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Delegates to the General Council biennial convention in Orlando on Aug. 3 elected four new executive presbyters while returning another three EPs to office. The 21-member Executive Presbytery serves as the board of directors for the Assemblies of God. One of the four elected was our very own Superintendent Don Miller.
Congratulations Pastor DonSouthern Missouri could not be PROUDER!
2Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger
SUPERINTENDENTDon [email protected]
A Call to RememberIf you will give me grace, I want to simply share my heart in this
article. I ask for grace because it will not flow with three alliter-ated points, no poems, no catchy illustrations…just a few words from the heart of your District Pastor.
As I reflected on the theme for this Messenger, No Limitations, it brought me back to our theme for the entire year, Open Heaven! And as I sat to ponder and write, one word came to my heart, Remembrance. Again and again, throughout the Word, the writers called people to remembrance.
It is easy for us to be moved mightily by the Spirit in the mo-ment and then get caught up in the mundane and even important tasks and duties that demand our attention. We began this year truly focused on the theme of Open Heaven. We stated, “We are believing God to give us an Open Heaven over this district so that we will see lives changed, the sick healed, broken families mend-ed, and entire communities transformed by His Spirit.”
As I write, God called to my remembrance the first ever District Prayer Tour in February where we crisscrossed Southern Mis-souri holding twelve prayer services in eight days. I was reminded of the intense presence of God which we felt at each location as believers called desperately upon God and He answered by showing up. As we moved from location to location, the entire team was overawed how God moved upon each gathering. We could feel the spiritual momentum building in our district.
I am convinced that these prayer meetings, calling upon God for an Open Heaven, are what precipitated an amazing move of God in our District Council in April. Each service, we saw minis-ters come with expectant hearts and they did not leave disappoint-ed. There was a ripple effect from the Prayer Tour and District Council into a number of our local churches.
I was brought into remembrance of the numerous times throughout this year when I prayed for individuals over the phone or in person and God led me to pray for an Open Heaven over their church, their family, and their lives. Each time, I felt a prompt-ing of the Holy Spirit reminding me of the amazing blessing that comes when God opens up the windows of heaven over believers.
You see, an open heaven brings us to a place of no limitations. When we are walking in the power of His Spirit with His anointing we find Him doing “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,” (Ephesians 3:20). With an Open Heaven, we see the blind see, the deaf hear, and the crippled walk. With an Open Heaven, we see the hardened hearts of sinners melted with the grace of God as they yield to His arms of love. With an Open Heaven, the people of God speak with a prophetic word not only into the churches but into their communities.
So, I call YOU to remembrance today. Don’t forget what God has called us to. Don’t stop praying and believing that He will literally transform the spiritual atmosphere over Southern Mis-souri. Don’t stop calling upon God for an Open Heaven over our district. Believe for the unbelievable. Expect the impossible.
Trust that without boundaries, with no limitations, we will see a mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit that empowers our churches and transforms our communities.
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
(Isaiah 64:1-2)
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REFRESH MINISTRY WOMENVicki [email protected]
One of the books chosen for the August – November 2019 session of Refresh Connect Groups was, Shattering the Stained Glass Ceiling, A Coaching Strategy for Women Leaders by Robyn Wilkerson. In this book, Wilkerson teaches insights about how “to get out of your own way.”1 Discovering practical tools, she shares that you can “take your personal life and ministry to a level of unlimited possibilities.”2
Oftentimes, the greatest limits women have are those we impose upon ourselves. As we draw near to the Father, become sensitive to His voice, and step out in faith, we can reach the potential that He has planned for us to accomplish His purposes. Nothing can hold us back.
“God’s purpose for our lives unfolds in front of usas we let go of our plans and step into His plan.”
Unlimited Possibilities for Women in Leadership
Works Cited:Wilkerson, Robyn. “Preface.” Shattering the Stained Glass Ceiling, A Coaching
Strategy for Women Leaders in Ministry, Influence, 2017, pp. 12, 28.
Sign up for the Refresh Connect Groups January – March 2020
session when registration opens in November.
FreshenItUp.org
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 4
In I Samuel 17 we read (and visualize) the most-outstanding “no ceiling” story in the Old Testament.
