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Fall 2014
Fall 2014
NEW MEXICO MINISTRY NETWORK Network Pastor/ Executive Director Micheal Dickenson
mdickenson@nmministry.net
Help us New Mexico by informing us of ministry successes in your church and community. Send your submission to:
Assistant Executive Director David Vistine dvistine@nmministry.net
info@nmministry.net
Executive Administrator/ Chief Financial Officer Marcus McClain mmcclain@nmministry.net
New Mexico Ministry Network 6640 Caminito Coors NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 (505) 899-5399 phone (505) 899-5859 fax info@nmministry.net www.nmministry.net
MINISTRY DIRECTORS:
EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS:
samburgey@nmministry.net
pastor@theoasis.us
Men’s Ministries Shawn Amburgey
Royal Rangers Bart Garrison
Women’s Ministries Becky Dickenson
Girls Ministries Mary Helen Gonzalez
bdickenson@nmministry.net
Student Ministries Jeral Dickenson
jdickenson@nmministry.net
bgarrison@nmministry.net
mhgonzalez@nmministry.net
Northwest Area Randy Joslin
Southwest Area David Crispin
pastordave@oneworship.org
AREA PRESBYTERS: East Central Area Lemuel Perry
Native American Area Carlos Baki
Southeast Area Melvin Suttle
West Central Area Brenton Franks
arbidee@plateautel.net
kdmdsuttle@yahoo.com
baki69@hotmail.com
Northeast Area Randall Floyd
pastor@claytonag.org
pastorbrenton@evangelchristiancenter.org
Fall 2014
THE HUMAN RIGHT
NETWORK PASTOR MICHEAL DICKENSON receive Him. And, while we celebrate the fact that our Assemblies of God fellowship worldwide now has grown to over 67.5 million people, there are over 2 billion people who don’t have this basic human right of a personal relationship with God. As we look to the days ahead for our churches and ministries, the desire is to make The Human Right a clear focus and priority for every one of us. We’ll be hearing a lot more about it, but as I was introduced to this at the Centennial, it became clear to me that this is more than just another program. It is an initia-
all to a renewed commitment to Jesus’ instructions, and to remember that this is what the church is all about. This reminds us all “This is why we exist, and what we’re called to do!” It’s not about another program, or just another way to raise money for missions; it is “For God so loved the world, the mission of the church! that he have his only begot So as we consider God’s ten Son, that whosoever instructions to us regarding The believeth in him should Human Right, I pray that God not perish, but have evwill help us all to examine our erlasting life!” John 3:16 personal lives and ministries, Do you remember the and our churches to make sure first time you realized the powthat we are indeed fulfilling what erful and personal implicaGod calls us to do. tions of this truth in your what does The Human It’s not about another RightSo life? It may or may not have mean to you in your combeen this specific verse, but do program, or just another munity and around the world? you remember your first encI sincerely hope you’ll ask this ounter with God’s love, and way to raise money for question as it relates to every God’s gift, and the fact that God missions; it is the ministry in your church, had made provision for you to from your children to the mission of the church! experience the new birth and oldest adults. And while know everlasting life? tive, a challenge, a movement, it will obviously look different in At the recent Centennial an awakening, and a call for us each situation, it absolutely calls Celebration of the Assemblies all to connect to our responsibil- to us be aligned with God’s call, of God, General Superinten- ities to make The Human Right engaged in our communities, dent George Wood introduced a our passion and focus. and reaching out in missions, new initiative for our fellowship Jesus’ words just be- both at home and abroad. called The Human Right. You fore his ascension to go, and to The Human Right…it’s can find more detailed informa- preach, and to make disci- God’s call to us today. Let’s tion about this at ples is still our directive today, step up and make it happen, all www.thehumanright.org. and these instructions we know across New Mexico and around Very simply put, the focus as The Great Commission cer- the world! of The Human Right is the right tainly align with this renewed of every person in this whole focus on The Human Right. world to know who Jesus is and As we are challenged with to be given an opportunity to this in the days ahead, I urge us
