Assemblies of God military chaplains go through extensive schooling and
training to prepare for their duties. They are men and women of strong
faith and great courage.
Assemblies of God Chaplain Julia "Judy" Clark recently received the
Phoenix Award presented by the P.E.A.C.E. (Putting an End to Abuse
through Community Efforts) Initiative in San Antonio, Texas. The
P.E.A.C.E. Initiative represents four dozen agencies.
The Chi Alpha group ministering to students at Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York, recently had its funding temporarily suspended by
Cornell's Student Assembly Finance Commission (SAFC) while it
investigated the forced resignation of one of the Chi Alpha student
leaders.
A lot has changed in the 39 years since Lloyd and Nita Colbaugh began
volunteering at the United States Medical Center, a federal prison
hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Several years ago, Ed and Leah Bass purchased a home in Alvarado,
Texas. It was a fixer-upper, but the couple was determined to turn the
desperately needy house into their dream home. Step by step, they
started to repair and rebuild the house. Last July, the couple went to
pick out new paint colors and items for the house, dreaming of what was to be.
Regent University School of Law recently announced that Leanne Watrous, a member of the University of Virginia Chi Alpha ministry, has been awarded the first Regent Law Chi Alpha Scholarship.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, was
Bill and Velma Austin's first U.S. MAPS RV Volunteer assignment more
than 18 years ago. The couple has been coming to SAGU every year since
then to spend three to five months serving the university.
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions ministry to secular college campuses, has recently posted a new resource on its Web site that isn't just for college students.
Tens of thousands of hopefuls auditioned for the current season of the popular TV show American Idol. Among the talented singers who made it to the top 36 are Kris Allen, a Chi Alpha student from the University of Central Arkansas, and Mishavonna Henson from South Coast Christian Assembly in San Juan Capistrano, California.
The Shapes Mentoring Program, which provides mentors to children with
incarcerated parents, received a check from the Nixa Community
Foundation at a banquet held on February 19, in Nixa MO.
I have been thinking about this Christmas letter for some time and
decided some time ago that I would write about my spiritual grandmother
who has blessed me my entire Christian life. I can remember the first
time I met her some 37 years ago.
More than 3,000 college students and young adults descended upon Cincinnati, Ohio, for The World Missions Summit 2, December 30-January 1. Chi Alpha, AG World Missions and AG U.S. Missions partnered together to host the event, themed, "It's up to me."
More than 1,000 MAPS workers have woven in excess of 20,000 woolen
stocking caps for use by the homeless, babies, cancer patients, and
others on Indian reservations and at Assemblies of God mission
outreaches at home and abroad.
A blizzard swept across South Dakota earlier this month, dumping an
estimated 45 inches of snow on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation,
essentially disabling local communities for several days.
After an Assemblies of God Deaf Culture Fellowship three-day prayer and
fasting gathering last fall, President Emory K. Dively invited deaf and
hearing leaders of the ministry to begin pursuing reconciliation
efforts.
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries is currently ministering on 250 campuses to
16,000 university students nationwide. But with 18 million young people
studying on U.S. secular college campuses, there remains a great
harvest field yet unreached.
During the week Dan Petfield works a full-time job at IBM, but when
Friday comes, he hits the road, often driving 10 or 12 hours to arrive
at a racetrack early the next morning.
The Shapes Mentoring Program has named Jeff Dorn as the new program
director. Dorn, who has a masters of divinity degree, has served the
program for the last year and a half at its mentor support coordinator
and for three years as a volunteer mentor.
At first blush, stating that the Assemblies of God is "unknown" in the
United States, especially in the 21st Century, doesn't seem to be an
overly accurate statement.
An estimated 27 million people suffer under slavery globally. Assemblies of God U.S. missionaries Michael and Denise Bartel have started F.R.E.E. International in Long Branch, New Jersey, to share the freedom of Christ with teenage girls lured into the United States by international prostitution rings and forced into sexual slavery. F.R.E.E. (http://free-international.org) stands for find, rescue, embrace and empower.
