news r e s c u e Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery

a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

C H R I S T M A S
Should Be
ALL About Jesus!
What is the first thing you think about when
Christmas comes to mind?

Gifts – giving and receiving – Shopping, shopping and more

shopping – Holidays – Feasting and parties – Tinsel and
decorations – Christmas trees – Silver bells – Santa Claus –
A time of joy – Visiting with family and friends.

I am all for people celebrating the birth of our Lord in the

traditional way and enjoying this time of the year with their
family and friends. HOWEVER,

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

David M. Williams
Program Director “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His
name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their
Larry Aldrich “Neither is there
Operations Manager sins”.
salvation Matthew 1:21
Randy Hess
Maintenance Supervisor in any other: The Angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold I bring
you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
for there is none
Larry O’Connor For unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
Greg Mann other name under heaven which is Christ the Lord”. Luke 2:10-11.
Roger Klein
Neil Givens given among men, “….whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
Client Supervisors be saved” Romans 10:13
whereby we
David McKnight must be saved”. I would like to take this space to wish all a very
Van Driver happy holiday season and to thank all of you that
Acts 4:12 contribute to this ministry. We love you in
Solomona Talivaa the Lord. We depend on you to keep our
Maintenance services available to the poor, needy and homeless
Donn Baker people that come to us for help.
John Lofquist
r
be

Mark McKinnon
Intern Merry Christmas and a
m

happy and prosperous New Year to all!

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W WERE ROBBED! Our Frosty
p i
D av
White Christmas
As a child growing up in
Mississippi I can’t remember ever
having a white Christmas. The
truth is there wasn’t a lot of snow
at all. I clearly remember my first
experience with snow; I must have
been four or five at the time. I can
still see my brother jumping up
and down with excitement at what
greeted us as we crawled out from
under the quilt. The farm seemed
so clean in the blue tint of dawn
and the front lawn sloping down
toward the pond didn’t seem real at
all. There was a crispness in the air
that complimented our excitement
as we dashed out the front door
into this magical world.
The reality of it all was not as
picturesque. This was, after all,
Mississippi. There was maybe, and
I stress, maybe, a quarter of an inch
of snow. We worked harder than
the seven dwarves to build a snow
man. We cleaned every square
inch of the six acres that made up
2 and suggestions
our front lawn just to end up with
a scrawny little snowman that
stood all of three feet high. It was
exhausting and not very rewarding.
I can remember watching this silly
s little pile of snow, creatively named
iam Frosty, hang on for all of two day
in the Mississippi sun shine. WE
didn’t look anything like the ones
we saw on TV. I never looked at a
snowman again without imagining
our little sickly Frosty standing
beside it. Unfortunately he never
measured up.
Now I live in Alaska where a white
Christmas is the order of the day.
The snowmen are robust and the
scenery harkens your thoughts to
Psalm 19:1 “The Heavens declare
the glory of God; the skies proclaim
the work of his hands.” I’m sure
you could search the world over
and find a dozen places that match
the winter beauty of Alaska but I
dare say you will never find a place
“more” beautiful. This is truly a
winter wonderland!
www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments
The reality of the Alaska winter,
like Mississippi, is not as
picturesque either. Especially
when you remember there are
people who are forced to sleep
out in the elements. I’ve often
wondered if the homeless men and
women feel the same way as I do
about the snow. Do they sit around
and wish for a white Christmas?
It is no secret our beds here at
the Mission have been cut in half
because of code and zoning issues.
We have been butting heads with
the city for over two years trying to
find a solution. As I left my warm
home and walked to work this
morning I couldn’t help but reflect
on those who have no home. I also
find myself wondering if I, like the
city, put more importance on silly
things like codes over human life.
I hope not.
It is my Christmas prayer all
the homeless men, women, and
children in Alaska have a warm
place to go. A place that affords
them the opportunity to experience
the joy of the season. A place
where they are treated with dignity,
respect, and loved. A place where
value is placed on them as caring,
feeling, human beings instead of
more value being placed on some
code or imaginary zone line. A place
like the Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission where a white Christmas
means a Christ Christmas.
 Living Memorials Volunteers Needed
. . . .touch lives as they honor the memory
of loved ones and friends. To Help With Christmas Dinner!

