The STAR - Christmas 2015

the

ST R

CHRISTMAS

2015 VOLUME 63 NUMBER 5

SOUTH TEXAS ASSEMBLIES REVIEW

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD FACILITATING HEALTH, GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

OF THE MINISTERS & MINISTRIES OF SOUTH TEXAS.

South Texas

Executive Officers

Steve & DonnerainBteanndeninntg Assistant Sup

eaver Steve & KaPrerensbW yter Executive

Tim & Jill Barker District Superintendent

Jim & Denise Rion General Council Presbyter

Don & Beth Wiehe Exec. Secretary/Treasure r

Gene & Monia Summers Executive Presbyter

May You Have a Blessed Christmas & a Joyous New Year!

Our District Presbytery

Mario & Ruth Perez - Rio Grande Valley Section, Joel & Lorita Nabors - Neches Valley Section, Erny & Joan McDonough - Victoria Section, Mike & Theresa Hammonds - Gulf Coast Section, Darold & Cindy DeHart - San Jacinto Section, Deborah & Greg Prihoda - Houston Section, Lloyd & Pat Maddoux - North Houston Section, Doug & Janet Roberts - San Antonio Section, Donny & Veronica Flippo - Beaumont Section, William & Fran Stockstill - Corpus Christi Section , Howard & Margie Burroughs - Honorary Presbyter, Gary & Annese Chapin - Honorary Presbyter, Joe & Carolyn Granberry - Honorary Presbyter, Johnny Durham - Honorary Presbyter (Not Pictured)

t n e m s y t r r r t o t a s c i p e e n r i D Di M

Roger Bailey Men’s Ministries & Missions Director

Vanessa Hall Women’s Ministries Director

Stancle Williams Youth Ministries Tammy Calderon Director Church Ministries & Discipleship Director

y s r p t x e s u i R A Min Pam Milbrath Jason Bone Eli Gautreaux Kendall Reavis Rod Vincent Girls Ministries Royal Rangers Chi Alpha Church Evangelists Planting Representative

District Office Staff Back Row, Left to Right: Kauleen Granberry-Women’s Ministries Assistant Coordinator, Alicia Lyles-Women’s Ministries Coordinator, Tommy Lieng-Accounts Payable, Zac Piccione-Youth Ministries Events Coordinator, Zodwa Ndlovu-Youth Ministries Administrative Assistant, Audrey Mungle-Office Receptionist Front Row, Left to Right: Cherie Gabbard - Church Ministries Secretary & Office Assistant, Kay BaileySecretary to Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Marilyn Starnes-Secretary to the Superintendent/Office Manager/ Events Coordinator, Marlys Granberry-Accounts Receivable

David WilsonMedia/ Publications/ Database

South Texas District HonorBound: Men’s Ministries

2016 Light For The Lost Tour

LFTL Banquet Speaker Rev. Tim Barker South Texas District Superintendent

Rio Grande Valley Section Faith Assembly of God Combs Monday, January 25, 2016

Corpus Christi Section Trinity Worship Center Corpus Christi Tuesday, January 26, 2016

San Antonio Section Victory Assembly of God Universal City Thursday, January 28, 2016

Victoria Section New Life Assembly of God El Campo Friday, January 29, 2016

Houston Section Faith Assembly of God Houston Monday, February 1, 2016

North Houston Section Cornerstone Christian Conroe Tuesday, February 2, 2016

San Jacinto Section Coat Of Many Colors Baytown Thursday,February 4, 2016

Neches Valley Section New Covenant Silsbee Friday, February 5, 2016

Beaumont Section New Life Assembly of God Orangefield Monday, February 8, 2016

Gulf Coast Section First Assembly of God Angleton Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The banquets will start at 7:00 p.m.

Casual Dress For More Information:

It’s time to renew your license !

2016

Minister Credential Renewals

SOUTH TEXAS ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Mandatory Credential Renewal Processing Fee is $30.00.

You can send this fee by mail to the District Office or pay it online through your ACCESS SOUTH TEXAS account, be sure to choose the DO - Credential Fee in the online giving form.

Be sure to fully complete the entire online form. If you do not receive an email confirming you have finished your renewal, double check it to be sure. Renewals must be submitted by December 31.

