Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

news r e
c u e
s God Bless America—
A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery
July 2006
a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave!

God has blessed America—But I Wonder,
How Long HE will continue?
One Nation Under God, mmmm...., I Wonder!
We Celebrate Independence day, But Are We
Independent From God? I Wonder!
Do You Remember
the Real America….
When the flag was a sacred symbol?
When prayer was acceptable and expected?
When you left the front door open?
When you were not afraid to go out at night?
When riots were unthinkable?
When ghettos were neighborhoods?
.2
r Pg When criminals actually went to jail?
nte
Ce
rn ing When store clerks tried to please you?
Lea When a boy was a boy, and dressed like a boy?
.3
Pg When a girl was a girl, and dressed like one?
H elp
w to When college kids swallowed goldfish, not beer?
Ho
5
When songs had a tune, and the words made sense
. 4& without some kind of a hidden satanic message?
Pg
es
oni When people were not trying to abolish our National and Religious symbols such as
tim
Tes Crosses, Ten Commandments, Memorials and Honorees of Faith and Justice?
6
P g. When people pledged their allegiance to the flag? When people knew what the Fourth of
ials
e mor July stood for? When you never dreamed our country could lose? When people expected
ingM less and valued what they had more? When politicians proclaimed their patriotism and meant
Liv .7
Pg it? When everyone knew the difference between right and wrong? When everyone did not
Desk
tor’s feel entitled to a college education? When things were not perfect—but you did not expect
Di rec
8 them to be? When our government stood up for Americans anywhere in the world? When
age
du le P you knew the law would be enforced—your safety protected? When you considered yourself
S che blessed to have a good job and proud, too? When the law meant justice? When you were
a pel
Ch not embarrassed to say that this is the best country? When America was filled with brave,
proud hardworking people. CAN YOU REMEMBER? I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED?
I wish it could be like it used to be. However, with all of its flaws I had rather be here in
America than any place in the world.
A Promise: Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers;
And you shall be MY people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:28.
Learning Center Update!
In our March Newsletter we made an appeal to our The advances in computer technology are staggering.
supporters for new computer equipment. As most of It would be foolish, for our own sake, to attempt to
you already know we here at the Anchorage Gospel keep up. However, for the sake of our students we
Rescue Mission believe the only thing more important have a responsibility to send them into the job market
than education in the recovery process is a close with contemporary skills.
personal relationship
with Christ Jesus. It is A local computer
our goal to provide the graphics company
men in our “NewLife” has expressed
Recovery program with interest in one
the tools necessary to of our students.
give them a foot up in The Mission has
the job market of the agreed to train this
21st century. In order to individual in some
achieve this ambitious very specific and
undertaking computer highly technical
equipment and software computer graphics
are needed. programs. We are
confident with the
As a result of this appeal right training this
the Learning Center has individual will go
been blessed with two on to be an asset not
new computer stations. only to the company
Although the original donation was for one station who hires him but also to the community.
in the spirit of good stewardship and with the Lord’s We still have equipment needs. Our current computer
perfect timing a sale was underway therefore we were stations are five to seven years old. In computer
blessed with two stations for the price of one. technology these machines are considered archaic.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr.

Richard C. Davis for his generosity and support. The
following plaque has been attached to each workstation
in the honor of Mr. Davis so that those men in our
“NewLife” program who achieve their educational
goal can know who is responsible for providing the
means to their success.

Software is ever evolving with new versions appearing

every few years. Employers expect their employees
to be proficient in current versions of all programs.
With your help we can continue to add to the growing
list of success stories emerging from the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission’s learning center.
David M. Williams
Learning Center Administrator
How to Really Help the Homeless
Now that summer is upon us the citizens of Anchorage are seeing more and more homeless men
and women standing at the major intersections holding up signs asking for money. We all react
differently to this. Some become angry that the city doesn’t do something to put an end to it by
passing laws that forbids this type of behavior. Some avoid eye contact so that they can get through
the intersection without any bother. While others give whatever loose change they might have in
the ash tray.
Steve Burger Executive Director of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions one of the North
America’s largest social service providers for the homeless, urges Americans not to give money to
the homeless on the streets.

