news

Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

u e A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery

s c September 2005
a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

r e Why is Christianity the ONLY religion that is not allowed to be mentioned or proclaimed
in public or on college and school campuses?
Why are Christian symbols and mementos not allowed?
Why is carrying your Bible and openly displaying it not allowed in some places? I think
we all know the answers to these questions—we are living in the end time and the Bible
teaches us that, “in the last days men will not endure sound doctrine.” (II Timothy 4:3)
CONSIDER THIS:

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Still Valid
King James Version Modern Version
1. Thou shalt have no other 1. You shall have no other gods
gods before me. before me.
2. Thou shalt not take unto thee 2. You shall not make for yourself
any graven image. any idol.
3. Thou shalt not take the name 3. You shall not use or repeat the
e 2 of the Lord in vain. name of the Lord in vain.
l s Pag 4. Remember the Sabbath to 4. Remember the Sabbath day, keep
r ia
M emo keep it Holy. it holy.
ing
Liv 5. Honor thy father and mother. 5. Regard, treat with honor. due
2 6. Thou shalt not kill. obedience, and courtesy, your
age
sP father and mother.
ote
7. Thou shalt not commit

Still
N
ogram adultery. 6. You shall not kill.
Pr 8. Thou shalt not steal. 7. You shall not commit adultery.
3
age 9. Thou shalt not bear false 8. You shall not steal.
kP

Valid!
e s witness.
or ’s D 9. You shall not bear false witness.
ect 10. Thou Shalt not covet. 10. You shall not covet.
Dir
e 3
m Pag
or
io nF
nat Both versions have the same message – and it is still the same message as it was when it was
Do
e 4 given. If we as Christians believe them to be God’s message as a guide for people’s life, why
l e Pag do we not take a stand and let people know what we believe?
edu
el Sch
Chap We say that we do not want to impose our beliefs on people and that they have a right to believe
e4 what they want to. This is true! But, we have an obligation to be witnesses for Christ, to present
Pag
ds
n Nee the Gospel of Jesus Christ and tell the world that without Jesus Christ in their life as their
sio
Mis personal Savior, they are doomed for eternity, separated from God. What is it going to take for
we as Christians to understand our call to the “Great Commission” that was given to us by Jesus
himself?
 “NewLife” Program Notes Living Memorials
…I rescued the poor who cried for help…Job 29:12 touch lives as they honor the memory of
l d df i d
As the chill begins to return to the air here in Anchorage,
I want to share an ever-increasing burden with you, our
supporters; it has to do with our ministry to “the Least, the b
Last, the Lost” at a time of serious opposition from many
sides. This opposition takes on some recurring themes:

1) Some people say, “Not in my neighborhood.”

2) Some people say, “Your services are not helping to end b

homelessness.”
Jay Johnson
I hear these all too often. My response is two-fold. First let by Robert and Andrea McClelland
me say that our program for the homeless and addicted men
& women are designed to end homelessness for those we When Answers Aren’t Enough
serve. We introduce them to Christ and provide concrete You have faced the mountains of desperation.
tools that are proven to improve their lives. But what do we You have climbed, You have fought,
do with those who refuse our “NewLife” programs? Do we You have won.
stop feeding and sheltering the ‘chronic homeless’? But this valley that lies coldly before you,
My answer comes from a personal experience in Portland, Has a shadow that you cannot overcome.
Oregon when I was Chaplain in the men’s program at
the mission. In the winter of 2002 an intoxicated Native When answers aren’t enough
American, an elderly man with very little English speaking There is Jesus.
ability came to us, in from the cold, for a place to spend the He is more than just an answer to your prayers,
night. He was a ‘chronic homeless’ man and because he was And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge.
a bit difficult to deal with the staff didn’t let him stay. When answers aren’t enough
The next morning I heard that he had frozen to death under He is there.
a bridge in the night. I had a long talk with the Lord that
day, trying to sort out what had happened. My heartfelt And just when you thought you had it all together.
conclusion is this: we will always offer food and shelter to You knew every verse to get you through.
the “poor who cry for help” without regard to ‘why’ they But this time all the sorrow,
need help. All men & women are worthy to have food and Broke more than just your heart
shelter regardless of the reason for their circumstance. And reciting all of those verses.
As we head back into the cold, I especially want to thank
Just want do.
you for allowing us to continue to serve ‘the Least, the
Last, the Lost’ of our community. Instead of asking, Why did it happen?
Think of where it can lead you to from here.
Serving Him with your help, And as your pain is slowing easing,
Pastor Aaron
You can find a greater reason,
To live your life triumphant through the tears.

How about you’re Will? When answers aren’t enough

What about a Trust? There is Jesus.
He is more than just an answer to you prayers,
Are you involved with Planned And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge.
Giving? When answers aren’t enough
He is there.
Please Remember the Mission !
Used with permission
Director’s Desk
Don Bettis PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN NEEDED!!!

