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Our South Texas District Assemblies of God Ministries is blessed to have so many anointed leaders and ministers. In this STAR edition we are pleased to highlight the life and ministry of Rev. Tim Jones who was recently promoted to Deputy Director of Religious Services, formerly known as Director of Chaplaincy with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Chaplain Jones writes: “In October of 1980 the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and called me into ministry. After completing my eight year military career, I began my journey to pursue full time ministry. From 1998 until 2012 I served as a Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Senior Pastor in the South Texas, Oklahoma and North Texas Districts. In January of 2012 we resigned our pastorate due to my wife, Tammy’s, unknown medical problems which caused her to miss a lot of services. Thinking it would be best to step down and seek out medical answers, we packed our house and moved to Huntsville, Texas to be close to the grand babies. With only an apartment and no job we set out, not knowing what was ahead, but fully trusting in God’s promises, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. Rev. Tim Jones During our move and almost to Huntsville, I received a call from a pastor who was involved with a private prison who was looking for a Chaplain. Prison ministry was never in my plans, but knowing we would need to eat I said I would meet with them, and three days later I was a prison chaplain. After serving about five months, I fell in love with my new ministry. I was encouraged to apply to be a chaplain with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). I worked as a Correctional officer for six months until a chaplain position became available for me to apply for, and one year from the day we resigned our church I was hired to serve as the Chaplain at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas. I was so excited about the new ministry at Polunsky but did not realize that this unit housed Texas Death Row. Seeing God move among the men in prison with lives being changed and men growing spiritually I began to wonder why God didn’t place me here 27 years ago. Sharing this question with Tammy she replied, “because 27 years ago you were not ready.” After serving as Death Row and general population chaplain for four years, God opened another door and I was transferred to the Huntsville “Walls” unit. Thinking that this is where I would end my career, I was happy with this assignment. I began to settle into my new assignment and become comfortable with my position, not knowing God was in the process of opening another door. After serving just 11 months, on November 1, 2017, I was promoted to the position of Assistant Director of Chaplaincy. It was beyond my thoughts that after being a chaplain for just four years and eight months that God would promote me to this position. I stood back in amazement at how God had directed my life. I could honestly say that five or six years ago if someone would have told me that I would be a Chaplain in the prison I would have said, “Absolutely not, I was called to pastor a church, not prisoners, that’s not my calling.” I had to go back and remember the scripture, “I know the plans I have for you...” I realized God’s plans were far greater than mine. I held the second highest position in Chaplaincy with TDCJ, and it was all God. But after just serving nine months in this position God was preparing another path. After just five years and six months, on August 15, 2018, I was promoted to Deputy Director of Religious Services, formerly known as Director of Chaplaincy. God had placed me in a position to oversee all of Chaplaincy for TDCJ. Even today Jeremiah’s words ring true, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Thirty-two years ago God was planning my future beyond what I could see.” Tim and Tammy have been married 39 years and have four children Joshua, Ryan, Ashley, and Amber, as well as nine grandchildren. He served eight years in the US Air Force. Tim received his license to preach in 1981. Along with Tim’s Chaplaincy duties he and his wife Tammy pastor First Assembly of God Willis. I hope Chaplain Jones’ story reminds each of us that God is in control of our lives. We need to trust Him and not fret and worry. God bless each of you and thank you so much for your faithfulness in ministry, loving and faithfully serving those you are around each and every day. Pastor Don 5
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Ministers Changes and Updates New Certified
Melanie Gadison Rommie Lavergne
Upgraded to License Joshua Alpers
New License
Charmaine Bailey
Reinstate
Larry Davis Emily Rushton
Jinnie McLennan Joshua McLennan
Charles Smith, Jr
Andrew Jirrels
Richard Reyes
Candice Tumlinson Evan Kahlich
David Phipps
Transfers in
From North Texas Patrick Slack Andrew Soerens From Texas Louisiana Hispanic Alberto Gonzalez Yadira Gonzalez From Arizona District - Celeste Austin From Michgan District - Roger Haysmer From Texas Gulf Hispanic District - Stephen Royall
Jeffrey Peiprzyca
Transfers Out
To Arkansas District - Dylan Adams To New Mexico District - Austin Poper To Colorado District - Edward Rowls To New York District - Nicole Sedillo To North Texas District - David Wagner To North Texas District - Sondra Wagner
New Pastors
First A/G, Nederland - Joshua Modisetter Spring Creek Fellowship, Tomball - Andrew Soerens
Bethel Assembly of God, Liberty - Patrick Slack
New PAC Church
Praise and Worship Center of Spring, Houston – Parent Church: Coat of Many Colors, Baytown
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Church Changes and Updates Name Change
