The Alabama Messenger

ALABAMAMESSENGER

THE

September/October 2018 Volume 32/Number 5

Date

Day

Sec,on

Loca,on

SEPT 24

MON

MONTGOMERY/SYLACAUGA

BETHEL WETUMPKA

SEPT 25

TUES

TUSCALOOSA

TUSCALOOSA FIRST

SEPT 26 WEDS

TENN VALLEY

HARTSELLE FIRST

SEPT 27

THUR

ANNISTON/BIRMINGHAM/ CULLMAN

LIFECHURCH TRUSSVILLE

OCT 1

MON

PHENIX CITY (Eastern Time)

PHENIX CITY FIRST

OCT 2

TUES

DOTHAN/ENTERPRISE

OZARK FAITH

OCT 3

WEDS

ANDALUSIA/MONROEVILLE

EVERGREEN GRACE WAY

OCT 4

THUR

DEMOPOLIS

JACKSON FIRST

OCT 5

FRI

MOBILE/BALDWIN

NEW LIFE SPANISH FORT

Morning session begins at 9:30 AM, with creden,al interviews just before lunch or just aBer lunch.

(The Phenix City Council begins at 9:30 AM Eastern Time.)

For more informa,on visit, us the website at: 2018 Sec,on Council Tour

Ken Draughon ds@adcag.org

ALABAMA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

Shocking News…

pastor takes his life through suicide…

The loss of a pastor’s life through suicide over the weekend on the west coast raises the awareness of this demonic assault against God’s creation of life. The enemy wants to destroy anyone he can because he knows how much God loves you. Nearly 45,000 people take their lives every year in America and last year 788 deaths in Alabama from suicide. It is attempted about twenty-five times more than the number of deaths.

David wrote these words in Psalm 31 and they vividly capture the feeling of wasting away with grief: Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.

For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; (v. 9-10).

There are so many situations that drive individuals to attempt to end their lives. Physical or emotional suffering; personal failure; guilt; hopelessness; failed dreams; deep disappointment and depression; and many other reasons.

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ....” Father help us to take advantage of your Gift to us through Your Spirit to “overcome images in our minds that are not from you.” We are in a war!

Just because you are a minister doesn’t make you immune to hell’s orchestrated attack. The enemy will assault your mind and try to destroy you (Rev. 9:11). Don’t ever feel you’re too spiritual to be attacked—you aren’t.

Every Assemblies of God minister will find on the back of his credential card 1-800-867-4011 which is the AG Help Line. Calls made to this number are confidential and I will never hear about a call unless the individual that made it tells me.

Who Is at Risk for Suicide?

Ken Draughon

Suicide does not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk.

ALABAMA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

The main risk factors for suicide are:

ds@adcag.org

•

A prior suicide attempt

•

Depression and other mental health disorders

•

Substance abuse disorder

Under the Influence

I have felt the pastoral responsibility for some time to address a subject that will undoubtedly be controversial even • though it should not of be.aThere arehealth those inorour fellowship abuse who feel we should loosen our stance on alcohol Family history mental substance disorder and allow moderate drinking. They say, “We are mature, and we can handle it, besides who will it hurt?” The glaring this logic is that no one would ever become an alcoholic or get drunk, lose control of the car • problem Familywith history of suicide and kill someone, or beat their wife or children in a drunken rage if they would have never taken that first drink.

There•is aFamily lot of hermeneutical violence, including debate over physical the words or sexual used in abuse the Bible for wine. We may not be able to satisfy everyone because of their particular lenses of interpretation, but the proof of the absolute need for complete • Having guns or other firearms the home of its use. abstinence of drinking alcohol is seen from theinconsequences The•Centers BeingforinDisease prisonControl or jail and Prevention say that over 88,000 people die each year because of sickness or disease that can be directly related to the use of alcohol. The U.S. Library of Medicine says there are 1.2 million visits •to local emergency because of alcohol, creating 7,459 deaths, 28,696 Being exposedrooms to others’ suicidal behavior, such asunintended a family member, peer, murders, or media19,347 suicides, and 10,228 deaths involving automobiles, and all at a cost to the U.S. economy of over $223 Billion. The abuse of figure children by drunken parents, or guardians, and the number of homes and lives that are destroyed because of alcohol use can’t even be tracked.

