Privately Healthy and Publicly Fruitful

As summer break ends, many people, including teachers, camp workers, and coaches, feel the end-of-summer blues. At the same time, some kids, parents, guardians, and youth pastors are excited for the transition to fall. While many express eagerness, others express concern:  What will happen with the upcoming election? Who will be our next president?  How will America respond?

For still others, different questions linger: Is this finally the year for the Dallas Cowboys to win beyond the regular season?
(Okay, I know the Kansas City Chiefs are World Champions – #1 in your heart and #1 on the field!)

With the shift in the seasons, the return to school, and the rhythm of regular schedules, it's vital to consider the return to routines this month. Resetting our routines is essential.

Like some of you, our family has been living at a different pace of late; it has felt as if the throttle is stuck wide open. In the clamor, I have heard the invitation of the Spirit to linger longer in His presence.

Perhaps you, too, hear the invitation but struggle with the consistent list of responsibilities or with the encroaching deadline of assignments.  While the tension is one to manage, let me remind you that, as leaders, we are called to prioritize the ALTAR.

The altar is where we receive divine vision and the empowerment of the Spirit. The altar elevates and impacts the temperature of our spirituality. The altar is where we receive mercy and grace. The priority of the altar, then, is our responsibility. You and I are required to be people who pray. Whether a pastor, parent, leader, or layperson, I never wanted to be an altar-less disciple. 

“And what the priests do, the people also do.” (HOSEA 4:9 NLT)

Just as my children, Nathaniel, Jonathan, and Natalie, reflect my character and nature, so will we, as leaders, reproduce people like us. We can only lead where we are willing to go. We can only encourage the corporate altar if we have created a private altar.

Do you hear the invitation of your Heavenly Father to spend time with HIM? Remember, as Rick DuBose said in his book In Jesus' Name, "Whoever controls the altar controls the outcome." 

Let me encourage you with a few things I've been praying for lately. 

• DELARE MY DEPENDENCE ON GOD. 

The American spirit of independence has sometimes resulted in non-dependence on God. In many things we do, we fail to ask the Lord for insight and rely on nothing more than muscle memory. Truthfully, there are moments in my life where I only call on God and acknowledge my dependence when it's a mountain that needs to be moved (versus the familiarity of a daily walk). I have been convicted in recent days of areas in my life that need the pruning of the Holy Spirit. The altar is where we receive God's work of direction and empowerment. As a mentor once challenged me, "Many of us have prayer lists, and few of us have prayer lives." 

"Do not go before His people if you have not been before His altar." Al Toledo

We cannot merely talk our way to freedom with people; Satan's control binds lives, and only the anointing destroys the strongholds of darkness (see Isaiah 58:6; Isaiah 10:27).

• RENEW MY EXPECTATIONS

As I reflect on areas of my life, many times I expected the Lord to move on a Sunday within the time we selected for our services, and I took the wheel Monday through Saturday.  Could you join with me and expect the Spirit to speak to us and the gifts of the Spirit to flow through us beyond Sunday and into the routine of our lives? I have been praying that the Lord would help me renew my expectations of His Spirit empowerment in my daily interactions.

"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."

(Psalm 5:3 NIV)

Sure, many things are in our thoughts. Inflation continues to rise; elections loom for our nation; all of these things are a part of our reality, but our existence is not shaped solely by the strength of the dollar or who is elected in November. While I encourage you to be engaged and vote according to biblical values, I encourage you all the more to stay focused on what is essential, respond to the day's needs, and ask that the Lord help you pray for things beyond your sphere or scope. Raise the bar on expectations, engage the lost person you would rather avoid in the grocery store than dialogue with, and begin to call out their name in prayer this year. 

Consider joining many of our Kansas churches by participating in “21 Days of Prayer” with the Church of the Highlands this August 4-24.  Prayer begins daily at 6:00 AM and at 9:00 AM on Saturdays.  Our family and the church I previously led participated every year.  For more information, visit https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com

I encourage you to linger in the presence of God. We need His presence more than finances; we need His presence more than the favor of men. Our ability to win lies in whether or not we will build the altar. Make building the altar a central priority. Raise your expectations and allow the Spirit to ignite a fire within you.

Any mission without an altar leads toward ambition. We are not about using a platform for our glory or agenda, but about doing EVERYTHING for His glory. We lay it before His feet. 

Something supernatural happens in the heavens when we pray; I'm asking you to hear the heart of your superintendent calling us as a network to pray.

I ask that the Lord help me be privately healthy and publicly fruitful. 

Nathan

Article Navigation

Article Navigation

REVIVAL 2.0 DOESN’T MEAN BETTER, IT MEANS UPDATED.

Join men from across the state of Kansas for a time to worship together and be built up to face the world head-on.
You, your family, your friends, your church, and our country all need a fresh outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. 

