news r e s c u e Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery

A publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

He is not Here. . .
for He has risen!

He lives, He Lives, He Lives,

You ask me how I know He LIVES, He Lives
within my heart.

CHRISTIANITY is the only religion that can proclaim a GOD and SAVIOR that
is alive.

It is sad indeed, that so many people around the world worship a god that is dead—yet
they are so adamantly devoted and dedicated to their beliefs. Their god is DEAD;
they cannot talk to him, fellowship or have a relationship with him, yet they will not
David M. Williams denounce the false god they serve. There is no love, compassion or concern. Some
Program Director of the religions say that their god had told them to do away with Christianity and to
kill all Christians. They are determined and have their mindset that they are going to
Larry Aldrich conquer the world.
Operations Manager

Randy Hess Oh, that they only knew the truth about the Living God and Savior.
Maintenance Supervisor

If they would only come to know the God that LIVES, The God of Love, John 3:16, The
Larry O’Connor
Greg Mann
God of Compassion, John 11:35, The God of Concern and Assurance, John 6:37.
Neil Givens
Roger Klein NOW since we know that our God lives, why then, are we not proclaiming this
Donn Baker Gospel of Good News to the world? If we believe that ALL people that do not know
Client Supervisors this Living Savior are eternally lost—then why are we not telling them the story of a
Savior that lives?
David McKnight
Van Driver
Please accept this challenge to share with someone your testimony of how Jesus saved
Solomona Talivaa you or present the Gospel story of salvation to them!
Maintenance

John Lofquist Remember a true Christian witness is more than just talking the talk—It is also
Donations
walking the walk.
ch
ar

0 8
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2
 What a Year!
ok
lo
er ir ch As I stop to reflect upon the events of this past year I can’t help but
stand in Awe of the works of our Almighty Father. It just never ceases
os l d
cl A to amaze me how much He cares for each one of us. He loves us way
a r ry too much to leave us where we are at. That is a great thing – right?
La What does it look like when our heavenly Father helps us to grow up?

Deserts and Storms!

That’s what the year looked like in my house. I really cherished the
peace and calm in between. Even though scripture tells us to count it all joy I still have a hard time rejoicing in
those times of trials. However, looking back I have to admit that in those hard times I have been the closest to God.
When I can’t see the path, when I don’t have the answer, when I don’t know if I can handle it that is when I look
for the Savior’s hand to guide me.

What an awesome feeling it is when I sense His presence and my spirit is filled with the Master’s assurance that
He has everything under control. His word tells us that all things will work together for good for those who are in
Jesus Christ. So, what is there to fear?

Change is always uncomfortable and the unknown is spooky. We like to stay and hang out in the familiar, but
where is the faith in that? Do I trust Him enough to lead me out off the stockyard into the open pasture?

There is nothing more exciting than to take a deep breath and with wobbly knees tell your Lord: “Where you lead
me I will follow!”

The Lord has been faithful through all the deserts and storms of 2007 and we grew in our faith and knowledge of
God.
I am grateful that He is not done with me. Philippians 1:6 tells me that: “… He who has begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Looking back on 2007 shows me that I can look forward to 2008 with confidence because my Father is faithful.

May the presence of God rest heavily upon you and yours through out this New Year.

God bless you one and all.

www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments
and suggestions

2
 Mission Status Report #2 for the
t s
r r Lord’s Lovely Mission on the
ep
o
e ye
us
r
s-M
Move…
at a
st om
Th I am a community volunteer. I begin this second status report by recognizing
k
an the love and attention given to the Mission by the many volunteers who
Fr have served from 1965-2008. Thank you to the many readers who have
written to the Mission in January and February to express their support
for the Mission’s Gospel purpose.

Mission on the move update. The guiding principals for moving the Mission are: follow the Mission’s stated Purpose;
make and follow a long term plan and adjust it periodically; be a good neighbor; work cooperatively with other
homeless agencies; avoid a fight for everyone; don’t give up; expect a miracle. In December the Anchorage Planning
Department gave the Mission a list of possible spots to relocate the Mission. An emergency shelter must be situated
on PLI (public lands & institutions) zoned land (the Mission is on B3-legal non-conforming use). A volunteer
Earlene Yakley, who is a life-time Anchorage resident, visited the PLI-zoned parcels in January. She found much of
the PLI land un-developed or wetlands or not readily accessible. She also backed away from PLI land with strong
community councils who where hyper-vigilant about water, school and residential quality issues; or community
councils – like Downtown, Midtown, Mountain View, Fairview, and Spenard – who have strong local community
visions (e.g., the redevelopment of Mountain View in to a cultural center). She also visited B2 and B3 land (maybe
it could be rezoned PLI) with similar results – plus the addition of “too much commercial activity.” If the location
is perfect there were problems; if the location was not perfect, there were problems. There was no room at the inn,
so to speak. This does not mean we have looked at every possible piece of land; this was just chapter 1. A last note:
the Mission is working on a DRAFT five-year plan.

