LINK Spring 2024

NMMN LEADERSHIP

HONORARY PRESBYTERS

Marcus McClain

David Vistine

PRESBYTERS

Ruben Guajardo Jr

David Iglesias

Rudy Martinez

MIRIAM GRIER

Girl’s Ministries Director

NETWORK PASTOR

For Such A TIME As This!

In just a few weeks, we will be coming together for NetCon24 at Casa del Rey, Albuquerque! We are really looking forward to seeing all of our ministers and friends and I am beyond excited for all God has planned for us this year! I know you will not want to miss one single minute of NetCon24!

Thanks to our friends at Convoy of Hope and feedOne for sponsoring a pre-conference Meetup and Brunch at Top Golf on Tuesday, April 2nd from 10:00 am until noon. Click to REGISTER and you will be given the option to register for the Meetup. You do not have to be a golfer to participate; it’s all about a time of fellowship and fun as we prepare for NetCon24. Don’t miss it!

Our special guests for conference are Sean and Christa Smith. If you haven’t heard of this couple, or know nothing about them, get ready for an incredible time of ministry. Sean and Christa are an anointed couple who God is using across America and beyond to minister powerfully to what God is saying to our world and to the Church today. We will encounter God’s presence and be challenged personally by the ministry of this couple. It’s going to be amazing!

We also have added some exciting and valuable breakouts that will be offered, both on Tuesday as part of the opening session as well as on Wednesday. These breakouts are designed to connect with areas of need and ministry in the local church, so you can come knowing that your life and ministry will be enhanced by these sessions.

If you haven’t registered for NetCon24, I strongly encourage you to do so today to take advantage of the early registration cost. And, if the increased registration cost limits your ability to join us, please give either myself or Pastor Dereck a call at our office and we’ll be more than happy to assist you. We just want you to be a part of all God has planned for this year’s conference!

Registration/check-in will open at 1:00 pm on April 2nd at the church. The Opening Session starts at 2:00 pm.

So whatever you do, don’t miss one minute of NetCon24! Plan now to attend! Come with your church team, your family, your friends and let’s make this year’s conference the best ever!

I’ll see you on April 2-4 at Casa del Rey!

Blessings,

Pastor Mike Dickenson

ASSISTANT NETWORK PASTOR

What Does He Look Like!

We all have our idea of the physical appearance of Jesus. I have a feeling that all of us, including the artists who have depicted him, are going to be surprised when we meet Him face to face. (I also believe that we will be so overwhelmed with His goodness that we won’t care one bit about His looks.)

Until recently, I felt like I did understand the posture that Jesus was in right now. I pictured Him seated beside the Father, in heaven, praying for you and me. That was until I re-read the book of Acts and the phrase “…Jesus standing at the right hand of God,“ Acts 7:55 ESV, jumped out at me! Jesus was standing when He witnessed Stephen being martyred for the sake of the Gospel.

Was He outraged? Was He possibly taking names of the guilty parties? Or was he standing in reverence because this would be the first of many? I don’t know for sure but I do know that Jesus saw what was happening. It got his attention. And it moved Him.

This turns our attention to the character of Christ. He loves me. He sees me. He knows me. The same is true for you. Whether you’re celebrating a victory or hurting from a defeat, Jesus sees. He knows. You are not alone.

Pastor Dereck Owen

CREDENTIAL UPDATES

TRANSFERRED IN:

Jennifer Morales, (C) Albuquerque

TRANSFERRED OUT:

Robert Hostler, (L) Florida

REINSTATED:

Todd Carter, (O)

DISMISSED:

Taylor Cruz

LAPSED:

Alyssa Chee (C)

Josh Hedrick (C)

Patti Hedrick (C)

Jaime Juarez (C)

Peter Luna (O)

Kory Murphy (C)

Stephanie Worthington (C)

Brandon Woodward (L)

Cool Pics

MEN’S DIRECTOR

As you know, for the last several years, Pastor Dereck Owen has led the Men’s Ministries here in our Network. Under his leadership, this ministry has continued to expand and grow, and just a few days ago, our 2024 Men’s Conference reached a record high as 800 men gathered in Albuquerque for this event. Pastor Dereck Owen continued to lead this ministry since transitioning into the role of Assistant Network Pastor along with an outstanding team he has developed over the years.

THANK YOU, Pastor Dereck, for doing such a great job leading our men!

ANNOUNCING:

NEW MEN’S DIRECTOR

Jason Dickenson has been an integral part of the Lead Team for Men’s Ministries for the last several years, and at the close of our recent Men’s Conference, Jason was introduced as the new Men’s Director for New Mexico after being appointed to this new role in accordance with the New Mexico Ministry Network bylaws. Congratulations, Pastor Jason, as you step into this new role to serve our Network!

Intoducing te Network of Women Ministrs

Did you know that women have played an integral role in the Assemblies of God since its inception in 1914? And, did you know that today 23% of the credentialed ministers in the New Mexico Ministry Network are female?

Have you noticed in recent years that women are a big part of the ordination service at our Network Conference and this year will be no different as 40% of the ordination class will be women.

In 2014, when we compiled Our Story, the history of the Assemblies of God here in New Mexico, it became remarkably evident that, if it had not been for women in ministry in our state, we simply would not be where we are today. Women planted churches; women blazed new trails; women became missionaries; women stepped into the unknown; and women left their mark as they answered the call of God.

Today, as never before in our history, women are stepping forward to answer God’s call to ministry and the impact of this continues to help us shape who we are and who we’re called to be in New Mexico and beyond. NMMN has five churches which are pastored by women and many others who are intentionally and powerfully led by husband/wife ministry teams.

In recent years, the Assemblies of God has led the way in celebrating and recognizing the value and need of women ministers and today has an incredible Network of Women Ministers. This year, at our Network Conference, one of the breakouts is specifically for Women Ministers and we can’t wait to see all of these women ministers come together to connect, to be inspired, to be acknowledged and mobilized to make an even greater impact in our world today.

As the wife of the Network Pastor and an ordained minister, Becky Dickenson serves the New Mexico Ministry Network and all of its credentialed women to continue to raise the banner of Women Ministers. If you are a credentialed female minister in our Network, we are so grateful for you; we honor you; and we need you! Please make it a priority to attend this year’s NetCon24 on April 2-4 as we continue to celebrate and honor you as we continue to advance the Kingdom of God in our world today!

Network of Women Ministers