Superintendent's Blog

Kids Enjoy High Point After School

2012-02-22T10:36:00.002-06:00

by Patti Chapman, Resource Specialist, General Council, Springfield, MO

When Pastor Kevin Petersen moved to Clark, South Dakota (population 1,044) in 2006, he knew, like every other small town pastor, he might struggle to have the volunteers needed to accomplish the vision he had for the church. Pastor Kevin and his team began looking for something different to do on Wednesday nights. After some on-line research, they came across High Point, a character-building discipleship curriculum that runs efficiently with just a few volunteers. They tried it out and, in Pastor Kevin’s words, “loved it and began using it immediately. It had topical messages dealing with the issues kids are dealing with.”

They started with pre-school through 6th grade and were one of the first churches in the nation to adopt the High Point program. Through further discussion with his ministry team and some God-inspired creativity, they decided to invest their time in a mid-week after-school outreach rather than the traditional Wednesday night program since the elementary school sat just across the street from the church.

The church that was once struggling to attract children to a Wednesday night program ran consistently around 50 kids from 2007 – 2009. The registration topped out at 74 with most of the kids being unchurched. Pastor Kevin reported that on “some weeks there were more in attendance on Wednesday afternoon than on Sunday morning. The kids were our greatest advertisers.” The church has grown from 20 to now running steadily in the mid 60s. Some of the kids that have come through the High Point program are now part of their youth group.

Pastor Kevin is quick to point out that, in a small community, the more you are seen and the more connections you make the more influence you have. Since moving to Clark in 2006, he has been very involved in the community serving as the Rotary president, coaching sports and making himself available. He believes that volunteering in schools opens doors to ministry and gives pastors the keys to their community. He reports the community has “learned and grown to trust us.” In turn, the school is very helpful in promoting what the church is doing.

They still use High Point on Wednesday afternoons but have adapted their strategy. They now have pre-school and 5th – 8th grade programs that run concurrently with their 1st – 4th graders who use High Point. They feel that age group is the “sweet spot for ministry” with this program.

They are currently strategizing their next moves. “We are really doing this as an outreach,” Pastor Kevin continues, “our next step is to make inroads to the parents.”

If you are interested in using High Point in your church ask about it on the web at www.gph.org/highpoint.

District Men's Retreat

2012-02-16T16:10:00.004-06:00

March 22-24, 2012 at Kamp Kinship

Rev. John Palmer will be the speaker for our annual men's retreat this year.

Our theme is "Staying Strong & Healthy in the Battle". Rev Palmer has served many years as a pastor, author, and most recently as the President of EMERGE Ministries - a mental health ministry based in Akron, Ohio, that specializes in supporting and encouraging pastors and missionaries – providing help to the healthy and hope for the hurting!

One of the free time activities will include a "Shoot out at Kamp Kinship". Three different events with pistols, 22 rifles, and shotguns. Bring your own guns and ammo.

Make your plans now to be a part of the excitement.

Download the brochure/registration form.

Live Like You're Dying

2011-10-26T10:57:00.004-05:00

Guest Blog by Missionary Richard Brogden

Greetings from the Land of Tumors

Three weeks ago I started getting dizzy when I stood up. Over the next few days my vision began to blur and a headache set in behind my eyes that has not left. My eyes felt like they were being pushed out from the inside, and after 2 pm it was hard to keep them open. I went to the neo-omniscient internet and diagnosed myself with a brain tumor. Yesterday I went to the doctor. He ordered a Cat-Scan and the result was encouraging: There is nothing in my head. The doctor has some ridiculous advice like more sleep and less work.

Flying home to Chicago from Pennsylvania this week I asked myself what I would do if I did have a tumor. My thoughts initially turned to eating a dozen Twinkies and coughing up the $500 it would cost to take my sons to a Bears game before settling on this:

If I had a tumor, I’d hammer in the morning.

I’d hammer in the evening, all over this town.

I’d hammer out gospel, I’d hammer out warning

I’d hammer out love and truth to brothers and sisters

- all over this land.

Now that I don’t have a tumor, I have decided to live like I do. This is after all what It means to Live Dead. Dying to what people think. Dying to what doesn’t matter. Living every moment to make Jesus famous, to make much of Him, to see God glorified. Let’s all live with imaginary tumors. Let’s live as if we are dying – which incidentally - we are.

Written by Missionary Richard Brogden

Teen Challenge of the Dakotas

2011-10-11T16:15:00.002-05:00

Teen Challenge of the Dakotas has recently broken ground on their new center - - but that's only a small piece of the exciting story. Rather than me writing about it, here's the full story from the guys themselves!

Teen Challenge of the Dakotas Video

A New Look...

2011-09-19T16:07:00.003-05:00

Check out our new "South Dakota Connection" newsletter format. I think you'll enjoy the new look. Check it out HERE.