•

Medical illness

I’ve heard it said, “We are free to choose because the Bible doesn’t condemn moderate (social) drinking.” “Don’t • so Being between of that 15 and years or over agethinking” 60 become well-adjusted to the yourages culture you 24 fit into it without even (Romans 12:2, The Message).

The question we should ask ourselves is not “Can a Christian drink?” but “Should a Christian drink?” “It is better Even among who have risk factors do notor attempt It remains not to eat meat orpeople drink wine or to do anything else for that suicide, will causemost your brother sister tosuicide. fall” (Romans 14:21). In his letters to the Roman and Corinthian churches, the apostle Paul writes nearly three chapters to explain that difficult to predict who will act on suicidal thoughts. even though believers may have a personal understanding of things permissible to God, they must not allow that understanding to cause other brothers or sisters to stumble and fall (Romans 14, 15; 1 Corinthians 8).

Here is another thing to consider: Wine, usually diluted, was more a staple of ancient life with very small amounts of alcohol. Alcoholic beverages today are more recreational beverages. Alcohol as we know it today, “strong drink,” contains up to 45 times more alcohol in it than during the New Testament era. Distilling of alcohol wasn’t even discovered until around 1200 AD. Understand that during the Bible times water was mostly impure, and wine was added to water as a “purifier” to kill the germs in it. Paul told Timothy, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23). Timothy only drank water and probably had contracted a water-borne illness due to its impurity, and this was for medicinal purposes.

Why would we want to open the door to not only sadden God’s heart and shun the Holy Spirit through an undisciplined life exhibiting a lifestyle that would potentially destroy those we love? As believers, our lives should model Christ in ALL AREAS. We live in “perilous times’ and the evil one wants to make the body of Christ weak and diminish her testimony.

Our Assemblies of God Position Paper on Abstinence reads: “The call to holy living and to total abstinence is most appropriate for a Movement that looks with expectation for the soon return of Jesus Christ and the eventual inauguration of His kingdom on earth. Jesus warned His disciples, as well as all who would live between their time and the end time,Someone "Take heed in to Crisis: yourselves, heartsNational be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, If You Know Calllest theyour toll-free Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL)and cares of this life . . . .Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things at will 1–800–273–TALK (8255), 24before hoursthe a day, 7 days a week.

The36, service available everyone. that come to pass, and to stand Son of Man" (Luke 21:34, NKJV).isAs we watchto and pray for the return Jesus, senses should becan as sharp andthe clearLifeline as they via canTTY possibly be.

The of deaf andour hard of hearing contact at 1–800–799–4889.

All calls are

Abstinence is aContact moral choice.

It glorifies God, protects the if individual, fellow believers, preserves families, confidential. social media outlets directly you arehonors concerned about a friend’s social unifies the church, and blesses society. Abstinence reflects both the direct and indirect moral principles of the Word updates isornot dial 911legalism in an emergency.

Learn morewhich on the NSPL’sinvolves website.

The Crisis Text ofmedia God. Abstinence moral but Christian discipleship, inherently self-denial in following Christ.

Line “The is another underlying resource sensibility available is taking24 care hours of your a day, neighbor, 7 days taking a week. care ofText your“HOME” family, trying to 741741. to be a good role model, and not being a stumbling block.” Abstinence is not grounded in legalism, but in the highest moral attribute of love. Therefore the Assemblies of God reaffirms its position of abstinence from alcoholic beverages. The position at the district office are praying for clearly you and the great battle you are ofWe abstinence should be proclaimed boldly and throughout our spiritual Fellowship, yet humbly andengaged lovingly inin faithful ministry to all.” and we are here if you need us, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

I deeply believe that we are to be DUI: that would be Disciples Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit. Much more could be said on this subject, but I close in love with, “The Holy Spirit is the only SPIRIT we should be influenced by.”

EVENT SCHEDULE

MONDAY 7 PM

OPENING SERVICE

TUESDAY 9:30 AM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

7 PM

CLOSING SERVICE

WEDNESDAY FREE TIME WITH

FELLOW MINISTERS

HOTEL INFO

CALL TODAY TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION AT EDGEWATER AT THE AQUARIUM HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER 402 River Rd.

