news e s c

r HOLIDAYS
u e Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery
A publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

Are Closer Than You Think !

Wow! It is already that time of the year again—I mean the holiday season is upon us. It
all started when the kids went back to school, then longer and colder nights, snow—and
suddenly it is Thanksgiving!
We at the Mission have to begin now to think about and make plans for the soon to be here
holiday meals and the many people that will be coming in for all of the services we offer.
It is the busiest time of the year for the Mission. Besides the normal number of people we
serve there will be many more families that will come for their holiday meals.

We try to serve up-graded meals all during the months of November and December. Then for
our “Special Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner” we have outside help from experienced
cooks that prepare these meals for those that come to enjoy these meals with us. By the way,
everyone is invited to come and have dinner with us on these occasions.

David M. Williams We have so much to be thankful for—even with all of the turmoil going on in the world all
Program Director around us and even in our own country. We live in serious and dangerous times. We have
Larry Aldrich to be on the alert for terrorist attacks, moral decay, attacks on our Christian heritage, litharge
Operations Manager on the part of Christians, and an all out attack from satan. How long will it be before we will
not be able to express our faith in Jesus Christ publicly or have an opportunity to be a part of
Randy Hess
Maintenance Supervisor a Thanksgiving event where we give thanks to God. But, still wouldn’t you rather be in the
good ole’ USA than any other place on Earth?
Larry O’Connor
Greg Mann And, aren’t you glad, as a Christian, you can look above these things and not look at them?
Roger Klein We can have the “Victory” over these things through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Donn Baker
John Lofquest WE ARE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN THIS
Client Supervisors
YEAR!
David McKnight Those in our “NewLife” Recovery Program and some of the clients help us everyday
Van Driver
through the holidays but some tasks can not be turned over to them, they have to be done by
Solomona Talivaa responsible people that have the Mission’s best interest at heart. So, please plan to include
Maintenance
the Mission in some of your holiday activities and volunteer to help us with the many chores
Anthony Boone that have to be done. I am sure there is something that will just fit you.
Donations
In the November and December Newsletter the name of our Volunteer Coordinator, her
Neil Givens phone number and volunteer positions will be listed. So call her early and get your
r

Learning Center
name on that volunteer list.
be

Darlene Whaley May the Lord bless you abundantly for your help!
8
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Kitchen Manager

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ill Act Like It!
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I came to the realizaƟon, I don’t trust God! I tell myself and others I do and believe it when it comes out of my
mouth. However, believing something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. I’ve also come to realize my doctrine and
my beliefs, true and false, are the same thing. I’m not sure why or even how I’ve been able to miss this revelaƟon
but miss it I have. The truth is it doesn’t maƩer what I say, the legiƟmacy is reflected in what I do. In other words
my acƟons tell me what I believe not my words. Unfortunately for months my acƟons have not pointed to trusƟng
God.

In my worry for the Mission and its future I’ve not followed the instrucƟons of MaƩhew 6:33,
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.” (KJV)

What I’ve done instead is rely upon myself. I’ve attended meeting after meeting, I’ve scoured the city for
available land, I’ve talked until I no longer have anything to say and It’s been more about me and what I can
do rather than the Mission and what God can do. I haven’t trusted God!

I found my knees last night and re-discovered the comfort surrender and humble obedience to God brings. I
know now I’ve been in the way and could very well be the reason nothing has changed. I know in my heart
the Lord loves the Mission, I believe with my whole soul the Mission is important to this community, and I’m
confident the many men and women who support the Mission believe these very same things. What I have to
do now is start acting like I believe it.