The Pointe Fellowship, Tomball is now: Local Church of the Assemblies of God
Withdrawn from the Assemblies of God New Life Church, Corpus Christi
District Affiliated Sovereign - The following churches completed the process Beaumont Section First Assembly of God, Alice, Pastor Harold Smith First Assembly of God, Daisetta, Pastor Lamar Shane Hardin Assembly of God, Hardin, Pastor David Stark The Rock Outreach, Port Arthur, Pastor Phillip Baugh Corpus Christi Section First Assembly of God, Ingleside, Pastor Harvey Smith Global Impact Prayer House, Laredo, Pastor John Hum Gulf Coast Section Faith Assembly of God, Alvin, Pastor Stephen Adams Mainland Assembly of God, Hitchcock, Pastor Antonio Garza Maranatha Christian Center, Santa Fe, Pastor Alex Yovan
Neches Valley Section Lakeside Christian Fellowship, Brookeland, Pastor Eugene Ricks North Houston Section Peace Tabernacle Assembly of God, Cleveland, Pastor Charles Smith Willis First Assembly of God, Willis, Pastor Tim Jones San Antonio Section First Assembly of God, Highlands, Pastor Brandon Brewer San Jacinto Section First Assembly of God, Karnes City, Pastor Jimmy Cummings
General Council Affiliated - The following churches completed the process Gulf Coast Section Destination Church, Clute, Pastor Aaron Timberlake San Antonio Section Real Life Community Church, New Braunfels, Pastor David Sanchez Heart of Praise Assembly of God, San Antonio, Pastor Stephen Caddell San Jacinto Section The Lighthouse, Baytown, Pastor Dennis Wells Coat of Many Colors, Baytown, Pastor Gershon Suan Ebenezer Assembly of God, Houston, Pastor Abraham Thomas Living Springs Assembly of God, Pasadena, Pastor Paul Smith
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2019 Schedule Date
Level 1 Courses (Certified) Level 2 Courses (License)
Level 3 Courses (Ordained)
January 5
THE114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine BIB117 Prison Epistles BIB115 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in the Believers
BIB212 New Testament Survey
BIB322 Poetic Books
BIB215 Romans 9:30AM - 12:00PM BIB214 Old Testament Survey
BIB318 Pentateuch
February 2 March 2
April 6
June 1
BIB121 Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Study the Bible MIN123 The Local Church in Evangelism
1:30PM - 3:30PM MIN261 Introduction to A/G Missions MIN223 Introduction Homiletics THE245 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come
MIN325 Preaching in the Contemporary World MIN327 Church Administration, Finance & Law
June 1
MIN191 MIN291 MIN391 Beginning Internship Intermediate Internship Advanced Internship Classes not taught on site, students study with their Mentor
September 7
9:30AM - 12:00PM THE142 AG History, Missions & Governance
October 5 November 2
MIN251 Effective Leadership
THE311 Prayer & Worship
1:30PM - 3:30PM MIN171 Spirit Empowered Church MIN181 MIN281 MIN381 Relationships & Ethics in Conflict Management for Pastoral Ministry Ministry Church Leaders BIB114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
THE211 BIB313 Introduction to Theology Corinthian Correspondence
Hosted at New Life Church on Northpark, 4032 Northpark, Kingwood, 77345 All students must RSVP 2 weeks prior to each class. 10
CL ASSES Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Christian Apologetics Understanding the Spirit World
Special Offer
Church Health and Revitalization Understanding and Reaching the Community Marriage and Family
Southwestern Assemblies of God University and the South Texas District have partnered to offer ministers a special learning opportunity. Applicants from the South Texas District can bundle four online college courses for $1,596 ($399 per course) *. Choose the courses that add the most value to your ministry.
Contemporary Issues in Youth Culture And More…
* Offer available to first time SAGU students 22 years or older. Apply and use promo code “bundle”.
REFUNDS Any student who withdraws, terminates, or drops a class during the fall, spring, or summer second start will be refunded tuition according to the following:
BENEFITS
Accredited degrees Affordable tuition Financial Aid for those who enter a degree plan Quick and easy registration Credit through a convenient, online format.
DEGREES Roll your credit into a SAGU online program. Church Leadership, B.A. General Ministries, B.A.A.S. or more than 50 other online programs
Relationships
Pastoral Counseling
First week of classes — 100% Second week of classes — 50% For specific dates, see www.sagu.edu/calendar
MORE INFO www.sagu.edu/bundle
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CHURCH MINISTRIES AND DISCIPLESHIP Rev. Tammy Calderon, Director
2019 is just around the corner, so it’s time to mark your calendar with some great upcoming events. Please contact the Church Ministries Department if you have any questions and we will be so happy to help you. January 12, 2019 is the last date your group can join this seasons District Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ). JBQ is our best discipleship program for children. Studies show that children who participate in JBQ and TBQ are more likely to continue to serve the Lord as adults. I believe it is because they can answer life’s tough questions with the Word of God! Please contact our District JBQ Representative, Shae Johnston, at 713-455-1221 or stxkids@gmail.com to join. Even if your group is not able to participate in the District JBQ, please use the JBQ materials to train your boys and girls in God's Word. Working together for our King!
Tammy Calderon
REMINDER: 2018 BGMC Offerings need to be post marked by Dec. 31, 2018 and sent to: 1445 N. Boonville Ave. SpringĂželd, MO 65802. South Texas is having a phenomenal giving year! Thank you for giving to missions and helping the Gospel reach the world!
