news r e

c u e Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery
A publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

s Why Should You Care For—

The Least, The Last, The Lost—
because,

The Bible tells us, “The poor shall never

cease out of the land”…Deuteronomy 15:11
When I read this and other scriptures I know that we will always have poor, needy and
homeless people with us. However, it becomes more of a reality when you work with
them everyday. It seems like there is no end to homelessness. Usually by this time
of the year we can see a noticeable reduction in the numbers of people coming to us
for help. But, this year our dorms are still at capacity levels. Many families are still
coming for their evening meal.

There are many reasons why a person may become homeless. In the mind of most
people though, drugs and alcohol are the main reasons. I will agree that they play a big
part and may be the end results of why a person becomes homeless. But there are many
David M. Williams other reasons – mental illness, divorce and the break-up of a home are other reasons. I
Program Director think the main reason for a person being homeless in our city is unemployment. Most
of the people that come to the Mission would work if they could find a job. When a
Larry Aldrich person loses their job, their source of income, then gradually everything they own—
Operations Manager
they may turn to alcohol or drugs. They think they can find some relief from their
Randy Hess problems by taking this outlet only to find out they have created a greater problem.
Maintenance Supervisor Finally, when all is lost, they may come to us for help.
Larry O’Connor
Those that do come to us with a sincere desire for help—can find it here. You see,
Greg Mann
Neil Givens we believe a person’s real help comes from the Lord. With Jesus in their life and the
Roger Klein Holy Spirit to give them the help, guidance and comfort they need, then they can look
Client Supervisors beyond their circumstances and see that the Lord can help them reach their goals and
achievements in their life. They do not need the alcohol or drugs for a crutch. But
David McKnight now they have Jesus to lean on and He will help them to get where they want to be
Van Driver – recovered and serving God.
Shane Day
Maintenance
So, we really have an obligation to care for The Least, The Last and The Lost by
Praying for them, mentoring them, visiting and witnessing to them and supporting
the Mission by volunteering some time to help, financial and in-kind
st