I will continue to be hopeful for a miracle but instead of racing out to find it I will patiently wait for the Lord
to deliver it in his time. I’m no longer going to worry myself to exhaustion or let the meetings stand in the
way of my responsibilities here at the Mission. I’m the Program Director and that’s what I need to focus all my
attentions on. I will “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” because I know if God has his
hands on it, it can only end in good. I said it, but like before saying it doesn’t mean anything. I must “Act Like
It!

www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments
and suggestions
2
 k What Does The Mission Do?
des s
i
r’
s
Bett
o
c t on
i r e
v.D HERE ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES
d R e PROVIDED BY THE MISSION:

Emergency Shelter
We are primarily a men’s shelter. However, we do have a women’s dorm with 10 beds available. This dorm is usually
full with a list of women waiting for an opportunity to get in.
Meals
Our meals are served to anyone that comes in and are sober. We serve many families (and that number is growing)
that do not use the Mission for shelter. Emergency food bags are given out, at the request of a pastor, to families that
are in a crises situation. Special holiday meals are served three times a year.
Clothing
Provided to anyone that comes in. We also provide many children with school clothing. Coats, shoes and warm
clothing are provided as available.
Chapel Service
A church service is provided each night with one of the local churches conducting the service. Spiritual counseling
is provided on request. And, Yes, anyone that stays the night must attend the Chapel service. Chapel service is not
required for any other of the services we provide. We even serve the dinner meal before the Chapel service.
Furniture and Household Goods
These items that are donated to the Mission as in-kind gifts are passed on to those in need. A person may call in and
make arrangements to pick up an item they may need. In an emergency situation we will deliver the item to their
house or apartment.
Medical Care
Some medical care is provided by the Neighborhood Health Clinic and a local Chiropractor that volunteers his services.
If a person needs to go to the hospital or clinic we will provide the transportation.
Men’s “NewLife” Discipleship Program
This is a two program. Actually it is a fifteen month program with nine months of transitionally living or a period of
time to integrate back into the main stream of life. This program is for men with a drug / alcohol, chemical abuse or
any problem that they may have. We emphasize “Christ” is the answer to whatever problem they may have.
Transportation
We provide transportation for those needing to go to the doctor, hospital or job service. We try to connect the client
to the social services they need.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer support is crucial to the success of the Mission. Volunteers giving of their time each day help to curb our
operating expenses. You can do service to the Lord by volunteering to serve at the Mission. So if you are looking for
a place of service—just give us a call. We also permit those needing to do community service to complete their time
at the Mission.

All of the above services are provided without cost to anyone!

3
It is all made possible by faithful donors that support
this ministry with prayers, financial and in-kind gifts.
 life under the influence of drugs
and alcohol, and for some dumb
reason, I was satisfied with it.
d Then there came a point in my life
a r whereas I just got sick and tired of
me that Jesus never lost sight of
his goal and neither should I. His
mission was to save the lost. My
mission is to please God and show
him how thankful I am for Him