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

1-800-423-9582

Rate: $115 per night

**BREAKFAST IS INCLUDED**

GROUP NAME:

ALABAMA DISTRICT COUNCIL

PLEASE EMAIL INFO@ADCAG.ORG FOR MORE INFO

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

He Gave Pastors “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that aCer I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples aCer them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” – The Apostle Paul, Acts 20:27-31 Pastor. In many segments of today’s Church, it has become a word so plasUc that you can shape it as you will.

Between our self-centered consumerist culture and our belief that we can redefine all things as we please, we simply evacuate a word of its true meaning and fill it with a meaning more conducive to our own desires. We redefine it, reorient it, replace it in a text or context, and declare it means whatever we say it means. The American church has done this with the word “pastor.”

This word has been redefined too many ways to count … “My pastor is the guy on my favorite podcast: I’ve never met him. … Our pastor is the lady we hired to visit the sick so that we don’t have to … Our pastor makes his appearance, delivery, and people skills his top prioriUes. He’s great at snappy clichés and shorter sermons. … She uses a nugget of Scripture and tells lots of funny stories. … He’s a great pastor: Never offends anyone. We always leave feeling be_er about ourselves.”

Friends, it’s bad enough to redefine words and concepts at large. To do this with the truths of Scripture is a sin!

For, when we do this we are rejecUng what God has said, subsUtuUng our own words and definiUons, and telling people, “This is what God meant.” We are puang our meanings in God’s mouth and claiming He meant them. We make God a liar.

God gave pastors as the key leadership ministry giCs in the local church. He called them pastors, elders, overseers, leaders, and teachers. Their focus was to be on prayer, study, preaching and teaching God’s Word, making disciples, and raising up leaders. With bold and loving servants’ hearts they were to exercise the authority of under-shepherds over God’s flock, warning, correcUng, rebuking, encouraging the flock. They were to be mature, watching their own lives and doctrine closely and guarding the flock, driving out savage wolves and false teachers. They were to personally know their flock and be personally known by them. God exalted the ministry of these Teaching Shepherds and taught us to highly esteem them, imitate their faith, and in Paul’s pastoral example, to follow them as they followed Christ. This is what God calls a pastor. This is what God says a pastor – any kind of pastor anywhere on the pastoral team – will be and do.

Pastors, make much of your ministry. Such biblical, healthy pastoral ministry is the key to healthy local churches, and such churches are the indispensable base for every other ministry in the Kingdom of God. It was God who defined and gave real pastors. Let us never create, or receive, a counterfeit. Let us never reject God’s words because they’re no longer culturally cool. Don’t cooperate with the enemy’s plan to twist, deceive, and destroy.

Believe what God’s Word says about you and about the ministry God has given you. Be and do what God calls “Pastor.”

CE DIRECTOR: VINT A. NORRIS

The Crossing $ 6 5 0 . 0 0 Weatherly Road $ 6 2 3 . 0 4 Lusk AG $ 4 2 5 . 7 0 Faith AG $ 4 1 6 . 6 8 Kingwood AG $ 3 5 0 . 0 0 Hobson AG $ 3 0 6 . 0 0 Shady Grove $ 3 0 5 . 5 0 Life Church of the AG $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 Harper’s Joy AG $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 Weeks Memorial $ 2 8 1 . 0 0

Serving Christ…Serving Kids!

Contact CE Dept vnorris@adcag.org

Orchard AG $ 2 2 , 5 3 4 . 1 7 Lomax AG $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 Phenix City First AG $ 6 , 3 0 0.00 $ 4 , 1 Clearwater AG 6 2 . 4 1 Jackson First AG $ 3 , 5 6 6 . 9 0 $3,520.00 New Home AG Montgomery First AG $ 2 , 4 7 1 . 7 1 Thompson Chapel AG $ 2 , 3 3 4 . 3 3 Vincent Revival Center $ 2 , 0 3 6 . 6 2 Bay Minette First AG $ 1 , 8 2 5 . 0 0

(334) 279-7172 Ext. 4

GREENWAY Sportsman Club - (334) 850-3689 2621 HWY 223, Union Springs, Alabama Sporting Clay Shoot - 9:00 a.m.