*David, sent by his father, Jesse, to deliver bread, cheese and grain to his brothers and some of the leaders of the Israelite army*Goliath steps out of his camp and yells his taunting challenge to the Israelite army and to their King*David witnesses this defying act and “fight” rises up in him (or.....the Spirit)*David starts asking questions in regard to the giant, the chal-lenge and the rewards for a victor*David’s brother Eliab wants him to leave (and/or stop asking questions)*David eventually makes his way to King Saul, to inquire further*David proceeds to tell the King that he can take care of their giant problem, like he has other problems in the past*King Saul, after some debate, agrees to let David do battle with the giant*The King wants David to wear his armor, if he is going to fight the giant*The King’s armor doesn’t fit*David chooses instead to use his shepherd’s staff, a sling and five smooth stones
Ok......Let’s construct this room of possibilty1. David is about 17 yrs old2. Goliath is an experienced warrior (and a giant)3. David has never fought a giant*We have the walls up and the ceiling is getting lower, as we go 4. Everyone is afraid of Goliath5. NO ONE believes in David6. His brother wants him gone; The King wants him strapped7. David chooses to fight the giant with a stick and a piece of leather*The ceiling in this room we are building is now too low to even stand up8. To add some pressure... thousands of other warriors are watch-ing9. And btw...if he loses, the Israelite Army will be slaves to the Philistines; THE END !10. He has no real chance*The ceiling has now become synonymous with the floor, in this room of possibility
**EVERYONE SEEMS TO KNOW THIS EXCEPT THE 17 YEAR OLD SHEPHERD, WHO HAS NO FEAR (and a sling)
OK.... We’re getting ready to raise the roof (throwback term)
*David hears what they are saying but he’s not listening*David says “don’t worry about this Philistine. I’ll fight him and beat him”*David informs the King and all who are listening, “I killed both a lion and a bear...and The Lord who rescued me from their claws (and jaws) will rescue me form this blasphemous Philistine” (mild extrapolation)*David scrambles into the Valley of Elah*He is armed with only a staff and a sling *David approaches Goliath*Goliath mocks him, and the entire army of Israel and their God*David gets referred to as “a dog” (not “Myyyy Dog”; “That’s My Dog”; “You’re My Dog” or “Hey, What’s Up My Dog”)*Goliath proclaims that he is going to feed David to the birds and wild animals*David acknowledges that the Giant Warrior is coming at him with a sword, a spear and a javelin (he’s loaded up)*The Shepherd Boy then proceeds to warn Goliath that he is coming at him IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HEAVENS ARMIES*The God in David; The God leading David; The God protecting David, delivers the giant into his victorious hands
The Roof Has Been Raised, in the room of possibility (actually now...there is no more roof)
With God, there are NO LIMITATIONS
With God, the ceiling gets raised as high as it needs to be for God’s plan to be worked out/NO LIMITATIONS
David. In the valley. Battling the giant. In front of both of the armies at war. Running toward him. To cut off his head. After delivering a death blow. With a single stone. Out of a shepherds sling...... IS ........THE SINGLE GREATEST DISPLAY OF MOVING WITH NO LIMITATIONS THAT I CAN THINK OF...
I LOVE THIS STORY !
LET’S LIVE IT !
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTGeorge Westlake III
A “No Ceiling” Story
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 5
EXECUTIVE SECRETARYStan [email protected]
If anything meaningful is to be done for God, it will be done by people whose hearts are stirred for the task and they are
all in for God with no limitations.
In Exodus 35 & 36 the Children of Israel have come to the point that a place of worship must be erected so they can wor-ship God in obedience. This could only happen if the people responded without limitation and are fully committed to the project.
I want to pull out some key phrases from the account of Exo-dus 35 & 36 and see how they responded without limitation.
Ex. 35: 5 Whoever is of a generous heart, 21 everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him,. 22 All who were of a willing heart 24 Everyone who could make a contribution 26 All the women whose hearts stirred. 29, whose heart moved them 36: 2 every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up
When we take the limits off of our commitment to God our hearts will be changed. We will have the following:
- Generous Hearts: are a key to doing a work for God. Ex. 35: 4 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. 5 Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a gener-ous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution:
To be generous is to open your heart to the cause and make your resources available whatever they might be. Antonyms to a generous heart = selfish heart; mean heart; meager heart; or barren heart.
- Stirred Hearts: means that you feel the need in your heart. If you don’t feel it you won’t be effective in doing it. 20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him,
- Spirit Moved Hearts: Bring what they have to be used for God. The key is the Spirit moves us to action. and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting,
- Willing Hearts: These are the “all in” people they are com-mitted and willingly share what they have for the cause. 22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an of-fering of gold to the Lord.
When we take the limits off of our commitment to God there will be a willingness to work with the gifting’s and resources we have available. Look at what the people did. 24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s contribution. 25 And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. 26 All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair. 27 And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, 28 and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.
- God has given all of us skills and resources. When we take the limitations off we use these and we won’t be waiting for the perfect ministry. We will do what is before us.
When we take the limits off there will be an abundance for the work of God. 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.