This summer, the Women in Ministry Web site (womeninministry.ag.org)
adopted an updated look, refined focus, and a new title: “The Network —
a called community of women.”
Since 1995, the Assemblies of God National Center for the Blind has participated multiple times in the annual National Federation of the Blind convention. At this year's convention, June 29-July 5 in Dallas, the ministry had unprecedented opportunities to share with and listen to the blind community.
Last year, U.S. Mission America Placement Service RV Volunteers logged more than 113,000 volunteer hours, saving ministries an estimated $2.5 million in labor costs.
June 25-28, Teen Challenge will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a mega-event in New York City. Featuring seven services over the four-day time frame, many of the biggest names in Teen Challenge history will be present, including David and Don Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz, Steve Hill and Sonny Aguinzoni along with many others.
On June 3, the Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God voted to
launch the new Church Multiplication Network, a service organization
that will resource, catalyze and facilitate the planting of new
churches across America.
Assemblies of God Prison Chaplain Judge Lindsey implemented a tithing
program five years ago among Christian inmates at the Correctional
Training Facility in Soledad, California. Prisoners gave $1,300 to
victims of the 2004 tsunami in Asia, $1,000 to Convoy of Hope for
Hurricane Katrina aid in 2005 and $1,000 last fall for water wells in
Africa.
According to the International Rescue Committee
(http://www.theirc.org), since 1998, more than five million people in
the Democratic Republic of Congo have died from war-related causes.
Hundreds of thousands of women and young girls have been violently
assaulted, leaving them with lifelong physical and emotional scars.
For 50 years, Teen Challenge has witnessed miraculous transformation in
the lives of thousands of men and women trapped by addiction. And now
for the first time in its history, the ministry is offering a
nationwide drug prevention program for youth called Stay Sharp.
David and Don Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz, Steve Hill and Sonny Arguinzoni -
all "headliner" names associated with Teen Challenge, the Assemblies of
God affiliated ministry offering hope and healing for those in
life-controlling problems.
U.S. Missions is happy to welcome 13 new missionary candidates to the
U.S. mission field. March 9-14, 2008, U.S. Missions hosted its Spring
Candidate Orientation in Springfield, MO. Candidate Orientation is a
week-long event of interviews, training, evaluation and preparation for
the emotionally and spiritually trying aspects of missions work.
As of March 27, seating in the Times Square Church sanctuary, venue for the Teen Challenge 50th anniversary celebration, had sold out. Registration is still available for standing room and an overflow area at the June 25-27, 2008, celebration in New York City.
The National Children's Ministries Leadership Conference, April 1-4, will be a history-making occasion for the Assemblies of God Center for the Blind. When "Solomon's Quest" is introduced at the conference, it will become the first Christian children's book ever to be available in Braille on the same day as the ink version.
Church Gets MX9 Funds to Expand Outreach
A fledgling Denton, Texas, congregation is among the first churches in the nation to receive funds through the new Assemblies of God Church Multiplication Network.
U.S. Missions Implements Innovative Evangelism
Three hundred million people live in the United States. If Zollie L. Smith Jr., executive director of Assemblies of God U.S. Missions, has his way, 7 million of those residents will commit their lives to Christ for the first time within the next two years.
Tithing inmates respond to water well need
Assemblies of God Prison Chaplain Judge Lindsey had motivated Christian inmates at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, Calif., to give to worthy causes before.
Cowboy Church Set to Become Must See TV for Millions of Viewers
Millions of rural area residents now have an opportunity to attend
church twice a week from the comfort of their own homes. In
September, Rural Free Delivery Television began broadcasting Cowboy
Church twice a week.
Teen Challenge Girls Capture Rugby Title
Youngsters at the Jupiter, Florida, Teen Challenge are getting
noticed for their athletic ability after capturing a state rugby
title earlier this year.
Saturday, October 13 more than 60 friends of Oregon State University Chi Alpha gathered at "The Pillar", Chi Alpha's new campus ministry center to pray, celebrate and dedicate the facility on its opening day.