This story starts years ago with my Pastor, Rev. Stephen Corder (Lead Pastor of Camelot Christian Center in San Antonio), while he was serving as a missionary in Argentina running a group home for children and teens while assisting local churches with their youth groups. While there, Pastor Corder and his wife Berta met Gabriel and Daniela Corradini who are currently serving as missionaries in Spain. During 2017, Pastor Corder was able to go and visit the Corradinis in Spain and see what God was doing in and through their ministry. Pastor Corder has a passion to help ministers and missionaries and their children. Recently, the Corradini’s teenage son, Johnathan, had made some decisions that were impetuous and flawed. He declared to his family and friends that he was an atheist; a fact he was loud and proud of. In Johnathan’s mind, anyone who didn’t agree with his worldview lacked intelligence and an ability to think clearly. On his 2017 visit to Spain, Pastor Corder offered to have Johnathan (16 years old) come and stay at the church (Camelot Christian Center) during the summer. His parents also mentioned was struggling with A.D.D. that was causing trouble with focus and concentration at school. Pastor Corder told the Corradinis that he could work during the week at the church and stay in an environment where he would be discipled and mentored. Johnathan came to San Antonio and worked every day with one of the youth pastors doing physical work, landscaping and construction projects. Johnathan’s first church event of the summer was the 2018 South Texas Royal Rangers Junior Leadership Development Academy (JLDA). Johnathan showed up for the camp on Thursday, June 7th with his attitude on full display, ready to share it with everyone present. His attitude did not improve when he was told he had to check his cell phone in with the camp staff for the duration of the week. The Royal Rangers leaders at camp had been in focused prayer for this camp and Johnathan for months. The JLDA camp
does a number of things to help boys get out of their comfort zone and open up to those around them. They are put in groups full of new faces that are expected to become and act as a team. They learn together, compete together, eat together and overcome obstacles together. Before camp, each young man completes a skills assessment survey, which enables the leaders to put boys with different skill sets together in a small group. This is designed to help boys understand that everyone’s skills are valuable to the group and no one person’s abilities are more important than someone else’s. The first two days of camp were tough, and Johnathan tested every boundary and caused as much discord as he could amongst his group and even those in other groups. He exercised his God-given leadership skills to inspire other young men to cause follow his lead and direction. There were lots of one-on-one conversations between Johnathan and camp staff to learn about him and understand him and his anger. There were conversations with him and other boys to help them understand that they are loved. Each Saturday night at JLDA, there is an empowerment service with a camp fire nearby. The young men are asked to write things down that they are battling with, things they have been through or sins they cannot beat (their “kryptonite”). This year, the young men nailed those papers to a wooden cross. There is a short devotion and then, the adult staff gets up and leaves without explanation and the junior staff stays to facilitate the remainder of the service. The junior staff is made up of junior high and high school students that have been to multiple leadership camps and have begun the training to lead and serve Christ. One adult staff member stays in the shadows for safety, but it is far enough away that he cannot be seen or heard. Then with the guidance of the junior staff, the boys begin to pray for each other to share their hearts, confess sins and most of the time, there are tears. God is faithful and of the 15 camps I have been to, the Holy Spirit always shows up in a real and powerful way.
This year on that night, to use Johnathan’s words, “God knocked me out of my pants!” According to Johnathan, there was a visible and physical appearance of the Holy Spirit. There was no question God had heard his cry and had come to tell Johnathan that He loved him, and He has a plan for his life. When seeing the change in Johnathan’s life, the other campers proclaimed that they had seen God do a miracle through the change they saw in him. There were many battles fought and won that night at JLDA. These camps always bear powerful spiritual fruit because God is faithful! On Sunday, June 10, Johnathan graduated from the JLDA with over 40 other boys from across South Texas, but none as changed as he was! Johnathan went back to the church sharing his story and encounter with God. Two weeks after Royal Rangers JLDA, he went to youth camp and had another powerful encounter with God. He became passionate about his Bible studies and began to study on his own hungry for the word and hungry to be discipled. Johnathan’s story is a powerful one. It has great start and an even better ending. We are thankful for what God did through Royal Rangers camps and leaders that ultimately led to a change in Johnathan’s life. However, Royal Rangers and camps are not “the” answer to what you need to disciple young men. Royal Rangers is simply a series of tools and methods that work within the vision of the local Pastor and alongside the other ministries of the local church to help build Christlike men. Johnathan went home to the mountains of northern Spain and was so very happy to get out of the 100-degree South Texas heat. He was energized and excited to tell his friends at home
about what God had done in his life over the summer. Currently Johnathan is at discipleship training school with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) back in Spain. We hope you enjoy the pictures of Johnathan at camp and being baptized by his father at home in Spain. God is so good!!
In closing, I am going to ask you two questions I ask myself daily: 1. “If not you, then who? If not now, when?” 2. “What have you done today that a well-trained atheist could not do?”
Ken Porter South Texas Royal Rangers Assistant District Director
Houston & Valley areas
Coins For Kids
Feb 23, 2019
Missions EDITION Girls Ministries Leadership Retreat Coordinators, Teachers & Helpers March 29-30, 2019 I came back ready to fill my time with the girls with more than just a lesson! Let's do this again and again!! - Melissa H.