rw
fo
a
Sp
i ng o Christian values. I am very grateful
d
ov Ca
m the right track to run the race that
“A New Beginning”
To the staff of the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission:
First of all I want to thank
Almighty God for guiding me to
this institution that gave me the
strength and support that I needed
to do the work that I must do for my
LORD. I would like to personally
thank you for your guidance in
putting my life back on the right
track. The “NewLife” Program
has taught me how to focus on
my goals in life, more effectively.
Let’s say that there is an obstacle
that is standing between me and
God. Either that obstacle will keep
me from the LORD or it will press
me towards the LORD.
I know now, how to take a
discouraged situation and make it
work for my best interest.
I knew that my life was
heading for total destruction. I
was at a point in my life whereas
I didn’t know really what to do.
Thank God that the mission was
here for me. I discovered that
when you step outside of your
faith, you begin to wonder if you
are influencing the people around
you or are they influencing you. I
have spent forty two years of my
s
being sick and tired. Even though
e
t I was raised in a Christian home,
I had strayed away from all of my
for the mission putting me back on
Almighty God has set for me.
I had lost track of my
goals, but the Rescue Mission has
taught me how to get back in full
alignment with God. Just like
the military train’s soldiers for
victory. The Bible is training me
to be victorious. There’s an old
cliché, I’m not where I want to
be but thank God I’m not where
I was. Nobody can change their
past, but I am doing something
positive right now with my present
thanks to the Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission’s “NewLife”
Recovery Program. I can hope
for a brighter and victorious future
for myself now. This program has
really taught me how to face my
problems. In life I know that there
are obstacles. It is the way that I
handle them is what’s important.
Let’s say that there is an obstacle
standing between me and God,
either that obstacle is going to keep
me from God, or it’s going to press
me towards Him. This program
has taught me an awful lot about
the Bible. I have found out that
Life isn’t easy and nobody said
that it was going to be that way.
Sure there’s going to be problems
in my life, God wants to see how I
handle them.
I haven’t been doing a
very good job in the past, but
now I am confident in everything
that I do will be for the better in
giving me life, a second chance, a
new beginning.
The “NewLife” Program
has really been a great influence in
my life, and I’m not just saying that
to just suck up. It really has. I’m
fifty six years old and I never read
the Bible so much in my entire life,
as I am right now. I read the Bible
true enough, but I never really read
it. You can see but don’t see, hear
but don’t hear. Well that the way
it was for me, I read it, but I didn’t
understand it. Now, not only am
I reading it, I am enjoying it. It’s
like the verses are jumping out to
me from the pages. I never knew
that I had a vivid imagination. My
mind is having a motion picture
of the Bible in my head. I don’t
mean to be funny or anything but
I think that it’s great. This program
has suggested that I become a
member of a church. There are
a lot of different churches that
come here. Different religions and
they all have their interpretation
of the Bible. The program tells
us to choose a church that you
feel comfortable with. I attend
four different churches, and I’m
comfortable at all of them. God
does not care what religion or
denomination you are, the only
thing that He is concerned with is
the intimate relationship that we
have together. I have a very clear
picture of God and what He wants
from me.
This essay is about why
I think that I am ready for phase
four. First of all, I have met all
of the requirements of phases
one, two and three. I do my job

