Youth & Children's Luncheon

The Youth & Children's Ministries Luncheon occured on Tuesday.  Pastor Pam presented BGMC awards, talked about camps and children's ministries, and told us a fantastic story about a pig with a great attitude. 

Pastor Mark gave STL awards and presented vision for youth ministries in Alaska.  There are many exciting things coming up, including summer camps and missions teams all around Alaska.  He had STL folding chairs to give away!

Kenai New Life was recognized for outstanding Speed the Light giving over the past several years.  Pastor Stephen Brown and the three consecutive youth pastors were honored for their dedication to STL.  This prompted a "tebow", pictured below.

Wednesday Seminars

Pastor Scott Wilson taught seminars all day on Wednesday.  He taught on how to steer your church through the chaos of change and the role of the senior leader.  These seminars were very helpful and practical for ministry.  We heard from many that the seminars were one of the highlights of Network Conference this year.  If you did not get a chance to attend, you can still purchase a DVD for $5 per session from Muldoon Community Assembly.  Thanks Pastor Scott for sowing into Alaska!

Tuesday Night Celebration Service

Tuesday night is our celebration service.  Michael Roux led us in worship.  We enjoyed Michael and the team leading us to the throne.

This is a picture of the preworship service.

We had a great time of praying together.

Pastor Scott Wilson hit a home run on Tuesday night.  He challenged us how what a truly normal Christian life looks like.  Normal should be defined in the context of Scripture.  He gave us several principles on how to live a "normal" life as described in Scripture and exemplified by the early church.  "Faithful...Faithful...Faithful...Fruitful!"

We had a time of seeking God at the altar following the message.

Network Conference Business

It was a memorable day of business on Tuesday at Network Conference.  First, we elected Superintendent Bill Welch for another four years!  He was elected in the first electoral ballot with a vote of 100%.  

After being returned to office for another four years, the Presbytery surprised Pastor Bill and Dori with a gift of a trip to Israel.  The Presbytery had asked churches and ministers in the Alaska Ministry Network to give toward this, and they did.  Pastor Bill and Dori are very appreciative of this blessing, and excited for the trip.

Northern Region Presbyter JR Markle was reelected for another term as Northern Region Presbyter.  Congratulations Pastor JR!  We thank you for your leadership.

Central Region Presbyter Fay Niemann was reelected to serve another term.  She was also elected to serve as a General Presbyter as an Ordained Female to represent the entire Northwest Region.  Congratulations Pastor Fay! We appreciate all that you do.

I (Brad Kesler) was elected to serve as a General Presbyter to represent the Northwest Region as an Ordained Minister under the age of 40.  I am very honored to serve in this capacity and thank you for electing me.  I will do my best to represent us well.

We passed resolutions to elect two people as honorary presbyters for the Alaska Ministry Network:   Pastor Ted Boatsman and Pastor Norman Lindsay.  Brother Boatsman served as the Alaska Superintendent for 8 years, as the Assistant Supt. for 2 years, was an AMN Presbyter for 16 years, served on the Northwest University Board for 10 years, was a member of the General Presbytery for 10 years, and served in pastoral ministry in Alaska for 23 years.  He was a great blessing to the Alaska Ministry Network, and we are pleased to elect him as an honorary presbyer.

Brother Lindsay served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Alaska Ministry Network for 10 years, on the AMN Presbytery for 12 years, was a member of the General Presbytery for 10 years, served on the Executive Leadership Team and taught several class for AKSOM, and pastored in Alaska for 12 years.  Many people and churches have been blessed by the ministry of Norman and Judy Lindsay.  We are pleased to elect him as an honorary presbyter for the Alaska Ministry Network.  Brother Lindsay was in town to assist in teaching some AKSOM classes, and was able to attend Network Conference.  After passing the resolution electing him as an hononary presbyter, he was invited to address the body.  He received a standing ovation!

All the other resolutions passed.  Perhaps the most historic resolution was Resolution 10, which authorizes Ethnic Fellowship in the Alaska Ministry Network, and allows the President for an approved Ethnic Fellowship, operating under Network-approved Articles of Fellowship, to have a seat on the Alaska Ministry Network Presbytery.

