blast
THE AGK BLAST
THE AGK BLAST
December ‘24 EDITION
THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED december 13th -January 1st for christmas
Devo with
Pastor nathan
““When we pause and fix our eyes on Him, we rediscover the gift of peace that surpasses all understanding.””
finding peace in the rhythms of christmas
The holiday season often brings a mix of joy and stress. For yourself or as a ministry family, the pressures can feel even greater—extra services, events, and the expectation of always being “on.” While we celebrate the birth of Christ, it’s easy to lose sight of the peace He offers in the busyness.
Our family has a Christmas tradition of visiting loved ones in Texas. Long road trips, extra expenses, and the pressure of heightened expectations often leave us feeling more worn out than refreshed. I remember one trip when the car was packed so tightly we could barely see out the back window, the kids were arguing in the back seat, and we hit unexpected traffic that added hours to our journey. At one point, as we came to a standstill, I felt overwhelmed and prayed, “Lord, I don’t know if I have anything left to give.”
In that moment, I sensed the Lord whisper, “You’re not meant to do this alone.”
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
This invitation isn’t seasonal—it’s for every moment, especially during the chaotic rhythms of Christmas. When we pause and fix our eyes on Him, we rediscover the gift of peace that surpasses all understanding.
Even on that exhausting trip, I realized how much joy we find in the little things: the laughter during pit stops, the kids singing carols in the backseat, and the warm embraces waiting for us at the end of the drive. These moments remind us that the heart of Christmas is love—God’s love for us, and our love for one another.
Take time to rest in Jesus. Share the load with Him through prayer and worship. Lean into His promises, knowing that the Prince of Peace is with you through every mile driven, every carol sung, and every late-night wrapping session.
And as the new year approaches, let excitement replace anxiety. Trust that God’s faithfulness will guide you into the opportunities and blessings ahead.
This Christmas, rest in the truth that He came not to burden us but to set us free. Peace is not something we strive for—it’s a gift we receive when we abide in Him.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in the midst of the busy season, we pause to thank You for the peace You bring. Help us to rest in Your presence and trust in Your faithfulness as we navigate the demands of this season. May Your peace guard our hearts and minds with hope and joy as we step into the new year. Amen.
-Superintendent Nathan L. Sheridan
Strengthening Connections: Regional Connect Gatherings in October
In October, AGK Presbyters across our Network hosted Regional Connect gatherings, creating valuable opportunities for credentialed ministers to come together. These gatherings foster meaningful connections, allowing ministers to form bonds and friendships that enrich their souls and ministries.
One hundred eleven ministers attended the regional events, some traveling over an hour to experience the profound blessing of connecting with others. Attendees enjoyed food, conversations, prayer, games, and laughter, all in the company of those who understand the unique challenges and joys of life in ministry.
Looking ahead to 2025, AGK leadership is excited to develop fresh strategies for the Regional Connect format. While feedback from past events has been overwhelmingly positive, there is a strong desire to increase attendance in the coming year, as fewer than 25% of credentialed ministers in the AGK attended the October gatherings.
It's important to recognize that isolation can make us vulnerable to emotional and spiritual decline. In contrast, connection fosters encouragement, support, and growth. We invite every credentialed minister in the AGK to prioritize these life-giving gatherings. Thriving ministers ultimately lead to healthier, more vibrant churches, making Kansas an easy place to experience the presence and forgiveness of Jesus.
Together, we can cultivate a connected and supportive network where ministry and mission flourish!
-Assistant Superintendent Ryan Wheeler, Living Word Assembly, Chanute
JAN 17
10 am - 12:30 pm
the assembly
at goddard
AN INTENTIONAL time of PRAYer over our jerusalem, judea, and samaria. we will pray over our families, churches, and callings, to seek fresh vision from god.
FORMERLY PRAYER SUMMIT
ACMR Deadline is apporaching
The Annual Church Ministries Report is more than statistical data on a piece of paper. Every number reported on the ACMR represents a STORY! We don’t want to miss the stories unfolding in your local church! Additionally, the ACMR serves as a tool to reveal and measure the vital signs of the local church to help us define what is as we move forward together.
Please complete your ACMR online at https://acmr.ag.org before Friday, January 31st. Questions? Contact Melanie Robison at melanie@agkansas.com.
sermon starters
Pastors, let’s talk about sermon prep.
We usually get in the mindset that our entire weekend service rests on how much time we spend in the study Monday through Friday. Some pastors get to the weekend and feel inadequate or underprepared. While others feel they spent too much time on research.
I believe the answer is not about finding the magic number of hours to spend in your office in front of your computer. It’s about maximizing the time you do spend in the Word, online and in your books. It’s all about getting a great start.
I want to offer you some very basic ideas that hold incredible potential to do just that, get your sermon off to a great start. Here are five sermon starters that any pastor can use beginning this week!
-Dick Hardy
YTH CON RECAP
YTH CON 2024 was incredible! Over 950 students and leaders gathered at Bethel Life Center to worship, pray, and seek the Lord. Students experienced the tangible presence of the Lord as our speakers and worship team challenged students to "run free" (John 8:36). We are so grateful for all God has done this year through KYM and we are looking forward to what he will continue to do next year.
NETWORK & NATIONAL GIVING DEADLINE
GIVING DEADLINES:
The end of the year is quickly approaching, so please make sure to make any end-of-year contributions before the deadlines:
Tithe needs to be postmarked by December 31st to receive 2024 giving credit.
BGMC and Speed the Light must be postmarked to the Network Office by December 3rd if you wish to receive credit from the National Office.
NEXT GEN RETREAT
Calling all kids, youth, and young adult pastors (and their spouses)! You are invited to join us February 20-22 for Next Gen Retreat! This event will provide opportunities for you to CONNECT and RECHARGE through breakout sessions, fun activities, LOTS of good food, and time spent with others. The registration cost is $30.
LEAD PASTORS- If you are looking for a great Christmas gift for your Next Gen Leaders, look no further. Whether it's a Christmas gift or not, this would be a great way to show your appreciation for your Next Gen leaders by sending them to Next Gen Retreat.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU
Please inform us of upcoming historic church anniversaries, significant pastoral anniversaries, new staff hires, building dedications, or mortgage payoffs, etc. We want to celebrate with YOU!
KYM TOUR
Join us in January for an awesome youth service in your region! What better way to start off the year than by gathering to have fun and worship together?! The KYM Tour services are free and open to any students in middle school and high school. Check out the information below to find the service closest to you. We can't wait to see you there!
1/11: West - Garden City @ 2pm
1/12: East - Paola @ 6:30pm
1/18: Central - Valley Center @ 6:30pm
