The Alabama Messenger

ALABAMAMESSENGER

THE

November/December 2018 Volume 32/Number 6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Ken Draughon ALABAMA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

ds@adcag.org The District Leadership Team had a wonderful Sectional Council tour across our state during the last week of September and early October. It is always a fantastic experience to fellowship, worship and share renewed vision. The Alabama ministerial family is so dear to us, and we sincerely appreciate every one of you.

The passion on my heart is to see our Alabama churches to remain or to become healthy. In 2014, 1 in 3 of ADC churches DID NOT report one conversion according to our ACMR’s. This trend is alarming to realize that one-third of our Assemblies of God churches did not indicate one convert in a year. 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that the God who reconciled us to Himself has given us “...the ministry of reconciliation.” Jesus told His disciples (and us), “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV).

Three years later we have not improved, but we are worst in our mandate to reach the lost. In 2017, we recorded forty percent of our Alabama AG still not reporting one conversion (three years earlier we were thirty-three percent). We also saw 1 in 2 of our Alabama AG churches not reporting ONE water or Spirit baptism for the same period.

We must “Hit Reset” and reverse the trend. If the present trend continues, the church will eventually go out of business. You and I know that the church will be here when Jesus returns, but that doesn’t mean yours or my church will if we don’t reverse this trend.

We must align our church with the New Testament paradigm. We must find new and fresh ways to impart the unchurched in our communities. We must stir the flames of God’s Spirit in the hearts of our congregations which will empower them to reach out to their friends and neighbors that need a Savior.

The Acts 2 Journey from Healthy Church is a tool that we can offer that will equip local churches with the knowledge, tools, and applications that will reverse this trend in your church and create a healthy church. We are developing a Healthy Church Network in Alabama, and we will be offering opportunities for you and your leadership to attend a Healthy Church Clinic.

We are entering my favorite season of the year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. First, we are thankful for your friendship and shared ministry here in the Alabama AG family. You are valued in our lives, and we pray for you and your family throughout the year. Join us in taking time during the Thanksgiving Holiday to remind others around you that you are thankful for them. Also, reach out to those who have lost loved ones since recent holidays and encourage them. As we approach the church’s celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord, remember to share Him with everyone. Cyndi and I extend our heartfelt wishes to you and your family to have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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

Preparing for Messiah’s Coming In this issue is a book review of “40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior”, a wonderful forty day devotional by Dr. Joseph Castleberry, President of Northwest University (Assemblies of God). Dr. Castleberry’s book is one of the best Advent / Christmas devotional books I have read. I encourage you to purchase and use it as your devotional guide during this Advent Season, Christmas Season, and Epiphany.

Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus”, meaning “coming.” Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day and ends with Christmas Eve. During these four weeks the preaching, teaching, songs, and devotions remind us of Christ’s First and Second Comings. We look far back through the history of God’s people, examine our hearts, reflect on our desperate need for God, long for Christ to come, and hope steadfastly in this present darkness. We are reminded that power and wealth are deceitful and fleeting. Through Word and worship we remember God’s promises to deliver captive Israel. We remember Christ’s promises to come again to deliver his people and judge the world.

We prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s birth, and to meet him when he comes again. Advent is a time of prayerful preparation and anticipation.

Advent reminds us that we are an ancient-future pilgrim people stretching back through Christ into Israel, and forward through Christ into the eternal New Creation. Such Advent hymns as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” join our longing with ancient Israel’s and with God’s people through the ages. Each week we light a new candle in the Advent wreath reminding us that God’s light once came, and is coming again, into this dark world.

Advent embeds Christmas in its proper context. Advent deepens our awareness and our celebration of Christ’s birth.

When you have fully experienced Advent, then Christmas Eve and Morn pulse with joy as never before. Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, has come! God has kept his promise by giving his Son, and Christ shall keep his promise to come again. Until then, we remember the long wait of God’s People for Messiah’s First Advent, and we now wait in patient expectation for Christ’s Second Advent, which shall surely come!