In other business, we received video reports from the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Regional Presbyters.  We received the Treasurer's Report and Secretary's report, and the regional caucuses met to nominate presbyters and elect committee people.

We appreciate the dedicated work of the parlimentarians:  Chairman Wade Cogan, David Wilson, and Scott Vantrease.

Pentecostal Influence with Supt. Bill Welch

Al Vanilau of Anchorage Samoan AG led worship on Tuesday morning.  The team did a great job!

Superintendent Bill Welch gave the morning teaching on being people of Pentecostal Influence.  He challenged us that the same Holy Spirit who was in operation in the book of Acts in the early church desires to move on the hearts and lives of people in Alaska.  It was a stirring message, and we sought God at the altar following the Word.

Alaska Missions Banquet

2012 Network Conference kicked off with the Alaska Missions Banquet at the Egan Center.  The opening banquet is always a joy, as we reconnect with friends from all around the state.  This night was special in particular, as we celebrated 75 years of US Missions.  We honored our US Missionaries serving in Alaska, as well as raised money for the new building in Kotlik.

The Kress family from MCA provided music during dinner.  It was excellent!

In this photo, you can see US Missions Director Zollie Smith, our featured speaker of the evening.  He is in the bottom of the photo.  To his left is Intercultural Director Malcom Burleigh.  We were honored to have him in attendance.

Superintendent Bill Welch, Presbyter Fay Niemann, Youth Director Mark Zweifel, and Children's Director Pam Hodges each took turns reading about each of our US Missionaries serving in Alaska.  We are so blessed to have such quality servants of the Lord working in the Alaska Ministry Network.  Alaska Home Missions Director Lattis Campbell put together a nice book honoring each of the missionaries, and also provided pledge forms for each missionary.

Pastor Bill introduced US Missions Director Zollie Smith.  Brother Zollie gave an excellent word, reminding us that God desires that none should perish.  He said that Jesus is the antidote for the perishing.

We recognized all churches who gave at least $5,000 to Alaska Missions from the Alaska Missions Banquet in 2011 through the present.  This past year, that included Muldoon Community Assembly ($18,255), Matanuska AG ($15,300), Kenai New Life ($15,010), Juneau Christian Center ($14,500), Crossroads AG ($9,856), Abundant Life in Sterling ($7,500), King's Way ($6,950), North Pole AG ($6,310), and Fairbanks First AG ($5,025).  We are very thankful to all the churches and individuals who have given to Alaska Missions.

There are two US Missionary couples who are in the itineration process.  Anthony (pictured at mic below) and Kristin Nelson are going to be starting a Dream Center in Bethel, Alaska.  We are very excited about that opportunity.  Jeremiah and Sharnay Niemuth (pictured below on left) are itinerating to minister in Fort Yukon and the Yukon Flats.  They have been pastoring there for a while, and are now taking the next step in obedience to God.  If you feel led to support either of these missionaries, or another of our other US Missionaries serving in Alaska, we think that would be excellent!

Missionary Pastor and Western Region Presbyter Austin Jones received the offering and took pledges for the Kotlik Project.  We received a cash offering of $11,305 and additional pledges of $65,195.  Praise the Lord!

Assistant Superintendent Gary Morton closed the service with announcements and prayer.

Youth & Children Worker Summit

The Next Generation Leader's Summit, held on April 19-21st, went very well with leaders from all over the state of Alaska gathered together for the purpose of learning how to better lead the next generation of leaders in our churches. Leaders in children's ministries as well as leaders in youth ministries heard from Jay Mooney, the former National Youth Director for the Assemblies of God and the current director of AG Family Services, about principles of leadership and loving the underdogs of the next generation. On Friday morning we skyped Scott Berkey, of the National Children's Department for the Assemblies of God, in and he spoke about doing great things for God.

Leaders from across the state left the Summit refreshed and encouraged with a renewed passion for leading the next generation.