4
my life thanks to the “NewLife” effectively and effienciently. I
Program. The Bible has taught take pride in my work and that
is something that I have always
been proud of. I think that it is an
honor for me to be the third man in
this program to go to phase four.
I am proud to be an example for
others to follow. I have always
tried to display good work habits
for others to follow. The bible says
“Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you”, on every job
that I have ever had my employers
have always been impressed with
my job performance. When I’m
at work my mind is at a different
place. I’m not working for you,
I’m working for God. And He sees
everything.
I know now that when I’m
feeling bad, how to look up towards
Almighty God for strength. In
Christ, I find all of the security
and serenity I need when I slip up.
Just because I get frustrated with
life is no reason for me to give up.
c e
an
n tes
te
n E s
ai e temporary band- aid. Then plans
m r om
Je
One Peice at a Time!
As a member of the maintenance
team here at the Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission, I thought it might
interest the readers of our newsletter
to hear some of the issues we have
been dealing with on a day-to-day
basis. There are several preventive
maintenance tasks and other basic
repairs to perform, that keep the
maintenance team busy everyday. This
is due to the high number of people
the Rescue Mission provides services
to everyday. It is easy to forget, that an
establishment that deals with people
has other issues to deal with that are
sometimes overwhelming. That is
very often the case with maintenance
here at the Mission. However, just as
any other problem I am confronted
with in life, I try to chalk the Missions
maintenance problems up as hurdle’s
to overcome, which God places before
me.
One of the biggest maintenance issue’s
the Mission has had this past year has
been leaking water pipes. In the last
several months about half of the total
amount of water pipes in the building
have been replaced. These are not your
every day, household water pipes.
These are some serious commercial
grade copper water pipes.
It was just about this time last year
when the first leak broke loose. The
water was making the ceiling in the
dining room sag, and then finally
breaking through a small portion
of drywall, exposing the leak, and
bringing our attention to the extensive
damage it was causing. What a mess!
The 250 to 350 meals that are served
in the dining room each day are much
more important than shutting it down
for repairs without any plans. So we
patched the leak in the pipe with a
were made to get the materials and do
repairs when the kitchen and dining
room were not being used. This was
a problem in itself, because when the
guests are not eating, they are taking
showers, or the laundry and bedding
is being washed. There is a very small
window on any given day or night
to be able to shut the water off for
repairs.
It was only a few days later, that
there was a chance to make repairs
on the first leak, then bam! Another
leak! This time in the ceiling in
the hallway. In addition, of course,
more extensive water damage to go
with it. It was every day or two for a
couple of months, another water leak
would expose its self. It was almost
overwhelming as we scrambled to
patch the pipes and make plans for
repairs. There were actually multiple
leaks and water damage repair sites
happening throughout the Mission
for quite some time.
To make a long story short, virtually
every room on the first floor of the
Rescue Mission had to have extensive
repairs done because of leaking water
pipes and water damage.
It is still somewhat of a mystery as to
why the water pipes were all springing
leaks all in the same time period.
Theory’s range from electrolysis,
(a small electrical static charge
that causes corrosion), or possibly,
corrosive properties in the insulation
that the pipes were wrapped with, or
possibly the pipe was not properly
stored or cared for before it was
originally installed. It could have
been a combination of these theory’s,
or none at all. It is still a mystery.
At any rate, the worst of it seems to be
behind us for now, although there was
a leak of a similar nature in another
Mission building just a few days ago.
However, with the vast amounts of
water pipe the Rescue Mission has in
its buildings, an occasional leak can
be expected.
Only by God’s grace, the Rescue
Mission has managed to continue to
provide for the homeless and others in
need of its resources without turning
any away. I believe He inspires the
thoughts of all those involved in our
efforts, and the Mission thanks all
of those that contribute to its cause.
Without the love that God puts into
the hearts of those that give to the
Rescue Mission, the doors would
have been shut long ago. With Him,
all things are possible! Thank you for
your support!
5
 Living Memorials old hymns corner
….touch lives as they honor the
memory of loved ones and friends.
Do You Remember This One---
In Memory of FARTHER ALONG—
Rodger N. Anderson
by Marvel E. Kidder Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder
In Memory of Why it should be thus all the day long,
Esperanza M. Casas While there are others living about us,
by Martha Cashen Never molested—tho’ in the wrong.
In Memory of When death has come and taken our loved ones
Rhea Evans It leaves our home so lonely and drear;
by Dennis and Diane Allen Then do we wonder why others prosper,
In Memory of Living so wicked year after year.
Kent A. Lindsey
by Dale and Carol Lindsey Faithful till death said our loving Master,
In Memory of A few more days to labor and wait:
Geneva Samsol Toils of the road will then seem as nothing,
by Thomas and Jean Adzima As we sweep thru the beautiful gate.
In Memory of
Daniel Shold When we see Jesus coming in glory,
by Douglas Blair When He comes from His home in the sky;
In Memory of Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,
Mike Howerton We’ll understand it all by and by.
Chorus: Repeat after each verse.
by Carol Howerton
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
In Memory of
Farther along we’ll understand why;
LeRoy E. Barr
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine,
by Jeanne J. Lutz
We’ll understand it all by and by.
Pause a Moment
There is no special time for prayer
One can pray ‘most anywhere,
The Model Prayer
When things aren’t going quite your way- The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. His
Pause a moment, just to pray… response was this—when you pray say;
If everything seems to bother you
Our Father which art in heaven,
And nag at you the whole day through,
To dispel those awful clouds of gray- Hallowed be Thy name.
Pause a moment, just to pray… Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth,
If there is no hope in sight, As it is in heaven.
You see the tunnel but not the light, Give us this day our daily bread.
Do not wander, do not stray – And for give us our debts,
Pause a moment, just to pray… As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
When all your efforts seem in vain, But deliver us from evil:
You struggle hard but see no gain, For Thine is the kingdom and
Do one thing without delay –
The power, and the glory, for ever.
Pause a moment, just to pray…
Please, study this prayer line by line—does it reflect
When you feel there is no hope, your prayer life or is your prayers always
When with life you cannot cope,