Pheasant Hunt - 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Lunch and Missions Challenge - 1: p.m.-2:30 p.m.

For more information contact Pastor Vint Norris: CELL: 251-209-2818 EMAIL: vnorris@adcag.org

January 23-26 $85 per Person Children's Leader Retreat Spirit of the Smokies, Pigeon Forge, TN (865) 453-0370 Pastors, please consider investing in your

children’s ministry and send your children’s

pastor/leader and or team. This will be a time of refreshing, fellowship, and teaching with

others in children’s ministry across the state.

Sept. 24 – Bethel Worship Center – Montgomery/Sylacauga Sections Sept. 25 – Tuscaloosa First – Tuscaloosa Section Sept. 26 – Hartselle First A/G – Tennessee Valley Section Sept. 27 - Life Church B-ham – Anniston/Birmingham/Cullman Sections Oct. 1 – Phenix City First – Phenix City Section Oct. 2 - Faith Christian Center – Dothan/Enterprise Section Oct. 3 – Grace Way A/G – Andalusia/Monroeville Sections Oct. 4 – Jackson First – Demopolis Section Oct. 5 – New Life A/G – Mobile/Baldwin County Sections All lead pastors and children pastors are invited to a FREE BGMC luncheon following Sectional Council. Each luncheon will be held at the corresponding host church.

Please RSVP the CE office (334)279-7172 Ext. 4 or email Kristi Norris at knorris@adcag.org about how many from your church will be attending the luncheon.

KIDS CAMP 2019

ALABAMA DISTRICT MISSIONS & MEN’S MINISTRIES DISTRICT DIRECTOR

DAVID STRAHAN email: dstrahan@adcag.org

us & world missions

church planting & development

2018 Light for the Lost Banquet Tour

men’s ministry

lftl

Guest Speakers:

Tom Greene &

David Raley

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

11/1

7:00 PM

Monroeville

East Brewton Assembly of God

11/2

7:00 PM

Birmingham

Lifechurch, Birmingham

11/4

6:00 PM

Dothan

Harper’s Joy Assembly of God

11/5

7:00 PM

Enterprise

First Assembly of God, Elba

11/6

7:00 PM

Sylacauga

River of Life Worship Center

11/8

7:00 PM

Cullman

First Assembly of God, Sumiton

11/9

7:00 PM

Mobile

First Assembly of God, Saraland

11/12

7:00 PM

Baldwin County

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

11/10

7:00 PM

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!! MEN’S ENCOUNTER 2018 September 27th-29th Call Today!

Late Registration (after September 1st) Cost: $150.00 334-279-7172 ext 5 For more information visit our website at: Men’s Encounter 2018 To Register online visit: Men’s Encounter ONLINE Registration

2019 NEPAL MEN’S MISSIONS TRIP

Dates: January 16-26, 2019

Cost: Approximately $2,600

PAYMENT DUE DATES $100 Due upon sign-up ASAP (this is a non-refundable deposit) August 15th September 15th October 15th November 15th December 15th

$500 $500 $500 $500 $500

Alabama Women’s Ministries Director: Cyndi Draughon

for every woman...

WOMEN’S RETREAT THE GREATEST EVENT OF THE YEAR! SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2018 AT SPRINGVILLE CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER Engage is right around the corner! We have worked hard to make sure this will be a time of refreshing for you and the women from your church.

Pastor Deanna Shrodes, PennFlorida Women’s Director, is sure to minister with a powerful anointing. Come expecting! It is great to have this opportunity to get away from all the business of life and have a few days to engage with God and other women. Laughter is good for the soul, so come ready to have a good time!

PRE-REGISTRATION DEPOSIT: $40 PER PERSON DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE - $80 BALANCE DUE AT CHECK-IN

PLEASE BRING GIFT CARDS TO ENGAGE! PLEASE CONTINUE TO BRING GIFT CARDS TO ALL OF OUR EVENTS TO HELP SUPPORT OUR MISSIONARIES AS THEY RETURN HOME FROM THE MISSION FIELD. WE LOVE OUR MISSIONARIES & THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION!

TEEN CHALLENGE REQUEST It is a joy to have the Teen Challenge Women’s Center join us each year for Engage.

I would like to encourage each church to help sponsor one of these young women to be able to attend the retreat.