Renewals/fees sent by mail should arrive at the District Office by November 30.

The$Minister$Credential$Renewal$System$allows$ministers$to$fill$out$their$minister$renewal$form$online$ and$submit$it$electronically$to$the$District$and$National$offices.$It$is$designed$to$save$resources$for$both$ the$National$and$District$offices,$while$creating$an$easy$process$for$ministers$to$renew$their$credentials.$ The online credential renewal site is open. Information has been emailed to minsters with AGPassport logins. Be sure to keep your email address current by logging in to your personal account at https://agpassport.ag.org, and clicking on the My Profile tab.

We have improved the site to be more user-friendly. If you need to leave the credential renewal process, you can return to the site later and sign in using the 'Sign in with AGPassport' button and continue with the last screen you visited.

At the end of the renewal process, you will be able to download a PDF of the renewal for your personal records.

If you are an active AGWM missionary, you will not receive a hard copy renewal in the mail. If you need assistance filling out your renewal, please contact your district office.

For step-by-step instructions on using the Minister Renewal Credentialing site, click here.

Ja m es T. B r a d fo rd, NOTICE: The Assemblies of God Online Minister Renewal process requires the use of Adobe's free PDF Reader version 9 or greater. If you do not have this software, please click here to begin installing it now.

Ge ne r al S ec re tary

Join the Assemblies of God fellowship in kicking off the New Year in unified prayer January 3–9 (or choose a week that works best for your church).

This year’s theme: Believe for Greater Things.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

JOHN 14:12, NIV

Free resources to promote a prayer focus in your church.

The following materials are free of charge to use for a week of prayer emphasis at your church. Materials are not dated, so you can use them anytime.

EMAIL HEADER GRAPHIC, PRESENTATION SLIDES, BULLETIN COVERS, BULLETING INSERTS, POSTERS , SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGES, SERMON OUTLINE

Continue your 2016 Prayer Focus for five weeks with the Believe small group kits for adults, women, and youth. Study Guides also available.

Adults Kit available in Spanish.

AVAILABLE AT: MYHEALTHYCHURCH.COM/ BELIEVE

Senior Adult Summit February 23-25 2016 Hill Country Camp & Conference Center 1325 Harper Road, Kerrville, Texas 78028 Amos%and%Sue%Dodge$moved$to$the$Virginia$suburbs$of$Washington,$DC$in$1979$

to$plant$Capital$Church$as$a$center$for$rebirth$and$renewal$in$the$National$Capital$ Area.$ThirtyGsix$years$of$faithful$and$fruitful$ministry$have$resulted$in$a$strong$and$ healthy$ church$ that$ touches$ a$ city$ and$ reaches$ the$ world.$ He$ is$ noted$ for$ his$ practical,$ insightful$ teaching,$ marked$ with$ simplicity$ and$ clarity.$ His$ passion$ is$ to$ help$people$conquer$today’s$tough$challenges$with$Biblical$hope,$vibrant$faith,$and$ courageous$living.$$ Four$ Dove$ Awards$ for$ “Best$ Female$ Vocalist,”$ inductee$ into$ the$ Gospel$ Music$ Hall$ of$ Fame$ and$ four$ decades$ of$ singing$ gospel$ music$ in$ sixteen$ nations$ of$ the$ world$ only$ begin$ to$ tell$ the$ story$ of$ Sue% Dodge.$ Her$ national$ and$ international$radio$and$television$appearances$include$In#Touch#with$Charles$Stanley,$The#700#Club,$TBN,$and$every$ week,$Sue$can$be$found$on$a$Gaither$Homecoming$series$program.$Sue’s$ministry$crosses$all$denominational$lines,$ singing$in$notable$churches$throughout$the$United$States.$$$ We$will$also$have$music$ministry$of$New%Day$and$the$Harvesters%from$Southwestern$Assemblies$of$God$University.$

Early%Bird%registration,$before#February#1,$will$be$$80.00$per$person.$ $After#February#1,$it$will$cost$ $90.00$per$person.$$This$includes$five$meals$and$complimentary$housing$in$the$camp$dormitories.$ $$$