donations so a safe and secure place can be maintained to provide

for their most urgent needs.
gu

0 7
au

20
 the Mission to take a tour. After
the tour Pastor Rud and I were
sitting in my office fellowshipping
k when he mentioned his church was
s
de participation in The Truth Project,
’s s after our discussion I reflected on
am m
lia
how nice it would be to participate
gr il in this project. However, life
ro W happened and I forgot about it. The
p
v id Power of Three… My wife and I
Da became concerned because we
were doing several bible studies
and small groups with our friends
God to the and acquaintances yet nothing
together. In our quest for a bible
Third Power study to do together we found in
our church catalog, believe it or
I’ve noticed not, The Truth Project. Finally
a n y t i m e the bells began to go off in my
the Lord is slo….ah…absent minded brain!
trying to get Maybe the Lord is trying to tell me
my attention something?
he does so
in threes. I suppose those who The irony is the first night of
know me will attribute this to hard The Truth Project the class was
headedness. To be fair some will split into groups based on gender
even go so far as to call me slow. I and my wife and I had another
will not dignify those attitudes with bible study on our plate but none
page space however in my defense together despite this setback I’m
I will profess absent mindedness. convinced the Lord had me there
For example, The Power of One… for a reasons. I’ve been searching
my wife brought home a preview for a study to present to the men
DVD produced by Focus on The in the NewLife Recovery program
Family called The Truth Project. that would challenge them. The
After watching the preview I was Truth Project turned out to be that
interested in participation in the study.
project. However, life happened
and I forgot about it. The Power of The point being God has graciously
Two… The Pastor of Birchwood provide a snooze button on my
Community Church stopped by message board so that despite
www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments
and suggestions
2
my best efforts I can’t ignore or
forget what he is trying to tell me.
It amazes me the Lord knows me
so well. All my life people have
had to tell me things over and over
again before I responded. I can just
see God rolling His eyes after I’ve
missed the point the second time
around and a third time become
necessary. I see the very same eye
rolling from my wife on a daily
bases. Regardless of my inability
to get the message the first time
around the Lord knows what I
need in my life and he is perfectly
willing to patiently, lovingly, and
repeatedly place the answers in my
path. Like the ungrateful servant
in Matthew 18:23-35 I often forget
to treat others the way my Master
has treated me. I loose patience
with those around me who I have
to continually repeat myself to.
That is until the Lord reminds me
he hasn’t lost patience with me.
I tremble at the idea of Matthew
18:35 (This is how my heavenly
Father will treat each of you unless
you forgive your brother from your
heart.) applying to me and my life
in any way.
Thank you Heavenly Father for
your long suffering patience. Place
in my heart the desire to treat those
around me as you have so lovingly
treated me. Bless all my enemies
and make them prosper just as You
have made me prosper.
 Living Memorials
…touch lives as they honor the memory
of loved ones and friends.
In Memory of
Esperanza M. Casas
by Martha Cashen
In Memory of
Dwight Robinson
by Jacqueline M. Robinson
* * * * * Darkness and despair.
when answers aren’t enough
You have faced the mountains
of desperation,
You have climbed, You have fought,
You have won.
But this valley that lies coldly before you,
Has a shadow that you can not overcome.
When answers aren’t enough
There is Jesus.
He is more than just an answer
To your prayers.
And your heart will find a safe
And peaceful refuge.
When answers aren’t enough
He is there.
And just when you thought
You had it altogether,
You knew every verse to get you
through.
But this time all the sorrow,
Broke more than just your heart
And reciting all of those verses,
Just want do.
Instead of asking, Why did it happen.
Think of where it can lead you to
From here,
And as your pain is slowly easing,
You can find a greater reason,
To live your life triumphant
Through the tears.
When answers aren’t enough
There is Jesus.
He is more than just an answer
To your prayers,
And your heart will find a safe
And peaceful refuge.
When answers aren’t enough
He is there.
A BAR
A place where strong drink is sold is sometimes
called a Bar—that is true.
A Bar to heaven, a door to hell; whoever named it,
Named it well.
A Bar to manliness and wealth, a door to want and
Broken health.
A Bar to honor, pride and fame; a door to grief and
Sin and shame.
A Bar to home and a Bar to prayer a door to
A Bar to a honored, useful life; a door to brawling,
Senseless strife.
A Bar to all that is true and brave; a door to every
Drunkards grave.
A Bar to joys that home imparts; a door to tears and
Aching hearts.
A Bar to heaven, a door to hell; whoever named it,
Named it well
Think on This --No one would ever become a drunkard
(modern terminology is alcoholic) if they had not taken that
first drink!
Proverbs 21:17 – “He who loves pleasure will become
a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become
rich.”
Proverbs 23:20-21 – “Be not among winebibbers; among
eaters of the flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall
come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with
rags.
Proverbs 23:29-32 – Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?
who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath
wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They
that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth
his colour in the cup; when it moveth itself aright. At last it
biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
A Little Prayer
Every storm that we live through
Is worth a little prayer.
After the storm is over
We know that God was there….
Every day we have ever lived
Is worth a Thank You to
The God Who keeps our steps with Him--
Who watches all we do….
Every small miracle proves that
There is Someone Who must care,
The joys and tears of life always
3
Are worth a little prayer!

