A Better Behavior Alternative
In the New Living Translation, Matthew makes 11 direct references to “the leading priests” in chapters 26 and 27. These leading priests misused their influence and manipulated circumstances to benefit themselves and their prayerless, lifeless agenda.
Matthew describes the leading priests behaving as plotters in 26:3; conspirators in 26:14; instigators in 26:47; false witnesses in 26:59; premeditated murderers in 27:1; heartless hypocrites in 27:3 – 4; the definitive embodiment of legalists in 27:6; accusers in 27:12; agitators of mobs in 27:20; mockers in 27:41; and meticulous schemers in 27:62.
The leading priests felt the pressure of changing times, government overreach, and cultural undertones. We feel similar pressures as the leading priests felt – and those pressures will likely increase significantly before they subside. Therefore, standing in the raging current of various pressures, I commit myself to a prayerful, life-giving agenda. I commit myself to leveraging my influence to elevate Jesus. I stand determined to listen to His voice and seek HIS will. With His help, I will maintain my life-long commitment to never politicize the work of God.
If we ever break from such commitments, instead of making Kansas an easy place to experience the presence and forgiveness of Jesus, our counties will sink deeper into the chaos and behaviors like the leading priests in Matthew 26 – 27. Behaving like the resurrected High Priest provides a better alternative for we leaders in His Church. May our behaviors Change The Map to the glory of our God!
Yours for making Kansas an easy place to experience the presence and forgiveness of Jesus,
Supt. Terry L. Yancey
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Council Recap
Note: YouTube recordings of Council services are available here!
AGK credential holders and church delegates, along with guests from across the midwest, gathered at Bethel Life Center in Wichita April 30th – May 1st for the 105th Kansas Ministry Network Council. Activities began Sunday evening with worship led by Bethel Life Center and ministry from Oklahoma City’s People’s Church Pastor Herbert Cooper. As part of the service, Rev. John Chastain and Rev. Don Goatley were each honored for 50 years of ordained ministry. Three individuals were recognized for Certified credentials, seventeen for License, and eight candidates were ordained to the full gospel ministry through the laying on of hands. A reception honoring the ordainees concluded the evening.
Monday morning opened with corporate prayer centered around Zechariah 4:6-10. After a brief “hand-held breakfast” break, Assistant Superintendent Nathan Sheridan and his wife, Amber, pastors at Garden City First AG, led the body in a memorial remembrance and time of Communion. Herbert Cooper then offered insightful instruction to the Council on developing the systems necessary to “change the map.”
Pastor Lacey Hartman, Development Coordinator for the Church Multiplication Network and co-pastor of Rock Hills Church in Manhattan, led a Q&A session, with responses offered by both Pastor Cooper and Pastor Troy Hartman, co-pastor of Rock Hills Church.
Business dominated Monday afternoon’s session, with four new presbyters being elected to serve. Chris Baker (Western), Marc Cauthon (Central), Andy Parks (Northeast), and Anthony Navaratnam (Southeast) now join Bob Cave, Sondra Cave, Randy DePriest, Bobby Massey, Steve Rains, Justin Sherer, Ryan Webster, Ryan Wheeler, along with the executive officers, as the official board of the AGK. Retiring presbyters Dwight Dozier and Tom Jacobs were celebrated for their service.
After an opportunity for dinner with friends, Council reconvened for Monday evening’s service. Jeff Leake, pastor of Allison Park Church in Pittsburg, PA, delivered a powerful message from Acts 16 on how God speaks in the middle of our challenges. An extended time of prayer closed the evening.
Tuesday morning began with an informative update on legal issues facing churches and religious leaders presented by Jeremiah Galus, Esq., representing the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). ADF offers its members document reviews, access to attorneys, legal representation in cases threatening religious liberties, and additional resources. AGK churches can receive a 20% discount on ADF membership by using the promo code “AGchurch20” here.
Following a brief break, Dr. John Easter challenged the AGK with a timely and global message regarding God’s heart for the lost, with a special focus on the Buddhist-Hindu world. In the closing Tuesday service, AGK Superintendent Terry Yancey challenged the body from Zechariah 4, calling for the church to be an awakened, alert, multigenerational, and synergistic prophetic voice. Following the closing service, attendees enjoyed a catered meal provided by Assemblies of God World Missions along with a trivia competition and gift giveaways led by Medicine Lodge Pastor Rodney Worsham and his wife, Kandace. Council dismissed with full bellies, full hearts, and the Superintendent’s traditional words of benediction from Jude, verses 24 and 25.
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Intermission
Did you catch this video at Council introducing our Intermission speakers Phillip and Destiny Deas?!
Save the date and look for promotional materials in your mailbox in June.
When: Manhattan, KS
Where: September 25-27
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Free Money!
If you’re a credentialed Assemblies of God minister and either do not have a “Minister’s Benefit Association” (MBA) account or haven’t contributed to your MBA account within the last 12 months, you may qualify for a $1,500 “Kick Start Your Retirement” grant!
The plan requires involvement from three key stakeholders: you, your church, and the Empowering Stewardship group. You open an MBA account, complete a required financial competency course, and agree to contribute $50/month to your MBA account for 12 months. Your church adopts a retirement contribution policy for its ministers and agrees to make monthly retirement contributions of $100 for 12 months. Empowering Stewardship (a financial stewardship initiative of the Assemblies of God) provides the financial competency course and commits to a $1,500 contribution to your retirement account.
It's free money!
Similar grants exist for student loan relief and medical debt.
Please note: It costs nothing to open an MBA account. Beyond the grant requirements, no further financial obligation exists. An account, however, will qualify you for the $10,000 death benefit recently approved by the AGK in session!