For%those%desiring%to%stay%in%a%hotel%at%your%own%expense.$$A$special$rate$has$been$arranged$for$Standard$ Rooms$ at$ the$ LaQuinta( Inn( and( Suites( (830.896.9200)# located# at# 1940$ Sidney$ Baker$ Street$ in$ Kerrville,$ Texas$$78028.$$##You#must#call#the#hotel#directly#and#let#them#know#you#are#with#the#Senior(Adult(Summit.## This#rate#is#good#as#long#as#rooms#are#available.### You$ may$ complete$ the$ registration$ form$ and$ mail$ it$ to$ the$ South$ Texas$ District$ Office,$ P.$ O.$ Box$ 9714,$ Houston,$Texas$ $77213$or$you$may$register$at$our$website$at:$www.stxag.org.$ $Wait$for$the$Senior$Adult$ Summit$slide$to$appear,$click$on$it$and$follow$the$instructions.$$$ Come$expecting$a$great$time$in$the$beautiful$Hill$Country$of$Kerrville!$$$ We’ll$have$lots$of$fun,$good$music,$delicious$food$and$wonderful$fellowship!$$$ Invite$a$friend!$$We’ll$see$you$at$the%Summit!% LaQuinta%Inn%and%Suites$$$(830.896.9200)$ 1940$Sidney$Baker$Street$ Kerrville,$Texas$$78028$ Special%Hotel%Rate%$80.$per$night$ (Must$call$the$hotel$directly$and$let$them$know$you$are$$ with$the$Senior$Adult$Summit,$to$receive$this$rate.$$$ Rate$is$available$as$long$as$rooms$are$available.)$

Musical Guests New Day and The Harvesters

SOUTH TEXAS DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS January 1

3-9 8-9

New Year’s Day DO Closed Week of Prayer Royal Rangers Staff Retreat

9

District School of Ministry 9:30 am - District Office 9 JBQ 10 Church Planting Day 15 STL Offering Due 15-16 Royal Rangers World Class Outpost (WCO) 16 Mosaic Gathering District Office - 10am-2pm 17 Cradle Roll Day 18 Martin Luther King Day D O Closed 19 Executive Presbytery Meeting 21-23 Leading Ladies Retreat HCC – Kerrville 29-30 Royal Rangers South Central Region Seminar 31 Annual Church Ministries Report (ACMR) Deadline SPEED THE LIGHT TOUR January 6 Corpus Christi Section 8 Victoria Section 9 Rio Grande Valley Section 11 San Antonio Section 12 Houston & North Houston Sections 14 San Jacinto & Gulf Coast Sections 15 Beaumont & Neches Valley Sections

LIGHT FOR THE LOST TOUR January 25 Rio Grande Valley Section 26 Corpus Christi Section 28 San Antonio Section 29 Victoria Section February 1 Houston Section 2 North Houston Section 4 San Jacinto Section 5 Neches Valley Section 8 Beaumont Section 9 Gulf Coast Section

February 6

District School of Ministry 9:30 am – District Office 6 JBQ 10 Ash Wednesday 12-14 Marriage Encounter Houston 14 Valentine’s Day 15 STL Offering Due 15 President’s Day 16 Executive Presbytery Meeting 18 Youth Sectional Coaches Meeting 19-20 Youth Leaders Conference 23-25 Senior Adult Summit HCC - Kerrville 26-28 Royal Rangers FCF Spring Trace/Adventure 28 Girls Ministries 5K Missions Walk

Church Ministries and Discipleship CHURCH MINISTRIES AND DISCIPLESHIP Rev. Tammy Calderon, Director The Church Ministries & Discipleship Department would like to wish each of you a Merry Christmas. We pray that God will bless you during the holiday season. We look forward to seeing what the New Year holds in 2016.

Remember to send BGMC offerings directly to the National Office in Springfield, MO. For your offering to count toward 2015 calendar year, you must have a visible postmark date of December 31, 2015.

As of September 2015, the South Texas District has given a total of $118,670.68. Great job South Texas!

Please make sure you send your BGMC offerings directly to the National Office in Springfield, Missouri.

This ensures that our missionaries can get the funds they need quickly. www.stxagchurchministries.org

713-455-1221

churchministries@stxag.org

Complete all the Global University courses you need for any level of credentials in just one year! The South Texas District School of Ministry (DSOM) makes it possible with special teaching and group study sessions. The cost is $80 per course. Enroll in each course 30 days before it begins. For more information contact the office of the South Texas District Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Don Wiehe or his secretary Kay Bailey at (713) 455-1221, or email kbailey@stxag.org.