As grateful as we are for our rich history, we're not looking for the yesteryear revivals or nostalgic and emotionally charged moments; instead, we're aiming for what God has for his men (young and old) HERE and NOW.

It's time for the men of your church and all throughout Kansas to receive a fresh encounter with God. 

We will hear from guest speaker Phillip Deas (author, coach, and pastor),
We will share some laughs during our LFTL steak dinner with comedian Taylor Johnson,
We will be led in worship by the ZAIK Church team,
And we will be encouraged by our Kansas Men's Director Pastor Stephen Luna.

Article Navigation

Women’s Conference

When: October 4-5, 2024

Where: Evangel Assembly of God, Wichita, KS

Conference Cost:
$70- Early Registration through September 15th
$90- Full Registration after September 15th

Article Navigation

AGKSOM Experiencing Record-breaking Growth

AGKSOM, the Assemblies of God of Kansas School of Ministry, is experiencing record enrollment this summer.  Altogether, fifty-seven students enrolled for July classes—fifteen of those students for the first time ever.

One student testified by email about her experience.

“When my best friends decided to take classes, I was certain this was not on my agenda.  But the Lord wouldn’t stop talking to me about it.  So, I agreed with the Lord to take ONE class and see how it went. … For the first time ever, I actually sensed the call of God as [Superintendent Sheridan] spoke and prayed over us.  I knew I was called as a believer, but not for ministry, and the Lord had never revealed my calling in this way until I was sitting there Friday night. … I realize how honored I am to be here for such a time as this, and I am looking to fulfill all God has called me to do.”

AGKSOM integrates spiritual formation, relational networking, academic growth, and practical ministry to provide a unique learning experience.  Whether you have leaders in need of development, or are seeking personal growth opportunities, AGKSOM provides a place for servant-hearted, Kingdom-minded development!

For more information or to register for class, visit AGKSOM.com.

Article Navigation

5 Guidelines for Creating a Church Facility Use Policy

As private property, churches have the liberty to determine how their facilities are used. You may choose to open your property to certain community activities, but you do not need to accept every request for facility use. A facility use policy can help both the church and the community understand what activities are and are not permitted on church property.

The Alliance Defending Freedom has provided the following article to assist you in creating your church facility use policy, including five guidelines to get you started.

Article Navigation

The World Missions Department of the USA Assemblies of God exists for “establishing the church among all peoples everywhere by reaching, planting, training and serving.” Recently, AGWM held its 2024 Commissioning Service, the largest in the history of AGWM. Sixty-seven missionary units, 115 people total, were commissioned to fulfill this purpose of reaching, planting, training and serving.

The Assemblies of God is the fifth largest missionary sending agency in all of Protestantism. There are currently 2,672 world missionaries in the AG (1,948 career and 724 missionary associates). Praise the Lord!

During the commissioning service for Missionary Associates, one of AGK’s own, Jordan Castille, was commissioned. We celebrate her and her obedience to the call of Missions. Jordan is currently in the process of raising her support. Pastors, please connect with her and have her for a service or missions window, meet her for a coffee or lunch to hear her vision and support her missionary calling. Pleae email her at jordancastille715@yahoo.com

AGWM Executive Director, John Easter, describes our missionaries as the “sons and daughters of our fellowship.” AGWM is the sending agency for our missionaries, and our local churches are one of the main places our sons and daughters receive their calling. This calling happens when we as pastors keep missions in front of our congregants. When we preach about missions, have missionaries in service, hold missions conventions, or provide opportunities for people to hear the need of more missionaries serving around the world, we expose our adherents to the call of missions.

Missions must be a priority for the AGK and our individual churches. Last year, all AG churches in the US gave $244,000,000 to world missions. That same year, we, as the AGK, gave $3,442,020 to World Missions. This amount is a decrease from 2022 giving by $153,097.

There is a great need before us in the AGK. It has been four years since we have had a career World Missionary commissioned. In the past two years we have had missionaries retire, two pass away and two leave World Missions for other areas of ministry. The AGK currently supports 17 missionary units (missionaries, spouses and children). We desperately need more AGK missionaries to be part of the AGWM force of spreading the Gospel.

Pastors, will you join me in preaching, teaching, promoting, and supporting World Missions in the AGK? Superintendent Nathan Sheridan and I have discussed ways to elevate the focus for missionaries in our network. It will take all of us doing something to increase missions awareness in the AGK. But, I believe it is a cause worth pursuit.

As we plan new initiatives, will you plan to keep the work and calling of missions in front of your people so their hearts will be tuned to the work and passion of missions?

Thanks for all you do to advance this Kingdom message here at home and around the world!

 Blessings,

Andy Parks
AGK World Missions Director

Article Navigation

Article Navigation