It was a great loss when some evangelicals cast aside Advent Season, Christmas Season, and Epiphany, keeping only Christmas Day. Tearing Christmas out of context destroyed most of its formational power. Today the celebration of many American Christians is shallow, ahistorical, and truncated. Christmas was cut off from its depth in Scripture and history, stripped of much beauty and power, redefined by culture, and not by Christ. Thankfully, evangelicals are quickly relearning the power of the full Cycle of Light: Advent Season, Christmas Season, and Epiphany. Reembedding Christmas Day in its proper context ends the old year and begins a new one with deep spiritual reflection, a glorious effusion of joy, and a compelling call to mission.

Christmas, like Easter, is a season, not just a day! Christmas is a season of twelve days that begins on Christmas Day and extends to Epiphany on January 6. Epiphany celebrates the coming of the gentile Magi to worship the Christ child, as Israel’s Messiah becomes the Light to the Gentiles, the Light of the World. Here at Epiphany, God’s mission to save the nations, and our participation in that mission, are reaffirmed year after year until Christ returns. We look away from ourselves toward a lost world and are thrust outward in mission.

I encourage you to stop letting non-Christian ideas and practices push you around during these holy days. Don’t let previous ignorance or this materialistic culture use the “christmas” shopping season to replace the holy Advent Season. Don’t suddenly end Christmas on December 26 by quickly tearing down your tree and returning gifts, and then be surprised that you’re blue because you sense “something is missing.” Finish the Christmas Season with its teaching and devotions, celebrate Epiphany, and end with a purpose – taking the Light of Life to the nations! Walk humbly through these seasons with Jesus and his Church. We’re meant to remember deeply and fully together this time in the life of Christ. Redeem this season and make it truly God’s time at last.

334-279-7172 Ext. 4 vnorris@adcag.org

CE DIRECTOR: VINT A. NORRIS 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.

Serving Christ...Serving Kids

www.adcag.org

January 23-26 $85 per Person Children's Leader Retreat

ALABAMA KIDMIN TRAINING DAY

Spirit of the Smokies, Pigeon Forge, TN (865) 453-0370

February 9, 2019 10AM-2PM

Held at the Alabama District Office Lunch will be provided

Join us as we take a look at TruFire: A New Children's Ministry Curriculum designed specifically to equip leaders to help students engage with God and respond to him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

To register or for more info contact the District office at 334-279-7172 Ext 4 or knorris@adcag.org.

Breakout Sessions Comedy Barn Smokey Mountains Cades Cove Ober Gatlinburg Forms to register can be downloaded from the Alabama District website adcag.org

BGMC GIVING JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2018

SUNDAY SCHOOL TITHE JANUARY - SEPTEMEBR 2018

Orchard Assembly

$22,788.85

Lomax A/G

$15,800.00

Hartselle A/G

$11,162.41

Phenix City First A/G

$10,050.00

Jackson First A/G

$5,388.86

New Home A/G

$5,280.00

Thompson Chapel

$4046.42

Pleasant Grove

$3814.00

Montgomery First A/G

$3676.65

Life Church Rainbow City

$3470.96

The Crossing Weatherly Road Faith Assembly of God Harper's Joy A/G Kingwood A/G Lusk A/G Life Church Rainbow City Montgomery First A/G Temple A/G Shady Grove-Coffee Springs

$700.00 $623.04 $547.52 $450.00 $450.00 $425.70 $400.00 $400.00 $331.66 $305.50

KIDS CAMP 2019

Alabama Kids Invasion Connect Church, Enterprise, AL Pastor Anthony Sherrer March 22-24

Encounter Church, Guin, AL Pastor Phillip Larson October 4-6

If you are interested, please contact Vint Norris at 251-209-2818 or vnorris@adcag.org

2019 Royal Ranger Events January 5 - District RR Staff Meeting - SCCC

January 25-26 - FCF Frontier Adventure - Camp Lone Eagle February 22-24 - FCF Trace - Camp Lone Eagle March 14-16 - RR LEAD Conference - Dayton, OH April 26-28 PowWow - Camp Lone Eagle June 18-22 - Lone Eagle Academy (Jr Leadership) - Camp Lone Eagle October 4-5 - AL RR LEAD Conference - SCCC October 17-20 - FCF Territorial Rendezvous - Limestone, TN