No'classes'held'in'May,'July,'August,'or'December.

2015/2016

COURSE SCHEDULE

Te s t i n g 9 : 0 0 A M , D e v o t i o n s 9 : 4 5 A M , C l a s s e s 1 0 : 0 0 A M Class% Dates

Level%1%Courses% (Certified)

Level%2%Courses% (License)

Level%3%Courses% (Ordained)

January'' 9,'2016

THE'114' Introduction'to' Pentecostal'Doctrine

BIB'212' New'Testament'Survey

BIB'322' Poetic'Books'

BIB'117' Prison'Epistles

BIB'215' Romans

BIB'318' The'Pentateuch

BIB'115' Acts:'The'Holy'Spirit' at'Work'in'the' Believers

BIB'214' Old'Testament'Survey'

February'6,' 2016

March'' 5,'2016

April'' 2,'2016

June'' 4,'2016

June'' 4,'2016

September' 10,'2016

October'' 1,'2016 November' 5,'2016

Introduction'to'Missions

BIB'121' Introduction'to' Hermeneutics:''How' to'Study'the'Bible'

MIN'223' Introduction'Homiletics'

MIN'325' Preaching'to'the' Contemporary'World'

MIN'123' The'Local'Church'in' Evangelism

THE'245' Eschatology:''A'Study'of' Things'to'Come

MIN'327' Church' Administration,'Law'&' Finance

MIN'191' Beginning'Internship'

MIN'291' Intermediate'Internship

MIN'391' Advanced'Internship

*Internships are not taught as classes, students do this on their own with a mentor.

THE'142' Assemblies'of'God' History,'Missions'&' Governance

MIN'251' Effective'Leadership'

MIN'311' Prayer'&'Worship'

MIN'181' Relationships'&' Ethics'in'Ministry

MIN'281'' Conflict'Management'for' Church'Leaders

MIN'381' Pastoral'Ministry

BIB'112' Synoptic'Gospels

THE'211' Introduction'to' Theology

MIN'311' The'Corinthian' Correspondence

South Texas District School of Ministry presents Leadership Advancement and Team Development We are pleased to announce a leadership development initiative sponsored by the South Texas District Assemblies of God District School of Ministry (DSOM), Leadership Advancement and Team Development. Dr. Jim D. Rion has agreed to facilitate these quarterly seminar sessions, the first of which will be Thursday evening February 18, 2016, 7-10pm.

Although these sessions are tailored to our Senior / Lead Pastors to receive advanced ministry leadership training, they are open to any of our South Texas credentialed ministers, those pursuing ministerial credentials and to your staff, key leaders and board members, free of charge. One can also receive AMT (Accelerated Ministers Training) credit for attending. We simply ask that you RSVP to the Secretary/Treasurer’s office so we can set up the room appropriately.

Dr. Rion leads a vibrant growing church in San Antonio, Westover Hills Assembly of God. He also serves us as our General Presbyter and has served as Presbyter of the San Antonio Section. Jim holds a Batchelor of Theology, Masters in Biblical Literature and in 2013 graduated with a Doctoral of Ministry in Church Growth from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) and so brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our District ministerial family.

Pastor Rion has already blessed hundreds of our ministers and laity with his seminars, personal coaching and encouragement. He shows a passion for churches of all sizes knowing that there is a great variety of churches and communities. Our desire within the South Texas District is to have healthy ministers and churches no matter what the size. God bless each of you as you consider participating in these advanced leadership sessions.

Below is a list of the 2016 dates and the corresponding reading list. Please begin now ordering your books for study prior to attending. Blessings to each of you and thank you so much for your ministry and service to the communities of South Texas.

1. DNA of Leadership - Thursday February 18 Books: Relational Leadership: A Biblical Model for Leadership Service, by Walter C. Wright; The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World, by Ronald Heifetz, Alexander Grashow & Marty Linsky; Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth, by Samuel R. Chand.

2. Building a Team - Friday April 1 Books: The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration, by Robert Crosby; The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High Performance Organization, by Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith.