es
o ni
m together. One of her favorite
s ti
te
From Sea to Shining Sea
I was born on the island of St.
Thomas of the United States
Virgin Islands, in the year of 1974,
February 19th. My father was born
on a French island {Guadeloupe},
and my mother of the British
Virgin Islands, {Dominica}. My
father lived on a plantation where
as a child he had learned garden
work and farming and his father,
my grandfather was the butcher
in the local area who would sell
the meat at a market.
When my father was a child his
family moved from Guadeloupe
to Dominica where he later met
his wife my mother, and if you
could ever hear him tell you the
stories about his life adventures,
you would be very attentive, I’ve
seen people cry and their mouths
drop down in awe at some of the
boldness and courage, when he
describes his adventures
My mother grew up in a little more
developed area of Dominica. She
too grew up in plantation work;
they called it “the garden”. As a
teenager she took it upon herself to
become a seamstress and coming
into adulthood after Standard
Grade which is equivalent to high
4
school she was a CPA. Amongst
her siblings she was known to be
a little more responsible than the
others, my guess is that she took
it upon herself to be that way,
like a hen who gathers her chicks
hobbies was a game they called
rounders on the island, much like
baseball similarly my father played
cricket but different in structure
and execution. Later on when she
had met my father and the two had
wed they moved to the island of St.
Thomas where the three of us were
born as I had mentioned earlier.
My father decided to come to the
“main land”, as we islanders call
America. After living in California
a short while my father chose to go
to Alaska because the pipeline was
under construction and the money
was good there so off he went, later
he brought the rest of us up in 77’ ,
I was three then.
I remembered being amazed how
large the animals in Alaska are.
We didn’t have animals like this
where I grew up. We first moved to
Kenai, and then to Anchorage. We
moved to a trailer court in south
Mt.View.
It was in the court where I began
to learn about the bad things
life throws our way. I witnessed
spousal abuse, cigarettes and
alcohol, fighting, and child abuse/
neglect, pedophiles and various
other things. All this added to the
teasing because I spoke with an
Island accent made it a scary time
in my life.
When I became a
teenager I thought
I knew it all. I went
through a period
of depression and
without my parents
knowledge I would
steal some of their
medication. I know
now I was trying to
alleviate the pain
and despair of my
life’s circumstances
with pills.
Then came
the day when
I contemplated suicide. I felt
as thought my sins were
overwhelming me and the demons
were in control. To me no one
cared in this world.
After high school I experimented
with marijuana. I met and moved
in with someone I really liked.
I began reading the Bible and
discovered we had not been living
according to His design which led
me to repentance and marriage.
Two kids, the rigors of life’s, and a
fast pace society resulted in a five
year marriage ending. It doesn’t
take a genius to figure out what
happened next.
I hit the bottle hard! Life hurt
really bad. I had lost everything
I cared about, all my dreams had
vanished. I became obsessed with
keeping myself busy. I felt I would
go insane if I gave myself too much
time to think. If I wasn’t working
I was working-out. I would even
work two or three jobs just to keep
busy. Because I was working so
much I was only sleeping four to
five hours a night. I kept up this
schedule for three years before
my body said no more and quit on
me. I went through long periods of
sleeping sometime 12-14 hours a
day. There were even times when
I would sleep for 24 hours.
Between substance abuse and
being a workaholic I really messed
myself up. Two years ago I decided
I was tired of being homeless,
drunk and run down. I needed help
but I didn’t know where to find it.
That is until I found the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission. They took
me in, fed me, clothed me ,and
showed me how to reestablished
my faith in Jesus Christ who I had
fallen away from. My first attempt
at the Mission failed but they
never gave up on me. I was given
another opportunity and with the
Lord’s strength I’ve continuing in
the process of recovery.
I had totally lost my identity, my
self-worth. I’m learning God loves
me despite my erroneous ways.
From the island of St.Thomas to
the shores of Alaska one sea hot the
other cold, Gods mercy and grace
never fails. The gospel of Jesus is
preached even to this far corner
of the earth and it’s a message of
Love. Thanks to all the staff and
fellow brothers at the Mission.
- Sincerely Reginald Angol
A Disciples
Perspective
Be Reconciled to God
In 2 Corinthians 20 Paul says ‘We
implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be
reconciled to God’. ‘Reconcile’
can be defined as restoring a close
friendship between conflicting
parties, and because Paul used
some form of the word reconcile
5 times in verses 18-20 we can
be certain that it is very important
to God to restore our friendship
with Him. So important in fact,
that verse 18 says God took the
initiative and ‘reconciled us to
Himself, through Christ’!
I believe it is the vision, or purpose,
of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission to help people to realize
that God wants us to be reconciled
to Him and does that by giving food,
clothes and shelter to those who
need it – showing God’s love in a
practical way. Just as important is
the “NewLife” program here at the
Mission which helps us to achieve
that close relationship with God.
Honesty and integrity seem to
be high on God’s list of things
He wants us to be, so we are
encouraged to look back in our
lives and to correct those things
that we have done wrong. Ouch!!
I know I came to the mission with
many problems and from talking to
my brothers I know that I am not
alone. It is tough to look back and
see that ‘mountain of mistakes’.
Unfortunately, I think some
have left the program because
they looked at that ‘mountain of
mistakes’ and believed the lies
of the Enemy that it could not be
climbed.
Philippians 4:13 say that ‘I can
do everything through Christ who
strengthens me’, and I can because
I know He will be beside me the
whole way.
I have been reading a book recently
called The Man in the Mirror
– Solving the 24 Problems Men
Face. This is a great book on how
every Christian man should deal
with life’s problems and/or how to
avoid them. I would recommend
this book to anyone, especially for
any young man).
However, many of us in the
“NewLife” program came here
with a myriad of problems, most
falling into the financial or legal
arenas, such as past debt, old
student loans, tax problems, child
support, court appearances and so
on.
I feel that I have truly been ‘born
again’ and look forward to my New
Life! Taking care of problems I
created in my ‘old life’ so that I
may get on with my new life will
be a daunting task. My financial
management class is in the early
stages of setting up an outreach
program so that we, and “NewLife”
disciples in the future, will have
help in climbing that ‘mountain of
mistakes’.
God Bless You
Mark McKinnon
5