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

us & world missions

church planting & development

men’s ministry

2018 Light for the Lost Banquet Tour Guest Speaker: David Raley & Tom Greene Co-Founders of Greene & Raley Associates Section

Church

Date

Time

Tuscaloosa

First Assembly of God, Sulligent

10/26

7:00 PM

Anniston

Fellowship AG, Oxford

10/28

6:00 PM

Montgomery

Evangel Church, Montgomery

10/29

7:00 PM

Phenix City

City Church Fellowship, Auburn

10/30

6:30 PM CST 7:30 PM EST

Demopolis

First Assembly of God, Jackson

11/01

7:00 PM

Birmingham

Lifechurch, Birmingham

11/04

6:00 PM

Dothan

Harper's Joy Assembly of God, Dothan

11/05

7:00 PM

Enterprise

First Assembly of God, Elba

11/06

7:00 PM

Sylacauga

River of Life Worship Center, Alexander City

11/08

7:00 PM

Cullman

First Assembly of God, Sumiton

11/09

7:00 PM

Mobile

First Assembly of God, Saraland

11/12

7:00 PM

Baldwin

First Assembly of God, Robertsdale

11/13

7:00 PM

Tennessee Valley

Weatherly Road Assembly of God

11/15

7:00 PM

Andalusia

Fountain of Life Worship Center, Luverne

11/16

7:00 PM

Monroeville

East Brewton Assembly of God

11/19

7:00 PM

MEN’S ENCOUNTER #COURAGE

lftl

Men’s Ministries Stateside Missions Trip Smoky Mountain Dream Center

MISSIONARIES Keith & Alicia Hall

TEAM LEADER Bobby Formby

DATES May 19-24, 2019

COST $350 per man

Merry Christmas from

The Strahan’s

Mark your calendar to join us next year for

MEN’S ENCOUNTER 2019— September 12th-14th Guest Speaker: Pastor Choco De Jesus

a note from Kristi‌

It’s a wonderful thing to teach our girls to love people well at a young age. This is a great time to give your group the opportunity to love on those in need.

Maybe you can bake cookies or package fruit to take to a nursing home or take a snack basket by the waiting room of the Intensive Care Unit at your local hospital.

The possibilities are endless to show the love of Jesus. Let me encourage you to take time this year to not only teach your girls, but to personally remember what this season is all about.

Thanks for all you do!

Alabama Youth Ministries ALABAMAYOUTHMINISTRIES.COM

DISTRICT YOUTH DIRECTOR: STEVEN

south africa A I M

FOREIGN

A. MASON

EMAIL: DYDSEC@ADCAG.ORG

JAN-SEP 2018

YOUTH GROUP

OFFERINGS DOTHAN FIRST- $509

AIM2019

PINEDALE, CLANTON- $500 JACKSON FIRST- $450 MONTGOMERY FIRST- $400

SUMITON FIRST- $300

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

EVANGEL, MONTGOMERY- $225

Charles & Ta#y Ha"elbring

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

NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK N E W Y O RCITY K NEW YORK CITY N E W Y O R K

MOFFETT RD, MOBILE- $225 HANCEVILLE AG- $160

—SPACE IS LIMITED AND MAY FILL UP BEFORE THIS DATE—

ESIDE AIM N ESSTAT WJULY YE AO K $1,150 TAT E S 15-21, ID IM R 2019 /// COST:

S TAT E S I D*PRICE E A M BASED ON AIRFARE MAYIVARY JULY 15-21, 2019 /// COST: $1,150 with New York Sch!l of Urban Ministry

