August 2005

E ANCHORAGE
CU
RES GOSPEL
MISSION
a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • 2823 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska

Why Should YOU Care For,

The Least, The Last, The Lost?
The Bible tells us, “The poor shall never cease out of the land”…. Deut.15:11.
Again Jesus said, “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do
them good”…. Mark 14:7
When I read this and other scriptures I know that according to the word of God we will always have
the poor, needy, homeless and dysfunctional people with us. That is the reality of our society today.
There are those in our mist needing someone to give them a hand up and not just a hand out. Now, I
know that there are those that abuse the system and some that will never change their status in life
because it is a lifestyle that they have chosen. But we cannot let these few hinder us from helping those
that really need help. The need becomes more of a reality when you work with them everyday—trying to
meet their needs and making them more comfortable while allowing them to maintain their dignity and
self worth. Usually by this time of the year we can see a marked difference in the number of people we
serve, this year the numbers have not decreased very much. We still have many families and single
people coming to the Mission for their evening meal.
There are many reasons why a person may become homeless. In the mind of most people though,
drugs and alcohol are the main reason. I will agree that they play a big part and may be the end results
of why a person becomes homeless. But there are many other reasons for a person to become homeless—
mental illness, divorce and the break-up of a home are some reasons. I believe another reason for a
person being homeless in our city is unemployment. Most of the people that come to the Mission would
work if they could find a job. When a person loses their job, their source of income is cut off, then
gradually everything they own—they may turn to alcohol or drugs. They think they can find some relief
from their problems by taking this outlet only to find out they have created a greater problem. Finally,
when all is lost, they may come to us for help.
Those that do come to us with a sincere desire for help—can find it here. You see, we believe a
person’s real help comes from the LORD. Salvation is the first step to recovery. With Jesus in their life
as their Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit to give them the help, guidance and comfort they need a
person can look beyond their present circumstances and see that the Lord can help them reach their goals
and achievements in life. They do not need the drugs and alcohol for a crutch. But now they have Jesus
to lean on and He will help them to get where they want to be – recovered and serving God.
So, why should YOU care? Because Jesus said, You have them and whensoever you will you may
do them good. HOW—1. Prayer, pray for those that come to the Mission for help. 2. Pray for the
Mission and the Staff that we remain willing and ready to assist the person that comes to us for help, no
matter what the need. Also, that we share our faith with those that do not know Jesus Christ as their
personal Savior. 3. Consider volunteering some time at the Mission or perhaps getting you church
involved in a Chapel Service. 4. Donations are always needed, in-kind and financial. 5. Remember the
Mission in your WILL or TRUST. There are many ways to help the homeless. Ask God for His
leadership in your life concerning this matter.
 Living Memorials
Living Memoril and Honorariums
touch lives as they honor the
memory of loved ones and friends.
In Honor of
50th Anniversity Of
Jay and Mary Flynn
by Robert and Norma Leach
In Memory of
Carol Camps
by Nina E. Prockish
H. Keith Clark
Anonymous
William and Elaine Wilson
Darrell and Bernice Baltzer
Harold and Shirley Berg
Diane Hoffbauer
Renée C. Wood
Robert and Majorie Paulson
In Memory of
Esperanza M. Casas
by Martha Cashen
In Memory of
Ray Heinrichs
Margaret Lindemann
Dr. John Miller
Murphy Turner
by Mary Doppelfeld
In Memory of
M. Dean Ingram
by Lee and Maxine Heany
HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE
My Father’s way may twist and turn,
My heart my throb and ache,
But in my soul I’m glad I know,
He maketh no mistake.
My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away,
But still I’ll trust my Lord to lead
For He doth know the way.
Tho’ night be dark and it may seem
That day will never break;
I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him,
He maketh no mistake.
There’s so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight’s far too dim;
But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.
For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He will make.
Through all the way, tho’ dark to me,
He made not one mistake.
-A. J. Overton
“NewLife” Program Notes
An Attitude of Gratitude
Spring and Summer have had an interesting
impact for some of our men. For some, the new
life and energy of these seasons is like a baited
trap. It lures them in by giving them a false
sense of power and confidence as the sunlight
and warmth return.
When a man begins to feel good again he is
passing through very dangerous territory on his
road to recovery. If, during this time, the man
loses his gratefulness and turns again to ‘his
own understanding’ trouble will soon follow.
In order to remain grateful as life improves the
man must genuinely believe that the Lord is due
the credit for every good thing that occurs in his
life, even if he seems to be doing it himself!
We strive to teach our men to understand three
things that will help them to hold on to gratitude
as things go well:
1) The Lord gave us all our potential as he
formed us in our mother’s womb.
2) The Lord guided our steps in life to turn
potential into ability. He led us to encounter
whatever developed our shills.
3) The Lord gives success when we exercise our
ability. He alone decides if any directed effort
will find its mark.
Truly, we can never take credit for any
achievement. Every good thing comes from the
Lord. This thinking is critical to recovery lest
we lapse into self-sufficiency—which was the
beginning problem.
Please pray for our men and women, that the
Lord will grant them to see with gratitude the
depth of His part in their lives.
Serving Him with your help,
Pastor Aaron
YOUR WILL!
Please remember the Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission in your will. It will have
eternal rewards for You.
DIRECTOR’S
DESK
Don Bettis
Two Common Questions:
Why Have Chapel?
Do you have service every night?
Does everyone have to attend?
Some may wonder why a Mission that serves meals and provides shelter for the homeless would also have a Chapel
service every night. Others may wonder why it is necessary for everyone to attend the service.
At the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission we offer much more to poor, needy and homeless men and women than
just meals and a place to sleep. Most of the folks that come through our doors need spiritual help to find a Savior and
guidance on how to cope with ordinary everyday problems.
They need to understand that God loves them and created them in His own
image. They need to understand that no matter who else in life has let them down,
God never will. Many need to understand that God wants to be a Father to them—
perhaps unlike the experience they had with an earthly father that did not want
them.
Many of those that come to the Mission would never consider walking into a
church on Sunday morning to see if they could find answers to their problems and
most would not feel welcome in their tattered and misfit clothing even though they
are clean.
Most of those that come to us for help do not even realize that they need
spiritual help. However, they do realize that they are hungry and they know that
they are welcome at the Mission regardless of how they are dressed or what their problem may be.
Chapel service is not required for any of our services except for overnight shelter. If you spend the night you must go
to Chapel.
Dinner is at 5:15 PM. After dinner they can sit in the Chapel and read (religious books and Bibles are provided).
They may read other material at this time but not during the Chapel service. Then, the service begins at 7:30 PM. This
service is conducted by one of the local churches (we do have a Chaplain on duty). Those in charge of the service are
familiar with the problems and concerns that the homeless face and the aim of the message is to meet those needs.
Our main emphases in having the Chapel service are to give the opportunity to those that do not know the Lord, to
come to know Him during this time. An alter call or invitation time is given so that those in attendance can make a public
profession of faith or the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ into their life. After the service, private counseling is
available to anyone that wants to talk about the decision that was made.
Yes, everyone is required to attend the Chapel service: 1st because this is why we do the things we do: which is to
present Jesus Christ as Savior and try to bring people to the Lord. 2nd because we have new people every night and 3rd
who knows when a person will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior and realize
that He has the answers to their problems. This is the real reason we are here and why we have Chapel.