When we take the limits off there will be more than enough for any need that is before us. What a different prob-lem giving too much. Let be in my life.
When we take the limits off we will complete the task that God places before us. Ex. 39: 42 According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel had done all the work. 43 And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.
- Moses set everything in its place and erected the Tabernacle so that worship could begin.
When we take the limits off we get to be a part of God’s glory filling all we have given to Him. Ex. 40: 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
- If we have taken the limitations off of our commitment toward God, we can anticipate the Glory of God filling our lives and using us for His glory.
What Can Happen When We Take the Limits Off
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 6
MISSIONSStan [email protected]
Please prayerfully consider inviting these missionaries to your church giving them opportunity to share their heart.
Southern Missouri District Itinerating Missionaries
With God there are no limitations! He can do whatever He desires. He is the Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent God. How
amazing! How can it be? He who knows all, is present in all places, and is all powerful, desires to have anything to do with us? It is incredible that we the fallen, frail and frag-ile can experience the unlimited love of God.
The Apostle Paul had a hard time getting his head around the grace of God. He marveled that God’s unlimited grace reached to him. Looking back upon his pre-conversion life, Paul spoke of himself as be-ing the chief of sinners, yet God loved him, and came to save and call him to ministry.
Recently, I read a testimony that touched my heart. It is found in a small book entitled Whosoever, a book of testimonies reported by Assemblies of God Missionaries. Allow me to share part of the story.
In the small town of Feijo, Brazil, a tiny com-munity surrounded by jungle, lived an enormous giant of a man known for his tremendous strength. He could intimidate anyone by a mere glance. He was not only big and tough, he was mean and cruel. The small Assemblies of God Church knew him well, for he had killed their pastor. Though there were many witnesses, the authorities did not bring him to justice. He was the town bully, and everyone feared him.
The small persecuted church languished in a climate of fear, never seeming to gain traction for growth. Hearing of an evangelism train-ing seminar, being offered by International Correspondence Institute
(ICI), the pastor invited a missionary to teach this course. Interestingly, he did not speak of the town bully when he extended the invitation.
About thirty people attended the classes. On the last night the windows were open for relief from the hot air. As Francisco Andrade, the mis-sionary, closed the service he sensed the Holy Spirit telling him to preach a short salvation message. As he finished preaching, the door flew open! The town bully stormed into the church. Everyone wondered, what will he do this time?
Fear turned to amazement, and then to ecstasy as the man stomped to the front of the church, fell to his knees and began to sob. That night the
meanest man in town found forgiveness through The Savior! Unlimited grace filled his soul. Praise the Lord!
Since that pivotal moment the church has begun to thrive! The big man has been a catalyst for growth.
No Limitations
Carrol Deal
“What an exciting day at New Life in Oak Grove as they gave a missions
offering that will help plant 340 churches in India. Thank you Pastor
Todd Blansit and congregation.”
Jarvis, Tim & Joyce417-522-3093
Godzwa, David & [email protected]
Deal, Megan & Shawn804-651-9666
Fisher, Jason & Sheila314.607.7053
Gerges, Gamal & Amal660.346.1768
Higgins, Gary & Cindy417-581-4220
Estrella, Andy & Candice417-619-2028
Goble, William417-773-4677
Hewkin, David & Zenetta573-677-4495
Courter, James & [email protected]
Crabb, Richard & Deborah573-308-1617
Caszatt, Clinton & Jane573-489-0643
Braswell, Bob & Jackie417-595-4458
Canavan, Justin417-306-8062
Cockett, Maile417-833-5564
Castleberry, Terry & Babs417-522-3233
Babin, Kevin & [email protected]
Thomas, Nathan & Jennifer417-350-0598
Webb, Bryan & Renee417-658-9120
Thoms, Mary Beth225-931-1824
Van Der Merwe, Derek & Rebekah417-973-5266
Rybarczyk, Tony & Susan417-861-2282
Shimansky, Mykola & Heather414-731-7941
Oursbourn, Chris & Natalie417-664-7026
Jones, Yvonne & Kirk417-773-1237
Miller, Mari & Carl417-861-0254
Lwali, Sevo & Kristina417-343-9757
Jordan Brant & Joanne417-459-3768
Marsh, Lloyd & Ana417-231-3637
SensitiveDaniel & Kimberly
417-343-1364
Lowenberg, Julia417-693-1854
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 7
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERRhonda Amer [email protected]
One of the big debates when selling real estate is to enlist an Agent or not. “Why should we hire a real estate agent?” They wonder
(and rightfully so) if they couldn’t buy or sell a home through the Inter-net or regular marketing and advertising channels without representa-tion, without a real estate agent. Some do fine on their own, but many don’t. Here are 10 reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional real estate agent.