The cost to sponsor one lady is $55.

Please contact the Women’s Dept. if you would like to help!

Alabama Girls Ministries

Coordinator: Kristi Norris

her heart... her world... His purpose

recap

2018 Girls Camp was a great success with almost 400 in attendance. Thanks to Crystal Mason, Scott & Annie Miller, and Nikki Hester for speaking in to our girls.

From the pool, to the spa, to cake decorating the girls had an awesome time. God met with us at the altars in a mighty way. Some of the girls were filled with the spirit, some rededicated their lives, some just needed direction, and God met them with whatever they needed. If you haven’t been before, we would love to have you next year.

FEBRUARY 21-23, 2019 MARK YOUR CALENDAR & MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND!

Alabama Youth Ministries ALABAMAYOUTHMINISTRIES.COM

DISTRICT YOUTH DIRECTOR: STEVEN

A. MASON

EMAIL: DYDSEC@ADCAG.ORG

YOUTH CAMP 2018

Alabama Youth Camp has once again become a summer filled with God’s anointing and His wonderful presence. We had four weeks of powerful youth camp, and a total attendance of 2,168 students, leaders, and staff. God moved in mighty ways and we praise Him for the wonderful testimonies and reports that have come from your students.

I pray that you have seen evidence of change in your young people and adults who have attended camp, and have benefited from the mighty touch of God they received. We would like to extend a big

thank you to all of the pastors, youth pastors, minister’s wives, and lay leaders and personnel who served a vital role in making these camps a huge success.

A very special thank you is also in order for our incredible camp staff who played an integral role in the success of youth camp. Few events and experiences touch the lives of young people in the way camp does, which proves we can accomplish more together than we ever could alone. Listed below are a few of the statistics compiled from individual interviews from campers.

SAVED353 REDEDICATED429 FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT426 REFILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT505 HEALED403 CALLED TO MINISTRY354

November 1st - 3rd Gatlinburg Tennessee

2018 TOP

YOUTH GROUP

OFFERINGS PINEDALE AG- $500 DOTHAN FIRST- $380 JACKSON FIRST- $350 MONTGOMERY FIRST.- $300 SUMITON FIRST- $300 EVANGEL, MONTGOMERY- $175 MOFFETT ROAD, MOBILE- $175 HANCEVILLE AG- $140 RISEN LIFE, COLUMBIANA- $110 ROBERTSDALE FIRST- $105

2018 TOP

SPEED THE LIGHT

GIVING

PHENIX CITY FIRST $17,971.00

SR BIBLE QUIZ MATCH October 13 SR BIBLE QUIZ MATCH November 10 SR BIBLE QUIZ MATCH January 5 SR BIBLE QUIZ MATCH February 9 SR BIBLE QUIZ MATCH March 16 SR BIBLE QUIZ REGIONALS May 10 & 11

Bible Quiz upcoming dates

Bible Quiz upcoming dates

with speaker, John Dougherty

JACKSON FIRST $13,100.50 MONTGOMERY FIRST $12,222.23 VINCENT REVIVAL CENTER $11,981.25 NEWTON FIRST $10,883.00 CLEARWATER, WAGARVILLE $5,000.00 DOTHAN FIRST $4,801.52 MOFFETT RD, MOBILE $4,455.99 CITY CHURCH, MOBILE $4,269.95 SUMITON FIRST $3,700.31

Church Security Planning and Intruder Response Training October 27, 2018 8:00am to 3:30pm at the Alabama District Office The cost is $99 (for every 3 people registered from your church, the 4th person is free)

Register at www.strategosintl.com/church Promo video can be downloaded at https://vimeo.com/286707454 (password aog) For more information please visit www.adcag.org, or contact the CE Office at 334-279-7172 Ext. 4 Sponsored by the Alabama District Council and the CE Department

OCTOBER 7-13 - NATIONAL ROYAL RANGER WEEK OCTOBER 18-20 - ROYAL RANGER REGIONAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 26-27 - ROYAL RANGER LEAD CONFERENCE

2018 Class Schedule - Remaining Class Date

September 8 September 8 September 8 October 6 October 6 October 13 November 3 November 3 November 10 No Class Period for Ministerial Internships (MI)