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Fall 2014
CULTURE
[kul-chur] –noun
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR MARCUS McCLAIN
CULTURE
[kul-chur] Noun Definition: 1. A particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period. 2. The behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group. I know that you will know the answer to this question but I want to propose it anyway. What one word defines the following: rural, urban, Native American, oilfield, mining, farming and ranching, government? You got it, the word ‘culture.’ With that being said, one of the joys of serving the New Mexico Ministry Network is being able to experience the varied cultures that are reflected in the Land of Enchantment. From metropolitan Albuquerque and its surrounding partners to the oilfield communities of Lea County, the government communities of Los Alamos and Santa Fe, the Native American dominated northwest, the mostly agriculture-rural eastside, the mining and arts of Silver City, the communities that dot the landscape that follows I-25 and I-40 and so
much more. I could literally list every community individually and each community on that list would have its own unique cultural identity. Our Lord has called us to impact these cultures with the Gospel. My journey in understanding the importance of culture began when we were called to serve at Christian Life in Santa Fe in 1986. I found it somewhat odd that the Lord would put a confessing redneck right in the middle of a very New Age, heavy Catholic culture. But He did and by His grace we thrived but it didn’t happen without struggles. God had to give me a heart for my community and my community’s culture. Assuming you are where God planted you, how do you feel about the community that the Lord has called you to and more important, how do you feel about your community’s culture? I am certain there are times that you wonder if you are a “fit.” If this is the case, let me share some counsel that I received from those who have preceded me in the ministry journey. First, it would be of great benefit if you would INVESTIGATE your community’s culture. By that I mean have you checked out the 2010 Census stats for your community? It is amazing how you see your community when you know the median age, the economical average, the ethnicity and so much more. There are numerous websites that will give you incredible info for your area. Also, how was the area settled? What drives the economy? What feeds the social climate? What are the politics like?
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INVESTIGATE. Second, INVADE. A number of years ago I attended a conference and Pastor Dave Crispin from Alamogordo was a key presenter. He made this statement taken from the scriptures describing the Jewish spies sent into the land. As you know Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report. Pastor Dave made this observation and it is worth sharing. “You must INVADE the place that you will eventually possess!” Wow, I still get excited when I think about it. What have you done lately to INVADE the community that God intends for you to possess with your ministry? This is a word of encouragement, don’t delay, God has a plan for you to build bridges into your community. Lastly, INFLUENCE. We have been called to INFLUENCE every culture that we encounter with the CULTURE OF CHRIST. I strongly believe that Jesus Christ died so that lives can be transformed. We have the GOOD NEWS and it is transformational. As we are made aware of everyday, the season is getting short and the Lord is coming soon! Let’s INVESTIGATE, INVADE and INFLUENCE our communities and yes it’s culture with the CULTURE OF CHRIST. PS. Has your community changed (I bet it has) and have you adapted your ministry models to address those changes or are you trying to influence a 2014 community with a thirty to forty year old strategy?
