Pastor Jim Mercer

Pastor Jim Mercer recently passed away.  Pastor Jim and Nancy served as Pastors in Kotzebue and have been involved at Muldoon Community Assembly since Jim's retirement.  Pastor Jim was a blessing to the Alaska Ministry Network, and he will be missed.  The funeral will be Friday, June 3rd at 12:00 at Muldoon Community Assembly.  Terry Hull will also be streaming the service live at http://www.voicetothevillage.net/.

Please be in prayer for Nancy and the family during this time.  Also, please be praying for the Muldoon church family, as they have experienced multiple deaths in the church recently and will be holding several funerals this week.  Pray for the comfort and peace that only God can bring.

Tornado Disaster Relief Information

Recently, tornadoes created terrible devastation in Joplin, Missouri, and other areas of the Midwest. Over 8,000 buildings in Joplin were destroyed or damaged. The Faith Assembly church facility in Joplin was destroyed, and two other AG churches were damaged. A nine year old boy from one of our churches in Galena, Kansas, was among those killed. Entire neighborhoods in Joplin were wiped out, and the infrastructure of the city is largely gone.

Convoy of Hope, our partner in compassion, has been on the ground since Monday getting food and supplies to people in the devastated areas. There is so much to be done, and they need our help. Superintendent George Wood has created a video clip outlining how we can help in this disaster. You can download this clip at http://www.ag.org/. There is also a button on the site where you can donate to Convoy of Hope. Pastors, we would encourage you to inform people in your church of this opportunity to be a blessing.

Please pray and encourage your churches to pray for the people affected by this disaster. Pray that God will minister to those who have lost loved ones and property, and also that people would be drawn to the Lord through this tragedy.

Credentialing Deadline Reminder from Melanya

The credential upgrade application deadline (Certified to Licensed or Licensed to Ordained) is September 1, 2011. The deadline includes all fees, course work, references, notarized authorization forms, background screening, and credential exam.

The credential application for new credentials (Certified and Licensed) is December 1, 2011. The deadline includes all fees, course work, references, notarized authorization forms, background screening, and credential exam.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Melanya Berg
Credentialing Assistant
Alaska Ministry Network AG
907-562-22 47
credential@alaskaag.org
Office hours: Monday – Wednesday; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All Sessions of AK Ministry Network Conference Now Online!

Bjerken Memorial Service is Posted Online

Terry Hull has posted a video of the Memorial Service for Pastor Randy and Doris Bjerken on the Voice to the Village website.  It can be viewed at this link:  http://www.voicetothevillage.net/?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4dd18cb8c6b98d87%2C0.

Live Streaming of Memorial Service

Terry Hull and Voice to the Village will be streaming the Bjerken Memorial Service live at this site: http://www.voicetothevillage.net/Webcast/Memorial/Bjerken.html It will begin at 3:00pm this Friday.

Memorial Service for Bjerkens

Thank you for your continued prayers for the Bjerken family as we mourn with them over the loss of Randy and Doris Bjerken.

The Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, May 13th, at 3:00pm at Colony High School (9550 E Colony Schools Dr, Palmer). This Memorial Service is open to the public. There will also be a private vigil for members of the Bjerken family and the Matanuska Assembly of God church family at 7:00pm on Thursday night to be held at Matanuska AG. The Alaska Ministry Network office will be closed all day on Friday as we attend the service and honor the Bjerkens.

We are thankful for the words of Jesus, as He said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Donations for Funeral

If you would like to assist the Bjerken family with donations to help offset the funeral costs, an account has been established at AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union. The account is named "Bjerken Donation Account" and the number is 1600348.

The family would be very appreciative of any assistance you can give.

KTUU Coverage of Bjerken Prayer Service

 

Tragic News from Superintendent

Dear Network Family:

It’s with a sad and heavy heart that I write this email. 

Yesterday afternoon our beloved Pastor Randy Bjerken and his wife Doris, of Matanuska Assembly in Palmer, were walking on the street when a motorist lost control of the vehicle and ran them over.  They were out of State when the accident occurred.  Please remember their children Christopher, Corey, Courtney and Kenzie.  Also, we need to uphold the Matanuska church family in prayer while they process this loss and minister to the Bjerken children.

The church has asked us to organize a prayer service at Matanuska Assembly for this evening at 7 PM.  If you are in Southcentral Alaska please feel free to join us for this time of reflection and prayer.  

This is a great loss for the Bjerken family, Matanuska Assembly and the Alaska Ministry Network.  Human words are not sufficient to bring understanding in an hour of such tragic loss.  So, let me remind us of the words of the Psalmist:  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1; and the words of Christ: “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matt 5:4.

We will communicate with you as we have further information.