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

VARY BASED ON AIRFAREMinistry with New *PRICE YorkMAY Sch!l of Urban

with New York Sch!l of Urban Ministry

RISEN LIFE CHURCH- $150 TUSCALOOSA FIRST- $140

JAN-SEP 2018

GIVING

TOP TEN CHURCHES PHENIX CITY FIRST $22,171.00 MONTGOMERY FIRST $21,195.23 JACKSON FIRST $14,160.71 VINCENT REVIVAL CENTER $12,487.25 NEWTON FIRST $11,239.00

New Youth Leader Orientation

SUMITON FIRST $5,043.82

January 7

HARPER’S JOY, DOTHAN $5,000.00

STL Dream Session

CLEARWATER, WAGARVILLE $5,000.00

February 7

Both events will be held at the district office

DOTHAN FIRST $4,801.52 CLANTON FIRST $4,675.09

WEEK 1 SPEAKER

WEEK 2 SPEAKER

Darin Stroud

Dane Hall

Kansas DYD

Former Arkansas DYD

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 Sections: Andalusia/Monroeville Youth Rally at EAST BREWTON FIRST (7 PM) Reps: Andrew Sawyer # 251-363-3311 or Ray Bundy #334-406-6721 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 Section: Phenix City Youth Rally at PHENIX CITY FIRST (6:30 PM CST/7:30 PM EST) Rep: Jimmy Ginn #334-663-1091 **NEW** THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 Sections: Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston/Sylacauga Lunch Banquet at TOP GOLF, BIRMINGHAM (12 PM) Reps: John Hires #205-746-2220, Jon Delmark #503-442-8430, Daniel Everhart #256-499-1166, or Seth Jones #256-276-0799 FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 Sections: Tennessee Valley/Cullman Youth Rally at HARTSELLE FIRST (7 PM) Reps: Andy Oram #256-506-6589 or Eric Nail #205-837-0741

STEVE MASON ALABAMA DYD

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 Section: Montgomery Dinner Banquet at SAFE HARBOR, PRATTVILLE (7 PM) Rep: Aaron Argo #205-272-0509 TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 Section: Dothan Lunch Banquet at OLD MILL RESTAURANT (12 PM) Rep: Bart Lindsey #334-797-9487 TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 Section: Enterprise Dinner Banquet at TBA (7 PM) Rep: Scotty Jones #334-733-9432 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 Section: Demopolis Youth Rally at JACKSON FIRST (7 PM) Rep: Kevin Lewis #256-504-8679 THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 Section: Mobile Dinner Banquet at MOFFETT ROAD, MOBILE (7 PM) Rep: Nathan McKinley #251-510-8782 FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 Section: Baldwin Youth Rally at ISLAND CHURCH, ORANGE BEACH (7 PM) Rep: Matthew Baker #925-698-2236

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 REINSTATED: CHRISTOPHER L. AARON (L) JOHN P. BEYER (L) NATHAN HEADLEY (L) LLOYD JENKINS (L) ALMON (JR) READY (O)

MINISTERIAL UPGRADE JONATHAN S. HUDSON (L) HEATHER ROBINSON (C)

CHANGE IN CHURCH NAME

TRANSFERRED IN: NATHAN HEADLEY (L) LARRY POWELL (O) (R)

TRANSFERRED OUT: RUTH LAMBERT SMITH (O)

DECEASED: REV. JOHN M. SAYRE MADISON, ALABAMA

ALABAMA DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Kenneth Draughon District Superintendent John A. Loper, Jr. Assistant Superintendent Michael D. Sharp District Secretary-Treasurer

TRUTH CHURCH OF ARAB formerly FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, ARAB

GENERAL PRESBYTERS

VINE

Kenneth Draughon Murray Kelley George Sawyer

formerly RESTORATION CHURCH, TRUSSVILLE, AL

DISTRICT MISSIONS/ MEN’S DIRECTOR David Strahan DISTRICT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR Vint Norris DISTRICT YOUTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Steven Mason DISTRICT WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Cynthia Draughon

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

Sectional Committee Members Section

Presbyter

Assistant Presbyter

Secretary

Andalusia

George L Arnett

Lane Simmons

Ray Bundy

Anniston

Marty Phillips

Joe Simmons

Jeremie Harrison

Baldwin Co

Michael Lynn

Ferron Smith

Judd Sessions

Birmingham

David Wooten

Clark White

Tommy Conner

Cullman

Michael Joyner

Steven Moore

Jack Thorn

Demopolis

Scottie Fulcher

Kevin Lewis

Jeff Walters

Dothan

Eddie Littlefield

Thomas Harrison

Tommy Giddens

Enterprise

James F Smith Sr.