WHAT IF “There were NO Christian Gospel Rescue Missions”?

...I mean anywhere in the world. Who would provide for the
emergency, temporary help offered to those in need, with an
opportunity to hear the Gospel message and an invitation to
accept Jesus Christ as their Savior?
I know there are other agencies around that provide help.
They are to be commended and we need them. However, the
Christian Rescue Mission goes unnoticed, for the most part,
by local authorities and the community. While we are not
looking for praises from men, we are here to serve God in
this capacity, but it would be extremely encouraging if those
in places of authority would recognize the help the Christian
Rescue Mission provides for the city. Again, what if we were
not here—who would take care of the many people that
depend on the Gospel Rescue Mission, supported by faithful
donors like those of you that are reading this newsletter?
There needs to be a Public Awareness Campaign to
make known to the cities that Missions serve just how
much good they really do without any financial help from
the municipalities, state or federal government. Rescue
Missions operate very cost effectively on meager budgets,
giving a helping hand up to those in need. I have talked to
many people in Anchorage and they do not even know we
are here, what we do or that we have the best most efficient
Drug and Alcohol Program anywhere.
On the national level the Executive Director, Rev. Steve
Burger, of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, and
44 representatives from Christian Gospel Rescue Missions
across the country met with elected officials and their staff
for the eighth straight year to make the nation aware of all
of the many good things done by Christian Rescue Missions.
Rev. Burger said, “It was a thrilling experience to hold hands
with these people and pray for the Rescue movement.” I
wonder what kind of reception this Christian committee
would have received in Anchorage.
Rev. Burger further commented, “It is exhilarating to stand
with national leaders and testify how God is changing lives
(the national leaders know that people need a Christian
environment and Christ in their life for change to take place
in their life) They are thrilled with stories of transformed
lives. If that were all our Public Awareness Program
accomplished, it would still be a great asset. The power of a
transformed life and the power of prayer are awesome.”
All of the nation’s Christian Gospel Rescue Missions
including the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission have a
great opportunity to help people in need with essentials
of life and more, like education through our Computer
Learning Center. It provides job readiness training as well
as instructions in basic life skills individuals need to survive.
All of this and an introduction to Jesus Christ by presenting
the Gospel through the Chapel service and the life style of
our staff.
If we can just get a Public Awareness Campaign started and
spread throughout the city, then, perhaps people will know
what we do. Since you know what we do, will you please
help us with this campaign by telling some of the good
news of RESCUE?

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
______ I Will Pray for this Ministry. Make checks payable to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
You will receive a receipt.

Name:________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
Please send this coupon in with your donations.
 Our Ministry of Chapel Services for September
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1 2 3
r is to Rev. Ben First Calvary
the least Sherbahn Presbyterian Baptist
Church Church
the last 4 5 6. 7 8 9 10
the lost God’s Abbot Loop Anchorage Anchorage Alliance Calvary Wasilla
“URGENT” Place Community
Church
Pilgram
Nazarene
Gospel
Singers
Bible
Church
Church Assembly
of God
Our supplies of these 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
items is constantly in God’s Church First Christian Sherbahn Rev. Ben Lighthouse
need of replenishing Place of God
Prophecy
Assembly
of God
Evangelical
Church
Evangelical
Team
Sherbahn Christian
Fellowship
† Prayer 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
† Paper Towels Grace Rev. Ben Anchorage Christian Evangelical In His Name Southside
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Victory
Fellowship
Sherbahn Native
Assembly
Evangelical
Church
Covenant
Church
Sandy
McCollum
Church
of God
† Fresh Meat 25 26 27 28 29 30
† Coffee New Light Hillside Attorney Chapel Shiloh Rev. Ben
Community Baptist Greg By The Sea Baptist Sherbahn
† Bathroom Tissue Church Church Grebe Church
† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational or-
† Cleaning Supplies ganization. We received NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United
† Liquid Dish Detergent Way Agency. Your financial support and in Kind donations makes it possible for us
† Dinner Napkins to provide for the poor, needy and homeless prople in our community. Also, your
† Shampoo donations allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Dona-
“URGENT” tions are fully tax deductible. We will give you a recipt for your donation upon your
request.

Anchorage Gospel Anchorage Non-Profit Org.

ue
U.S. Postal
Rescue Mission Gospel PAID
s c Anchorage, AK
Board of Trustees reMission
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Premit # 290

Mark Soquet, President A Ministry of

Bob Collins, Vice President Rescue & Recovery info@anchoragerescue.org
(and acting treasure)
e www.anchoragerescue.org

news
Ed Shelton, Secretary u
Enoch Adams sc
re
Dr. Bonnie Hemry

Emeritus:
P.O. Box 230510 - Anchorage, AK - 99523-0510-(907) 563-5603
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Rev. Willard leisy
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly
Dr. Byron Perkins

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir.

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.
MEMBER
Association of Gospel ue
sc Missions
re
An association of Rescue Ministries