A National Culture
The USA turns 247 years old in a few more days. According to an excellent article in The American Patriot’s Bible, our forefathers founded this nation on seven principles of a Judeo-Christian Ethic. I do not suggest the original colonists, or our national founders, attained – nor have any of us as their progeniture attained – sinless perfection. However, I agree that the overall ethos of our national founding rested broadly on these seven principles.
The Dignity of Human Life. “If people and nations do not grant ultimate respect and protection to both the born and the unborn, all other professed morals and values are meaningless.” Human dignity isn’t an idea of the “state.” God revealed this idea. Exodus 20:13 / Matthew 22:39
The Traditional Monogamous Family. This construction of “family” reflects neither the official position of the US government nor the worldview of many US citizens. Nevertheless, God revealed the monogamous family unit (one man, one woman for life) as His preferred order for social structure. When we honor this principle, we may rightly expect healthier families and social constructs. Genesis 2: 23 – 24.
A National Work Ethic. The Mayflower Pilgrim Puritans, well instructed by their native American friends, set an example of hard work that pays off for the diligent worker. They lived by 2 Thessalonians 3:10b “…If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Notice the phrase, “will not.” Neither Paul nor the Puritans expressed heartless capitalism that only rewards those with capacity. Those so sick and weak that they could not work at Plymouth Colony received the voluntary and happy assistance of those able to work. Neither these original European settlers nor their children would countenance living on unearned handouts from a government dole. Receive help when needed? Yes. Lazily expect to live off the work of others or the support of government? Never.
The Right to a God-Centered Education. Harvard University, our nation’s oldest university, opened and operated under this charter: “Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life.” Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Without a God-centered education for students, the future of this land looks bleak. Eph. 6:4
The Abrahamic Covenant. This principle centered on the belief that a people who feared God in the way they talked and lived, would experience God’s blessings. Specifically, “… if a person or nation obeys God, observing the moral truths found in the Bible, that person or nation will be blessed. If they disobey, they will bring punishment upon themselves.” Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Common Decency. This principle suggests, “When faced with any trying or difficult situation, a nation [of people that embrace ‘common decency’] will do the decent, right, and honest thing.” In other words, the USA founders believed in practicing the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12
Our Personal Accountability to God. The Old Testament holds multiple accounts of nations, besides Israel, that would give account to God for their national actions, unless repentance provided them a “full reset.” (think “Nineveh”). Our forefathers respected that example. A second-generation statesman, Daniel Webster, once answered the question, “What is the most sobering thought that ever entered your mind?” He quickly replied, “My personal accountability to God.” Hebrews 9:27 declares, “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this - the judgment.”
As Independence Day approaches, we do well to remember that a nation consists of men and women, willfully living together under spoken and unspoken cultural paradigms. May the AGK exude so much love that Kansas makes a positive impact on national culture and ultimately stands out as an easy place to experience the presence and forgiveness of Jesus.
Supt. Terry L. Yancey
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The 2024 Calendar is now available!
Fun calendar features:
Search a specific DATE or date range
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In addition, now download a specific calendar event directly to your device (Outlook, Apple, Android, Google, etc). Need assistance? Click HERE!
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Convoy of Hope Wichita is a faith-based humanitarian organization with a driving passion to feed the world both physically and spiritually. Convoy of Hope Wichita’s One Day of Hope community event aims to give tangible resources to families living in situations of desperate need meeting tangible needs to offer eternal hope. Each One Day of Hope is an opportunity to lavish unconditional love on the local community.
Over the last ten years, Convoy of Hope Wichita has grown from a single site outreach at Bethel Life Center in South Wichita to a multi-site outreach across the city and beyond. With a vision to expand to even more sites in the coming year, this ministry aims to not just expand and make a difference for one day, but to connect those in need to the local church and resources that will make a difference for tomorrow and in the days ahead. On July 29, 2023, eleven sites in and around Wichita will serve over 10, 000 guests of honor. Wichita is one of the only multi-site Convoy of Hope community event hosts in the nation. Several Assemblies of God Kansas churches including the leadership of Bethel Life Center, Hope Church Wichita, Zaik Church, TAAG Church in Goddard, LifePoint Church in Valley Center, New Life Newton, and Hope Church Hutchinson will be participating. Over 1000 volunteers representing over 80 churches and 30 organizations are preparing to distribute groceries, community resources, health screenings, and backpacks to families in need. Not only will all this be provided for free - but people will also be prayed for, loved on, and connected to a local church.
For more on Convoy of Hope Wichita and how you can partner, visit convoyofhopewichita.org or follow on Facebook at convoyofhopewichita.