sk
de
’s ry
a in we
ap
l Bo
o n
ch D give people advice. What happens when I receive this advice
e v.
R is not as biblical as the advice given. Why?
One of the greatest chapters in the Bible is
Romans chapter seven.
Since Paul penned these words men have
differed on the theological implications
springing from them. Do Paul’s statements,
with regard to struggling with sin, refer to his
pre or post-salvation experience? Is it possible
that a true believer would have the kind of
struggle Paul described? I personally believe
that Paul here is describing the experience of
a true believer (a lost person, devoid of the
Holy Spirit, would not have the tension Paul
describes in this chapter).
Nevertheless, the answer in either case is the
same – Paul found the answer in the power of
Christ, residing within the believer. In verses
24-25, Paul stated, “O wretched man than I
am! Who will deliver me from this body of
death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our
Lord.” With these words Paul breaks free
in jubilant praise to God that there is victory
through Jesus Christ, who delivers believers
from the body of death, that is the flesh, the
“Old man,” that part of our nature that is like
Adam in his sinning.
To announce that victory over sin is available
for anyone who will repent, and walk in
the Holy Spirit’s power is the reason the
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is here. I
always enjoy reading the testimonies of the
men in the program illustrating the truth and
the power in the gospel. Thank you for your
support of the mission and allowing us to be
here in Christ’s stead.
6
Clichés
Are any of you like me? Do you sometimes speak the
“Tongues of Christianese”?
Phrases like: “Pray about it!” – “Trust in the Lord!” – “Wait
upon the Lord!”
I feel so wise and spiritual when I use these biblical truths to
from people who care about me? Let’s just say my response
Why don’t I receive it and apply it to my current situation?
Don’t I believe it is true? Don’t I believe God hears my
prayers? Don’t I trust the Lord? I am not the only one at the
Mission who struggles with this. We pray, we trust and we
wait upon the Lord. Then a door opens and we know it is
God’s will, because we prayed and we are at peace with our
decision. What if the outcome is not what we had expected,
on the contrary it looks as if we gave Satan a foothold.
The devil is not wasting any time using this foothold to his
advantage and it seems that he is at the longer end of the
stick. What happened? Didn’t we pray? Didn’t we trust in
the Lord? Did we wait upon the Lord? Don’t I know God’s
voice? How can I trust myself with anything if I don’t know
God’s voice? Satan’s perfect trap! We doubt ourselves and
we put ourselves on the shelf.
The truth is that nothing happens without God’s approval. Do
I believe He is in control? As I wrestled with God about this
I believe He has shown me the pearl in this. Our conscience
is clear. We walked the path that we believe God showed
us. Just because God didn’t answer our prayers the way we
want them to be answered doesn’t mean we need to go into
time-out. There is too much scripture that warns us not to get
weary; not to grow faint; not to let our knees grow feeble;
to keep on pushing for the prize; not to let our faith waver
…. If we keep our eyes upon the Cross and continue to pray;
continue to wait upon the Lord; and continue to trust God
then, I believe, that in the spiritual realm mighty battles will
be won.
So, there it is! We are going to get snagged. The question is
what are we going to do about it? Are we going to let Satan
escort us to the bench or are we going to trust that God will
work all things together for good for those who are in Jesus
Christ?
Let our judgment not be clouded by deception but let us
stand in the light and truth of Jesus Christ.
Let us continue to encourage each other with the “Tongues
of Christianese”.
May God continue to bless you abundantly!
Larry Aldrich
Operation’s Manager
 Be Thankful

sk Be satisfied with what you have,

de thank God for what is yours.
’s is The Lord walks close beside you,
or e tt as long as time endures.
ct B
n The bitter disappointments,
re o
di
He will gently brush away.
D
e v. His loving arms will hold you close,
R Forever, and a day.