Level 1 Courses (Certified)

Level 2 Courses (License)

Level 3 Courses (Ordination)

MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism

MIN 251 Effective Leadership

MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry

MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders

MIN 171 A Spirit Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model

MIN 261 Introduction to AG Missions

MIN 191 Beginning Ministerial Internship

MIN 291 Intermediate Ministerial Internship

MIN 391 Advanced Ministerial Internship

(Black denotes North Campus) Mt Olive (Blue denotes Southeast Campus) Newton (Red denotes Southwest Campus) Evergreen ALSOM uses Global University’s Berean School of the Bible textbooks and course schedule. This format takes you through all of the courses required for each level of ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God. These courses are open to all Assemblies of God ministers, members and adherents in the Alabama District whether or not you are seeking ministerial credentials.

For excellent refresher courses in selected subjects, or for continuing education in subjects you have never formally studied, consider enrolling in specific ALSOM courses today.

The enrollment form and other information, including the 2019 ALSOM Class Schedule, may be found at www.adcag.org For more information, including the 2019 ALSOM Schedule, please contact ‌ ALSOM Director, Dr. Michael D. Sharp, District Secretary-Treasurer 334-279-7172 msharp@adcag.org Administrative Assistant, Debra Sharp 334-279-7172 dsharp@adcag.org ALSOM Dean, Pastor Chad Payne 205-441-3123 Chadp4@gmail.com

DATA CHANGES

PASTORAL CHANGES

BOURN, MIRNA E. (O) (JAMES) 312 SHOALS AVENUE KILLEN, AL 35645 (256) 740-2030

THE ROCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD (FORMERLY LIFE HOUSE AG) VINEMONT, AL 35179 PASTOR: CURTIS HAMMONDS

TAYLOR, LYNN (O) (RICHARD) 1278 CO RD 4 FORT DEPOSIT, AL. 36032 334-227-3336

NEW MINISTERS

LOMAX ASSEMBLY OF GOD CLANTON, AL PASTOR: ERRON PRICE

DECEASED Rev. Marrell Turvin 379 Cecil Varnum Road Dothan, AL 36301

SANDERS, STEVEN C. (CM) (BRITNEY) 531 DENISE ST MONROEVILLE, AL 36460 251-253-4301 Cell

Ruby Linholm (Wife of Rev. Terry Linholm) 949 HWY 71 Shelby, AL 35143

MINISTERIAL UPGRADE

Rev.Winifred Turner 9330 Jeff Hamilton Rd. Mobile, AL 36695

DAVIS, JEREMY W. (L)

CHANGE IN CHURCH NAME

Rev. Morris Hyatt 12196 E. ST HWY 52 Hartford, AL 36344

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

EVANGEL AG, DOTHAN CHANGED TO: CITY CHURCH. DOTHAN

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

GENERAL PRESBYTERS

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

Kenneth Draughon Murray Kelley George Sawyer

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

In Loving Memory‌ Reverend Morris D. Hyatt went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at the age of 88 years. Funeral services were held Sunday, August 26 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel in Dothan with Rev. Myrice McNab officiating. Burial followed at Memory Hill Cemetery with Robert Byrd directing.

Rev. Hyatt pastored and served faithfully throughout Alabama and Florida for over 50 years.

He is survived by one son, two daughters, four step-daughters, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Ruby Linholm, of Shelby, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the age of 71 years. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 19 at Bolton Funeral Home in Columbiana, Alabama with Rev. Charles Mccullough officiating.

Burial followed at Pinelawn Gardens.

Sis Linholm is survived by her husband, Rev. Terry Linholm, one son, two daughters, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, three brothers and two sisters.

Reverend Winifred Turner, of Mobile, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 13, 2018, at the age of 82 years. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 18 at Praise Family Church in Mobile with sons Rev. Tom Turner and Phil Turner officiating. Special vocal selection was by son, Kevin Turner, and the message was given by Rev. Cheryl Gray.

Sister Turner pastored alongside her husband, Cecil, for 45 years before retiring.

She is survived by three sons, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Reverend Marrell Turvin, of Dothan, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the age of 77 years. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 18 at the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Dothan, Alabama with Rev. Franklin Wood and Rev. Hershell Lewis, Jr. officiating. Burial followed at Memory Hill Cemetery.