Church Planters Connect Online
Church planting has gained a great deal of momentum and enthusiasm within the Assemblies of God recently.
Church Planting – The Hard Way
St. Louis. Gateway to the West. Home to such things such as the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River and the St. Louis Cardinals, Rams and Blues professional sports teams.
Yet, as you head east on Interstates 70 and 55, leaving the shadow of the stately new Busch Stadium and the magnificent gleaming Gateway Arch behind you, you enter into a much different world – a city known as East St. Louis.
First MX9 Church Plant Already Making An Impact
The September 7, 2007, inaugural service of Lifepoint Church in Savannah, Texas, not only generated local excitement, but also had national significance, as Lifepoint became the first church plant to open its doors as part of the new MX9 initiative.
Chi Alpha Expands National Staff
On January 7, 2008, Curtis Cole will step into the newly created position of administrative/operations director for Chi Alpha. Cole's appointment marks the first supervisory level employee added to national Chi Alpha in 30 years.
Newsletter for Women in Ministry
The Women in Ministry Web Site now offers a biweekly e-newsletter to equip and encourage women called to ministry. The e-newsletter includes content by AGUSM women missionaries to address the unique needs and interests of women called to missions work.
Zollie Smith elected new U.S. Missions Executive Director
Reverend Zollie L. Smith, Jr. was elected to serve as the U.S. Missions executive director at the 52nd General Council. He is presently serving as the Executive Secretary of the New Jersey District Council of the Assemblies of God.
Help Available for Blind
Nearly 1,000 people now benefit from services provided by the
Assemblies of God Center for the Blind, a ministry founded 55 years
ago.
Woman Answers Chaplaincy Call
Having suffered domestic violence along with the agony and grief of
her sister's murder, Chaplain Bridget Sheehan conquered her painful
past by volunteering in 1991 with Discipleship Unlimited, a national
prison ministry.
Chaplain Aids Aftercare
Chaplain Pamela Moore uses her maternal influence and pastoral spirit graciously at Allen Correctional Men's Facility in Lima, Ohio
Rural Compassion Heads to Greensburg, Kansas
Rural Compassion is on its way to Greensburg, Kansas, to help in the aftermath of the F5 tornado that devastated the small town on May 7. Find out how you can help.
Chi Alpha Ministry Recognized at TSU
Every spring, school, campus and community leaders gather at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, for an event known as the Leadership and Service Awards Banquet.
Chi Alpha at Virginia Tech responds to tragedy
When the news of the killing of dozens of students at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia) campus Monday morning reached Chi Alpha Campus Pastors Jon and Jenny Rice, they reacted much like the rest of the 25,000-plus members of the campus body - shock.
AG Chaplain Nominated as Brigadier General
President Bush in January nominated Assemblies of God Chaplain Col. David H. Cyr to be promoted to brigadier general. Since 2006 Cyr has served as the director of the Air Force Chaplain Service Institute at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
Chi Alpha - Ministy becoming part of collegiate landscape
Chi Alpha, the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions ministry to students at secular college campuses, is becoming more entrenched in the cultures of their campuses. A sure sign that the ministry is becoming established is that Chi Alpha houses seem to be popping up all over the place - from East to West Coast and everywhere in between.
SALT: It’s not just for seasoning anymore!
Usually when someone talk about salt, it is accompanied by its tableside counterpart pepper or a “please pass the”. But, to Chi Alpha students across the nation, when salt gets mentioned, they do not think about the white stuff that you sprinkle on potatoes or corn; they think about SALT. SALT (Student Activist Leadership Training) is the annual regional conference where Chi Alpha students join together from all over the country for a time of worship, encouragement, challenge, and gaining camaraderie with other Chi Alpha groups. During the first few months of this year, in 8 different regions, around 2,000 Chi Alpha students will be participating in SALT, some traveling from as far as 14 hours away.
Chi Alpha: Miracles on the Quad
"People began to stand and clap," says Matt Gonzales, Chi Alpha campus missionary to Delta College in Stockton, California. "Others were amazed, while others mocked us and were yelling that it was a hoax."