In Memory of Our Volunteer Coordinator Jeanne Lutz—Phone 278-9679,

Esperanza and Ernesto Cases needs volunteers of individuals and families that can make
by Martha Cashen the following commitments of time on Friday December
22nd, 2007.
In Memory of
Mike Howerton Team 1 – Prepare food and decorate facility for the
by Mustangs of America, FDN Christmas meal – To be served on Friday December 22nd.
Need a commitment of 4 consecutive hours beginning in the
In Memory of morning.
Lei Ann Hunter
by Dolores Hyer Team 2 – Serve the refreshments, meal. desert and clean
up of facilites at the close – Friday December 22nd. Need
In Memory of a commitment of 5 consecutive hours beginning in the
Susie Kaigelak afternoon.
by Archie and Edith Greene
Both teams require children
In Memory of to be a minimum of 8 years of age.
Jerry Kelm
by Leslie and Berniece Kelm Jeanne will do the scheduling of the teams. You may
reach her at her home telephone after 6 P.M. and weekends
In Memory of or by leaving a message on her telephone recorder. Please
Alvin Syren leave an evening number and speak the number slowly.
by Claris Syren She will give you specific details about team assignments
and schedule your time to work.
special needs for our
Christmas dinner
Lots and Lots of Turkeys Our Solicitation Policy!
Stuffing Mix The Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Cranberry Sauce Mission does not solicit funds door
Green Beans to door or by telephone. If someone
Corn contacts you in this way on behalf
Instant Mashed Potatoes of the Mission, please call us (563-
Onions – Celery 5603) or the proper authorities at
Fruit Cocktail once.
We do permit children and churches
Canned Sweet Potatoes
to collect food or clothing door to
Dinner Rolls door. They will identify themselves,
Marshmallows and will have a badge or letter
Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple Pies on Mission letterhead stationary.
However, we never allow anyone
Christmas Dinner Will Be Served On
to collect money. We appreciate
Friday December 22nd---3 to 5:30 P.M.
Special Chapel Service at 2:00 P.M.
your support and do not want
donations getting into the wrong
hands.

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God’s Protective
Bubble
I have experienced God’s
protection so many times in my
Christian walk that, if I would
list them all, we would all have to
grab a Snickers because we’d be
here a while. However, I do want
to share with you how God, last
month, blessed my family with
His faithfulness.
The only family I have, other
than my wife, is my brother who
lives in Idaho. I received his call
on a Monday evening telling me
he would be having surgery on
Thursday. The doctors had found
Melanoma on his back.
Fear griped my heart. One of the
fastest acting cancers there is and
he calls me two days before he
goes into surgery. I was a little
irritated at him. He, being the
older brother, belittles the whole
situation and said he has it all
under control. He doesn’t need any
help. What a mask! We all wear
one. We don’t let anybody know
how we are feeling. Let’s not ask
for help because that could be seen
as a sign of weakness.
Well, God was going to break that
wall down. I was able, on short
4
notice, to catch a flight to
Boise the next
Wednesday. When I called my A seed has been planted and I
brother to give him my itinerary he know the Holy Spirit will continue
was close to tears. to draw him into the fold.
Never did he expect me to come
all the way to Idaho for him. His God’s Protective
surgery was going to be a day
procedure and he had no idea how Bubble
(Continued)
would take care of the wound for
that matter. Now he didn’t have
Never once during that week did my
to worry about it anymore. His
brother was coming to help him.
brother drink any alcohol or us any
drugs. Never once did people stop
by and interrupt us. My brother’s
It was now time for me to face
house had been a peaceful place.
the giant of my past! You see
my brother and I were drinking
When I came home my wife shared
buddies. We would party together
with me her fear of me going to
and Boise was my old stomping
Idaho by myself. She prayed for
ground. I knew my brother’s house
my protection and Jesus gave her a
as a place of chaos and drama.
vision. She saw my brother’s house
and saw He had put it in a bubble.
I was going to meet my past. Was I
Nothing could get in and she knew
ready for this?
that I was safe.
My wife and I prayed for God’s
What an awesome week; my
protection and we ask for prayer
wife and I grew again in our trust
coverage from our church. I
and faith in Jesus provision; two
knew that God would not give me
brothers finally got to know each
more than I can handle and that
other in the light of God’s love and
this whole situation didn’t catch
my brother did get introduced to
Him by surprise. I felt that God
Jesus Christ.
was calling me to minister to my
brother by showing him God’s
Oh by the way, the reason this all
love in a practical way.
started, the doctors are confident
that my brother is cancer-free at
O what a wonderful God we serve!
this time. Praise God!
His faithfulness – it is too awesome
to put into words.
Cancer scares us, but our God is
The week I spent with my brother
bigger than cancer. He can use it to
has been a week of emotional
bring His children closer to Him,
healing. We bonded in a way I
to take them home, or to lead yet
never dreamed possible. We prayed
another lost lamb home.
together. We talked about Jesus
and the Bible. I told him about the
Thank you Father God!
Roman Road and about receiving
Jesus as our Lord and Savior. By
the time I left he was still wrestling
with the simplicity of believing in
your heart and confessing with
your mouth and you shall be saved.