Fall 2014
A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID VISTINE
He is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all! A Disciple is one who follows one’s teaching or a learner follower! He doesn’t just sit and learn, he obeys and practices the Lord’s teachings! Following Jesus is not glamorous or as exciting as some would think. It is a This month we celebrated life of self-denial and of devoting the Centennial celebration of ourselves to Jesus Christ and his the Assemblies of God and it We are either a plan for our lives! was a powerful and exciting time Jesus demands all of our for all that attended. My heart disciple or we are not! love and he will not let any was touched and renewed as Every Christian is called one be a half-hearted disciple! we rehearsed the beginnings It is all or nothing! As we left the of the Assemblies of God and the and confronted with Centennial Celebration there stories of our early missionaries discipleship! was a clear call to follow Jesus and their incredible hunand make Him the center of our ger and commitment to Christ! In essence what we heard was life and church! It was a clear call The fire of the Spirit and not new but goes back to the call to live like our fore fathers who the commitment of God’s peoof Christ who called the early laid down their lives to plant ple flamed the fires of revival, disciples to follow him! Disciple- the church in this nation and church planting and missions ship hasn’t changed! Jesus is still nations around the world. Afin our early beginning! As I liscalling disciples because it is his ter one hundred years we enter tened to the incredible sacrifice plan for world evangelization! into the fruit and harvest of that of not only our early pioneers We are either a disciple or we are kind of discipleship and commitbut of our current missionaries not! Every Christian is called and ment! Lord help this generation and leaders that live in areas of confronted with discipleship! No to “Live Dead” like so many that the world where it is dangerous one can be a spiritual free loader have gone before us so our world to be a Christian, little lone a because Jesus demands full and can know you! Pastor or Missionary, my heart total commitment to himself! was challenged! One of our speakers on the last night spoke about “Living Dead”! Living as a dead man to this world and self and living sacrificially for Christ! His message was penetrating and the audience was dead silent as the call came to lay down our life for the cause of Christ!
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October is
Pastor Appreciation Month Please take and st time to bles s aff this month your pastors .
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Fall 2014
GUEST ARTICLE NORTH TEXAS DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT: RICK DUBOSE
A D M I N I S T R AT I V E
NTD Resource Center / 2
Rick & Rita DuBose Superintendent
Many are trying to decide whether or not we should loosen our stand against drinking alcohol, based solely on what the scripture says or doesn’t say. While I agree that the Bible is the ultimate rule for the lives of believers and is the best way to govern our societies, I also believe that there are things that are not covered in specificity but are covered by the law of sowing and reaping. While I can’t find a pure statement in the Bible that completely outlaws the consumption of alcohol I can say that the fruit of its use is a harvest no one wants. The Centers for Disease Control 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 rooms because of alcohol, creating 7,459 unintended deaths, 28,696 murders, 19,347 suicides, and 10,228 deaths involving automobiles, and all at a cost to the U.S. economy of $223,500,000,000.00. What can’t be reported or even tracked is how many kids are abused by drunken parents or guardians and how many homes and lives are destroyed because of alcohol use. Why would we want to bring this evil into the lives of believers? Many have come to us to be delivered from it and its results. Have we forgotten the teaching of Paul that we should not do anything (even if it is not a sin) if it could offend our brother? This is not a “can we” issue; it is a “should we” issue! It’s like the generation that built the barricade between their town and the river that ran beside them. They built it
Do We Have Room for Alcohol in the Assemblies of God? because it flooded and destroyed all they had spent their lives building. They said, “We can’t control the river and even though it’s nice to look at, it’s nice to have easy access to it, we never know when it’s going to flood. So let’s protect ourselves and our children by raising a standard so high that it can’t get to where we live.” Later, however, after that generation had passed away the children said, “What were our parents thinking? Why should we live behind such a high standard? If we take it down we will be able to see the beautiful river and enjoy all of its assets.” They did take it down and the river did flood, and they lost both what they and their parents had built! The generation who did not come directly out of a sin-ravaged situation but out of a Christ-blessed home may not value the high standards of the past generation as they should, but that does not change the law of sowing and reaping. What we sow or allowed to be sown will produce its fruit and if we lower our standards someone’s children will pay for it! Just as alcohol impaired the thinking of Herod when he commanded the head of John the Baptist it continues to impair the thinking of people everywhere. It creates an atmosphere and opportunity for sin which ultimately produces death. Sin kills relationships, futures, and eternities. Why would we want anything in our lives that impairs our thinking and makes sin seem less deadly? The drinking of alcohol in itself may not be sin, but no one can deny that it creates an atmosphere for sin to operate. As we consider this in the light of the law of sowing and reaping rather than simply as legal or illegal, we should look first at the fruit that comes from the activity, both good and bad, and take our stand either for or against, based on its potential results. This I know—once you plant the seed someone will have to deal with its fruit, and once you take down the standard someone will have to deal with the flood! It is not just, “Can I do it and still go to heaven?” It is also, “If I open this door will my grandchildren end up paying for it?” So, in my opinion, we should not make room for drinking in the lives of the leaders or the culture of the Assemblies of God! Pastor Rick
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Fall 2014
NMMN NEWS
NEW MENS DIRECTOR: SHAWN AMBURGEY We are happy to announce Pastor Shawn Amburgey as the new Network Men’s Director. Pastor Shawn and his wife Lanessa serve as lead pastors for New Beginnings Fellowship in Los Alamos. Shawn can be contacted via email at samburgey@nmministry.net or on his cell phone at 505-363-2476.