Chi Alpha Removed from Georgetown University Schools
For the past nine years, AG Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship has been working alongside Georgetown University students and the students at the school's medical school in an effort to exemplify and share the compassion and love of Christ with other students.
AG Center for the Blind Needs Readers
"No other fellowship has a ministry like this," says Paul Weingartner, director of the Assemblies of God Center for the Blind. "We are the only Christian organization that offers the Blind an opportunity for higher level learning and one of the few fellowships that has a specific ministry to the Blind."
Pastors Join Unite America Tour
The National Day of Prayer, General Council of the Assemblies of God, Assemblies of God U.S. Missions and Southwestern Assemblies of God University are joining forces with Calvary Church in Irving, Texas, and Nashville's Cornerstone Church to promote the NDP's Unite America Tour.
U.S. MAPS RV Volunteers Top 127,000 Hours
As Assemblies of God churches in the Gulf region rebuild facilities destroyed by last year's hurricanes, the U.S. MAPS program continues to play a vital role in the effort. More than 1,400 RV Volunteers invest time, skills and resources in projects, including in hurricane-ravaged areas.
Tunnell’s Vision Helps Blind Experience God
Two years ago, Judith Tunell contacted Assemblies of God Center for the Blind Directors Paul and Caryl Weingartner about publishing Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King's book "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God" in Braille.
Colorado Ministry Offers Counseling, Restoration for Hurting
Quiet, calm, serene. Where the majestic Rocky Mountains and soft, peaceful valleys offer therapeutic rest to the body and bring clarity to clouded thoughts. A place to be still and listen for God to speak. Here one finds rest and healing. Here one also finds the Ranch of Hope, an intensive Bible-based counseling ministry for individuals, families, couples and pastors.
Chaplaincy Department Makes Historic Endorsement
During the May 17-18, 2006, meeting of the Commission on Chaplains in Springfield, Missouri, the first group of pastoral counselors received ecclesiastical endorsement with the Assemblies of God Chaplaincy Department.
Chi Alpha: Loaves and Fishes
Eli and Mary Gautreaux have been involved in Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, Chi Alpha for the past 14 years, being nationally appointed Assemblies of God U.S. missionaries to SHSU since 1996.
Deaf Responding to Presentation of Christ
More than 300 people who are deaf accepted Jesus as their Savior for the first time and hundreds more recommitted their lives to Christ during the third annual Nigerian Assemblies of God Deaf Retreat held in Okpoto, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, this past March.
Navy Honors AG Chaplain for Excellence in Ministry
This February, Captain James Hightower, an Assemblies of God endorsed United States Navy chaplain, was presented with the U.S. Navy's John H. Craven Award for ministry excellence. The award citation was presented by Rear Admiral Louis V. Iasiello, chief of Navy chaplains, on the 61st anniversary of the ceremonial flag raising following the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
New York City, Location of 100 Future Church Plants
On Thursday, March 16, Pastor Nam Soo Kim of Full Gospel New York Church brought together a group of people to begin the process of planting a multitude of churches in New York City.
National Slavic Conference Forms in AG
The Assemblies of God has recognized the formation of the National Slavic Conference to provide for effective and strategic leadership and growth for Slavic Pentecostal churches in the United States.
Chaplains Claim World Championship, Reach Cowboys for Christ
Cutting cows from a herd is tricky. If a cowboy isn't quiet enough or if his horse startles one of the cows the entire herd might bolt. To successfully cut a cow from its herd a cowboy must have lightning quick reflexes, a steady hand and most importantly a good horse.
Fire Damages Appalachian Teen Challenge
A fire broke out just after 11 p.m. on February 13 at the Appalachian Teen Challenge Center in Athens, West Virginia. Home to approximately 35 men, everyone was able to evacuate safely. However, initial estimates are that the center suffered more than $100,000 in damages.
