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Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

news r e s c u e A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery

I BELIEVE IN MISSIONS
March 2006
a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

Why?
....Because the greatest mission ever The most important activity that
known was when God sent His only any individual or church can
begotten Son into the world that the world participate in is missions. We have
may be saved. a command from our Lord, “to go
and make disciples”. This is not
….Because the world will never be
optional. Jesus said, “go ye”. If we
brought to Christ until men bring Christ to
are to be obedient, we must win the
the world.
lost through the efforts of missions
….Because Jesus Himself taught us that and the missionaries. Supporting
missions is the only way to make missions is the best way I know for
disciples. you to keep this command from our
e 2 Lord. Whether it be local or foreign,
Pag
en ter ….Because if salvation means everything missions should be a part of your
in dC
Le arn e 2 to me, I cannot be happy unless I share it life.
Pag
o tes with others.
ra mN
P rog Pag
e The Anchorage Gospel Rescue
ht ….Because missions keep the Christians
po tlig Mission considers its ministry an
nS aware of the world’s need for Christ.
sio extension of the local church. We
Mis 4&
5
es want you to feel that you are taking
im oni ….Because the missionary spirit is the
st
f Te e6
part in missions when you support
taf greatest hope for the world in these last
S Pag this Mission in any way. There is
e sk days.
r ’s D no activity that takes place on any
e cto 7
Dir age mission field that does not happen
ls P ….Because many people will go to a
mo ria
Me mission that would never go to a church. right here. The Rescue Mission is
ing 8
Liv age one of the greatest opportunities
du le P
S che ….Because a mission expresses the love that you have to serve the Lord as a
apel
Ch of Christ by meeting both spiritual and missionary. You can pray, witness,
physical needs. volunteer your time to help in many
areas or make in-kind donations of
food, clothing, supplies or you may
help us financially.
Learning Center Update
David Williams
What a Pleasant Surprise!
It has been my experience that the majority of those who visit the Rescue Mission, for either a tour of our facilities
or to volunteer their time, invariably walk away surprised. Surprised by the fact we do more than just offer a bed to
the homeless.

When they find that our homeless services also includes: Providing food, clothing, hygiene products, bus tokens
(when available), and home furnishings (when housing is achieved), they’re surprised. When they discover we
offer an 18 to 24 month drug & alcohol “Newlife” Recovery Program, they’re surprised. When they’re told all this
is offered free of charge, they’re surprised. However, the most pleasant surprise is when they find out we have a
learning center where we teach Computer Skill, GED Preparation, and Money Management Skills.

This is where we teach the men, in our “Newlife” Recovery Program, the skills to break into the job market. Our
advanced computer training is designed to give our graduates a leg up on the competition. We also provide money
management skills to help our graduates make the right decisions when it comes to their financial futures.

As you can see we have empty work


stations in our learning center.

What a great way to remember or


honor a loved one.

Either you, as an individual, or as


part of a group effort can help us
fill these empty work stations. In
return a plaque will be placed on
the workstation in honor of yourself
or someone of your choosing.

If you chose to donate the cost of a


monitor or a CPU we will identify
them as donated by you with an
engraved tag. If you should decide
to donate a complete work station
then a large engraved plaque will be
place on the work center, (example
above). Your legacy will be providing a solid future through education. What a great way to be remembered!

You can also help our efforts by providing a means of buying GED books or computer software that facilitate the
learning process.

Our standards in the learning center are high because we believe if you set exceptional expectations then you will
get exceptional results.
Directors Desk “….Ahhh The Good Ole Days! ”
Do You Remember Mercurochrome?
My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no
bleach, but we didn’t seem to get food poisoning.

My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter AND I used to eat it raw sometimes, too. Our school sandwiches
were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not icepack coolers, but I can’t remember getting e.coli .

Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool
(talk about boring), no beach closures then. (Heck, I learned to swim in a lake at age 3 or 4 did not know what a
swimming pool was.)

The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system.

We all took gym, not PE----and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked’s (only worn in the gym) instead
of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors. I can’t recall any injuries
but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option---even
for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.

Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem and quoted the pledge of allegiance, and
staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention.

We must have had horrible damaged psyches. What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses?
Ours wore a hat and everthing!

I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself.

I just can’t remember how bored we were without computers, Play Stations, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable
stations.

Oh yeah---and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I go that bee sting? I could have been killed!

We played “king of the hill” on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled
out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it did’nt sting like iodine did) and then we got
spanked. Now it’s a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10 day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then
Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horrible vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat.

We did’nt act up at the neighbor’s house either because if we did, we got spanked there and then we got spanked
again when we got home.

I recall my friend from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop, just before he fell off. Little did
his Mom know that she could have owned our house. Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a
goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck.

To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family. How could we
possible have known that we needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so
duped by so many societal ills, that we did’nt even notice that the entire country wasn’t taking Prozac! How did we
ever survive?

Love to all of us who shared this era, and to all who did not – Sorry for what you missed. I would’nt trade it
for anything!

This was given to me by one of our staff. I thought some of you “ole timers” would enjoy it.
Bro. Don
mission spotlight
Incidentals
As you can see by the pictures
we’ve had a few incidentals at
the Mission. Of course only a
homeowner can truly appreciate
the usage of the word incidental
in this context. To a homeowner,
“incidentals”, is the term used
when the ceiling falls in do to
a leaking pipe, or when a car
crashes into the building. The
worst part about incidentals is
there’re always expensive. The
best part about incidentals is they show us how many people really care about
us. Incidentals are responsible for our true friends coming out of the shadows
and stepping up to the plate
with a helping hand. That’s
why, here at the Mission, we
are able to thank the Lord for all
the incidentals he places in our
path. He uses them to reaffirm
our belief in those who selflessly
support our efforts.

PLEASE consider including


the Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission in your WILL. It could
have eternal rewards for YOU.
TESTIMONIALS

I Drank My Way to Alaska


There is an old joke “I am allergic to alcohol; I break out in spots, Seattle,
Portland, Anchorage”. I lived that joke. I was always working to drink, and
drinking to work. I came to Alaska to make some fast money in the fishing
industry, I did pretty well until I picked the bottle back up. I continued
working various jobs, somehow having enough to pay rent and, of course,
drink. One cold night in December of 2003, I found myself with 2 days to
go until my next paycheck, and no money to pay rent. I made my way here
to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission. I was not allowed to stay that
night because I had drank earlier in the day. I walked the streets that night
to stay warm. I made it until 6:00 A.M. when the Mission served breakfast.
I still knew if I made it through another day, I had that paycheck waiting.
Determined to stay that night I didn’t drink and checked into the Mission.
Someone told me of the Missions “Newlife” Recovery Program, I checked
it out, was accepted and have never left. Three weeks later I found myself
working the front desk assisting the Staff. One night this gentleman came
to check in and he smelled of alcohol. I said, “Sir, we can not let you stay,
we have zero tolerance for alcohol”. He accepted this and I went and found
him a sleeping bag and a blanket. He looked at me and said, “Thank You,
You have God in your eyes”. I almost wept right there. Later that night after
the lights went out; I got down on my knees and asked the Lord Jesus Christ
into my life. You see, God had this plan for me all along. I am now one of
the staff members here. Where else could I do the Lords work but here?
Where else? By the way, I never did pick up that last paycheck.

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32

Douglas T. Mohn
Finding Direction
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye”
Psalms 32:8 (KJV).

Although these words were written by King David in the tenth century BC, they capture the spirit of
what the Rescue Mission represents in my life.

At 42 I found myself homeless; a condition not all together surprising seeing how I had squandered
most of my life on drug and alcohol abuse. I was living in the flesh and had developed a bitterness
that manifested itself into hatred. I became a parasite sucking the life blood from society. There was
no remorse, no regret, and sadly no desire to change.

I had no relationship with God, in-fact I denied he existed, that


is until I cursed him for all the sadness and pain in my life. I
scoffed at those who confessed the Lord as their savior and
branded them as pathetic misguided fools.