3. Common Mistakes Leaders Make - Friday June 3 Books: 7 Warning Signs Your Church Has Ministry Silos, by Tony Morgan; The Five Dysfunction of a Team,

By Patrick Lencioni; Your Church in Rhythm: The Forgotten Dimensions of Season and Cycles, by Bruce B. Miller; Leading On Empty, by Wayne Cordeiro.

4. Understanding the Culture of a Church - Friday September 9 Books: Sticky Church, by Larry Osborne; Church Unique, by Will Mancini; Culture Shift: Understanding Your Church from the Inside Out, by Robert Lewis and Wayne Codeiro.

SAGU%Partners%with%The%Waxahachie%

Project(to(Make(A(Difference Waxahachie,% Texas' –' November' 15,' 2015' –' Southwestern% Assemblies% of% God% University% (SAGU)% is' partnering' with' The% Waxahachie% Project' to' use' students' to' gather' research' addressing' the' greatest' needs' in' Waxahachie' for'continual'health'&'growth.'

T h e' s u r v e y' w i l l' a n s w e r' t w o' v i t a l' questions:'What'does'Waxahachie'need'that'we' can' collaboratively' address?' What' does' Waxahachie'do'well'that'we'can'collaboratively' support?'

The' vision' of' The' Waxahachie' project' is' to' unite' community' leaders,' business' leaders,' nonaprofits,' churches,' and' educational' institutions'to'work'for'the'good'of'the'City'of' Waxahachie.'

President' Bridges' explained,' "We' always' want' our' community' outreach' to' be' strategic,' so' when' we' had' the' opportunity' to' hear' about' The'Waxahachie'Project.'We'wanted'to'provide' the' boots' on' the' ground' to' gather' the' information."'

President'Bridges'concluded'by'saying,'"We'are' blessed' and' thankful' to' be' a' part' of' The' Waxahachie'Project'and'the'difference'this'will' make'in'the'community."'

SAGU'president'Dr.'Kermit'Bridges'said,'"We'do' our'best'to'encourage'our'students'to'engage'in' community' service' to' make' a' difference.' We' have' 40' students' right' now' that' are' being' trained' to' begin' surveying' the' community."' He' continued,' "We' want' to' address' the' needs' in' the' community' in' ways' that' is' truly' beneficial' and' make' Waxahachie' even' better' than' it' is' today."'

Beginning'in'January'2016,'SAGU'students'will' begin' compiling' survey' responses' that' will' be' reported' in' June' 2016.' These' reports' will' provide' valuable' insight' to' community,' nonprofit,' and' church' leaders,' in' addition' to' the' leadership' of' SAGU,' to' know' how' to' most' strategically' align' efforts' that' will' provide' the' greatest'benefit'to'the'Waxahachie'community.'' '''

Southwestern'Assemblies'of'God'University'is'a' private,'Christian'university'located'30'minutes' south' of' the' Dallas/Fort' Worth' Metroplex' in' Waxahachie,' Texas.' The' university' was' established'in'1927,'and'now'offers'more'than' 70' associate,' bachelor’s,' master’s' and' doctoral' degrees'on'campus'or'online.'More'information' is' available' at' www.sagu.edu% or' by' calling'1a888aYESaSAGU.'

Two$more$SAGU$articles$on$$following$pages.$

SAGU%Alumnus%and%former%Dorm%Pastor%

Plants%Church%in%Denver,%Colorado

Waxahachie,% Texas' –' ' November' 5,' 2015' –Southwestern% Assemblies% of% God% University% (SAGU)' ' alumni' and' former' Bridges' Dorm' Pastors' Preston' and' Lisa' Ulmer' prepare' to' launch'a'new'church'with'the'Urban' Islands' Project' ' and' the' Church' Multiplication'Network'(CMN)'in'the' downtown' urban' area' of' Berkeley,% Denver,% Colorado,' in' September' 2016.'

Preston' said,' "My' family' and' I' are' taking' the' biggest' step' of' faith' we' have' ever' taken' before,' but' we' are' believing'that'if'we'go'all'in'for'God,' He' will' go' all' out' for' us."' He' continued,' "With' 80%' of' Americans' living' in' the' urban' areas' of' major' cities,' it's' not' just' a' good' idea,' it's' a' necessity.' ' That's' why' we' are' planting–Because' necessity' always' trumps'a'good'idea.”'

