Professional Documents
Culture Documents
news r e
c u e
s God Bless America—
A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery
July 2006
a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska
Rev. Burger offers “sure fire” ways your contribution will make a real difference in the lives of
homeless, women, and children in community. They are:
a. Don’t give money hand-outs. Instead purchase food items yourself, refer the person to an
agency that can provide food, shelter, and other assistance, or give coupons to restaurants
or grocery stores that can be turned in for food. Want proof that change given directly to the
homeless does not go to meet their deepest needs. Listen to Verdan, a formerly homeless
man from Los Angeles.
People would drive up and give me a ten-dollar bill. When it should have been a blessing,
it really was not a blessing because it was used to buy drugs. People were trying to help.
They were being good spirited. They were being good hearted in trying to help somebody
less fortunate. But I used their gift to buy drugs.
b. Donate food to a local agency. Food is usually in short supply at rescue missions, shelters,
and other social service agencies. They especially need items such as juices, meats, soups,
and stews.
c. Donate clothes such as jackets, sweatshirts, new underwear, socks, shoes, knit hats and
gloves which are needed for men and women.
d. Because the fastest growing groups of homeless people is children and women with children,
these is a need for disposable diapers, baby food and formula, clothing, and blankets.
e. Homeless children dream of new toys such as dolls, trucks, and games. These donations
may be the only gifts they receive for a birthday or Christmas.
f. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, combs, and shaving lotions are always welcome.
www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit our recently
Re-designed web page and we encourage
you to drop us an E-mail with your
comments and suggestions
TESTIMONIALS
“Strengthen the Things That Remain”
I came to Alaska in 1991 thinking things would be different, I would get a good paying job, and life
would be good. But when I opened my suitcase out popped all of my addictions and defects. The
only thing that had changed was the climate because I had been running from God. I continued to
run for the next ten years.
In and out of jail, in and out of recovery programs, in and out of church the same old behaviors over
and over again. While at Seward in 2000 I went back to school and learned a trade. This lead to a
good job in Anchorage, a new apartment, I even
went back to church for a little while anyway.
I joined the program at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission in 2005. I rededicated my life to
Christ and learned to forget about what I wanted in life and tried to focus on what God wanted.
With the staffs help I learned how to surrender to God and how to stand still and hear his voice. I’ve
discovered God knows what I want and more importantly he knows what I need.
I wanted to stay on at the Mission so that I could reach others who are struggling with addiction.
My ministry is driving the donation van for the Rescue Mission.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into
heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy
right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10
“The Gift of Gratitude”
I grew up on a large family farm in Idaho. My mother took me to church often. That’s where
I was first introduced to Christ. I was into sports and active in our family business which on
the surface looked normal. However I was substituting my relationship with God with sports,
making money, alcohol, and having fun.
As the years progressed I found some success, outwardly. But inwardly I was empty and isolated.
I let this go on unchecked and it developed into anger. I began to blame life in general for all
my problems. I tried to fill the void with
different things like work, hobbies, drugs,
and alcohol. All this accomplished was
elevating my own perception of myself.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Living Memorials Discovering—Christ In Me
....touch lives as they honor the memory of
loved ones and friends Discovering daily who God really is Thanking Him daily
I’m His and He’s mine.
In Memory of
Evelyn Michou Discovering daily God’s great love for me; such mercy,
by George and Peggy Ward forgiveness, amazing free.
Randy and Donna Grice
Pat Holmes Discovering daily that God really cares.
Jerry and Cathy Holmes
Matthew and Natalie Holmes Discovering daily He does answer prayer.
Lyn and Vernon Scott
Discovering daily what grace really means; unmerited
Richard and Julia Wight
favor beyond all my dreams.
G. Scott Johnson
UTC Procurement Friends Discovering daily God speaking to me. He speaks through
of Linda Butler the Bible; once blind, now I see.
Dean Caraway
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Phillips and family Discovering daily each day that I live. . .
Ken and Liz Sherwood that all I need He freely will give.
Jerry Anderson
Gordon and Ila McWhorter Discovering daily Christ working through me,
Aunt Hilda Anderson accomplishing daily what never could be.
Mary K. Hughes
Mrs. Joyce Thompson Discovering daily I can’t, but He can. Thanking Him daily
Mr. and Mrs. Parvin Butler for my place in His plan.