MINISTERIAL NEWS
NEW MEXICO MINISTRY NETWORK LICENSED: Michael Borror Tularosa Community Church
TRANSFERRED IN: Joseph Drinkard: Liscensed, Farmington Oasis Bailey Frye: Liscensed, Albuquerque Harvest Micah Frye: Liscensed, Albuquerque Harvest Obad Galindo: Liscensed, Albuquerque Harvest Espanol Wayne White: Liscensed, Las Cruces First
TEEN CHALLENGE BANQUET September 26, 2014 Date: 7:00 pm Time: Location: Sheraton Uptown
2600 Louisiana Blvd. Albuquerque, NM 87110
Guest Speaker: Rev. Eddie Lee
Call now for Reservations! 505-281-8467 $30 a ticket or $300 for a table of ten.
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NMMN WOMEN’S CONFERENCE ! NMMN WOMEN’S CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2014! SEPTEMBER 18-20 CHRISTIAN LIFE! CHRISTIAN LIFE 121 SIRINGO 121 SIRINGORD! RD SANTA SANTEFE, FE,NM! NM
“I WILL GIVE THEM A HEART TO KNOW ME” (JEREMIAH 24:7, NIV)
FEATURED GUEST FEATURED GUEST!
RENAY WEST RENAY WEST
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL BECKYINFORMATION @ 505-350-6998! FOR ADDITIONAL VISIT WWW.NMMINISTRY.NET CALL BECKY @ 505-350-6998, ! OR SEE YOUR LOCAL! VISIT WWW.NMMINISTRY.NET, WOMEN’S MINISTRIES OR SEE COORDINATOR YOUR LOCAL! WOMEN’S MINISTRIES COORDINATOR.
Fall 2014
REFRESH RETREAT
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR BECKY DICKENSON
WE HAD A FUN, REFRESHING TIME! Pictured above are the lovely women who attended our third annual Refresh Retreat for Ministry Wives. Do you recognize anyone (they are in disguise to protect their identity!)? Because of the NMMN churches that give faithfully toward the Partnership for the Next Generation, we are able to invest in our ministry wives and offer them a reduced cost to attend this much-needed Retreat. Marjorie Harris (pictured at top, third from
right) was the speaker for this event. She brought powerful words of encouragement to our soul as she was transparent about her own struggles and trials in life and taught about the Sovereignty of our God! We MUST keep our eyes on God and not man or circumstances or tri-
als. Our perspective and trust in God changes everything! Ministry wives, find your place out of the spotlight; connect with other ministry wives; be inspired for your journey; and encourage others‌join us at the next Refresh Retreat to be held July 2325, 2015! New location TBD!
Girls just want to have fun! 07
Biblical Foundations
Powerful Teaching
Reach your world
Ministerial Credentials Build Character
Mentorship
Classes held the second Saturday of each month fromContact 9:00am-1:30pm. Devonna Cummins at 505-899-5399 for more information. Contact Devonna Cummins at 505-899-5399 Forms online at nmministry.net for more information.
Register online at nmministry.net
Academic Progress
Practical Structure
FUN
Devotional Life
New Mexico Ministry Network 6640 Caminito Coors NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 (505) 899-5399 www.nmministry.net