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Zoom at Noon
Join us for our next Zoom at Noon prayer meeting on Tuesday, June 13 at noon. Let’s come together in prayer to “change the map” for our state and our world.
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Break200.com
Consider this recommended resource for growing your church
You’re probably like 86% of churches who struggle to break the 200 barrier in attendance. It’s a difficult barrier to break and you’re not alone.
Mike Santiago, pastor of Focus Church in South Carolina and AG CMN Training Coordinator, has cracked the code of church growth and has an online training library called Break200.
-You can start watching videos immediately.
-You’ll meet other pastors in our Facebook community.
-You’ll get access to all of our documents digitally.
Sign up today and start growing your church!
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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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When Prophets Want to Die
In almost every conversation I’ve had with Mike Clarensau these past 40 years, I have laughed due to his wit, and gained insights due to his depth. Mike has a keen capacity to take the “invisible familiar” and release its well-hidden radiance. He does that in every chapter of this book. As I read “When Prophets Want to Die” it felt like I had landed again in one of our personal conversations. I laughed. I reflected. I learned. I saw opportunities for more personal growth as a Christian and as a leader.
I invite you to do yourself a favor and join this conversation with my good friend. Like me, you will benefit from every page of this “20-years-in-the-making” masterpiece.
Dr. Terry L. Yancey
Watch as these biblical heroes encounter the hardest lessons God will ever teach, lessons so difficult that each of them wanted to die. They’re not just ancient stories. No, at some point God will bring these truths to you, too!
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AIM
Come with us this summer to the south side of Chicago with Convoy of Hope to serve alongside Pastor Charles and Kehinde Moody at Chicago Life Center! Together, we will serve their community through activities such as cleaning and construction projects, feeding programs, street outreach, worship gatherings, and kids services. The trip takes place July 15th-22nd and the cost is $900. Register today to secure your spot!
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Ordination 2024 - It’s Closer Than You Think
In previous years, AGK Ordination interviews have been held in February. This year, for 2024 ordination candidates, there is an application deadline of August 28, 2023 and we will conduct interviews on October 8, 2023. If interested, or if you have any questions, please email Robin Rains at robin@agkansas.com.
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Change Your Future!
…Through a Healthy Marriage Weekend
August 25- 27, 2023 - Wichita, KS
A “Healthy Marriage Weekend” can change your future! Listen to what Roger and Jennifer Raybern had to say about how it changed theirs …
Our testimony can best be described with these words: With God all things are possible! Without God wonderfully intersecting our lives, we have no idea where we would be today. But through His mercy, He took two broken people, healed their hearts, and restored their marriage and family. He then began molding and making them into people He could use to reach others and bring Him glory.
Jennifer came from a broken home with no fatherly influence. This left her searching for love, leading to unhealthy relationships and feelings of being discarded, unwanted, and unworthy of love in a repeated, vicious cycle. But her mother had taken her to church as a child where seeds were planted. Deep inside she always knew that Jesus was there and, though the days were dark, she knew He wouldn’t give up on her.
Roger was the product of a broken home, as well. His father was an alcoholic, leaving his mother and their 2 small children at the age of 17. His mother did the best she could and, desiring to make sure they were provided for, married seven times. Frequent relocations meant that Roger never developed any long-term friendships and was always the “new kid”— an easy target for bad influences. His life was filled with rebellion, and drug abuse became his escape.
Roger and Jennifer moved in together after meeting at work. Their lives were about sharing one another’s pain and just trying to cope. It was a life of living in sin, but hoping for the best. After a while, the Holy Spirit began convicting Jennifer of how they were living. She approached Roger about getting married and connecting to a church. To her surprise, he agreed! They immediately married and started going to church. They committed themselves “for better, for worse,” for life. They took the vows seriously, but all the baggage of the past came right along with them. Though fully committed to Christ, they both carried many wounds of past hurts … the struggle to understand God’s love, the insecurities that come with abandonment, and the frustration of dealing with unforgiveness and distrust.
God blessed them with two sons but, while they were just little boys, Roger struggled with a drug relapse, resulting in a brief separation. God used the months they were apart to bring great healing to them both. This pushed them deeper into the body of Christ and those strong Biblical relationships encouraged and challenged them to let God truly heal their lives.
Shortly after their separation ended, Roger and Jennifer were encouraged to attend a Marriage Restored weekend to experience the healing and restoration that comes through forgiveness and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. This was a wonderful first step for them and put them on a path to even greater hope. One year later, with a desire to grow and be enriched in more in their communication and life together, Roger and Jennifer attended a Marriage Encounter weekend. They left this weekend with a desire to let God take their past brokenness and use it as a platform to speak His amazing healing power into other marriages.
Because these ministries had such an impact on their lives, Roger and Jennifer decided to be a part of the Marriage Encounter ministry. They now serve at every central Kansas Marriage Encounter and Marriage Restored weekend, and this has been even more life-changing for them. As they give away what God so generously gave to them, they are blessed with joy they never believed they could experience.
When I asked Roger and Jennifer to describe where they are today, here is what they said, “We still have tough days, just like everyone, but we know how to get through those days. We are learning every day how to communicate and how to show our love to one another. We believe God showed us so much grace and forgiveness that we must do that for each other.”
Beth and I have mentored Roger and Jennifer and they are currently serving in our church as a mentoring couple, working with several other couples in discipleship and growth in their relationships. They were recently asked to serve on the board of Hope Church and are serving in that capacity as well.
Their words today are simple, “Looking back, we never would have pictured the many beautiful things God has blessed us with or that we would get to experience them considering our pasts. But God!! He saw the big picture and we just had to love Him and love each other and let Him do His work in us.”
Pastor Bobby Massey
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