Rev. James Flascher Funeral

Rev. James Flascher passed away on March 16, 2011.  Pastor Gary Morton and Pastor Jack Aiken were able to represent the Alaska Ministry Network at the funeral, and Pastor Jack gave the eulogy.  The service was held in Valdez (pictured above) and was well attended.

Rev. Flascher was an ordained minister in the Alaska Ministry Network.  He was ordained with the Northwest Ministry Network in 1973 and served as a Senior Pastor in Washington from 1971 to 1983.  He served as Senior Pastor in Cordova fromn 1981 to 1983, and then served in an Associate Pastor role at King's Way Ministry Center in Eagle River from 1983 to 1997, also teaching at Far North Bible College from 1990 to 1997.    He then served in various roles at Valdez Assembly of God.from 1998-2000.

Continue to pray for his wife Peggy, and the rest of the family as they grieve the loss of their loved one.  Although the earth has lost a valued servant of the Lord, we know He is now rejoicing in God's presence.

Fairbanks

We had a great AKSOM trip to Fairbanks this past weekend.  Thanks to Fairbanks 1st and staff for hosting us again, they always excel in hospitality!  I also got a chance to hang out with Pastor Scott Mensch, of Intercultural AG (pictured above).  It was a blessing to see him, along with many of the ministers in the Region.  It is exciting to hear what the Lord is doing in the Fairbanks area.

Communion Stands

Pastor Steve Brown of Kenai New Life wants to share a resource that I think is a pretty neat idea.  He has a man in the church who makes communion holders that can be attached to music stands.  He makes them in many different types of wood and the design can change with each order.  For example, you could have a hole drilled in the bottom and mount on an empty microphone stand.  For more information, you can contact Carl Glick at 398-7782.

Crisis in Japan

In Alaska, we have been gripped with the unfolding crisis in Japan.  First the earthquakes, then the Tsunamis, then the ensuing nuclear emergencies and ongoing rescue efforts.  Please pray for the  humanitarian efforts in Japan, as well as the spiritual condition of the people.  Convoy of Hope is being mobilized, and you can find out how to give here.  Lord, have mercy!

Central Region Luncheon

The Central Region luncheon was hosted by Joy Christian Center today.   Pastor Fay led us in a discussion over the state of the Spirit in the Alaska Ministry Network.  Is there a new wave of the Spirit coming, or has it passed?  We heard some great testimonies of recent miracles at MCA, recent baptisms at Joy Christian Center (11), and evidence of the moving of God's Spirit in many churches.  Gil Nantes gave an update of the new Hispanic Church Plant, Puerto del Cielo.  They have been meeting for prayer and Bible Study, and will be having their first baptism soon.  It is so good to meet together and be mutually encouraged by testimonies of God's grace in our lives.

Alaska Missions Team

We held an Alaska Missions Team meeting yesterday at the office.  It is exciting to think of the daunting challenges and opportunities before us in Alaska Missions.  There are so many villages in Alaska that need the Gospel and so many works that must be strengthened.  Be in prayer that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into the harvest fields of Alaska!  The updated open church list can be found here, but the needs go beyond this list.  Alaska Missions will be the fundraising focus of the banquet at Network Conference this year.

Funeral

We attended the funeral for the mother of Pastor Selesitina (wife of Pastor Tusa Tanuvasa) this past Thursday.  Pastor Tusa officiated the funeral.  It was one of the most well done funerals I have been to, and was a celebration of a beautiful life.  I could tell she was loved very much.  Pastor Gary Morton brought an excellent message, and the funeral was held at First Assembly of God.  Continue to be in prayer for the family.

Royal Rangers, Camp Q

The Alaska Royal Rangers recently held Camp Q at Little Beaver Camp.  They had 29 campers from the Anchorage and Fairbanks areas, with 6 churches participating.  This was the first coed Rangers Camp in Alaska.  The theme was "Hit the Mark."