1 Timothy 6:6 in 3 D

2011-07-13T12:10:00.002-05:00

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.

"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged, it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice... I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing." Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

A Homeless Man's Funeral

2011-03-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Apparently I'm still lost....

From Around the World

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

From David & Carolyn Nelson...

"Currently we are in Vienna, Austria ministering at the International Christian Center. It's a church with 10 language congregations, about 2,200 attend each week. I preach the Sunday a.m. International service and the African service (both in English) and teach a weekly course on Isaiah on Monday evenings. This is a great city of 1.5 million. Austria, however, is still a real "mission field." Only perhaps 15,000-20,000 believers in the country of 7 million. Much like most of Western Europe. Following here we go to Kyiv where I will teach for 2 weeks at the seminary - following that a week of teaching and ministry in the country of Georgia.

We are most grateful for the prayers and faithful support from South Dakota - a true "life line".

Precious in the Sight of the Lord

2011-03-15T11:57:00.008-05:00

Just today I heard about the home-going of a great saint of God - - Sister Mildred Bankson. She and her husband Leo were the founders of Good Shepherd Indian Bible Institute in Mobridge back in 1970. They served there from 1970-1977.

Mildred loved Jesus with all her heart and led Bible studies in the nursing home until just a few years ago. She was an inspiring example of a true servant of the Lord.

Mildred just celebrated her 95th birthday and now continues the celebration in heaven with her Savior, her husband Leo, and all the other saints who have gone before her.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

It's Just Too Risky!

2011-03-10T23:57:00.003-06:00

Let me ask you a question, what is the most risky thing that you can do? Some may say drive in Phoenix traffic, or sky dive, or swim across an alligator or piranha filled river. I don't know what you think your greatest risk would be, but probably your greatest risk in ministry is to "play it safe". There is a great risk in the work of the Lord for us to only do those things that we know that we can do and there is really no risk involved. There is room for church as usual but prolonged church as usual tends to complacency and no storming the enemy's territory.

It is just too risky to the Kingdom of God for us to play it safe. God is calling all believers to live by faith. What step of faith are you taking at this moment? Let's not play it safe and do only those things that we know we can do, but take a step of faith and do something that we know we can't do without God's help.

Guest Blog by...

Rev. Steve Harris - Superintendent Arizona Assemblies of God

New DYDs Announced

2010-12-13T06:00:00.005-06:00

It is an honor to introduce you to the new South Dakota Assemblies of God Youth and Christian Education Directors. David and Jen Bauchpiess have served as youth pastors at First Assembly of God in Aberdeen, SD. They have been an integral part of the team of youth leaders for several years and bring a great focus and attention to detail.

Pastor David was invited to assume the role of YCE Director late last week by Superintendent Schaible with the approval of the District Presbyters.

David and Jen are both graduates of Trinity Bible College and grew up in South Dakota. They have three children; Allison, Aleyah, Ethan.

Please be sure to send your welcome and congratulations to them at an appropriate time.

Winners for Life

2010-11-03T15:02:00.005-05:00

Guest blog by S. Robert Maddox

While living in the Chicago area I would occasionally speak at Leadership Development and Team Building conferences. This often led to counseling and coaching executives, professionals and educators on career and life skills. I still do this in an extension program of Oglala College; most recently with Law Enforcement Officers on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The concepts used in coaching corporate leaders can be applied in athletic coaching. This Fall I was privileged to coach Volleyball for ten extraordinary teenage girls and assist their parents in teaching them how to be winners-for-life.

Here are just a few life principles we learned as a team:

1. Unconditional love. Love is not linked to performance. The mere fact you made the team is reason enough for love. In life people perform better and produce more when involved with someone they love rather than with someone they simply endure.

2. As a team, everyone gets the credit; no one gets the blame. Life is lived-out with others. Trust your teammates and believe in your ability to contribute to the goal.

3. Live and act humbly. Communicate who you are as a team by your performance instead of with your talk.

4. Win with grace (treat others with respect) and lose with dignity (give 100% effort to the very end).

5. Everyone is allowed one mental meltdown (no one is perfect). Make it a good one, then get up and try again.

6. Life is not fair – get over it. Be thankful for what you get to do and give it your best.

7. Life is sometimes painful – this should come as no surprise. Make the necessary adjustments, work through the pain and never give up.

8. Life is meant to be enjoyed – celebrate it. Take pleasure in the victories, learn from the disappointments and look forward to what is coming next.

The team experienced some great accomplishments. Of the 28 matches they played, they won 25 of them. A match is the best two out of three sets. Of the 25 matches they won, they won 24 by playing just two sets. Only one match went to three sets and they had to come from behind to win. In the beginning of the season court positions were assigned to them; part way through the season a Libero position was added and some team members changed assignments; at the end of the season everyone, except the Libero, played a different position for the final match. They made all the athletic and mental adjustments and continued to be successful.