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INTERMISSION ‘23 holds promise of an unforgettable, beneficial, and renewing AGK gathering! This experience is for all credential holders, spouses, and ministry staff! Our friends at Convoy of Hope want to invest in AGK Ministry Leaders! They will cover $80 of the registration fee for the first 150 adults to register! Your cost — ONLY $10! Plus we have negotiated an excellent room-rate at the Bluemont Hotel in Manhattan!
Detailed information coming by early July!
REGISTRATION will open Mid-July!
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Get ready, because Men’s Conference 2023 is right around the corner!
This year our guys will be gathering once again at ZAIK Church (Wichita, KS) on August 11-12th and we are already anticipating an incredible 2-day experience. Pastor Stephen Luna and the Men’s Lead Team have invited up-and-coming writer, pastor, and communicator Chase Replogle (author of “The Five Masculine Instincts”) to come and share with all of our Kansas Men.
On Friday morning, we will kickoff our activities with a golf tournament, skeet shooting, and various city-wide entertainment. Friday evening we are throwing down on some delicious steak and potatoes provided by our Kansas Light-For-The-Lost Steak Team. We will wrap the evening up with a powerful and impactful time of worship, ministry, and prayer.
Then Saturday morning we will hand out the tournament awards and prizes, celebrate the incredible things God has been doing through LFTL (missions) and 360 Man (discipleship), and end the afternoon with one final time of worship and a departing challenge from our friend, Chase.
As men, we must remember to maintain the spiritual atmosphere of our own lives and one of the greatest ways to do it is by reminding ourselves to laugh, enjoy life, and relish the blessings of God’s creation—Men’s Conference is an incredible time for all guys to refresh and recharge!
As Kansas Men’s Director, my aspiration is to help every church in Kansas successfully reach and purposefully disciple men. I want to personally invite you to join us and experience the most impactful 2-day experience any man can have—you can register and find more information at AGKansas.com/men
Bring your men’s group and make sure they each invite a buddy or two. We will see you this August 11-12th at Kansas Men’s Conference 2023!
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World Missions has been at the heart of the Assemblies of God since its inception. The mission of Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) is: Establishing the church among all peoples everywhere by reaching, planting, training, and serving.
The AGWM theme for 2023 is Christ Among Us. "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Cor 2:15, NIV). This theme verse instructs us to be a “pleasing aroma” to all the world. Like Christ on the earth and the Holy Spirit in the Church, our presence brings encouragement to followers of Christ and attracts those who do not yet follow Him. Christ calls us, and the Holy Spirit empowers us, to live and minister among the whole world. In this way, we can be “Christ Among Us” to those who need Him.
From the Assemblies of God of Kansas (AGK) we have 17 missionary units (singles and married couples) serving around the world to fulfill this mission. They sacrifice daily to serve in the country of their calling and to see the Kingdom of God built one life at a time. They work diligently to be Christ Among Us to a lost world in need of a Savior.
This effort is made possible by the partnership of each AGK church and credential holder. In 2022, the AGK gave $3,595,117.54 ($3,586,412.96 in 2021 … difference of $8704.58) to Assemblies of God World Missions. Total giving for AGWM nationally in 2022 hit $232,700,000.00! What an amazing year for world missions giving in Kansas. Evangel Assembly of God in Wichita, led by Pastors Marc and Crystal Cauthon, were our largest world missions giving church in 2022.
These funds were given to AGWM directly and through various missions works and projects: Speed the Light, BGMC, LFTL, missions trips, and teams. This combined effort helped AGWM see a person make a decision for Christ every 54 seconds in 2022.
I want to challenge each AGK church and pastor to invite our missionaries to your churches. Give them a window or the entire service to share all the amazing things the Lord is doing through them and their ministry. Also pastors, provide opportunities for your people to pray and seek the Lord about their calling and service to missions. The AGK needs more World Missionaries to go and be Christ Among Us.
Blessings,
Andy Parks
World Missions Director
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Junior Bible Quiz National Finals were held this year on June 8-10, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two teams from Kansas qualified for Nationals. Bethel Life Center Assembly of God, from Wichita, KS, came in first place at District Finals and won the right to go to Nationals. Evangel Assembly of God from Wichita, KS, qualified to go to Nationals through Regional Competition. Neither team had gone to Nationals for over a decade.
Bethel Life Center came in 1st place on Level 6. Their team consisted of Izi Logsdon, Ethan Parker (who was the number 9 individual high scorer for the Nation!), David Romero, Adalyn Batt, and Eve Romero (this was her last year for JBQ, she will be in 7th grade). Their coach was Leah Batt. Congratulations on a job well done!!!