Sox Place—A Refuge From the Streets
Abundantly spoiling the street kids with an overdose of love and grace is an everyday task which Doyle Robinson, U.S. Missions’ church planting missionary, understands and defines as “love on” an individual. His ministry, which started seven years ago by handing out socks to street kids, has evolved into an unconventional refuge designed for street kids to come and be “loved on.”
Pike Appointed to Lead Church Planting
The Assemblies of God Board of Administration recently appointed Steve Pike as the new director of the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions national Church Planting department effective as of January 1, 2006.
Chi Alpha Students See Healings About on Secular Campus
The Fall 2005 semester at Auburn (Alabama) University was filled with signs and wonders for the Auburn Chi Alpha group. Over the course of the semester, one Chi Alpha student recorded more than 70 healings, from minor pain relief to complete restoration.
New U.S. MAPS Director Appointed
Assemblies of God U.S. Missions has announced that Jerry Bell, men's ministries director for the Arkansas District, has been appointed as new director of U.S. MAPS -- a post he will officially assume on September 26. Bell and his wife Kay will be relocating to Springfield.
Bell started in ministry as an associate pastor and then senior pastor in the Louisiana District for nine years. In 1988, he became senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Cabot, Arkansas.
USM ministries, AG churches, recover from Katrina and Rita
Several USM missionaries and ministries were affected by Katrina. Below is an updated list, as of Sept. 9, of missionaries needing aid. If you would like to donate to any of the missionaries
New Director Appointed to Lead Teen Challenge U.S.A.
On August 6, 2005, Mike Hodges was elected new president and executive director of Teen Challenge, U.S.A., an Assemblies of God U.S. Missions ministry that provides residential and non-residential care for those seeking freedom from life-controlling addictions. Hodges will officially take office on October 1.
Rev. Alton Garrison, new U.S. Missions director
The Rev. Alton Garrison, Arkansas district superintendent, will assume his new role of U.S. Missions executive director October 1. Garrison, who has ministered with the Assemblies of God for two decades, was elected to the post Aug. 3 at the 51st General Council in Denver, Colo.
Hodges named new Teen Challenge director
Mike Hodges, senior executive director of Teen Challenge’s Pacific Northwest region, was elected president and executive director of Teen Challenge International, USA on Aug. 6.
Teen Challenge USA Hosts First National Alumni Conference
Teen Challenge USA has announced that it will host the inaugural Teen Challenge USA Alumni Conference at First Assembly of God of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 13 and 14, 2005.
Reach the University: The Pioneering Track
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, of the Assembly of God, recently held their annual Reach the University training institute. Student leaders and campus pastors came together to ready themselves for internships and full time ministry. This year a new learning track was established to help prepare those pioneering new Chi Alpha groups on university campuses.
ENFUEGO
How do you touch the heart of a campus with the love and Gospel of Christ when it believes Christians are mean, irrelevant and boring? Ask this question of Chi Alpha students at Portland State University (PSU), Portland, Ore., and they’ll answer with one word: Enfuego.
Bikers hold “Jericho Rally”
Joshua and the Children of Israel may have circled Jericho on foot, but Assemblies of God Chaplain Rick Rigenhagen prefers to make his rounds on a Harley.
Rigenhagen, a nationally appointed chaplain to bikers and prisoners in southern Idaho, recently helped organize the Jericho 2005 Ridin' Rally as part of an effort to reclaim an area ravaged by drugs and gang violence.
U.S. Missions – active in your congregation
“Lost in America … Will You Make a Difference?” This statement might seem strange - how could someone be lost in America and not know Jesus today with all the churches and religious organizations that abound. But this is the reality. America is the third largest unreached nation in the world. The eternal future of countless souls is at hand – and they’re right at our doorstep. What about your neighbors? Will you make a difference?
Devil went down to Durham
University of New Hampshire (UNH) students who ventured into the MUB (student union) Monday afternoon learned a very important life lesson: Even the best food court meal can be made even better by an unexpected visit from Satan.
U.S. MISSIONS CONTINUES TO GROW
In the 2005 annual report for the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions, statistics show growth in numbers of new U.S. missionaries and chaplains as well as a record in missions giving in 2004.