Despite my contempt the Lord’s love never wavered. He had a


plan for my life, a plan he set into motion by delivering me to
the front door of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission.

Without hesitation the Mission took on the charge of instilling direction in my life. A task the state
of Alaska had tried and failed to do for twenty years. With limited resources the Mission took care of
my worldly need by housing, clothing, and feeding me. Then they began the process of showing me
that the problems in my life were of my own design. The measure of man has nothing to do with who
he thinks he is or with whom he thinks he has to be. The true measure of a man has everything to do
with the decisions he makes in life.

The “Newlife” recovery program, at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, instilled in me good
decision making skills. They restored my life by offering the gift of hope for a better future. The
direction I have received in this program has set into motion the idea that I have the responsibility to
lift-up, rather than tear-down, society.

I’m currently employeed by the Mission and enrolled in Wayland Baptist University seeking a
Bachelors degree in Christian Ministries a path made possible by the love, guidance, and support of
the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission.

Thank you for making this life change possible by supporting this organization.
David M. Williams
Living Memorials He Maketh No Mistake
….touch lives as they honor the memory My Father’s way may twist and turn,
of loved ones and friends. My heart may throb and ache,
But in my soul I’m glad I know,
In Memory of
Esperanza M. Casas He maketh no mistake.
by Martha Cashen
My cherished plans may go astray,
In Memory of My hopes may fade away,
Eric Encelewski But still I’ll trust my Lord to lead
by Dennis and Martha Ogren For He doth know the way.

In Memory of Tho’ night be dark and it may seem


Doris Mead That day will never break;
by William and Carol Gericke I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him,
Bruce, Carol, Lisa and David Houston He maketh no mistake.
Betty A. Motes
Robert and Joyce Zorick There’s so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight’s far too dim;
* * * * * * But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.
For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He’ll make.
Through all the way, tho’ dark to me,
He made not one mistake.
A.O. Overton
Used with permission

Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission P.OB 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.
Our Ministry of Chapel Services for March
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1 2 3 4
r is to Anchorage Rev. First Calvary

the least
Gospel Ben Presbyterian Baptist
Singers Sherbahn Church Church
the last 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
the lost God’s
Place
Abbot Loop
Community
Anchorage
Pilgrim
Change
Point
Alliance
Bible
Calvary
Church
Wasilla
Assembly
“URGENT” Church Nazarene Church of God

Our supplies of these 12


God’s
13
Church
14
First
15
Christian
16
Sherbahn
17
Sherbahn
18
Lighthouse
items is constantly in Place of God of Assembly of Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Christian
Prophecy God Church Team Team Fellowship
need of replenishing 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
† Prayer Grace Reverend Anchorage Chapel Evangelical In His Name Southside
Victory Ben Native by the Covenant Sandy Church
† Paper Towels Fellowship Sherbahn Assembly Sea Church McCollum of God
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags 26 27 28 29 30 31
† Fresh Meat New Light
Community
Hillside
Baptist
Attorney
Greg Grebe
Change
Point
Shiloh
Baptist
Rev.
Ben
† Coffee Church Church Church Sherbahn

† Bathroom Tissue
† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers STATEMENT OF FAITH
† Cleaning Supplies The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
† Liquid Dish Detergent organization. We received NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a
† Dinner Napkins United Way Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations makes it possible
for us to provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also,
† Shampoo
your donations allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All
“URGENT” Donations are fully tax deductible. We will give you a receipt for your donation.

Anchorage Gospel Anchorage Non-Profit Org.

ue
U.S. Postal
Rescue Mission Gospel PAID
s c Anchorage, AK
Board of Trustees reMission
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Permit # 290

Mark Soquet, President A Ministry of


Bob Collins, Vice President Rescue & Recovery info@anchoragerescue.org
(and acting treasure)
e www.anchoragerescue.org

news
Ed Shelton, Secretary u
Enoch Adams sc
re
Emeritus:
Cliff Hodgins
P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603
Rev. Willard leisy RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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

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