6
self-center.
God will help alone the way-Pause a
moment, just to pray…
 us they were going to begin drug testing so I stopped
using drugs. I compensated by increasing my alcohol
consumption.

e s I got into this cycle where I would get into trouble, go to

o ni r treatment, do well for awhile, and then begin drinking
im ffle again. I packed my stuff and moved to Alaska thinking
s t L e things would be different, they weren’t. I got a DUI
te n ny but kept drinking and using drugs. The same old cycle
‘Nothing had changed’!
De
I was going to Brother Frances but a friend of mine talked
to someone who was able to get me an appointment at
the Rescue Mission. I believe that God has a plan for me
My Story and I’m grateful for leading me here to the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission so that I can learn His word.
I was born in Idaho and was raised in a four room house My life, with the Lords help, is being restored. I have
on an 80 acre farm in Blackfoot. We also had a 160 acre been at the Mission for almost a year. I have been drug
dry farm in Grace where I helped my father, mother free for seventeen months and alcohol free for one year.
and my grandmother during the summer. I have three Since coming here my life has changed. I am learning
brothers and one sister. Out of all my siblings my sister computer skills and I have been baptized. Every day I
and I were the only ones who rode horses. We would try to do what is right but without the Lord I fail. If God
ride along the river bottoms. As we grew into adulthood would have left me out there I would not be writing this
she got married and I kept riding. testimony today.

I didn’t have many friends in those days; I went to school

wearing hand me down clothes. My grandmother had
a bad leg so I would help her on the farm during the
summer harvesting fire wood for the old wood burning
stove. We didn’t have electricity so the stove provided
for the heat and the cooking.

In 1978 my grandfather passed away 3 days later my

grandmother died. I loved them both very much and
their deaths sent me on a downward spiral. I began
to drink and do drugs heavily. I got a good job as a
fork lift operator in a union company and had even
trained to become a machinist. My employer informed

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 October
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1 2 3 4
r Is to
Anchorage
Gospel
Anchorage
Vineyard
First
Presbyterian
Calvary
Baptist
Singers Fellowship Church Church
The least 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
The last God’s
Place
Abbot Loop
Community
Anchorage
Pilgrim
Anchorage
Church of
Christ
Community
Calvary
Church
Wasilla
Assembly
The lost Church Nazarene Christ Church of God
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
God’s Church First Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Lighthouse
“URGENT” Place of God of Assembly of Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Christian

Our supplies of these Prophecy God Church Team Team Fellowship

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

† Prayer 26 27 28 29 30 31
† Paper Towels New Light
Community
Calvary
Baptist
Attorney
Greg Grebe
Change
Point
Shiloh
Baptist
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Church Church Chruch Team

† Fresh Meat
† Coffee Nightly Services 7:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
† Bathroom Tissue
† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers
† Cleaning Supplies STATEMENT OF FAITH
† Dinner Napkins The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
organization. We receive NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United Way
† Shampoo Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations make it possible for us to provide
“URGENT” for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations allow us
to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Donations are fully tax deductible.
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 L

es
r Mission
Anchorage, AK
Permit # 290
O

GOD BLESS AMERICA

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

Bob Collins Rescue & Recovery www.anchoragerescue.org L

( Vice President/treasure) Visit us at: G
Enoch Adams ue
(Secretary)
Mark Soquet
r es
news
c 2823 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99507

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

R
D
J
C
Emeritus:
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED D
Rev. Willard leisy V
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly S
M

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir. A

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir. D

N
L
MEMBER
Association of Gospel ue
sc Missions D
re K
An association of Rescue Ministries