1 Education and Experience - You don’t need to know everything about buying and selling real estate if you hire a real estate professional who does. Henry Ford once said that when you hire people who are smarter than you are, it proves you are smarter than they are. The trick is to find the right person. For the most part, they all cost roughly the same, so why not hire a person with more education and experience than you? We’re all looking for more precious time in our lives, and hiring pros gives us that time.
2 Buffering Help - Agents take the spam out of your property showings and visits. If you’re a buyer of new homes, your agent will whip out her sword and keep the builder’s agents at bay, preventing them from biting or nipping at your heels. If you’re a seller, your agent will filter all those phone calls that lead to nowhere and try to induce serious buyers to write an offer immediately.
3 Neighborhood Knowledge - Agents either possess intimate knowledge or they know where to find the industry buzz about your neighbor-hood. They can identify comparable sales and hand these facts to you, in addition to pointing you in the direction where you can find more data on schools, crime or demographics. For example, you may know that a home down the street was on the market for $350,000, but an agent will know it had upgrades and sold at $285,000 after 65 days on the market and after twice falling out of escrow.
4 Price Guidance - Contrary to what some people believe, agents do not select prices for sellers or buyers. However, an agent will help to guide clients to make the right choices for themselves. If a listing is at 7%, for example, an agent has a 7% vested interest in the sale, but the client has a 93% interest. Selling agents will ask buyers to weigh all the data supplied to them and to choose a price. Then based on market supply, demand and the conditions, the agent will devise a negotiation strategy.
5 Market Conditions Information - Real estate agents can disclose market conditions, which will govern your selling or buying process. Many factors determine how you will proceed. Data such as the average per square foot cost of similar homes, median and average sales prices, average days on market and ratios of list-to-sold prices, among other criteria, will have a huge bearing on what you ultimately decide to do.
6 Professional Networking - Real estate agents network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell. Due to legal liability, many agents will hesitate to recom-mend a certain individual or company over another, but they do know which vendors have a reputation for efficiency, competency, and competitive pricing. Agents can, however, give you a list of referenc-es with whom they have worked and provide background information to help you make a wise selection.
7 Negotiation Skills and Confidentiality - Top producing agents nego-tiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction and because they are skilled. It’s part of their job description. Good agents are not messengers, delivering buyer’s offers to sellers and vice versa. They are professionals who are trained to present their client’s case in the best light and agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests.
8 Handling Volumes of Paperwork - One-page deposit receipts were prevalent in the early 1970s. Today’s purchase agreements are ten pages or more. That does not include the federal- and state-mandated disclosures nor disclosures dictated by local custom. Most real estate files average thicknesses from one to three inches of paper. One tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands. In some states, lawyers handle the disclosures—thank goodness!
9 Answer Questions After Closing - Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. For example, taxing authorities that collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices, but one call to your agent can straighten out the confusion. Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. Good agents stand by ready to assist. Worthy and honest agents don’t leave you in the dust to fend for yourself.
10 Develop Relationships for Future Business - The basis for an agent’s success and continued career in real estate is referrals. Few agents would survive if their livelihood was dependent on consistently drumming up new business. This emphasis gives agents strong incen-tives to make certain clients are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again. Many will periodically mail market updates to you to keep you informed and to stay in touch.
(Reprinted from The Balance)
Our God Has No Limitations
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 8
If you want to build a healthy church, come
to Acts 2 training!S A E H E E D U R A N
Having theopportunity to bepart of the Acts 2 Journeyhelped us as ateam really narrowdown what reallymatters to Godabout the vision Hehas given us.B I L L Y C O C K R U M
New cohorts starting 2020ACTS 2
JOURNEY
Visit SMDHealthy.Church
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SMDHealthy.Church
CHURCH DEVELOPMENTGreg [email protected]
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 9
REACH CHURCH KC
ADAM BROWN, PASTOR
There are no limitations on what God can do
through new churches and people who love Him!
REACH CHURCH STL
CHRIS WIGGS, PASTOR
SHARE THE LOVE DEAF CHURCH STL
BLUE SEELEY, PASTOR
REACH
CHURCH
STL
CHRIS
WIGGS,
PASTOR
P R A I S E G O D !