Rev. Turvin served as Pastor of three churches, Bethlehem Assembly in Gordo, New Post Assembly in Hartford and Love Hill Assembly in Ashford, Alabama.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glenda, one son, one daughter, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.

BOOK REVIEWS: THE BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis, William J. Webb, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002, 301 pages.

William J. Webb is a professor of New Testament at Heritage Seminary, Cambridge, Ontario. In this book Webb has written the most careful analysis ever done of the scriptures related to slaves, women, and homosexuals. Those who say Christians may be practicing homosexuals have tried to link the Bible’s attitude toward homosexuality with it’s teaching on women and slavery. They say that the Bible represents outmoded ancient attitudes, and since our enlightened modern Church no longer subjugates women or practices slavery, our attitude on homosexuality must also change.

Webb’s book is an outstanding examination of all of scriptures relevant to these issues.

Webb demonstrates that the Bible often reflects both the attitudes of the societies within which it was written, and God’s attitude toward the subject at hand. Webb carefully describes when a passage is describing societal attitudes or when it is describing God’s intent. The subjugation of women and slaves permeated the social and economic life of the Roman Empire. A frontal assault on this would have incited the Empire to destroy the Church. Instead, God’s Word carefully taught profoundly counter-cultural attitudes toward women and slaves that set the Church on a redemptive trajectory to eventually eliminate slavery and female subjugation.

Biblical teaching on homosexuality was also profoundly counter-cultural, opposing more permissive gentile attitudes and supporting Jewish attitudes. Therefore, no trajectory was established that would ever change the explicit, repeated, universal condemnation of homosexual practice found through the Old and New Testaments. Webb conclusively demonstrates that no redemptive movement exists in Scripture that could ever affirm homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. Webb provides orthodox Christians with powerful arguments against connecting the Bible’s treatment of slaves, women, and homosexuals.

The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics, Robert A. J. Gagnon, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002, 520 pages.

Robert Gagnon is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

This book is the most exhaustive treatment yet written on what the Bible says about homosexual practice. The scope of this work is comprehensive, examining all scriptures relevant to the issue, as well as all arguments raised by scholars who try to twist scriptures toward support of homosexual lifestyles. Gagnon also explores all of the cultural contexts within which all of these passages were written, explaining what the surrounding cultures believed and practiced regarding sexuality.

The author begins with the Old Testament, then moves through the intertestamental period, the witness of Jesus, the teaching of Paul, and the rest of the New Testament. Gagnon deals with all hermeneutical issues in depth. He demonstrates that the passages specifically referencing homosexuality, the passages that might be relevant, and the overarching themes of Scripture never show neutrality or support for such a lifestyle, always condemn the lifestyle as sin, and always support monogamous heterosexuality in marriage as God’s original, final, and only plan for human sexual expression. Gagnon carefully engages and dismantles every single argument put forward by those trying to find support in Scripture permitting Christians to live monogamous homosexual lifestyles.

Interestingly, Gagnon, who is definitely an orthodox Christian, does not have as strict a doctrine of inerrancy as do some evangelicals, including our own Fellowship. Even using some of the scholarly approaches and tools of “liberals” themselves, Gagnon conclusively demonstrates the Bible’s comprehensive rejection of homosexual practice. He concludes with an overview of genetic, psychological, and sociological research on homosexuality.

Every pastor should have both of these outstanding books. Both books critique the Church for its failures in heterosexual marriage and morality, and both books forbid any hatred or persecution of homosexuals. Christians are encouraged to walk patiently in loving, truthful discipleship with believers who struggle with same-sex attraction. Both authors encourage Christians to maintain a Christ-like spirit toward unbelievers. Each book establishes the Bible’s position beyond any doubt, and the two of them together present an irrefutable case for the classical, historical position of Judaism and Christianity on this issue. Our Pastors, people, and churches will increasingly face pressure to affirm LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) lifestyles as acceptable lifestyles for Christian believers. These two books provide definitive answers refuting every mishandling of Scripture and every argument in favor of LGBT lifestyles. This issue will be the most divisive issue in our culture and in the American church for many years. It will be one major watershed defining whether one is a genuine or an apostate Christian or church.

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

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