CLOWNING AROUND: CAPTURING KIDS FOR CHRIST
With whirly top spinning and small flyswatter in hand, Sparky the Clown chases Mauy, who sports a backwards red baseball cap and suspenders, around forty kids seated in chairs at Neighborhood Kids Club (NKC), then disappears.
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
When Pastor Rick Smith heard of Cedar Lake Christian Assembly’s vision to plant ten churches in the next ten years, he knew the Lord laid it on his heart that he was to pastor one of these ten churches. Pastor Rick followed the Lord’s prompting and in August 2004 put plans in motion to plant a new church, The Refuge, in Gautier, Mississippi.
Witnessing Without Words
Phil and Linda Wright have been Biker Chaplains for twelve years and still find that one of the most important parts of their ministry is to simply offer a listening ear to those they cross paths with. Phil and Linda’s consistent listening played a key role in leading a fellow biker to Jesus Christ.
Faith to Trust Again
It is easy to see why Melissa Bardezbain is hesitant when it comes to trusting others. Her father molested her until she was 15, and it was at this age that her life began a downhill spiral. Melissa chose to put her trust in the wrong crowd and began using drugs. The drugs lead her to cross paths with two men who would soon become ex-husbands, leaving her to care for her daughter alone.
Former bull rider ministers to his own breed
Edwards, 26, started riding bulls at 16, and even won some fame in Canada. But a vertebrate injury sustained while riding in practice permanently kept him from riding again. So he stays in the sport as a way to tell others about Christ.
Blindness no barrier
But at age 53, an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa brought an abrupt end to Rose’s ministry, leaving him with only 10 percent of his vision in a narrow field of view directly in front of him. Although he had been diagnosed at age 15, the condition is progressive, and Rose quickly lost peripheral vision to the point where he could no longer drive.
A/G U.S. Missions Jewish ministry
Dr. Ray Gannon, Assemblies of God U.S. Missions national representative to Jewish Ministries, and his "Israel's Redemption" ministry team have established a base in Springfield, Missouri. Gannon's desire is to use the base to partner with A/G missionaries, pastors, churches and educators to foster a strong Pentecostal ...
Lessons learned in the desert
For a year now the U.S. has been fighting terrorism in Iraq. The following are two accounts of chaplains serving our country and our Lord on the battlefield. Although life in the desert is, at times, very difficult, they feel their service is rewarding.
Battleground for homosexual issues
Colleges and universities are the fiercest battlegrounds for the debate on homosexuality. At the heart of the dispute, University of Illinois’ PRIDE, the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender group...
New image for U.S. Missions
U.S. Missions has undergone a transformation! It all started at General Council last August. The General Presbyters unanimously voted to change our name from Home Missions to U.S. Missions to more ...
Chaplain retires but leaves legacy
For nearly 14 years, Mike Collingsworth has been the chaplain for the UAW (United Automobile, Aerospace, Agricultural Implement Workers of America) and chaplain/employee for Ford Motor Company in Lima, Ohio. He served as the first chairperson of the International UAW Chaplaincy Program from 1991...
Plant it and they will come
On September 7, 2003, North Point Church, Springfield, Mo., opened its doors for the first time to the public where 831 people attended the first service. Since that day, more than 100 people have come to know Jesus Christ. Now, the young church is a host to an average 650 attendees every Sunday morning. Surpassing many of its initial goals, it’s no wonder why North Point is considered a very successful church plant.
MAPing Out America
Ever heard of Mission America Placement Service (MAPS)? Many people have not, but this A/G ministry is growing like never before. MAPS is a ministry committed to fulfilling the Great Commission by providing opportunities for volunteers to assist U.S. Missions works and other approved projects throughout the United States.
Death Row
Moore's tenure on the state's death row since June 1980 is involuntary. Nearly two dozen others have come and gone. A few died awaiting their final fate. Some had sentences commuted to life in prison. Others have been released because new evidence raised doubts about their guilt. Three have been executed.
