 15 you cannot renew: You must apply for reinstatement at a cost of $100.00. After March 31 a background and credit check must also be done for all reinstatement applications. Any background or credit issues that have arisen since the minister first obtained credentials will have to be addressed according to General Council guidelines before the minister can be reinstated Finally, lapsing for more than seven years requires all of the above as well as passing all three of the newest credential exams in order to be reinstated. Please remember that when ministers holding credentials at the License level allow their credentials to lapse for more than three months, their required two years of holding License credentials before upgrading to Ordained begins all over again at the time their License credentials are reinstated. All credentialed ministers – Certified, Licensed, and Ordained – should remember that lapsing will cost a minister more time, more work, and more money when reinstating.
We hope that this information delivered proactively will be beneficial in your understanding of these particular General Council credentialing requirements. Please check to ensure you are current in your giving
RENEW EARLY!
Renew your credentials BY NOVEMBER 30 and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $500.00 gift card.
OR … Renew your credentials BY DECEMBER 15 and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $250.00 gift card.
This will be a blessing to you and to your Alabama Network and National offices!
Our new schedule layout is below. ALSOM students may take any cou rses needed during each quarter.
Quarter 1
January – March
Courses Open for Purchase: January 1
Last Day to Purchase: March 10th
Tests Must be Submitted by March 31st
Quarter 2
April – June
Courses Open for Purchase: April 1
Last Day to Purchase: June 10th
Tests Must be Submitted by June 30th
Quarter 3
July – September
Courses Open for Purchase: July 1
Last Day to Purchase: September 10 th
Tests Must be Submitted by September 30 th
Quarter 4
October – December
Courses Open for Purchase: October 1
Last Day to Purchase: December 10th
Tests Must be Submitted by December 31 st
Each quarter, we will post our entire ALSOM catalog for purchase. The courses required for each level of credentialing are listed below.
Level One (Certified)
BIB 214 Old Testament Survey
BIB 212 New Testament Survey
BIB 121 Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible
BIB 114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
THE 211 Introduction to Theology
THE 114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine
THE 152 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance
MIN 171 A Spirit-Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model
MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry
MIN 191 Beginning Ministerial Internship
Level Two (Licensed)
BIB 115 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers
BIB 117 Prison Epistles
BIB 215 Romans: Justification by Faith
THE 245 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come
MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism
MIN 223 Introduction to Homiletics
MIN 251 Effective Leadership
MIN 261 Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions
MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders
MIN 291 Intermediate Ministerial Internship
Level Three (Ordained)
THE 311 Prayer and Worship
BIB 313 The Corinthian Correspondence
BIB 318 The Pentateuch
BIB 322 The Poetic Books
MIN 325 Preaching in the Contemporary World
MIN 327 Church Administration, Finance, and Law
MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry
MIN 391 Advanced Ministerial Internship
To enroll in an ALSOM course, please visit https://alsom.edvance360.com/. Across the top of the page, you will see several tabs. Click on “Store” to purchase a course. Once you add a course to your cart and proceed to check out, you will be prompted to login. If you are a first -time user, you will be asked to enter your email information. After you complete your purchase, an email will be sent to you to create a username and password. When you purchase the course, you will receive access to the course. To access the course, click on the tab “Courses.” This is where you will do all the work for your course. Each course has a pdf textbook. Some courses have additional content such as video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and additional reading. Your test will come from content from all sources.
In Remembrance Of…
Rev. Vernon Davis
Rev. Vernon R. Davis, age 86, of Northport, Alabama passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024 at his home.
Vernon knew from an early age that God called him to serve as a missionary to India. He never lost sight of his mission even while pastoring churches in Alabama and earning his degree at Southeastern Bible College. In 1970, Vernon and Sara arrived in India with two liPle boys tagging along. Together, they served the Lord and their beloved Indian people as pastors, mentors, educators and administrators for 32 years. The fruiuulness of their life=me of ministry will con=nue to bring glory to God for many years to come.