HOPE ARABIC CHURCH STL
REACH CHURCH KC
ADAM BROWN, PASTOR
IGLEASIA COMUNIDAD DE FE STL
JULIO HERERA, PASTOR
CHURCH PLANTING Jerry [email protected]
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 10
CROSS POINTE CAMPCurtis & Cindy Washam, [email protected]
No Limitations in the Spirit!Prayer Events Coming Up
Every year, we have set aside time for people and churches to pull away to seek God in prayer at the campgrounds. Following are the upcoming
weekends. For more information, go to SOMOprayer.com
Fall Prayer Encounter — November 8th and 9th
A Great 2019 Camp Season at Cross Pointe Camp!
Youth and Kids Camp Results:180 First Time Salvations
2,084 Recommitments
461 Holy Spirit Baptisms
1,062 Healings
452 Called into Full-Time Ministry
In addition, 1,473 Youth stated they had an encounter with God while at Cross Pointe. We thank God for His work in our 2019 camps.
We want to say “Thank You” to all who participated in this season’s camps. Thank you to the Pastors and Churches that sent their kids and youth to camp. Thank you to all who came to work and assist in any capacity at the camps this year. Only eternity will reveal the total impact from these Southern Missouri District Camps at Cross Pointe Camp.
Camp IntercessionApril 3rd & 4th 2020
Speaker: Alton Garrison – picture on altongarrison.com
This September, please join us in celebrating what God has done and continues to do at our district campground!
Plan a special service • Pray for the campgroundShare this year’s camp results • Send an offering for this year’s project
Camp Celebration 2019
Complete Phase 2 of the Waterfront Development
• An additional open-air pavilion above the current pavilion
• Needed: $40,000
A promotional video isavailable. To request a copy, call Cross PointeCamp & Retreat Centerat 573-365-0600.
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 11
WOMEN’S MINISTRIESSherry [email protected]
“Limitless” means “Without End”
Sout
hern
Miss
ouri
Dist
rict
Wom
en’s
Dep
artm
ent
“Con
nect
ed b
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ompa
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Women’s Ministries Prayer Event The New Year begins with a prayer event for each section. The prayer focus is For Family, Local Church, Pastor’s, District Office, and our Nation.
Women’s Ministries and Girls Ministries “EMPOWERED” Spring Conference This conference provides training for women to be effective in their place of ministry. On Friday evening there is an emphasis on one’s personal relationship with God. Saturday there are workshops that offer training, tips, and encouragement.
Mother and Daughter Event This event takes place at Cross Pointe Camp and Retreat Center. It is for Mom’s, Daughters, Grandmothers, and Aunts etc. Such a special time to concentrate on our relationships with each other. Low key, and lots of fun and learning together.
Compassionate Heart Rallies/Sectional Level
These rallies allow women across the District to come together with a mission’s emphasis and receive items for the Compassionate Heart Room.
Fall Retreats on The Lake
Fall Retreats are held on two consecutive weekends. Our purpose and desire is that women in the local church will become closer and unite together to do great things for the Kingdom of God! Various sessions pertaining to the needs of women today are available, and opportunities to participate in New Missions Projects are offered each year. Unlimited times of praise and worship during altar times conclude each service.
“Compelled by Compassion” Awards and Celebration Rallies/Sectional Tour
This tour starts at the end of September. These rallies provide opportunities to reach the women that do not attend the Retreats, and present to them the Missions Projects for the coming year. Awards are also presented at this time.
Christmas Project Events/Sectional Level
This ministry honors Retired Ministers, Widows, and Retired Missionaries of our District. Each church is ask to bring an offering for a monetary Christmas gift to be given to the Retired Ministers, Widows, and Retired Missionaries of our District.
Events to Connect “The mission of the District Women’s Department is to touch the lives of women by the transforming power of Jesus Christ, discipling them to follow His example, and training them to minister to others.”
I love the Southern Missouri Women’s Ministries Department, and the ladies who support and believe in who we are and what we do.
We will continue “without end” to help equip women to minister to their world. We will continue to minister out of a heart of love and compassion to help women and children here at home and around the world.
Sherry WelchSO MO District Women’s Director
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 12
GIRLS MINISTRIESDeshae [email protected]
Press the Limits
Guest speaker Cari Hurst Cari is a ministry loving, adventure seeking, world traveler. She seeks out coffee and building relationships with others.