In Memory of Discovering daily how real life can be, when I am living
Joseph McFadden in Christ and He is living in me.
by John and Barbara Butt
Discovering daily a song in my heart, with
In Memory of anticipation for each day to start.
George Whalen delighting and basking in love so divine,
by Lorene Pratt Secure in the knowledge that
I am His and He is mine.
In Honor of Besides mere contentment;
Mr. Terry Casdorph excitement I see!
For leading services at Evergreen Memorial A daily adventure: Christ living in me!
and the Angelus Memorial Park Copied with permission
by The Family of Evelyn t. Michou
In Honor of
Mrs. Karen Gillian Maldonado
For singing Mom’s favorite hymn
Summer Is Here!
“Farther Along” While you take a well deserved vacation and enjoy
by The Family of Evelyn T. Michou
the days of summer – the needs of the Mission
In Honor of continue. As you make your plans for the summer
Don and Charlotte Bettis please continue your support to the Mission.
55th Wedding Anniversary Especially your Prayers.
by Arlene Cross
DIRECTOR’S
DESK This Program Works
Don Bettis
It is not the program that changes a man life—but Jesus Christ in their life that causes a man to change from their
old life style to a new life in Christ. This is the theme of our program, II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
I may be just a little bit prejudiced but I think our “NewLife” Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program is the best in
the city or anywhere else! We have seen miraculous result in the lives of those that graduate the program. Nine of
them are working full time in this ministry with places of responsibility. There are a number of graduates that have
left the Mission and gone on to find jobs, some have gotten married and become productive people in our city. These
are all good representatives of what the program can do. It works because Jesus is at the center, beginning and end
of this program. If a person will turn their life over to God and have a real determination to succeed—it will work for
them. This program is personalized to fit each individual. There are general rules and regulations for everyone but
each person is dealt with individually—then a program is designed to meet their needs. Our Program Director is Larry
Aldrich (who is a graduate of this program). He spends full time working with those in the program. He receives
help from others on the staff and our Chaplain who is a certified drug and alcohol counselor. Each man is required to
attend Bible study and Chapel service everyday. But, in addition to that they have two other classes each week that are
mandatory and counseling sessions. Goals of recovery are set and plans of how to attain those goals are made. Besides
all of this there are many other aspects discussed on how to reach full recovery and begin a new way of life.
In addition to all of the above they must attend Computer classes. Our goal here is to at least teach them some
computer literacy. There are other learning center classes that include some life skills, money management and GED
preparation so they may obtain a high school equivalency certificate.
Everyone in the program is assigned a chore that must be completed each day. They are graded here on promptness,
thoroughness, attitude and temperament. The purpose of the chores is to teach them some responsibilities and to keep
them busy and their time occupied so they want have time to drift back into their old life style.
I know that some people have given up drugs and alcohol without concern for their spiritual life, and have been
successful in recovery to a degree. However, it is not complete. They do not have New Life. They do not have Jesus
as their Lord and Savior. They have to face life with out God and they are setting themselves up to fall back to their
old ways. Their testimony is, “I am a recovering alcohol or addict”. But the testimony of a person with Christ in their
life is, “I am a new creation in Christ; old things are pasted away and behold all things are become new”.
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission P.OB 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 M/C Am/Ex Discover
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 with your donations.
Our Ministry of Chapel Services for July
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1
r is to Calvery
the least
Baptist
Church
the last 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
the lost God’s
Place
Abbot Loop
Community
Anchorage
Pilgrim
Anchorage
Gospel
Reverend
Ben
First
Presbyterian
Wasilla
Assembly
“URGENT” Church Nazarene Singers Sherbahn Church of God
† Bathroom Tissue 30
God’
31
Trinity
Services are held nightly from 7:30 to 8:30
† Laundry Soap Place Presbyterian
Church
† Disposable Shavers
† Cleaning Supplies STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
† Liquid Dish Detergent
organization. We received NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a
† Dinner Napkins United Way Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations makes it possible
† Shampoo for us to provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also,
“URGENT” 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.
ue
U.S. Postal
Rescue Mission Gospel PAID
s c Anchorage, AK
Board of Trustees reMission
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Permit # 290
news
Ed Shelton, Secretary u
Enoch Adams sc
re
Brad Young
Emeritus:
P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Rev. Willard leisy
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly
MEMBER
Association of Gospel ue
sc Missions
re
An association of Rescue Ministries