e “Chaplain, I am so hurt; I don’t
t have any means in which to buy
da
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Christmas
2007
As I was thinking of what one
could say about Christmas, which
has not been said before, I came to
the conclusion that such an attempt
is an impossible thing. Christmas,
that is, the real meaning behind
the season can never be exhausted.
No one could objectively say, “I
have the last and final word on
Christmas.” Almost anything
one could say about Christmas
has been said before. But still the
power, purpose, peace, and pardon
it offers through the grace of God
is a new thing though it is an old
thing. Much like the truth about
our personal salvation, which has
three dimensions: “we have been
saved, we are being saved, and we
will be saved when the Lord Jesus
returns in power and great glory,”
Christmas also has many
dimensions. One aspect of the
Christmas season that we see
here at the mission is the daily
encounters with those who are
less fortunate, and have no home
in which to celebrate Christmas,
no family with which to celebrate
Christmas, and no resources to
spread Christmas cheer to others.
Of the sad comments I frequently
hear, none is more tragic than,
ry Christmas presents for the children
this year.” Thank goodness, our
heavenly Father, would never make
that comment, for His resource
to many of you, and your gifts to
to at least meet some of the basic
needs that the homeless have.
Thank you for your support and
indeed may you have a very Happy
Christmas, and New Year.
“I’m
Blessed”
Occasionally, when I ask someone
“How are you?” or “How you
doing?” they respond “Oh, I’m
blessed.” Now that’s true enough,
for certainly we are all blessed in
various ways. If nothing else, we
are blessed just for the fact that
we are alive. Life itself is a gift
from God. But, when I think of
whether or not “I’m blessed” what
sort of things do I consider to be
a blessing. In the past, material
things were usually what came
to mind first. Circumstances, and
whether or not they were they were
acceptable to me, were what came
to mind next. Today, these sort
of blessings are not what usually
comes to mind first. As I’ve grown
in the Lord and have begun to
reach for maturity in Christ, my
priorities have changed. No longer
do physical blessings make the top
of the list anymore. Although that
list would change drastically if I
did not have enough food to eat or
I didn’t have a warm place to sleep
at night but, I do. So, what makes
the Blessings List today? Family?
Friends? Steady job? These things
are huge blessings to be sure. But,
what else constitutes a blessing
in my life today? Recently, I was
sharing some of my daily struggles
with a friend of mine (which is
a nice way of saying that I was
complaining) and he shared with
me a thought that has helped him
when he experiences difficult
times. “At least we don’t have a
bunch of Roman soldiers trying
to nail us to a cross for spreading
the gospel.” Freedom of religion is
a very big blessing that we enjoy
here in this country. The blessing
that I usually think of first is the
teaching of the Holy Spirit. That is
to say; “when I read the scriptures
the words come alive to me.” God
is teaching me His truth by His
Spirit through reading His word.
There is more….Just the other day
I was thinking of all the people that
pray for me on a weekly basis, if
not a daily basis. What a blessing!
Praise God. If I made another list,
a list of just the people who pray
for me, it would be longer then
my Blessing List for sure. Now if
someone were to walk up to me
and ask; “How you doing, John?” I
would not have to even think about
the answer to that question. “I’m
blessed.”
Written by John Lofquist
Your prayers for the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue mission are deeply
appreciated. Thank you.
5
 Merry CHRISTmas
t e
d a
up on So, once again that glorious time of year is upon us. Although as a child,
h
en i nn Christmas always seemed to take forever to get here, it seems to roll around
tc c K faster and faster the older I get, as I am sure it does for everybody. We hardly
i M have time to recover from our Thanksgiving meal before Christmas is upon
k k
ar us, and since we all know that the weekend after Thanksgiving is usually one
M of the busiest for retailers, most of us do not even take the time to relax and
digest our Thanksgiving meal!

In general, the month of December is when people start thinking about

giving gifts to family and friends and donating to organizations that help
others during the holidays. It has been said that Christmas is the time
when we treat each other the way we are supposed to treat each other all
the time! We are very fortunate here at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission because we recognize that we are funded by people who think
about those in need all year round, not just in November and December.
Thank you and God bless all of you.

Despite all the hectic activity of the holiday season and the frustration
of going to the overcrowded stores and malls, the reason it gets done is
because of the joy involved in giving a gift to someone else. The joy
is not just in receiving the gift, but also in the giving. If you have ever
watched a child open (demolish) the wrapping of a gift or given the perfect gift to your spouse or one of your
siblings or friends, you feel as much joy from giving the gift as they do from receiving it.

Of course, the reason we give gifts is to celebrate the fact that God has given us the perfect gift in Jesus Christ.
I can remember the joy I felt when I finally ‘unwrapped’ the free gift that God had for me. Although it took far
too many years for me to accept the free gift of salvation I know that God still took joy in the fact that I accepted
the gift that He had set under the Christmas tree for me so many years ago. In Luke 15:10 Jesus said, “Likewise,
I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Even all the angels
in heaven celebrate!