There were a lot of fun moments, as there should be in life, but they also worked hard. I appreciated that when being asked to “Jump!” they did not respond with, “Do we have to?” but with “How high?” They demonstrated a winning attitude in practice and in the game.

Conditioning is about maximum preparation and peak performance. Being in top condition is connected to rewards and was not used as punishment. Physical conditioning became something desired by the team instead of dreaded. In life a consequence for failing an important self-discipline or a group’s core value is not being allowed to participate. None of the team members had to sit out a game as a consequence of poor judgment.

These young ladies rose up to the challenge of being a highly disciplined and intensely motivated Stevens High School Raiders Volleyball team. Each of them is well on the road to being winners-for-life.

Robert Maddox is the pastor at the newly planted WestGate Community Church in Rapid City.

Francis Chan - on 1 John 2:6

2010-08-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure that I've ever heard it said any better than this. As a disciple of Jesus, we are called to a life of service to Him - not to ourselves. We're called to nail our desires to the cross and follow His example of sacrifice and humility. This is definitely not casual Christianity!

7 Reasons Not to Mess With Children

2010-05-11T15:28:00.002-05:00

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honour" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE . God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

GOOD FRIDAY

2010-04-01T10:10:00.002-05:00

It is only the fact that He DIED so that we might LIVE that makes it GOOD FRIDAY. That is not a product of culture, it is living biblical truth. Good Friday is the one holiday the world could not hi-jack. No bunnies, no cartoons here. This is love and commitment in action and forces me back to the real question. . .

IS WHAT I AM LIVING FOR WORTH WHAT HE DIED FOR?

Rom 5:6-7: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2010-03-10T15:48:00.003-06:00

Congratulations!!

The US Missions Committee for the General Council of the Assemblies of God has just changed the status of Gus & Terri Craven from Candidate Missionary to Appointed General Missionary!! Our congratulations to them for all their hard work. We continue to pray for God's blessing on their ministry in Wanblee.

2010-03-01T13:43:00.003-06:00

The Monster that Ate Your Call

A Coaching Check-up for Mission-Driven Leaders

by Tony Stoltzfus

With our current emphasis on visionary leadership, we tend to assume that God will evaluate our legacy based on how well we accomplish our mission. That's not actually the case. As a leader, you will be judged on how you steward your personal life first, and second on how you steward the people God has placed in your charge. In other words, if you accomplish your organizational mission but use up a lot of people in the process, you have failed as a leader. Too often, especially in ministry circles, leaders get caught up in doing the task of their call and forget what the task was supposed to be for---to impact people for Jesus and to make their lives better.

So what does that look like in practical terms? How do you know if your vision has become the monster that ate your calling?

Read Complete Article

EAT THAT FROG

2010-01-22T14:22:00.003-06:00

Brian Stacy wrote a great book on leadership. He starts with three sayings that inspired his title:

1. If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.

2. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest first.

3. If you have to eat a live frog, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long.

So what I'm wondering is...

What are the frogs that are staring at you??

Would you like to know more?

Check out this short 2 minute video clip:

Eat That Frog Video Clip

Or learn more through this free E-book:

Eat That Frog E-book

Or check out this 5 page book summary:

Eat That Frog Summary

4 STEPS TO EVANGELIZING YOUR WORLD

2009-11-16T13:33:00.002-06:00

Guest Blog

by Evangelist Todd Leininger

I am so excited to have an opportunity to share a leading God has laid on my heart as He led us to be an Evangelist almost 18 months ago. I am passionate about the church and it being involved in the Fathers Business. Luke 5:31 Jesus made the statement, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 19:10 says, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” For too long the church has not been involved in the harvest field; we have waited for the harvest field to come to us. So as God has led me I believe he has led me to a 4 step plan to help churches become harvesters.

I have a passion and a vision to come to churches to help them in these 4 areas. First, we need to impassion the church to be on fire for God so God is active in their lives and we have an active relationship to testify about. Secondly, we must learn to pray for the lost. To go out and prayer walk our communities, to pray directly for lost people in our lives. Thirdly we need to restructure our evangelism mode by being available to share Christ as God opens the doors. We cant follow Him if we are leading. So we follow Him to show us lives we can be involved in by befriending people, by planting seeds, by watering and as God harvests the soul maybe we will get to be there too. So I want to help teach on this new approach to evangelism. Finally, the fourth step is to help church provide outreaches that meet communities in their world.

I dream of partnering with churches over time to make a difference in their communities by instilling these 4 principles. It would be a dream over a 1 – 2 year period working with a church by coming at minimum 4 times to develop each area of these four steps.

God is about lost people – in the day we live in – the Church must be about lost people. I would love to help your church develop a plan and a passion.