NewLife Program volunteer request. There are currently 20 guys enrolled in the Mission’s 2-year NewLife program.
Some of these guys will be graduating this summer. They will be faced with challenges like finding work, finding an
affordable place to live, finding transportation, making and living on a budget, and the like. The Mission needs three
volunteers who would: (1) someone to research how other shelters (BFS, AWAIC, Salvation Army, etc) help their
clients with housing assistance and help link the NewLife guys to these resources; (2) someone to research all the
other client support services available in Anchorage (and there are a bunch; we need an expert); (3) someone to visit
http://www.crown.org/ and find a way to bring faith-based financial planning resources into the NewLife program. If
you are called by the Lord to volunteer, please contact me, Frank, at frank@anchoragerescue.org or 907-345-7378.

Prayer Requests: Please pray for the Mission’s Board of Trustees and Advisory Board. These individual bear a
heavy responsibility and each needs the Lord’s support and your prayers. Please pray for the Lord’s help for provide
leadership, volunteers and resources to meet the needs, wants and desires for His Son’s Mission.

3
 i es
on
im
olci
st N $2800 a day, you can see that
te as
om
Th
M
y mom told me one
day, “Be happy
with yourself for
this is all God
gave you, so be happy with it,
there is no more.” My mom
may have had some religion in
her life, I don’t know, but with
my mom you did not feel sorry
for yourself for anything. She
was of the opinion that you
know what is right and wrong.
If you do wrong think of the
consequences. Be ready to
pay the consequences with
no whining. If you felt sorry
for yourself there was “hell to
pay.” So you see all my life I
took risks no one would dare,
and took my consequences
and went on. This led to a way
of life with no restraints. I was
willing to pay and did I pay! I
have lived in other countries
where I sold death by the case.
My idol was money and did I
worship it! I did anything to get
it, to spend it; I lusted after it.
Maybe I should let you know
right now my drug habit started
small but then I had to work 24
hours a day to keep it. When I
say my drug habit was $1800 to
4
Once Was Lost
ni
I’m not kidding that no job can
make that kind of money. So
down I sank farther and farther
from God till the day I saw no
hope for me.
After a very busy night I paid the
rent on both apartments, went
to a hotel and did the same old
thing . . . . looked at the “boob
tube”, smoked crack till 3:00
am, went to sleep then came
the moment I can only thank
God for. When morning came I
opened my eyes, put my feet on
the floor and at that moment I
had a “Day of Pentecost.” I was
filled with such a conviction that
I knew I could not live another
day as “Bobby Ray”; the street
name that I lived by for 25 years.
Bobby Ray only had one friend
left; he was not the lovable kind
of guy. You will notice that I say
Bobby Ray in the third person
sense. I no longer live his life; I
live a life for Christ. That did not
come around just like that. First
I had to find a place to get away
from that life. I was lucky to
have a friend who let God take
control of her life. She was the
example I followed. The only
place in Alaska that puts God
above all else is the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission. I on God’s team and I think to
got up, left everything behind,
walked across the street, got on
the bus and within 20 minutes
I was at the front doors of the
Rest of my Life. I can see no
turning back, no not at all.
When David Williams told me
why I could never fill the hole
in my heart and I knew I was
home. I have been addicted to
one thing or another all my life.
No worldly thing would fill this
hole in my heart. Jesus is the
only “filler” for that hole in my
heart.
My first night here I let Jesus in
my heart. The man at the pulpit
told the story of Jesus’ betrayal
and this man knew he was
going to die and to die for love.
Now in my life I have been mad
with love, tired of love, crazy
with love but all that was sin
and I saw it in His word about
Jesus’ love had nothing to do
with what I thought love was.
He said love others as you love
yourself. Self love, now I could
understand that when the man
said, “when you love someone
you wish them only good.” This
was not so clear before. I can
only say sin had me turned the
wrong way; now I have been
found, I See, I See! There was
an old saying, if you are not
the lead dog the scenery never
changes. The one thing I did
not realize was Satan was in
the lead whipping me on, but
now the harness I lovingly wear
doesn’t cut, bind or choke. I’m
myself, how did I make it this
far. That was work, but work I
do with joy in my heart. I am
at peace with myself. Don’t
get me wrong I fight every day
the old me. But a man said to
me, when Satan attacks you
t But Now Am Found
he is trying to deceive you but
God allows this so you can see
where you are weak. So now
you know God loves us; He
allows us to grow and learn.
The Mission here is a House of
God in so many ways and is our
best bet for survival.
I have worked in the Baggage
Room for a long time. Now
I know most of the men who
come through here. I talk with
them, but most of all I have a
love for all of them and give
them the respect that all men
should get. On my watch I
allow no breaking the rules set
by the Mission. But when it
comes to the men personally,
I know what they are doing
during the day and the ones
looking for jobs. I am able to
give words of encouragement
that just a short while ago I
could not and would not. Every
day is so much better than the
last. Hard or soft, as long as I
put God’s work first only good
will come to me. This I believe
and God has not let me down
once I gave my life to Him. I
see all things as new and just as
He promised all old things I am
dead to. I love the fact I go read
the bible at the Pioneer Home.
The fellowship He has provided
me in the body of Christ is not
always easy but I belong and
that is more life to me. To look
back and see where He worked
in my life and to think I thought it
was luck or I was just too clever
when in reality He was letting
me know He was still there
and I could still turn to Him. I
give praise to God every day
and thank him for this life He
saved me for; 7 months ago. I
open my first bible, now that’s
not to say I never seen or held
one, I have used the bible as a
prop to pass drugs and tobacco
in jail, but in all my 48 years I
never read God’s word. If I had
known about its “Life giving
flow” I would have drank of the
Word long ago. It refreshes
me every day because when I
wake up every morning I’m still
trying to mature in the Word. I
have a thirst for it now that I get
it. Love God first above all. Let
Jesus live in you and love all
others because God gave His
son for me I can do no less, my
heart will not let me.
Praise God for I am in awesome
wonder of Your power in my life!
Thomas Nolcini
5
 k
We Have The Beds…
s
de is
r’
s
Bett
to