"Our' hearts' break' for' the' Urban' areas' of' Denver.' We' are' going' because' broken' hearts' often' times' make'the'hardest'working'hands.”'

The' Ulmers' will' be' planting' among' young' professionals' and' families.'

Preston'explained,'"A'lot'of'our'work' will' involve' apologetic' centered' discipleship' and' personal' outreach' efforts.”'

causing' him' to' dive' deeper' into' the' 'why''behind'what'he'believed.'"As'a' result,'I'am'convicted'that'the'life'of' t h e' m i n d' i s' a' v i t a l' p a r t' o f' worshipping'God'fully."''

His' wife,' Lisa,' attended' SAGU' from' 2005a2008.' She' graduated' with' a' bachelor's' degree' in' Business' Marketing' and' is' highly' involved' in' worship.' She' has' a' desire' to' see' f a m i l i e s' s t ay' c o n n e c t e d' a n d' marriages'made'whole.''

P r e s t o n' a n d' L i s a' m e t' w h i l e' participating'in'Southwestern'Live,'a' comedy' sketch' show' performed' by' SAGU'students.'

After' Preston' and' Lisa' married' in' 2008,' they' spent' the' majority' of' their'ministry'career'as'young'adult' pastors' in' Albuquerque,' New' Mexico.' During' this' time,' Preston' attended'Liberty'Baptist'Theological' Seminary' ' and' received' a' master's' degree'in'Religion.''

They' then' transitioned' to' SAGU' as' dorm' pastors' from' 2012–2015.'

Preston' received' a' master's' degree' in' Divinity,' authored' a' devotional' called' 'The% Why% I% Love% Jesus% Marathon,'' and' taught' numerous' onacampus' courses.' Preston' said,' "The' greatest' honor' of' all' was' that' Lisa' and' I' had' our' two' girls' there,' Piper'(3)'and'Brennan'(8'months)."''

After' leaving' SAGU,' they' began' working' in' the' Berkeley' area' in' the' summer'of'2015.'God'put'everything' in' place' to' create,' "The' Doubter's' Club."' This' club' invites' atheists,' spiritualists,' believers,' people' of' all' different' world' views' to' come' together' and' talk' about' issues' of' faith.'It'is'led'by'Ulmer'and'his'good' friend,' who' is' an' atheist' and' owner' of' the' local' coffee' shop' where' they' meet.''

I n' 2 0 0 8 ,' P r e s t o n' r e c e i v e d' a' bachelor's' degree' in' Church' Ministries.' While' at' SAGU,' He' experienced' a' major' crisis' of' faith,'

In'a'recent'movement'known'as'the' "Urban% Island% Project,"' there' are' seven' church' planters' who' will' be' planting' churches' in' the' Denver' cohort' in' seven' different' "islands"' that' will' launch' on' the' same' day' in' September' 2016.' All' are' planting' churches'in'different'neighborhoods,' but'all'within'Denver.''

Preston' says,' "This' preaevangelistic' effort' is' really' helping' us' gain' ground' in' this' area.' It' allows' us' to' build' genuine' relationships' with' people' who' hold' different' views' than' us,' and' we' are' able' to' clarify' the'truth'and'relevancy'of'Jesus."''

Preston' says,' "We' work' together,' train' together' and' pray' together.'

One' of' the' great' benefits' of' this' is' that' the' "loneliness' factor"' of' starting'a'church'is'lower'than'if'we' were'trying'to'do'this'on'our'own."''

The' "island"' the' Ulmers' will' be' working' in' is' the' neighborhood' of' Berkeley.' One' of' the' fastest' growing' neighborhoods' in' Denver' with' 8,000' people' comprised' of' young' adults' aging' from' 25' to' 39' years' old' and' young' families.' (walkscore.com)' ' "We' are' making' room' for' Christ' in' a' very' crowded' city.”'

"If' you' walk' downtown' of' a' major' city,'you'will'notice'that'within'a'one' mile' walk' you' have' crossed' several' demographic' and' socioeconomic' lines.' Not' boundaries' or' barriersa' lines.' In' our' estimation,' these' lines' mark'downtown'‘islands.'"'