We also have a passion for sharing in your churches anyway we can help you and anyway we can assist you. If we can do banquets, training seminars, children, youth, Sunday am services, revival meetings, teachings, etc. , please let us know. I have a passion to share about the legacy that can be changed by your choices. I love to preach on the Holy Spirit. But most of all I love to pray and ask God to give me His word to each church for that day. Call us and let us come help you. Come let us see what God wants to do I your community.

Serving Christ for the Lost

Evangelist Todd and Goldie Leininger

I Love Smart People

2009-10-05T19:36:00.003-05:00

Randy Hedlun did most of his growing up right here in South Dakota. After graduating from High School in Rapid City, he attended Evangel University - graduating in 1976 with a BA in Biblical Studies.

Randy served in several several other capacities before we met. I first connected with him while he was pastoring in Gregory, SD. We served on the presbytery together under David Nelson and became great friends.

It was during that time that the Lord directed him to move to Springfield, MO to complete a master's degree at AGTS. Following graduation from AGTS, he was offered a position with Global University as an editor and course writer. And during that time, he enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of South Africa.

Randy just completed the Doctor of Theology degree in April 2009. During the time he was working on this degree, Global invited him to serve as the Dean of one of its four schools, Berean School of the Bible, which is its adult continuing education level school.

During all this time, he continues to hold credentials with the South Dakota Assemblies of God. We're very proud of him and his accomplishments!

By the way - - his doctoral dissertation title was The Social Function of Glossolalia in Acts with Special Attention to the Ephesian Disciples Pericope (Acts 18:24-19:7).

Don't you just love smart people?!!

2009 Minister's Retreat

2009-08-31T15:58:00.004-05:00

Featuring H.B. London

H. B. London, Jr. is Vice President of Church and Clergy Outreach for Focus on the Family, a Colorado Springs-based ministry whose primary reason for existence is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That objective is accomplished by a commitment to nurture and defend families worldwide.

Focus on the Family's founding president, Dr. James C. Dobson, believes that pastors and their families must remain strong if we are to successfully resist the downward moral trends which threaten the very foundation of our nation and has asked H.B. to represent Focus on the Family in supporting clergy families worldwide.

As first cousins who grew up more or less as brothers, it is a dream come true for them to have an opportunity to serve God in a joined ministry. Rev. London's ministry continues to be people-centered -- "When you find a need, you fill it." He operates by the slogan, "God loves you as though you were the only one in all the world to love -- and that makes you a very important person." H.B. and his wife, Beverley, have two married sons and four grandchildren.

Retreat Info

Location: Best Western Ramkota, Pierre, SD
Date: September 28-30
Time: Begins Monday at 6:30 PM with a general session
Ends Wednesday around Noon

Lodging

All events take place at the Pierre Ramkota
Ramkota - - $78/night - - 605.224.6877 - limited rooms available
Comfort Inn - - $86.39 - - 605.224.0377
Governors Inn - - $85 - - 605.224.4200
Days Inn - - $73.99 - - 605.224.0411
Super 8 - - $58 - - 605.224.1617

Orlando General Council

2009-08-18T22:35:00.003-05:00

For those who missed the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God, the sessions and services are available online at http://www.agtv.ag.org/. Check it out!!

Kamp Kinship Wins Award

2009-08-09T14:53:00.003-05:00

Washington D. C. - June 8, 2009 - Kinship Mountain Ministries has been selected for the 2009 Best of Deadwood Award in the Church category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Congratulations to David and Kathy Winter and their team!!

Sabbath Keepers

2009-08-08T21:32:00.003-05:00

Rick Warren shared during one of our sessions at General Council in Orlando. He had many inspiring things to say. One was pertaining to keeping the Sabbath. He reminded us that not observing a Sabbath is a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. Then he gave a catchy summary:

Divert Daily - If your work is largely mental, let your diversion be physical. If your work is more physical, let your diversion be something less physical.
Withdraw Weekly - A weekly day of rest is necessary for all of us!
Abandon Annually - A vacation plan is an important part of a balanced and healthy life pattern.

How are you doing on keeping the Sabbath??

Introducing Jerry Dahmen...

2009-07-24T12:56:00.003-05:00

I few months ago, I met a man by the name of Jerry Dahmen. Jerry is a nationally recognized broadcaster, journalist, and author. He is also a believer in the power of inspiring testimonies of God's greatness. He has created a series of "I Love Life" minutes that you'll hear more about real soon. He recently shared with me "Six Spiritual Principles for Successful Living".

If you dwell on the darkness, you'll never see the light.
Take the focus off you.
Fill your mind with Godly thoughts.
Forgive and let go.
Lighten up.
If you can't change your circumstances, change your attitude and make it an attitude of gratitude.

Good thoughts!