Rev. Davis is survived by his sons, Mark Brian Davis & wife, Lorna, and Timothy Adams Davis & wife, Shelly; sister, Evelyn Hollon; sister-in-law, Kathy Rick; grandchildren, Andrew Davis, Micah Davis & wife, Darian, Jordan Davis & wife, Kelli, and Lauren Ramsey & husband, Gerard; and great-grandchildren, Clark Davis, Ryan Davis, Caiden Ramsey and Laila Ramsey. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Sara Nell Adams Davis; sister, Fay Marie McCullough; brother, Rex Davis; and parents, Irene Currenton Davis and Rube T. Davis.
Rev. Kenneth White
RENEWAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!!!
MINISTERIAL UPDATES
Renewal season has begun and ends on December 31. Since General Council closed the last week of the year, our national office advises that all renewals be submitted
ONLINE ONLY RENEWALS!!!
Kenneth White of Centreville, Alabama passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on March 7, 2024. He was born to Walter Lee and Rita White. Kenneth spent his childhood working on the family farm un=l he began his career in carpentry at the age of 16. He moved to Texas as a teenager, working with his older brothers in construc=on.
Charles G Burka III (O)
Jacob Jones (C)
We want to make you aware of a change with the 2025 credential renewal process receiving a paper renewal in the mail, you must log in beginning November credential renewal online before the December 31, 2024 deadline.
The General Council’s secure login system called AG Accounts will allow you to create created one. Please see below for helpful tips on creating an account.
Deceased:
1. Please go to https://ministers.ag.org and click on the Log in with Your AG Account 2. If you already have an AG Accounts login, enter your email and password, then 3. If you have not set up an AG Accounts login yet, select Create Account and follow you an AG Minister?” click Yes, then enter your AG Account number and zip code.
Kenneth joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and served for 6 years, both ac=ve and in Reserves. Kenneth was recalled for service on October 2, 1961, but he could not leave un=l he married the love of his life, Sara Ann Owens, on October 14, 1961. He let for service 8 days later.
Kenneth White
Vernon Davis
4. Once logged in, you will be able to update your contact information and access General Superintendent’s Value-Added Videos, AG Church Directory, AG Ministers
NOTICE TO ALL MINISTERS REGARDING RENEWAL SEASON
and
When Kenneth returned from his tour, he moved Sara to Texas where they began a family, and he also answered the call to ministry. Kenneth pastored numerous churches in Southeast Texas, from Houston to Brownsville. Later, the family moved to Alabama where his ministry con=nued, as a pastor with a passion for mission work. Kenneth was generous to all, and he loved the Lord with all his heart. His life was a walking tes=mony of faith. He will be missed by all who knew him, especially Sara, his wife of 62 years whom he loved from the day they met; his daughters (each his favorite) Kaye Pate and Krystal White Johnson (Glenn); granddaughters, BriPany Pate, Heather Johnson, and Megan Pate Hudson (Corey); great-grandchildren, Lydia and Layton Guthrie and Ayden Hudson; sister, Lynda Brewer (Kenneth) and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lee and Rita White, brothers, Lee, Earl, J.B., Marzine, Billy, and David White; sisters, Doris Creel and Mildred Owens.
Failure to renew means that as of January 1 you have lapsed your credentials and of God minister. After December 31 there are late fees, and after January 15 you reinstatement at a cost of $100.00. After March 31 a background and credit reinstatement applications. Any background or credit issues that have arisen credentials will have to be addressed according to General Council guidelines before Finally, lapsing for more than seven years requires all of the above as well as credential exams in order to be reinstated. Please remember that when ministers level allow their credentials to lapse for more than three months, their required credentials before upgrading to Ordained begins all over again at the time their All credentialed ministers – Certified, Licensed, and Ordained – should remember more time, more work, and more money when reinstating.
We hope that this information delivered proactively will be beneficial in your understanding Council credentialing requirements. Please check to ensure you are current in