Rev. Burger offers “sure fire” ways your contribution will make a real difference in the lives of
homeless, women, and children in community. They are:
a. Don’t give money hand-outs. Instead purchase food items yourself, refer the person to an
agency that can provide food, shelter, and other assistance, or give coupons to restaurants
or grocery stores that can be turned in for food. Want proof that change given directly to the
homeless does not go to meet their deepest needs. Listen to Verdan, a formerly homeless
man from Los Angeles.
People would drive up and give me a ten-dollar bill. When it should have been a blessing,
it really was not a blessing because it was used to buy drugs. People were trying to help.
They were being good spirited. They were being good hearted in trying to help somebody
less fortunate. But I used their gift to buy drugs.
b. Donate food to a local agency. Food is usually in short supply at rescue missions, shelters,
and other social service agencies. They especially need items such as juices, meats, soups,
and stews.
c. Donate clothes such as jackets, sweatshirts, new underwear, socks, shoes, knit hats and
gloves which are needed for men and women.
d. Because the fastest growing groups of homeless people is children and women with children,
these is a need for disposable diapers, baby food and formula, clothing, and blankets.
e. Homeless children dream of new toys such as dolls, trucks, and games. These donations
may be the only gifts they receive for a birthday or Christmas.
f. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, combs, and shaving lotions are always welcome.

www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit our recently
Re-designed web page and we encourage
you to drop us an E-mail with your
comments and suggestions
 TESTIMONIALS
“Strengthen the Things That Remain”

I came to Alaska in 1991 thinking things would be different, I would get a good paying job, and life
would be good. But when I opened my suitcase out popped all of my addictions and defects. The
only thing that had changed was the climate because I had been running from God. I continued to
run for the next ten years.

In and out of jail, in and out of recovery programs, in and out of church the same old behaviors over
and over again. While at Seward in 2000 I went back to school and learned a trade. This lead to a
good job in Anchorage, a new apartment, I even
went back to church for a little while anyway.

I guess the best way for me to explain it is: I

got lonely. I started drinking and looking for
companionship. Of course I looked at the wrong
people in all the wrong places. It wasn’t long
before I had lost everything I had worked so
hard to gain. Looking back I guess I wasn’t
surprised. That’s what happens when you leave
God out of the picture and try to do things your
way. You get what you aim for and I was aiming
for the gutter.

I joined the program at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission in 2005. I rededicated my life to
Christ and learned to forget about what I wanted in life and tried to focus on what God wanted.
With the staffs help I learned how to surrender to God and how to stand still and hear his voice. I’ve
discovered God knows what I want and more importantly he knows what I need.

I wanted to stay on at the Mission so that I could reach others who are struggling with addiction.
My ministry is driving the donation van for the Rescue Mission.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into
heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy
right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10
“The Gift of Gratitude”

I grew up on a large family farm in Idaho. My mother took me to church often. That’s where
I was first introduced to Christ. I was into sports and active in our family business which on
the surface looked normal. However I was substituting my relationship with God with sports,
making money, alcohol, and having fun.

As the years progressed I found some success, outwardly. But inwardly I was empty and isolated.
I let this go on unchecked and it developed into anger. I began to blame life in general for all
my problems. I tried to fill the void with
different things like work, hobbies, drugs,
and alcohol. All this accomplished was
elevating my own perception of myself.

A drug binge lead me to the Anchorage

Gospel Rescue Mission. God uses this
facility as his instrument of reconciliation.
After being reintroduced to the gospel
I asked God to take my life and use it
according to his will not mine.

I completed the “NewLife” Recovery

program and am active in a local church.
I’ve been asked to intern for a staff position which I’ve accepted. My life is now about building
relationships and seeing that people’s needs are met. This new sense of who I am has giving me
something I’ve never had; Gratitude!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Living Memorials
....touch lives as they honor the memory of
loved ones and friends
In Memory of
Evelyn Michou
by George and Peggy Ward
Randy and Donna Grice
Pat Holmes
Jerry and Cathy Holmes
Matthew and Natalie Holmes
Lyn and Vernon Scott
Richard and Julia Wight
G. Scott Johnson
UTC Procurement Friends
of Linda Butler
Dean Caraway
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Phillips and family
Ken and Liz Sherwood
Jerry Anderson
Gordon and Ila McWhorter
Aunt Hilda Anderson
Mary K. Hughes
Mrs. Joyce Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Parvin Butler
Discovering—Christ In Me
Discovering daily who God really is Thanking Him daily
I’m His and He’s mine.
Discovering daily God’s great love for me; such mercy,
forgiveness, amazing free.
Discovering daily that God really cares.
Discovering daily He does answer prayer.
Discovering daily what grace really means; unmerited
favor beyond all my dreams.
Discovering daily God speaking to me. He speaks through
the Bible; once blind, now I see.
Discovering daily each day that I live. . .
that all I need He freely will give.
Discovering daily Christ working through me,
accomplishing daily what never could be.
Discovering daily I can’t, but He can. Thanking Him daily
for my place in His plan.