(Continued$on$next$page…)

SAGU%Music%Group%%

The(Harvesters(( Release%New%Album

Wa xa h a c h i e ,% Texa s' –' N ove m b e r' 1 9 ,' 2 0 1 5' –' Southwestern% Assemblies% of% God% University% (SAGU)' traveling' music' group' "The' Harvesters"' released' their' new' album' entitled,' "Hymns' of' Our' Faith,' Vol.' 2:' Singing' with'the'Saints"'on'September'11,'2015.'' '' The' Harvesters' is' a' fourapart' harmony' quartet' that' represents' the' SAGU' Advancement' Office.' The' group' brings' back' a' treasured' style' of' music' that' has' been' popular'for'many'years'within'the'church.'Their'music'is' embraced'by'all'generations.' '' According' to' Irby' McKnight,' SAGU' Vice' President' of' Advancement' and' Bass' singer,' "It' is' a' privilege' traveling' and' singing' with' such' talented' young' men' as' you' will' hear'on'this'album."'He'continued,'"I'm'so'thankful'for'the' beautiful' hymns' of' the' Church' and' pray' that' this' album' ministers'to'you'as'it'has'to'me!'Great'Songs,'great'sound' and'great'quality."' '' The' Harvesters' members' include:' Irby' McKnight,' Bass;' David' Hartmann,' Tenor;' James' Bridges,' Baritone;' Micah' Eddy,'Lead;'Luca'Perolli,'Pianist.' '' Songs' on' the' album' include:' Hallelujah' Side,' Send' the' Light,' The' Comforter' Has' Come,' I'd' Rather' Have' Jesus,' Singing' with' the' Saints,' Jesus' Saves,' Lord' I'm' Coming' Home/' Just' as...,' Heaven' Medley,' When' He' Was' on' the' Cross,'and'The'Love'of'God.' '' Tenor' vocalist' David' Hartmann' said,' "I’ve' absolutely' cherished' my' time' with' the' Harvesters' over' the' past' 3' years.' I’ve' gotten' to' travel' all' around' the' U.S.' while'

ministering' the' gospel' through' song' and' I’ve' seen' it' impact' every' single' service."' He' continued,' "I' hope' our' second' Hymns' album' continues' to' impact' people' for' many'years'to'come."' '' The'Harvesters'performed'at'the'2015'General'Council'of' the'Assemblies'of'God'in'front'of'22,733'participants.'The' group' consistently' performs' across' the' nation' with' remaining' dates' at' First' Assembly' of' God' in' Woodward,' Oklahoma,'Calvary'Church'in'Irving,'Texas,'Heritage'AG'in' McKinney,' Texas' and' Dominion' Church' in' League' City,' Texas.'Click'here'for'more'information.'' ''

Click(here(to(preview(the(album

Dorm%Pastor%Plants%Church%in%Denver% …continued

The'launch'team'has'grown'from'just'the' Ulmer' family' to' now' 10' team' members' who' are' devoted' to' see' the' church' add' value' to' the' Berkeley' neighbora hood.' Many' of' these' people' being' SAGU' alumni.''

Companies' such' as' "For' the' Good"' has' partnered' with' the' Ulmers' by' giving' a' percentage' of' their' profits' to' help' the' n e w' c h u r c h' p l a n t .' T h e' O a k s' Fellowship,' 7' City' Church' and' Lifegate' Church'have'also'joined'the'church'plant.'

S A G U ' s' S o u t h w e s t e r n' M i s s i o n' Association's' (SMA)' chose' the' Berkeley' church'plant'as'this'years'Giving'Project,' allowing' the' student' body' to' raise' and' give' funds' to' reach' the' set' goal' of' $17,350.'''

T h e' U l m e r' f a m i l y' w o u l d' l i k e' to' emphasize' the' need' for' prayers.'

Additionally,'they'invite'those'who'live'in' the' Denver' area' and' would' like' to' be' a' part'of'the'church'plant'team.'

