Rendezvous 2011 -- Report from Renee Duncan

Rendezvous 2011 "Thrive" at Little Beaver Camp was a powerful and fun time for the women of Alaska.  Women ages 16-80 came together to be encouraged, built up, and enjoy each other.  Speakers Aubrey Welch and Keeley Kaveolook brought awesome words of edification and teaching.  Heather Gluth brought the camp into intense times of worship.  We are excited that next year we have booked Beth Grant to teach at this event.

Farewell to McDonalds

There was a Celebration of the ministry of Pastor Paul and Cindy McDonald in Fairbanks, as they leave to embrace their new future in Northern Missouri.  We deeply appreciate their ministry at Fairbanks First Assembly.  They have also touched so many people in Alaska, and they leave behind a great legacy of ministry.  Pastor Paul and Cindy have been a blessing to us.

Joy Christian Center 10 Year Celebration

Joy Christian Center recently celebrated 10 years of ministering in Anchorage.  We appreciate Pastor Marlan and Ruth Schoenleben for their hard work and dedication in serving this church.  Here are some pictures from the Celebration Service.

Kodiak New Beginnings Samoan AG

A new church was recently birthed in Kodiak:  Kodiak New Beginnings Samoan AG.  Pastor Bill installed Pastor Ben Motu and his wife Vau as Pastors of this new church.  We are looking forward to hearing good reports.

Pastor Ben

Pastor Bill & Dori and Pastor Ben & Vau Motu

The Congregation

Kodiak AG Pastoral Installation

Pastor Bill recently installed Pastor Tracy and Pam Hodges as Pastors at Kodiak Assembly.  We are excited for their ministry there!

Pastor Tracy and Pam

Pastor Bill praying over the new Pastors



The congregation praying

Fall Issue of The Journey

The Fall edition of The Journey is now available!  Click on the link below to download it.

More Summertime pics

Here are some pictures of Pastor Billy Starkweather and his wife, Brittany, enjoying a Labor Day picnic with Crossroads AG at Little Beaver Camp. 

Summertime pics

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and we all know what that means....summer is behind us and winter in Alaska is staring us down.  I hope you had opportunity to get outside this summer and experience Alaska.  I thought it would be fun if we could share some pictures of our Alaska fun this summer.  E-mail me a picture of you enjoying the Alaska summer.  It can be  fishing, camping, hunting, ministry outside, hiking, a BBQ, whatever.    If you get me your picture by Wednesday evening, I will post them all on Thursday.  If you send me a picture with minors in it, please make sure they belong to you and that you approve me posting it on this blog.

E-mail your pictures to bradkesler@alaskaag.org.  I will go first.  This is a picture of me with a king in Salisbury Sound out of Sitka.  Take advantage of the Labor Day weekend and spend time with your friends and family.

Ladies, Don't Miss this Upcoming Event!

New Team Member!

Today we welcomed Jennifer Parker as our new receptionist.  We are very excited to have her as part of the team.  She has experience working in a front desk environment and has a  heart for ministry.  When you call the office, she will probably be the one answering the phone, so give her a warm welcome!  Jennifer is a sister to Autumn, our bookkeeper.

Annual Ministries Forum

The Annual Ministries Forum was held this Tuesday.  This is when Pastor Bill and Dori host the Alaska Ministry Network directors and assistant directors.  We did something a little different this year and invited Dr. Sam Hemby to come and share a seminar entitled "Lead Like Jesus."  Dr. Hemby is a Professor at Southeastern University and has been the interim Pastor at Matanuska AG for the summer.  Dr. Sam and Rita have been a tremendous blessing to the congregation in Palmer during this difficult time.  They are headed back to Florida this next week.

This year we  invited the Executive Presbytery, Regional Representatives, and also the MCA Pastoral staff, as MCA hosted this event at their North Campus.  They were a tremendous blessing in facilitating the event, and we could not have done it without them.  Dr. Hemby's teaching was a huge blessing, and it was a time of great fellowship and learning together as a team.  We deeply appreciate the contributions of all the ministry leaders to the ministers and churches in Alaska.

Native American Fellowship

Dr. Wood and the National Office in Springfield are challenging Districts and Networks to adopt an ethnic/language fellowship.  At the recent Superintendent's Forum, Pastor Bill pledged that the Alaska Ministry Network would support the Native American Fellowship by "adopting" them.  This includes financial support, networking, and partnership.  Be in prayer that the Lord will abundantly bless the Native American Fellowship across our land and that God would be glorified in the lives of many Native Americans!

We are excited to partner with NAF, as Native Americans and ministry to Native Americans has played a very important role in the Assemblies of God in Alaska.  As we sow this seed, we are believing God for a harvest of Native Americans being won to the Lord in Alaska.