Pure Girl Celebration is designed for girls ages 5-18 to highlight the unique giftings, abilities and personality of every girl. God has created each of us for a special purpose to be set apart as an example of purity on our sports team, in school, in our families and our churches. With heart-to-heart con-versations, hands on activities and focused times of worship and prayer you won’t want to miss this amazing gathering of Southern Missouri Girls united in their love for Jesus. Every day, girls are bombarded with the world’s standards of beauty, gender association, and acceptable behavior to the point that these things can become normal, but we must remind ourselves of the real truth that comes from God’s word. The world knows
how to press the limits, it is time for the church to realize there is no limit to what God can do in a heart that is sold out to Him. Girls need to know they are valued and love by God so they don’t seek that in any other relationship. Nearly half of teens are sexually active by High School graduation. God can radically move in the hearts of students creating pure hearts that will boldly and passionately pursue him. Pressing the limits of what is expected by the world and allowing the Holy Spirit in them to transform their world. Join us Saturday Octo-ber 12 from 10-3 p.m. at Life 360 Chesterfield Campus as we lift up the name of Jesus believing God for transforming power in the lives of students.
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 13
Being a parent is the greatest. It is an answer to prayer and the highest honor. But, there are seasons that test you,
frustrate you, and leave you feeling discouraged.One of the more frustrating parenting moments came for
me when my son was about 8 months old. My wife and I were trying to get Jude to start crawling, and the boy Just wouldn’t do it. We would put him on his hands and knees and beg him to crawl to us as we sat there waving some of those sweet little yogurt melts that work wonders when bribing your kid, but have no nutritional value whatsoever. Time after time he would just whine and roll around without making any real progress. Eventually we started wondering if he was ok. “Why isn’t he crawling?”, I would ask. “All of our friends on social media have got their babies crawling, I mean, their kids aren’t as cute as Jude. But hey, at least they’re crawling.”
Throughout the process, I remember wondering if our son wasn’t strong enough to push his own weight, or if his mus-cles weren’t developing the way that they should be. However, my son wasn’t weak, he was actually the opposite. In fact, other people would pick him up and say things like, ‘Man, this kid is solid”, or “Bro, your son is strong, he must have gotten that from his grandfather. Definitely not from you”. And, it was true! We had ourselves a strong boy. I cannot tell you how many times Lauren and I had to wrestle items out of my son’s hands so that he didn’t break them. He was, and still is, a beast—He just wouldn’t crawl.
This crawling battle continued for another few months, but eventually, at almost 11 months old, Jude started crawling. And before I knew it, spending time with Jude had become a cardio workout because of how fast he was moving.
As I watched Jude crawl across our living room for the first time, I was reminded of all the nights we had spent trying to get him to crawl. “So, if Jude is so strong”, I thought to myself, “why has it taken him this long to crawl?”. And then it hit me; It wasn’t a strength issue—it was a submission issue.
Over and over again throughout the process of teaching Jude to crawl, I would put Jude on his hands and knees, and
I would rock him back and forth getting him familiar with bal-ancing. I would grab one leg and the opposite arm and try to show him how to push off with the opposite knee. But, it was no use; Jude would fight me every single time. So, when Jude finally began to crawl I realized that all this time the problem had not been that Jude wasn’t strong, he just wasn’t submit-ted. The truth is, by month six or seven Jude already had the strength to move but he refused to submit to the mechanics—to the movements that his father was showing him.
And, in that moment, God reminded me that submission was not just a baby problem, submission is a people problem. And, more specifically, it is a leader problem. As a leader, sometimes it is really difficult to submit to the plans of God. But one thing I have observed in scripture, and in church leadership, is this: Successful leaders are always submitted leaders.
In 2 Kings 5:1-19 we find the story of Naaman, the Gen-eral of the Army of Aram. Now, Naaman was a great leader whom the Lord had used to give victory to his nation. This passage in 2 Kings 5 tells us that Naaman was diagnosed and then healed of an incurable disease called Leprosy. How was he healed? By simply going for a swim in the Jordan River and dipping under the water 7 times. Going for a swim seems like a pretty simple task, but if you know the story, you know how difficult it was for Naaman to do that. And the thing that made it difficult for Naaman was not that it required strength, but that it required submission. Submission is not always easy but it yields results that we would never see otherwise.
I would argue that a lack of submission has taken more people out God’s will than a lack of strength ever has—He can handle our weakness as long as we give Him willingness. He is Faithful, and He always strengthens us for where He sends us.
Know this: We serve a limitless God. He can do anything with anyone in any place at any time. However, unless we are submitting to God, we are actually limiting God. Remember, the bestowing of strength is God’s responsibility, walking in submission is our responsibility.
YOUTHAustin [email protected]
Strength Isn’t the Issue
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ROYAL RANGERSJerry [email protected]
The Southern Missouri District Royal Ranger Pow Wow was held at the Southern Missouri District Royal Rangers Camp-
grounds, Camp Rocky Mount, on June 6 – 9, 2019 with a theme of “Wonders of Space” – “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God”, Psalms 19:1.