So, on December 25th when you unwrap your Christmas presents to celebrate Gods special gift to all of us, I
want you to stop for just a moment and take special joy in the fact that you are helping people to unwrap their
gift of salvation from God, and not just on Christmas Day, but all year long!!

God Bless You

To visit our new travel page go to

www.ytbtravel.com/anchoragerescue
or go to the Mission’s web page at
www.anchoragerescue.org

6 and click on the menu item Travel.

 sk
de
’s t is
o r e t
ct B
re on From A Very Thankful Heart!
di .D
e v
R
I am so thankful for the faithful friends and supporters of this ministry who make it possible for us to do the things
we do. I wish I had the words to express my heart felt appreciation to each and every one of you. Sometimes we get
a little down and anxious over things that happen or things that are needed, but when our need is the greatest God
always touches someone’s heart and sends them by to meet that need. It is so exciting to watch God work through
you and this ministry. Then the need is met or we have the resources to attend to the problem. All because you have
been faithful. There is no way we could provide shelter and meals or provide the other services we do for so many
without YOUR help.

We have seen many people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior this year (total through the end of the
year will be more than 250). Also, we have witnessed many homeless people reunited with their family. People are
homeless for many different reasons, but what ever the reason Jesus Christ is the answer to their problem. This is the
reason for our being (to present Jesus to those that come to us for help) and our being is made possible by you.

Most of you know that in addition to providing a homeless shelter, that we have the “NewLife” Recovery
Disciple drug and alcohol program. This program is designed to introduce the men that come into this program to
Jesus Christ and lead them to accept His as their personal Savior. Then, to help them overcome their additions. After
that we take them through the educational facilities teaching them how to develop a personal relationship with Christ,
how to study the Bible, attend Bible classes also they are required to attend computer classes and other classes that
will help them to adjust to society when they graduate the program.

I would sure like to meet each one of you and thank you personally for your financial support of this ministry. But
please remember the most important thing you can do for us is to PRAY for us, that the things that are accomplished
here at the Mission will bring glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus said, “Give and it shall be
given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38
Remember The Most Important Thing You Can Do For Us—Is to PRAY!

Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission P.O. Box 230510 Anchorage, Alaska 99523-0510
Here is my support gift: For Credit Card Donations:
Food and Shelter: $_____ I would like to charge my total donation of $__________________
Check One: Visa ˆ M/C ˆ Am/Ex ˆ Discover ˆ
Facilities Maintenance: $_____
$46.25 For 25 Meals ______
$74.00 For 40 Meals ______ Card Number __________________________________________
$132.20 For 72 Meals ______
Exp. Date: ______/______ Signature _______________________
$277.50 For 150 Meals ______
______Other: All credit card information is kept in strict confidence
______ I Will Pray for this Ministry. Make checks payable to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
You will receive a receipt.

Name:________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
Please send this coupon with your donations.
7
Our Ministry of
Chapel Services for December
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1
r is to
Calvary
Baptist
Church
the least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
the last God’s
Place
Abbott Loop
Community
Anchorage
Pilgrim
Anchorage
Gospel
Anchorage
Vineyard
First
Presbyterian
Wasilla
Assembly
the lost Church Nazarene Singers Fellowship Church of God

“URGENT”
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
God’s Church First Change Christ Calvary Lighthouse
Our supplies of these Place of God of
Prophecy
Assembly of
God
Point Community
Church
Church Christian
Fellowship
items is constantly in 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
need of replenishing Grace
Victory
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
Anchorage
Native
Christian
Evangelical
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
Glenn
Herman
† Prayer Fellowship Team Assembly Church Team Team

† Paper Towels 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
New Light Calvary Attorney Calvary Evangelical In His Name Change
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Community Baptist Greg Grebe Baptist Covenant Sandy Point
† Fresh Meat Church Church Church Church McCollum
30 31
† Coffee God’s Trinity
Special Chapel Services - at 2:00 P. M.
† Bathroom Tissue Place Presbyterian December 22, 2006 “Special Guest Speaker”
Church
† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
† Cleaning Supplies
organization. We receive NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United
† Liquid Dish Detergent Way Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations makes it possible for us to
† Dinner Napkins provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations
† Shampoo allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Donations are fully tax
“URGENT” deductible. We will give you a receipt for your donation.

Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission Anchorage Non-Profit Org.

ue
U.S. Postal
Board of Trustees Gospel c PAID
s Anchorage, AK

Ed Shelton re
Mission GOD BLESS AMERICA
Permit # 290

(President) A Ministry of
Bob Collins
( Vice President/treasure) Rescue & Recovery info@anchoragerescue.org
Enoch Adams www.anchoragerescue.org
ue
(Secretary)
Mark Soquet

Emeritus:
r es
news
c

P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603

Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Rev. Willard leisy
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir.

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.

MEMBER
Association of Gospel ue
sc Missions
re
An association of Rescue Ministries