Dwight Johnson

Scott Crooms

Mobile

Jerry Jenkins

David Edwards

John White

Monroeville

Jeff Scurlock

Russ McDonald

Chuck Morris

Montgomery

Randy Reid

Greg Kelley

Jim Ingram

Phenix City

Barry Danner

Tony Willis

Boyd Cochran

Sylacauga

Keith Jones

Michael Waldrop

Seth Jones

Tennessee Valley

David Kelley

( Vacant )

Jason Parnell

Tuscaloosa

Charles Lenn

Chad Payne

Darryl Ballew

BOOK REVIEW – 40 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior, Joseph Castleberry, Minneapolis, MN: BroadStreet Publishing, 2018, 144 pages.

Dr. Joseph Castleberry is President of Northwest University in Seattle, Washington, an Assemblies of God university. He has written an excellent new devotional for the celebration of Christmas. Joe Castleberry grew up in an Assemblies of God family in Demopolis, Alabama. He has become an accomplished minister, missionary, educator, and writer, well known in our Fellowship and beyond.

An admitted lover of Christmas, Dr. Castleberry wanted to share his love for this season and its powerful potential for spiritual formation when celebrated fully. To paraphrase the author: “Wiser generations before us divided the holiday into three seasons on the Church calendar to prepare for Christmas (during Advent), to celebrate Christmas (during Christmastime), and to live it out (Epiphany and beyond).” He arranged these daily devotions to begin on November 28, continue through the twelve days of Christmastime, and conclude on Epiphany (January 6). Each devotion contains a Scripture passage relevant to the story of Jesus, a story and application for life, and a prayer. The Bible passages are always relevant, the stories are engaging, the applications realistic, and the probing prayers prompt meditation.

Everything is arranged in an order appropriate to our journey through Advent as we prepare our hearts for Messiah’s coming. They are appropriate to the twelve days of Christmas celebration, and finally to Epiphany as we commit to take Jesus the Light to the nations of the world.

Historically the Scripture passages read during Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany are chosen in an order enabling us to walk through time with the story of redemption. Although he does not strictly follow the lectionary passages, the author does choose some of those and related passages to lead us on this same journey. From each passage key truths are learned, applied to our lives, and prayer offered incorporating these truths. We travel through Old Covenant prophecies and promises of God’s coming to deliver and save his people, until we see them fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. This journey shows us our need of God’s intervention, our need of heart preparation for God’s coming, and the great joy that is ours to share because God the Son did come and is coming again.

Throughout the book Joseph traces such biblical themes as light penetrating darkness, repentance, rescue and restoration, inclusion of aliens and outsiders, salvation by grace, the joy of salvation, our life as pilgrims, sacrificial giving, servant-leadership, the ministry of angels, the house of God, joy, and festive celebration. He considers all important truths of the Incarnation, from the line of David to the virgin birth to crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost.

It was wonderful to see solid scholarship behind these devotions. Castleberry never draws attention to this, but for careful readers it is continually obvious. Nevertheless, his clear writing erects no barriers of age or education around these devotions. He repeatedly makes the claim of Christ’s Lordship clear to the reader. Along the way the author gently corrects myths, prejudices, and bad teaching about both the biblical Christmas and the holiday’s historical development. Pentecostals will especially note the author’s sensitivity to the prominent role the Holy Spirit played in the birth and ministry of Jesus. The Spirit’s activity during this extended season is considered in several of the devotions, as is our need of Christ as Savior, Lord, and Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to order copies of “40 Days of Christmas” for yourself and for others! It is one of the better devotionals I have ever read for this season. Order them now so that you, your family, and your friends can, in the author’s words, “get the greatest possible joy from this Christmas season … thinking and praying more deeply about this blessed season … that God will speak to you in ways that go far beyond what I have written.”