You need not ever worry,

Appreciation From that He will not understand.
A Thankful Quest
Or that He will push you from Him
with a cold and careless hand.
For He knows our deepest longings,
Occasionally we get a letter of appreciation or thank and the tears we try to hide.
you from someone that has that has used the services And His love is deep and lasting,
we provide. I would like to share this one with you. and His arms are open wide.

God Bless The Ministry of Be satisfied though you may walk

The Anchorage Rescue Mission! the narrow way alone.
God’s love for you does far surpass,
A while back my 3 kids, my mother her son and I went to see all human love you have known.
my father who was in ANS Hospital in the last days of cancer. You must believe that you are,
My mother stayed in quarters provided by the hospital. Her very special in His sight.
son, me and my kids stayed at a hotel. $300 dollars was eaten And trust He will not ever let you stray
up with hotel bill and meals so, we checked with someone from what is right.
we know if we can sleep a couple nights at her place—she
shut the door on us. We did not know where to turn cause I In spite of all you may desire, the dear
did not have money for another night in the hotel. Someone Lord knows what is best.
suggested to check with the Rescue Mission some where in And through our weakest moments,
town. To my surprise the couple who managed the place He helps us pass the test.
use to live in Bethel as Missionaries. They let us stay 3 “To err is only human,
days. My father was really glad to see us and visit with us. But to forgive, divine”…
I am always thankful for that place. That is why I send little And in God’s heart, forgiveness,
money once in a while. I like getting your newsletter—the is exactly, What we find.
Copied with permission
last two had testimonies in them. Thanks Mr. Wurthmann
for your testimony. I know now that little amount I send
helps people like you and me. God Bless
Anonymous-Name with held by the Mission.
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
Make checks payable to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
______ I Will Pray for this Ministry.
You will receive a receipt.

Name:________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
Please send this coupon with your donations.
7
 Our Ministry of
Chapel Services for August
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1 2 3 4
r Is to
First
Anchorage
Anchorage
Vineyard
First
Presbyterian
Calvary
Baptist
Gospel Fellowship Church Church
The least
The last 5
God’s
6
Abbot Loop
7
Anchorage
8
Birchwood
9
Alliance
10
Calvary
11
Wasilla
The lost Place Community Pilgrim Community Bible Church Assembly
Church Nazarene Church Church of God
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
“URGENT” God’s Church First Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Lighthouse

Our supplies of these Place of God of

Prophecy
Assembly of
God
Evangelical
Church
Evangelistic
Team
Evangelistic
Team
Christian
Fellowship
items is constantly in 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
need of replenishing Grace
Victory
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
Anchorage
Native
Calvary
Baptist
Evangelical
Covenant
In His Name
Sandy
Glenn
Herman
† Prayer Fellowship Team Assembly Church Church McCollum

† Paper Towels 26
New Light
27
Calvary
28
Attorney
29
Change Point
30
Shiloh
31
Sherbahn
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Community Baptist Greg Grebe Baptist Evangelistic
Church Church Church Team
† Fresh Meat
† Coffee Nightly Services 7:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
† Bathroom Tissue
† Laundry Soap STATEMENT OF FAITH
† Disposable Shavers 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 Way
Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations make it possible for us to provide
† Dinner Napkins for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations allow us
† Shampoo to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Donations are fully tax deductible.
“URGENT” We will give you a receipt for your donation.

Anchorage Gospel D
Rescue Mission Anchorage Non-Profit Org.
P
ue
U.S. Postal

Board of Trustees Gospel c PAID

s Anchorage, AK
re Permit # 290 L
Ed Shelton Mission GOD BLESS AMERICA O

(President) A Ministry of info@anchoragerescue.org R

Bob Collins Rescue & Recovery www.anchoragerescue.org M
( Vice President/treasure) Visit us at:
Enoch Adams ue
(Secretary)
Mark Soquet
r es
news
c

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

2823 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99507
L
G
N
R
Emeritus:
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED C

Rev. Willard leisy

Advisory Board: D
Paul Kelly V

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir. S

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir. M

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