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 donations of $__________
Faciltites Maintenance: $__________ Check One: Visa; M/C; Am/Ex; Discover
$46.25 For 25 Meals __________ Card Number: _________________________________
$74.00 For 40 Meals __________ Exp. Date: _____ / _____ Signiture:_________________
$132.00 For 72 Meals __________ All credit card information is kept in strict confidence.
$277.50 For 150 Meals __________ Make checks payable to Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission.
________ Other: $__________ YOU WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT
________ I will Pray for this Ministry. Name:_________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
Please send this coupon in with your donation
Our Ministry of

U E
C
R ES is to
the Least-
the Last-
the Lost-
CONTINUING
MISSION NEEDS:
“URGENT!!”
Our supplies of these
items is constantly in
need of replenishing
√ 45 Gal Trash Bags
√ Fresh Meats
√ Coffee
√ Bathroom Tissue
√ Laundry Soap
√ Disposable Shavers
STATEMENT OF FAITH
√ Cleaning Supplies
√ Liquid Dish Detergent The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non- Profit, Non- Denominational organization.
√ Dinner Napkins We receive NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United Way Agency.
√ Shampoo Your financial support and in kind donations make it possible for us to provide for the poor,
√ Prayer needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations allow us to provide a
√ Paper Towels Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All donations are fully tax deductible. We will give you
a receipt for your donation upon your request.
“URGENT!!”

Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postal
Board of PAID
Trustees Anchorage, AK
Mark Soquet, President Permit #290
God
Bob Collins, Vice Pres. Bless
and acting Treasurer America
Ed Shelton, Secretary
Enoch Adams info@anchoragerescue.org
Dr. Bonnie Hemry www.anchoragerescue.org
Emeritus: P. O. Box 230510 - Anchorage, AK - 99523-0510
Cliff Hodgins (907) 563-5603
Rev. Willard Leisy RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly
Dr. Byron Perkins

Rev.Don Bettis, Exec. Dir.

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.

MEMBER UE
Association of Gospel SC Missions
RE
An Association of Rescue Ministries