d ir
ec
v.
D o n
We Have The Space!
R e
We have the beds and we have the space for at least 60 people to come in out of the weather but we can not make
them available because one of our dorms has been closed down by the city for what they called non compliance
to code. When we opened that dorm we were told that a sprinkler system was not required for a dorm where less
than 25 people would be sleeping. But we did not get that in writing. That dorm was for those in our “NewLife”
Program and there was never more than 18 men in that dorm. We operated that way for almost 8 years. Then all
of a sudden our location did not “fit” into the plans the city has for this location. They want us to move out of this
location and they are making it very difficult for us to continue to do what we have done so successfully for 43
years. They closed the dorm and now they say we can not operate our “NewLife” Recovery program here because
we take anyone that has a problem and try our best to help them. Our Program is NOT a treatment program but
a Recovery and Disciplining Program. Those in our Program are free to leave anytime—they are not locked in.
However, when they begin to see the change that is taking place in their life they are for the most part willing to
stay where they can continue to grow in grace and knowledge and learn how to live the overcoming, victorious life
in Christ.

In the mean time those beds and that dorm is just sitting there gathering dust—when they could be used to get
people out of the weather and cold. We turn people away every day that need safe, clean shelter. Others have
learned that it is no use to go to the Mission if it is after sign-in time because the beds are all taken. It breaks
our heart, but we have no alternative. We can not even let people stay in the Chapel and that area has a sprinkler
system, fire alarm and smoke detectors with 2 exits close to the outside. Every Mission I know about in the lower
48 uses their Chapel for overflow.

The city claims to be looking for solutions to help the homeless but I see little if anything happening. We have a
solution for a part of the problem—but we can not implement it. . We do not cost the city one penny. Yet they
want to spend big bucks to do what we do for free. We operate very thrifty and frugal as possible. We do not
accept any Municipality, State or Federal funding.

You may ask, “why do you do the things you do.” We are here to provide for the needs of anyone that may need
our help. Lord knows, we are not here for any financial gain or any other reason except for an opportunity to
present the Gospel Message to those that have spiritual needs and maybe, just maybe, lead them to the acceptance
of Jesus Christ as their Savior.

In closing the Program dorm we had to move those men into our overnight guest dorm (This dorm is up to code in
every way. It has a sprinkler system, fire alarm, smoke detectors and egress windows). This took up a lot of space
because they had to move their wardrobe/desk too. We have lost about 40 beds that was used for overnight guests
and 20 we could sleep in the Chapel on mats. At least they would be in out of the cold.