Evangel Assembly of God came in 5th place on Level 7. Their team consisted of Kennedy Hartzler, Aubree Stucky, Eden Thompson, Sophia Burkholder, and Naomi Burkholder. This team had some of the youngest kids in the nation quizzing against 5th & 6th graders. Their coach was Lori MacKinney. Second grader Aubree Stucky quizzed out 4 times against some stiff competition.
The first day everyone quizzed 15 rounds, and on Saturday the kids quizzed 9 rounds. Seeing the Word of God being poured out of the children was awesome, inspiring, and full of joy. JBQ is a ministry every church should have to disciple your children in the Word of God. It has been proven that they make wiser choices as they go through life, improve their school work, become pastors, missionaries, leaders in the church, and a dynamic witness in whatever occupation God calls them to. JBQ is a win, win situation and a lot of FUN!!
This year’s JBQ season begins in August, when school starts. Get a team started in your church this year!!
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AGKSOM August slate now includes Understanding Judaism
Dr. Kent Duncan recently announced a change in the summer schedule for the AGK School of Ministry (AGKSOM). Understanding Judaism, taught by Messianic Rabbi Jerry Feldman, will now be held August 18-19 alongside Systematic Theology I and The Book of Acts.
Understanding Judaism, intended for advanced students, looks deeply at the faith that Jesus lived—feasts, holidays, and customs—in ways that will enhance the student’s understanding of both the Old and New Testaments. The class will also explore the relationship between Israel and Christian believers who have been grafted in from among the Gentiles.
Systematic Theology I (coupled with September’s Systematic Theology II) investigates all the “ologies”—Bibliology, angelology, anthropology, Christology, soteriology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, and more. For a sweeping overview of Christian theology, there’s no better experience than this introductory class taught by Colonial Heights AG assistant pastor, Rev. Cameron Combs.
The Book of Acts, taught by Dr. Marvin Miller, examines the origin and development of the apostolic church, the Church’s mission in its proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the ongoing impact of Paul’s missionary journeys.
Classes meet at the AGK Network office in Maize. Like all AGKSOM courses, these opportunities are open to the public, but August registration closes July 19th at 6:00 PM. Registration costs $65. To register, or for more information about the AGK School of Ministry, visit agkansas.com/agksom.
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Ordination applications for 2024 candidates are due August 28, 2023. Interviews will be conducted on October 8, 2023. If you are interested or have any questions, please email Robin Rains at robin@agkansas.com.
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General Council
Come join us at our 60th General Council, where we will be hearing from some incredible speakers. Click the names below to hear a little about each speaker, and then register for General Council 2023!
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Doug Clay serves as general superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. The Assemblies of God U.S.A. has grown to include close to 13,000 congregations in the United States with nearly three million adherents. The U.S. Assemblies of God is part of a larger World Assemblies of God Fellowship with a membership of over 69 million. Prior to his present position, Clay served the church as its general treasurer for nine years. He was superintendent of the Ohio District from 2004-2008, and pastored Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997-2004. Clay has also served as the Assemblies of God national youth director (1995-1997), Ohio District youth director (1989-1995) and as a youth pastor in Ohio and Iowa. He is a 1985 graduate of Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Clay, and his wife, Gail, have two grown daughters and seven grandchildren.
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George Westlake III is the lead pastor of Sheffield Family Life Center, a multicultural megachurch in the urban core of Kansas City, MO. He also serves as assistant superintendent for the Southern Missouri Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. Prior to this, George served as a youth pastor, youth evangelist, associate pastor and an executive pastor; in Kansas City MO, Naperville IL and Ft Myers FL, respectively. He has traveled as a professional musician and also hosted a nationally syndicated television show. George is married to Annette. They have three children: Geo, Austin and Lexi, and two grandchildren.
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Austin Westlake serves as director of Student Discipleship for Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries. He is a third generation AG minister who heard the call to preach at the age of 16 while attending the National Youth Convention. Prior to his present position, Austin served as district youth director for the Southern Missouri Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. He also served as youth pastor at Sheffield Family Life Center, an inner-city church located in Kansas City, Missouri. Austin is a graduate of Central Bible College. He and his wife, Lauren, have one son, Jude, and a daughter, Quinn.
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AGK Girls Camp 2023 was a real adventure! We stayed in the Holiday Inn Express where we enjoyed a great breakfast in the mornings and swimming in the afternoon. GracePointe Church in Augusta hosted us for services, workshops, games, crafts and meals.
“Armor Up”, taken from Ephesians 6 was our theme for this year. Girls attended from as far as the Colorado border to the Missouri border. An amazing worship team from various congregations lead us in great worship and powerful times around the altar.
We saw girls experience life changing encounters with God and build new friendships. One teen said it was her “best camp ever!”
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