You are loved,     

Bill Welch

Superintendent

Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Video Reports

Regional Presbyter Video Reports

Credentialing Service

Michael Roux and the worship team from MCA led worship.

Those being recognized for a Certified Minister credential.

Those being recognized for a License to Minister credential.

Warren Bullock gave a phenomenal message on what it means to be a Pastor.  He used three images to help us understand:  a shepherd's staff, a sword, and a prayer shawl. 

Pastor Bill Welch praying over Shannon Alarid as he receives his ordination, with his wife, Lindsey.

Pastor Gary Morton praying over Dr. Chris Carter, with his wife, Lindsey, as he receives his Ordination.

Pastor Mike Rose praying over Charee Davis as she receives her ordination.

Pastor JR Markle praying over Jeremy Davis as he is ordained.

Pastor Jim Duncan praying over Floyd Graham, along with his wife, Katrina, as he gets ordained.

Pastor Stephen Brown praying over Jason and Heidi Houston, as Jason receives his ordination.

Pastor Fay Niemann prays over Blaine and Robin Schmidt, as Blaine is ordained.

We rejoice and celebrate with all those who received ministry credentials this year and are excited to see what the Lord will do in their lives as they continue to pursue the call of God on their lives.  Special thanks to Lattis and Sharlotte Campbell for taking all the pictures at Network Conference, some of which are included in this blog.

US Missions Luncheon

Pastor Bill and Dori Welch hosted the US Missionaries Luncheon on Thursday afternoon.  We are blessed with a top notch group of US Missionaries serving in Alaska.  We are thankful for each one of them and everything they do for the Kingdom of God in Alaska.  We are praying for more just like them that none should perish in Alaska.

AGWM Luncheon

Pastor Gary and Alice Morton hosted a luncheon for the AGWM Missionaries.  We sincerely appreciate our missionaries and everything they do for Jesus around the world! 

Memorial Service

The Memorial Service on Thursday morning is when we honor and remember those ministers in the Alaska Ministry Network who have went to be with the Lord in the past year.  We are thankful for their lives and faithful ministry to the Lord and His church.

Giving flowers to the families.

 

Gina Jones sang a special song.  Randell and Gina Jones pastor at Gateway Fellowship in Chugiak.

 

Pastor Jim Schulz of Crossroads AG presented the memorial for Rev. Doris Fellows.  Sister Doris went to be with the Lord on September 6, 2010.  She served in Point Hope, Emmonak, Nuiqsut, Wainwright, Teen Challenge, Far North Bible College, Camp AN, and Crossroads. 

Something new we did this year was to present a Christian flag to the families in honor of their loved one who was a faithful soldier of Christ.

Pastor Eldon Hicks of Native AG presented the memorial for Rev. Annie Brandon.  Sister Brandon went to be with the Lord on November 22, 2010.  She was born in Klikitarik, Alaska, and graduated from Far North Bible College in her 70s.  Annie worked as a nurse in several locations.

Pastor Jack Aiken of King's Way AG presented the memorial for Rev. James Flascher.  Rev. Flascher pastored Sultan, Washington for ten years before moving to Alaska.  He then pastored in Cordova for two years and then was on staff at King's Way.  He moved to Valdez in 1997.

Thursday Morning Service

Nick Higgins, Youth Pastor at Kenai New Life AG, led worship on Thursday morning.

Pastor Jack Aiken, Pastor of King's Way AG of Eagle River and Treasurer for the Alaska Ministry Network, gave a great message on Experiencing the Impossible.

We then had a Communion Service and prayer time together.

Wednesday Evening Service

Pastor Gary and Alice Morton and the Anchorage First Assembly of God choir led worship on Wednesday night.

Pastor Fay Niemann opened with a prayer and Scripture reading.

Missionary Shawn Gordon, a missionary to the deaf, was recognized tonight.  Shawn attends MCA.

The fundraising emphasis for World Missions was twofold:  to raise money for the Carters to get to Japan and for a building project for a young church in Kyrgyzstan.  Pastor Artiom, representing the second project, is pictured below.

Pastor Glen Berteau brought a powerful word encouraging us to pray for salvations of people we know.  We wrote down names of people on red pieces of paper, and then hung them on the cross (pictured below).  We then prayed over all the names.

Luncheons

Next Generation Luncheon

Mark and his team presented Speed the Light awards, highlighted upcoming events, and celebrated recent events, such as Fine Arts.

Pam presented BGMC awards, highlighted upcoming events, and spoke of the need for children's ministry and the importance of worker screening.

Women's Luncheon

Art in Worship

 Speaker Heidi Thomasen

Men's Luncheon

Pastor JD handed out Light for the Lost awards.

Comedian Justin was hilarious!  Many laughs were had.