Please pray for us as we wait for God to open the door for us to do something. Our prayer is that some land or
building would become available or that the city would change their mind and let us stay here and continue to meet
the needs of the poor, needy, homeless and dysfunctional people that come to us for help. PLEASE—PRAY—
PRAY—PRAY. Thanks,

6
Bro. Don
 Living Memorials
So I prayed to God in earnest and not caring what folks said; I
was hungry for the blessing; my poor soul it must be fed; When
. . . .touch lives as they honor the memory at last by faith I touched Him, and like sparks from smitten steel,
Just so quick salvation reached me; O bless God, I know it’s real!
of loved ones and friends.
In Memory of CHORUS: Repeat after each verse.
Nell Mary Morton But it’s real it’s real, O I know it’s real; Praise God, the doubts
Betty Sutherland are settled, For I know, I know it’s real.
by Koser Dean and Bernice Hudson I can still hear George Beverly Shea as he sang this old
song.
LET LOVE LIVE THROUGH YOUR
SPECIAL GIFT
As a special way of remembering a departed loved one or THE OLD-FASHIONED MEETING
friend, giving a memorial gift to the Anchorage Gospel
Oh, how well I remember in the old-fashioned days, When
Rescue Mission in the name of that person is a very
some old-fashioned people had some old-fashioned ways;
personal, lasting expression of your love. Your thoughtful
In the old-fashioned meetings, as they tarried there, In the
remembrance can have eternal value when invested in the
old-fashioned manner, how God answered their prayer.
lives of people.
There was singing, such singing, of those old fashioned
PLEASE LET ME REMINICE airs! There was power, such power in those old fashioned
I was looking through some old hymn books that I prayers, As old-fashioned conviction made the sinner pray,
have and it brought back a lot of memories of the old And the Lord heard and saved him, in the old-fashioned
songs and hymns that had meaning and a message. way.
I love the olds hymns we used to sing in church,
songs that touched your heart. I wonder if any of you Well, they say it is better, “Things have changed, don’t you
know,” And the people in general, seem to think it is so;
remember the 2 following songs.
And they call me old-fashioned when I dare to say, That I
IT’S REAL like it far better in the old-fashioned way.

O how well do I remember how I doubted day by day, For I did
not know for certain that my sins were washed away; When the
Spirit tried to tell me, I would not the truth receive, I endeavored
to be happy and to make my self believe.
When the truth came close and searching, all my joy would
disappear, For I did not have the witness of the spirit bright and
clear; If at times the coming judgment would appear before my
mind, O it made me so un-easy, for God’s smile I could not find.
But at last I tired of living such a life of fear and doubt, For I
wanted God to give me something I would know about; So the
truth would make me happy, and the light would clearly shine,
And the Spirit gave assurance that I’m His and He is mine.
If the Lord never changes, as the fashions of men, If He’s
always the same, why, He is old-fashioned then! As an old-
fashioned sinner saved thro’ old-time grace, Oh I’m sure
He will take me to an old-fashioned place.
CHORUS: Repeat after each verse.
“Twas an old-fashioned meeting, in an old-fashioned place,
Where some old-fashioned people had some old-fashioned
grace; As an old-fashioned sinner I began to pray, And God
heard me, and saved me In the old-fashioned way.

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

Our supplies of these Prophecy God Church Fellowship

16 17 18 19 20 21 22
items is constantly in Grace Sherbahn Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Glenn
need of replenishing Victory
Fellowship
Evangelistic
Team
Native
Assembly
Evangelical
Church
Evangelistic
Team
Evangelistic
Team
Herman

† Prayer 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
† Paper Towels New Light
Community
Calvary
Baptist
Attorney
Greg Grebe
Calvary
Baptist
Evangelical
Covenant
In His Name
Sandy
Glenn
Herman
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Church Church Church Church McCollum

† Fresh Meat 30 31 SPECIAL EASTER SERVICE

God’s Trinity
EASTER SUNDAY AT 2:00 PM
† Coffee Place Presbyterian
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
† Bathroom Tissue Church

† Laundry Soap Nightly Services 7:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

† 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
Rescue Mission Anchorage Non-Profit Org.

u e U.S. Postal

Board of Trustees Gospel PAID

sc Anchorage, AK

Ed Shelton
reMission GOD BLESS AMERICA
Permit # 290

(President) A Ministry of info@anchoragerescue.org

Bob Collins Rescue & Recovery www.anchoragerescue.org
( Vice President/treasure) Visit us at:
Enoch Adams ue
(Secretary)
Mark Soquet
r es
news
c

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

2823 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99507

Emeritus:
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Rev. Willard leisy
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir.

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.

MEMBER
Association of Gospel ue
sc Missions
re
An association of Rescue Ministries