The Belorussian Chruch

I was sure that I had the right AG church. It was two oclock in the afternoon and I was setting in the parking lot, but mine was the only car there. I made a quick call and pastor Gary confimed that Pastor Sergey I. and his church were preparing for something special this particular Sunday afternoon; I headed out for First Assembly.

It was something special alright , a Russian language choir from the interior of Alaska, and pastor Nahum from the Belorussian Church (Russia) were in full swing when I arrived. Right away, I was supplied with a headset and an interpreter. As I listened to the interpretation, of what was going on, there was something familiar about the service.

First, the speaker was clearly spirit filled. Despite the language differences, I could tell when he exercised the gift of tongues. It would seem that it was the same gift in Asia as it is in Springfield Missouri, or any home town USA.

Second, I was mesmerized by the altar call. It didn't take a linguist to understand an altar call. I guess the interperter knew this as well as she just hung up and headed for front. A Spirit filled alter call is universal, and once you have been to one - you know exactly what to do, in any language!

Bishop's Birthday

It has become something that I look forward to every year, Bishop W.'s birthday. Each February 22nd we try to meet at the Cattle Company here in Anchorage. He always shows up looking great, like he is ready for church. This really keeps me on my toes because there are many days I don't look like I'm ready for anything, let alone church! This year we will be celebrating a little early. The COGIC leadership has organized a special day at Sullivan's Steakhouse where we will all celebrate Bishop's birthday. I am really looking forward to this celebration because the Bishop and the leaders of the Church of God in Christ are wonderful to be around. They are even allowing me to say a few words of appreciation. I won't need a script for that!

If I was only allowed to say one thing about Bishop, it would be that he is consistent. Consistently Christian, consistently kind, and most of all he is consistently an example of Godly grace. He never gets rattled, is never unkind, and never seems to get discouraged with life.

Pastor Kent R. introduced us several years ago, and, since that time, our relationship has grown into a genuine friendship. Thanks Pastor Kent!

The Other Full Time Ministers

So often, all we see is the salaried, credentialed person that is either a senior pastor or a staff member. It is the same tendency that focuses our primary attention on the churchs in our larger cities, and the larger churches themselves. These churches, with full time positions, get the most inquiries and the majority of our interest. However, there is another world of ministers out there that doesn't fall into this catagory. They are the tent-makers that make ministry happen in small communities throughout Alaska. The churches that employ these ministers have small or no budgets. But, the commitment level for these men and women is just as high or higher as their larger siblings.

I received this report from one such minister that we don't hear about very often, Patrick D. You will find him at the Little Tutka Bible Fellowship. Patrick writes, "I want to say I apologize for not being more diligent in sending in reports. With working full time (*secular work), preaching, doing youth group, marriage counseling, and having an endless stream of people in and about our home, it seems I never quite attend to such matters."

Ministers such as this could be our un-sung heros of the faith. They work long hours providing a living for their families, all-the-while, they are doing the work of the ministry - full time.

*My Addition

Book of Hope Leaves Home

It was announced that the Book of Hope (BOH) will no longer be a part of the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM). Randy H., Communications Director, stated that the BOH, "being a seperate ministry allows it to work with other donominations and ministries." However, "BOH and AGWM will partner together in areas where it is strategically beneficial."

Bob H., founder and president of BOH stated, "As an Assemblies of God missionary for 43 years, I am very excited that executive director Rob H. (do you think they could be related?) and I will continue to serve this fellowship as Assemblies of God missionaries while leading the worldwide outreach of BOH."

"AGWM will continue to grant world missions giving credit to AG churches for giving to BOH's mission to affect the destiny of children and youth around the world."

Like the Book of Hope, I believe that in the near future, we will see AG para-church ministry(s), in Alaska become self sustaining, casting themselves into the world of the non-profits with all promises and liabilities that come with it. Similar to the Book of Hope, these will be able to maintain a working relationship with the parent organization.

We Are Better Together

On Thursday night, elements of the Assemblies of God (AG) and the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) came together for dinner, a short skit, and some good music. Gary and Alice M. worked very hard to provide everyone with an excellent dinner.

Toward the end of the evening each table, following a time to visit, sent a representative to the microphone to reflect their views on how the two organizations could work closer together. Both organizations felt that a closer working relationship would have a better reflection on the Kingdom of God. We have met to discuss this issue before, and as we grow in relationship we will have increased opportunities to grow in cooperative ministry.

I noted that the Church of God in Christ's suggestions revolved around relationships and the AG's suggestions came in the form of programs and prayer.

Their Bishop, Bishop W. will be celebrating his eighty-sixth birthday this month. Joyce and I will be joining him and the church in celebrating that event.