In Memory of Discovering daily how real life can be, when I am living
Joseph McFadden in Christ and He is living in me.
by John and Barbara Butt
Discovering daily a song in my heart, with
In Memory of anticipation for each day to start.
George Whalen delighting and basking in love so divine,
by Lorene Pratt Secure in the knowledge that
I am His and He is mine.
In Honor of Besides mere contentment;
Mr. Terry Casdorph excitement I see!
For leading services at Evergreen Memorial A daily adventure: Christ living in me!
and the Angelus Memorial Park Copied with permission
by The Family of Evelyn t. Michou

In Honor of
Mrs. Karen Gillian Maldonado
For singing Mom’s favorite hymn
Summer Is Here!
“Farther Along” While you take a well deserved vacation and enjoy
by The Family of Evelyn T. Michou
the days of summer – the needs of the Mission
In Honor of continue. As you make your plans for the summer
Don and Charlotte Bettis please continue your support to the Mission.
55th Wedding Anniversary Especially your Prayers.
by Arlene Cross
DIRECTOR’S
DESK This Program Works
Don Bettis
It is not the program that changes a man life—but Jesus Christ in their life that causes a man to change from their
old life style to a new life in Christ. This is the theme of our program, II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
I may be just a little bit prejudiced but I think our “NewLife” Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program is the best in
the city or anywhere else! We have seen miraculous result in the lives of those that graduate the program. Nine of
them are working full time in this ministry with places of responsibility. There are a number of graduates that have
left the Mission and gone on to find jobs, some have gotten married and become productive people in our city. These
are all good representatives of what the program can do. It works because Jesus is at the center, beginning and end
of this program. If a person will turn their life over to God and have a real determination to succeed—it will work for
them. This program is personalized to fit each individual. There are general rules and regulations for everyone but
each person is dealt with individually—then a program is designed to meet their needs. Our Program Director is Larry
Aldrich (who is a graduate of this program). He spends full time working with those in the program. He receives
help from others on the staff and our Chaplain who is a certified drug and alcohol counselor. Each man is required to
attend Bible study and Chapel service everyday. But, in addition to that they have two other classes each week that are
mandatory and counseling sessions. Goals of recovery are set and plans of how to attain those goals are made. Besides
all of this there are many other aspects discussed on how to reach full recovery and begin a new way of life.
In addition to all of the above they must attend Computer classes. Our goal here is to at least teach them some
computer literacy. There are other learning center classes that include some life skills, money management and GED
preparation so they may obtain a high school equivalency certificate.
Everyone in the program is assigned a chore that must be completed each day. They are graded here on promptness,
thoroughness, attitude and temperament. The purpose of the chores is to teach them some responsibilities and to keep
them busy and their time occupied so they want have time to drift back into their old life style.
I know that some people have given up drugs and alcohol without concern for their spiritual life, and have been
successful in recovery to a degree. However, it is not complete. They do not have New Life. They do not have Jesus
as their Lord and Savior. They have to face life with out God and they are setting themselves up to fall back to their
old ways. Their testimony is, “I am a recovering alcohol or addict”. But the testimony of a person with Christ in their
life is, “I am a new creation in Christ; old things are pasted away and behold all things are become new”.

Please pray for those in this program daily.

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 July
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1
r is to Calvery

the least
Baptist
Church
the last 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
the lost God’s
Place
Abbot Loop
Community
Anchorage
Pilgrim
Anchorage
Gospel
Reverend
Ben
First
Presbyterian
Wasilla
Assembly
“URGENT” Church Nazarene Singers Sherbahn Church of God

Our supplies of these 9

God’s
10
Church
11
First
12
Change
13
Alliance
13
Calvary
15
Lighthouse
items is constantly in Place of God of Assembly of Point Bible Church Christian
Prophecy God Church Fellowship
need of replenishing 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
† Prayer Grace Reverend Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Southside
Victory Ben Native Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Church
† Paper Towels Fellowship Sherbahn Assembly Church Team Team of God
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
† Fresh Meat New Light
Community
Hillside
Baptist
Attorney
Greg Grebe
Chapel
By The
Evangelical
Covenant
In His Name
Sandy
Change
Point
† Coffee Church Church Sea Church McColum

† Bathroom Tissue 30
God’
31
Trinity
Services are held nightly from 7:30 to 8:30
† Laundry Soap Place Presbyterian
Church
† Disposable Shavers
† Cleaning Supplies STATEMENT OF FAITH
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
† Shampoo for us to provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also,
“URGENT” your donations allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All
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
Brad Young

Emeritus:
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