There were two fabulous evening council services on Friday and Saturday nights with a great fireworks display following the Friday night service. The special speaker for the Pow Wow this year was: Rev. Tim Laffoon. Tim Laffoon was a former Royal Ranger leader and both of his sons achieved the Gold Medal of Achievement.
It all happened when the 518 Royal Rangers from 39 churches of Southern Missouri District began to set up camp for the annual District Royal Ranger Pow Wow.
At the Friday night service, according to the reports turned in by Royal Ranger leaders, over 80 boys and young men responded for the Salvation call at the end of the service. Two of these boys were from a Boy Scout group who were attending the Pow Wow with a Royal Ranger Outpost. Praise God that He does save boys at the Royal Ranger Pow Wow! Some boys were “Filled with the Holy Spirit” at the Pow Wow.
Special recognition was given to churches at the Pow Wow with the highest over-all scores on the Pow Wow Inspection Report.
Scores were earned by the efforts of the Outposts in participation in the assemblies and activities; uniform inspection; control and discipline and camping techniques like campsite layout, sanitation and health and safety.
Trophies were presented to the following:Churches with larger attendance:
1st. - Outpost 97, Evangel Temple A/G in Springfield 2nd. – Outpost 108, Faith Community Church in House Springs 3rd. – Outpost 107, First Assembly in Bolivar4th. – Outpost 139, Central Christian Center in Joplin
Churches with smaller attendance:1st. - Outpost 100, Arcadia Valley Assembly in Ironton2nd. – Outpost 226, First Assembly in Strafford3rd. – Outpost 167, Ozark Assembly of God4th. – Outpost 133, First Assembly in Branson
Outpost 167, Ozark Assembly won the Best Costume Contest and Outpost 97, Evangel Temple in Springfield had the largest at-tendance. Outpost 100, Arcadia Valley in Ironton won first place in the Best Outpost Flag Contest and Outpost 167, Ozark Assembly in Ozark also had the Best Entryway to their campsite.
2019 ROYAL RANGER POW WOW
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SENIOR ADULT MINISTRIESJohn [email protected]
“Why is everybody talking so softly these days and why are they printing newspapers with smaller print then they use to? These stairs must be getting steeper to climb nowadays...
Most 50 plusers have started to recognize that they do have some limitations with each passing year. Some may be in denial of any changes but sooner or later reality will take place.
Whether it’s walking, seeing, hearing standing or our level of energy, limitations are a part of life. Do we like them NO! Can we avoid them? NO! We may be able to postpone some through nutrition, diet, and exercise but sooner or later limitations begin to impact us.
However, as Believers we know that nothing is impossible with God and in the scripture he gave Supernatural strength to those in
the second half of life whether it was Abraham, Moses, Joshua and Caleb, even John received the final book of the Bible, Revelation, when he was close to 90 years old.
I believe that God uses many Second Halfers not in spite of their age but because of their age. He has something for all of us to do and the scripture is still true “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” that promise is ‘ageless.’
Those of us in the second half of life may be experiencing some physical limitations but there need be no spiritual limita-tions. We can pray more, we can give more, we can testify more and some of us can go more. All of us can finish life strong be-cause in God there are NO limitations.
No Second Half Limitations
Danny & Debra Adams, Steelville-Berryman AG Larry & Catherine Usher, Iron Mountain-AG
James Martin, Thayer-Clarity Church Doyle Coffman, Cabool-AG
Phil & Annette Duncan, Crocker AG
Fal l 2019 • Assembly Messenger 18
In MemoriamA. Glenroy Shedd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/3/2019Harold Tackitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/5/2019Betty Jane May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/7/2019Charles Millhouser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/2/2019Glen Renick, Jr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/19/2019
Ministerial UpdatesNew PastorsPhil Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crocker - AG
Kevin Brown Grandview - New Vision Christian Center
Travist Patrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St Robert - AG
Timothy Foster . . . . . . . . . Bolivar - Countryside AG
Terry Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . East Prairie - First AG
Robert Cunningham . . . . . . Union - Life Stream AG
Transfers In:Jill Slagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NE
Phillip Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KY
Joy Rosendale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PennDel
Wilson Gauntt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NTX
James Millspaugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STX
Jack Sallie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Potomac
Preston Ulmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rky Mtn
Jason Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TN
Donald Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W FL
Gregory Weaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SD
John Michno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KS
Leroy Terry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rky Mtn
Renae Terry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rky Mtn
Robert Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KS
Transfers OutBraden Atchley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rky Mtn
Christina Rabickow Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . .PennDel
Paul Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S Cal
Antonio DeLa Torre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Central Pacific
Scott Osenbaugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N TX
Sydney Osenbaugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N TX
Daniel Hubler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OK
Joshua Seaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AZ
Mark Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IN
Dustin Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SC
417-881-1316 [email protected] somoag.org facebook.com/SOMODistrictAG 528 West Battlefield Rd.Springfield, MO 65807
EDITORSDon Miller, Executive Editor Rhonda Amer, Managing Editor
The Assembly Messenger is the official publication of the Southern Missouri District Council of the Assemblies of God. It is published quarterly by the Southern Missouri District Council. Products and/or services advertised in the MESSENGER are not necessarily endorsed by the Southern Missouri District Council.