To'learn'more'about'the'project'and'how' you' can' help,' subscribe( to( their(

" We' a r e' m a k i n g' s u r e' t h a t' w e' are'ready'financially'by'raising'a'budget;' that'we'are'ready'spiritually'by'growing' in' prayer' partners' and' spiritual' d i s c i p l i n e s ;' a n d' t h a t' w e' are' ready' corporately' by' recruiting' a' team.'Your'help'is'appreciated,'and'most' needed,'in'all'three'of'these'areas.”'

mailing(list(here.(

For( more( information( about( the( Urban(Island(Project,(click(here.(

FACILITATING H EALTH , G ROWTH & D EVELOPMENT OF THE MINISTERS & MINISTRIES OF SOUTH TEXAS.

Resources for South Texas Ministers and Leaders: •

IRS policy updates regarding Affordable Care Act

•

Variety of helpful videos on Church Issues

•

Policy on Same Sex Marriage

•

Richard Hammer video on Same Sex Marriage Issues

•

South Texas Royal Rangers - Project Legacy (video)

Other Online Resources: •

The Assemblies of God National Office

•

AG TV - A resource from our national office. A collection of videos that will bless you.

•

GeorgeOWood.com - Our General Superintendent’s Blog

•

BibleGateway - An online Bible resources, with many translations and research tools

•

Graceway Media - Purchase already created graphics for your messages and power points

•

Gospel Publishing House - Tons of resources, study guides, curriculum, etc.

•

Church Law Today - Legal Advice for Pastors

•

AG Financial - a dynamic array of financial tools, products & services for you & your church

•

Center For Mighty Marriages and Families

Printable Resources: 1

Housing Allowance Worksheet

2

Sample Constitution & Bylaws (and other A/G church and minister's resources)

3

Qualifications for Deacons

PERIODICALS POSTAGE

P A I D

At Houston, TX USPS # 014-651

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: South Texas Assemblies of God P. O. Box 9714 Houston, TX 77213-0714

The S.T.A.R., USPS #014-651, Volume 63, Number 5, is published quarterly (plus a special December issue) by the South Texas District Council Assemblies of God, Inc. 11102 East Freeway, Houston, TX

FACILITATING H EALTH , G ROWTH & D EVELOPMENT OF THE MINISTERS & MINISTRIES OF SOUTH TEXAS.

the

ST R

C H RFA I SLTL M 2 A0 S1 2 2 0 1 5 SOUTH TEXAS ASSEMBLIES OF GOD OFFICERS/PRESBYTERY/STAFF Executive District Officers

Tim R. Barker - Superintendent Steve Banning - Assistant Superintendent Don Wiehe - Executive Secretary/Treasurer

The S. T. A. R. (South Texas Assemblies Review) is published quarterly (plus a special Christmas issue) and is the Official Publication of the SOUTH TEXAS DISTRICT COUNCILASSEMBLIES OF GOD, Inc. 11102 East Freeway (I-10) Houston, Texas 77029 Don Wiehe - Executive Editor David Wilson - Managing Editor

Mailing address: South Texas Assemblies of God P.O. Box 9714 Houston, Texas 77213-0714

www.stxag.org

District Ministries Departmental Officers Roger Bailey -

Executive Presbyters

Steve Weaver and Gene Summers

General Council Presbyters Tim R. Barker, Don Wiehe & Jim Rion

District Sectional Presbyters

Darold DeHart - San Jacinto Section Donny Flippo - Beaumont Section Mike Hammonds - Gulf Coast Section Lloyd Maddoux - North Houston Section Erny McDonough - Victoria Section Joel Nabors - Neches Valley Section Mario Perez - Rio Grande Valley Section Deborah Prihoda - Houston Section Doug Roberts - San Antonio Section William Stockstill - Corpus Christi Section

Honorary Presbyters

Howard Burroughs, Gary Chapin, Johnny Durham, & Joseph Granberry

713-455-1221

Roger Bailey Tammy Calderon Vanessa Hall Stancle Williams -

Missions HonorBound Men

Church Ministries/Discipleship Women’s Ministries Youth Ministries

_________________________________ Article IX, Finances: Section 2, District Office Support, Paragraphs (a) The District Office shall be supported by a monthly offering of at least three fourths (75%) of the tithes of every minister (except Senior Retired Ministers) from both secular and ministerial income. If a minister fails to cooperate with this plan, he shall be called to give a reasonable explanation to the District Officials. (b) It is recommended that the District Office shall be supported by one percent (1%) of the monthly general fund income of each of the churches of the South Texas District Council.