Activities included: Zip line bombing run, reloading ammunition and rifle shoot, sledding, Minute to win it,  Broom ball, Crossbow shooting gallery; Many patrol assignments including flag construction, patrol song, yell, skit, and bolo tie making.

The "Main Event" incorporating patrol competition using most of the activities they learned the day before, plus the sled push and other challenges.

Ministry:  Bible studies/devotion every day, Evening service every night, Bible drills to determine the order of eating, prayed up adult leaders looking for those ministry opportunities to speak life into a child's self esteem, security and or significance.

New Website!

We have a new website! http://www.akministrynetwork.org/   We hope you will find it appealing and easy to use.  You will find timely information about Network Conference and other events, Network Ministries, and resources for ministry.  We have many of our commonly viewed forms online, including the Constitution, Bylaws, Policy Manual, Housing Allowance Form, and many others.  You can give online, register for AKSOM courses, and view information regarding the Alaska Ministry Network (mission, core values, staff, Presbytery, directors)  Our website also has links to this blog and The Journey, our quarterly publication.  The Journey will no longer be published as hard copy, but will be available only on our website.  In fact, the new Spring issue of the Journey is now up on the website, hot off the press.

If you still like to type in the old web address, that address will be directing you to the new website after tomorrow.  We are planning to continue to add valuable resources and information that will be useful for you. Thanks Heidi Zweifel for developing a great website for us!

Network Conference Mailings

We are getting really excited about the upcoming Network Conference around the office.  It's a busy but exciting time as we are preparing information and planning for this event.  Today we dropped a packet in the mail with vital information about the Missions Banquet, Kid's Conference, schedule, general Network Conference info, and speaker bios.  You can already find some of this information on our NEW website, http://www.akministrynetwork.org/ under the "events" tab.  The annual Network Conference binders are in the final editing stages and will be in the mail in about 2 weeks.

True Grit! Men's Retreat

There were around 100 men at Little Beaver Camp last weekend for the True Grit Men's Retreat.  Pastor Jim Duncan and the Men's Network team did an excellent job planning this event, and it was a big hit from all accounts.  Pastor Rob Rucci and the Slap Iron Band led worship.  Pastor Monty Sears and Randy McPherson were the featured speakers.  Thanks to all the Pastors who came and brought men to the retreat.

AMN Core Values

In January, the Presbytery adopted the following core values for the Alaska Ministry Network.  This is after listening to great input from around the State during the Strategic Plan Tour.  They also adopted other sections of the Strategic Plan, including Organizational History, Current Landscape, and Regional Trends.  These will all be included in the Network Conference packets. I am excited about the future of the Alaska Ministry Network as God continues to shape and direct us as a Fellowship.

As a Network, we are committed to:


1.  Expounding the Word of God
The Word of God, the Bible, is the avenue for our understanding of all that exists, past, present and future. God reveals His character, virtues and the terms of His relationship with man through His Word. God's face is seen, His faithfulness is established, His mercy demonstrated and His unconditional love is declared through the Scriptures  in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Word of God inspires, empowers, provides spiritual order, and shares the benefits of a reciprocal relationship between God and man. Therefore God's Word is the basis for and the rule by which all will be measured relative to the mission and to the ministries of the Alaska Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God.


2. Embracing Pentecostal Ministry
We embrace the dynamic power and gifting of the Holy Spirit working through distinctively Pentecostal ministry, deeply rooted in the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. We believe our Spirit empowered ministry will reflect this supernatural dimension in effective evangelism, the manifestation of spiritual gifts, holiness of heart, and power for service.


3.  Empowering Apostolic Leadership
The Alaska Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God is based on the New Testament ministry concept of apostolic leadership. Through God-sent, fresh, anointed preaching of the gospel we anticipate the continual expansion of His kingdom. Our leadership is firmly committed to this process by enlisting, equipping, empowering and releasing ministry to every community that we touch. Through relational leadership that is spiritually responsible, accountable, humble and not eager for selfish gain, we anticipate new levels of biblical multiplication within our network and beyond.