Executive PresbytersSuperintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don MillerAssistant Superintendent . . . . . George Westlake IIISecretary-Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stan WelchS. E. Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda HensonN. E. Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul ScheperleS. W. Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary AnkromN. W. Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason St. JohnDistrict MinistriesChief Financial Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rhonda AmerChurch Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry HarrisChurch Development/Men’s Ministry . . Greg PerkinsMissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stan Welch Women’s Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sherry WelchChurch Growth & Ed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim CalvinYouth Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin WestlakeRoyal Rangers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry MillhouserGirls Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DeShae ThrasherFifty Plus Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John HeideCross Pointe Camp . . . . . . . Curtis & Cindy Washam
Sectional PresbytersCape Girardeau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phil RoopClinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allen PerkinsJoplin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken RobinsonKansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John MartzKennett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard RossPark Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dwight JonesSaint Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe ZarroSedalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff HigbieSpringfield North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad McAteeSpringfield South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted CederblomSullivan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry BeersVan Buren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott ReynoldsWest Plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike DillingerEthnic Presbyter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yvonne Bailey
District Leadership
Kevin Boggs: fill-in ministry 417-380-1149 or [email protected]
Carol Brown: Available for fill in ministry, revivals, women’s services and/or retreats. 314-378-7438 or [email protected]
Michael Campbell: 660-624-1672 – [email protected]
Rev. Thomas Canter: fill-in ministry. (314) 550-2222
Evangelist Terry Carter: 417-773-4151
Edward Catron: Weekend/fill-in ministry. 417-742-3045 or [email protected]
Julie Perkin (Stout) Davenport is available for services, women’s ministry meetings, etc. (816) 304-6244 or [email protected]
Rev. Dennis DeLine: 816-524-7543
Ronald Duncan: fill-in ministry, revivals, interim. 636-586-8151
Sophia Garcia: Hispanic or English Ministry: Women, Marriage Enrichment. 417-881-1919
Sue Harper: 573-429-7018
Rick Ianniello: interim, fill-in min. 816-322-6825 or [email protected]
Kevin Larsen: Fill-in ministry. 417-379-8441
Kirk Metzger: fill-in ministry, weekly evenings, Sundays. 417-207-1543
Rev. Naomi Merritt is available for services. (314) 609-1252 or [email protected]
Matthew Thomas: fill-in ministry. 618-401-1014
Mel Rowland of Ironton: fill-in ministry. 573-576-8453
Available for Ministry
FOR SALE: Hammond Spinet Organ, FREE to good home. Contact: Eva
Leach 417-881-8447
Glad Tiding Assembly is selling: Church Pews with Cushions. There are 4 different sizes to choose from ranging from 10 feet in length to 25 feet in length and 39 Pews in all. Asking $50.00 for each or best offer. They are in great shape and would be great pews for an established church or church plant. Contact Wes Hansen or Pastor James McIntosh at (417) 866-2434. Buyer is responsible for pickup.
Hammond 125 xl organ: For A/G church or youth group in Missouri Southern District or North Arkansas. It’s almost like new.....come and get it, if you need it: Mike Keeton, 1560 County Road 933, Alpena, AR 72611
Church Buses for Sale–Two: Nixa First Assembly of God. 2006 Chevrolet 3500, Collins
body, seats 14 passengers plus 1 driver. Both buses have automatic transmission, vinyl passenger seats, cloth driver seat, safety belts, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, backup alarm, manual bus door, tinted windows, rear heat and AC, front heat and AC, RCA rubber flooring. Both buses well maintained, thorough going over in shop in June. Low mileage! One bus has 34,000 miles, the other has 42,000 miles. Asking $16,000 for 42,000 mile bus, $17,000 for 34,000 mile bus. Contact Steve Randolph @ 417-763-5128 or church office 417-725-3075
WANTED: Approximately 50 song books to use in our RV Ministry.
Don’t throw those old books away; let’s recycle them! Contact John Heide 417-838-0059.
New or Used Overhead or Video Projector. Missionaries Richard and Deborah Crabb. 573-578-6790 or [email protected].
Items of Interest
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