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

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS The Chris)an Church has always believed in the communion of saints. We say it when we say or sing the Apostles’ Creed, which you are doing when you sing Rich Mullins’ “Creed” or Hillsong’s “This I Believe.” The term “the communion of saints” refers to the whole family of all followers of Jesus Christ, the community of faith past, present, and future. It refers to all Chris)ans, those alive on earth, those alive in heaven, those who came before us and those who will come aGer us. We s)ll commune, share, par)cipate with them in the eternal life that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are one with the Church Militant here on Earth, and one with the Church Triumphant in heaven.

Communion refers to our common par)cipa)on in the life that is in Christ Jesus, and the sharing of that resurrec)on life with all of its giGs and graces with one another. We share this life “in Christ” and “through the Holy Spirit” with believers who have passed into heaven. When we worship together as a church family we are worshiping together with friends who have passed into God’s presence and are worshipping him face to face at that moment. When we pray in and through Christ, we pray with our friends and loved ones and saints through the ages who are praying and praising in heaven. When we gather at the Lord’s Table our communion celebra)on is, through the Spirit and in Christ, joined with the communion celebra)on of believers around the world, past, present, and future, all the way into the New Crea)on.

Years ago, our young sons, all of three and five years old, were discussing with a liPle friend what it would be like to go to heaven. Our youngest son and the friend talked about sailing past the moon, sun, and stars to arrive in heaven. That’s when Jonathan, our five-year-old corrected them: “Heaven is not way far off, past the moon and the sun. Heaven is another dimension!” That was a wonderful biblical insight. Heaven is not afar off.

Through Christ, heaven is near enough to touch. So, we should not think of our friends and loved ones who have died in Christ as though they are forever lost to us or far removed from us. In Christ and through the Holy Spirit, Lord of space and )me, we are always brought near to the Father, our loved ones, the holy angels, and the redeemed mul)tude no one can number. We share sacred space with them in prayer, in praise, at the Table of the Lord, through the communion of saints. From our waking in the morning through our res)ng in the night, through the Spirit we are together in the presence of the Lord. We believe in the communion of saints.

(John 13-17, 1 Corinthians 3, 12, Philippians 3, Hebrews 12, 1 John 3)

In Loving Memory…

Reverend John “Johnathan” Mark Sayre

went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the age of 58. A celebration of his life was held on Thursday, October 04, at Madison Assembly of God, Madison, AL. His sons, Tyler and Cory led the service.

John served faithfully as pastor, missionary, and friend. In June of 1985 John began serving as youth pastor at Macon First AG in Macon, GA. In 1987 John became an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God and, also, transferred back to the Alabama District to work at Assembly of God Tabernacle in Gadsden as youth and associate Pastor.

In 1993, John and Julie moved to Madison, AL where they planted Madison Assembly of God. In 2002, John and Julie moved to Montgomery, AL to be senior pastors of Capital Christian Center. In 2005, John and Julie became fully appointed missionaries to Ireland and were there three years. Following their work in Ireland they moved home to return to Madison AG to continue their ministry as senior pastors and remained there.

John is survived by his wife, Julie Lambert Sayre, two sons, Tyler and Cory, five grandchildren, mother and father, three sisters and one brother.

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

Merry Christmas

May you have the spirit of Christmas which is peace, the gladness of Christmas which is hope, and the heart of Christmas which is love.

With love and appreciation at Christmas and Always,

The Alabama District Team Executive Officers

Ken & Cyndi Draughon, John & Sharon Loper and Michael & Debra Sharp

District Officials

Steve & Crystal Mason, David & Susan Strahan and Vint & Kristi Norris

General Presbyters

Murray & Martha Kelley and George & Phyllis Sawyer

Camp Directors

Kevin & Trish Pierson

Office Staff

Debbie Blankenship, Terra Russell, Sherry Sowers & Shannon Whittington