4.  Encouraging Ministry Mentorship
We are committed to the education and training of our ministers in order to develop leadership that recognizes and facilitates the gifting of the body of Christ. We understand that good pastoral leadership and passionate preaching come only from a life that has surrendered itself to Christ. This surrendered life is evidenced in godly character and ethical living. We believe networking will provide the connection and encouragement that is crucial to ministerial excellence. God commands good stewardship in all He has entrusted to us. Therefore we encourage and make a place for the mentoring, coaching, and accountability of our ministers.


5.  Enhancing Church Life
We are committed to the natural process of the reproduction of healthy, growing churches. We will pursue effective ministry through evangelism of the lost, fellowship for the churches, and revitalization. We desire to guide and guard the church during pastoral transition. We desire to restore the Body of Christ to health during exceptional times of crisis. We envision through this process that each born again believer, in cooperation with the local church,  will be released and equipped to achieve their God appointed potential in ministry, transforming the marketplace.


6.  Expanding Missions Endeavors
Our vision is local, national, and global in partnership with ministers and missionaries persistently taking the message of the Gospel to the whole world. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we are determined to equip, enable, and inspire individuals to be involved in missions for God at all times, at all places. We believe a church with vision for missions has reason to exist.  Missions in Alaska should be strategic, impacting all regions and peoples.


7. Extending Kingdom Networking
We are committed to the unity of the body through Kingdom Networking. We see connection as an opportunity to empower and resource the Body of Christ. Our heart is to unselfishly and sacrificially minister to those who will partner together in voluntary cooperation without compromising the biblical foundations of this movement. This includes partnering with groups outside the Assemblies of God.  We believe God will honor a commitment to diversity.


8.  Engaging Cultural Relevance
We desire to be a community of believers that are culturally relevant in communication and in compassionate response to the immediate and long-term needs of people within the influence of the Alaska Ministry Network. We seek innovative ways to adapt our methods to stay at pace with an ever-changing culture while maintaining Scriptural integrity.

Governor's Prayer Breakfast

On Saturday, the annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast was held.  Our very own Pastor Kent Redfearn was the MC of this event, and represented us very well.  Melanya Berg was involved as well, by reading Scriptures.  Terry Hull was involved with planning this event, as well as Teresa Kress from MCA.  Dr. Ravi Zacharias was the speaker, and there was a great turnout!  Lord, we pray your blessings upon our Governor and the State of Alaska!

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AKSOM Anchorage Venue

We had a fruitful day of teaching at the Alaska School of Ministry Anchorage Venue Saturday at Muldoon Community Assembly.  There were about 32 students involved.  Dr. Wade Cogan taught Cross-Cultural Ministry, the ordination level class.  Dr. Lattis Campbell and Ryan Gluth team taught the Leadership course, a license level course.  Ryan is about to start the final class of his MBA program with an emphasis in leadership.  I (Brad) taught AG History, Missions, and Governance, the certified minister class.  As always, we enjoyed the classes and were impressed with the students' desire to learn.

Pastor's Intensive

Had a great time at the Pastor's Intensive at Little Beaver Camp today.  Thanks Pastor Jim Duncan for putting this on!  Pastor Monty Sears and Randy McPherson shared about "Positioning Your Church for Growth."  The teaching was very life-giving, encouraging, and productive for ministry.  We also had the opportunity to shoot bows!  Pastor Steve Brown won a bow by shooting an arrow closest to the center of the bullseye.

Meeting for Camp Safety

Had a great meeting today with Mark Zweifel, Pam Hodges, Art Braendel, Bethany Veater, and Melanya Berg.  What an incredible group of leaders who desire to make an impact in kids and youth!  We are looking at ways we can make our Network Events even safer for kids and youth, as we think of how to improve worker screening processes.  Stay tuned for more information! 

2011 Tax Briefing from Dr. Richard Hammar