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

anchorage gospel
rescue mission
WHAT DOES IT MEAN Safe Shelter is Provided
TO YOU TO HAVE A
Shelter is provided for men and women in a
GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION
clean, warm safe Christian environment. We serve
IN YOUR TOWN? good, hot nutritional meals to anyone that is here

I
t should mean that you
know that, if they want it, the
homeless, poor, and needy
people will have a place to
have their needs met in a time of crises in
their life. And, that you can have a part
in meeting those needs! That there is a
place that puts the emphases on people’s
spiritual needs and tries through personal
witnessing, lifestyle and Chapel service to
lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus
David M. Williams
Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Program Director
Sometimes I wonder if the people of
Larry Aldrich
Operations Manager Anchorage even know that we are here. I
have been here going on 18 years. Most of
Randy Hess my time has been spent in public relations
Maintenance Supervisor presenting our program and what we do
to local churches and businesses. You
Larry O’Connor know, I have people almost daily tell me
Greg Mann that they did not know that the Mission
Roger Klein existed or that there was a place like ours
Donn Baker in this city.
Client Supervisors
at meal time (you should see the crowd for the
first serving at dinner time). Clothing, showers
and spiritual counseling are given freely. There
is a Chapel service every night after dinner and
YES, everyone that spends the night must attend
this service.
Drug and Alcohol Recovery
Program That Works!
Besides meeting basic need we have a Drug and
Alcohol Recovery program that works, because
it is Christ centered. It is based on Christian
principles and morals. Victory is possible. Those
that complete the program claim II Corinthians
5:17 as their theme, “therefore, if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed
away, and behold all things are become new”. . .
.
All of this is possible because of those that do
know about us and what we mean to the city. God
uses them to provide the needs of the Mission.

David McKnight Best Kept Secret in Town

Van Driver
Someone has said that, “the Mission is
Spread the Word
Solomona Talivaa the best kept secret in town.” They were So, help us spread the word about the Mission
Maintenance
referring to all of the services we provide and what we do for those in need for the Glory
John Lofquist to those in need without ever a charge to and Honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Donations anyone.
Neil Givens
ne

Learning Center

8
ju

0 0
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 Mount Rushmore’s
I like watching the History Channel. I like watching it
more for entertainment purposes than for its educational
content. What is presented as fact in some of the shows
is pure fiction that would cause Carl Sagan to blush
with shame. Recently there was a show aired on the
History Channel called “Life After People”. The theme
was what the Earth would look like after 50 years, 100
years, 150 years, 500 years, 1000 years, and finally
10,000 years if all of humanity suddenly disappeared.
Presumably, the premise was how much better the
earth would be if none of us were around to destroy
the “sacred” environment. Humanity could certainly do
much better at taking care of what God has entrusted
to us, but I don’t think this should be accomplished
by eliminating the world’s population, or drastically
reducing it.
Perhaps, the most thought provoking part of this show
was what of our present civilization would still be
recognizable after 10,000 years had passed. After ten
thousand years have gone by all of our cities will have
crumbled to dust and the interstates would have been
reclaimed by “primal” forests. The only evidence of
mankind that would be visible would be creations such
as Mount Rushmore. Think of it; four dead guys, one
of whom is wearing a wig, carved in stone, on top of a
mountain would be all that was left to indicate America
had ever existed. Kind of makes one wonder what the
Egyptian Sphinx is all about.
Considering long periods of time I began to think of
eternity and what will follow me into the “here after.” II
Corinthians 3:18 says we “are being transformed into
his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” And Ephesians 2:6-7
www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments
and suggestions
2
says; “6And God raised us up with Christ and seated
us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7
in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his
kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Continuing on in v.10
Paul writes: “10For we are God’s workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.” So, there it is, that is what God
wants to do with us, and is doing with us as disciples of
His Son, Jesus Christ.
I want myself and my life to be a monument, a little
Mount Rushmore, to God the Father; transformed into
the likeness of Jesus Christ, seated in the heavenly
realms as God’s workmanship, a monument to God’s
infinite grace and mercy for all eternity. All who are in
Christ Jesus will be little Mount Rushmores built into a
Holy Temple. For it says, as Paul continues in his letter to
the Ephesians, beginning in v.19; “19Consequently, you
are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens
with God’s people and members of God’s household,
20
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In
him the whole building is joined together and rises to
become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you
too are being built together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his Spirit.”
I like watching the History Channel and I’ll keep
watching it for its entertainment value, as well as for
what little educational content that I can glean from it.
But, my 10,000 years from now looks a lot better than
their 10,000 years from now.
Written by John Lofquist
 When Answers Aren’t Enough
You have faced the mountains
of desperation.
sk
You have climbed,
de is
ett
s You have fought,
o r’ B You have won.
t
on
But this valley that lies coldly before you,
ec Has a shadow that you can not overcome.
di
r
v.D
Re And just when you thought
You had it altogether.
You knew every verse to get you through.
But this time all the sorrow,
Jesus Is Still The Answer! Broke more than just your heart,
And reciting all of those verses,
When I heard the song that follows it had a real deep Just won’t do.
meaning for me and I am sure that it will have a special Instead of asking
meaning for someone that will read this newsletter. Why did it happen?.
For some of us it seems like there is just one mountain Think of where it can lead you to
after another that we have to climb. One struggle after From here.
another. So we go to the scriptures and find a verse that And as your pain is slowly easing,
will temporarily get us through the problem. As the You can find a greater reason,
song says, “you have climbed, you have fought, you To live your life triumphant
have won.” Through the tears.

Chorus: Repeat after each verse.

But then, there comes a really big problem or
circumstance that you cannot handle. You have prayed, When answers aren’t enough
you have asked a friend for advise or you have found There is Jesus.
scripture verses that have helped before, but this time He is more than just an answer
answers just want do. To your prayers.
And your heart will find a safe
And peaceful refuge.
Finally in your despair you realize that “there is Jesus,” When answers aren’t enough
to understand, to love you, to comfort you and give you He is there.
the assurance that everything will be all right. Folks,
that is why it is so important for you and me to have a
personal relationship with Jesus. To know Him as your
Old—Time Religion
Lord and Savior is the most important decision you will Give me that old time religion,
ever make. But to know Him intimately and personally Give me that old time religion,
is important too, so in a time of crises in your life you can Give me that old time religion,
go to Him with full assurance and confidence and know It’s good enough for me!
that He will give you the encouragement and answers Amen
that you need in your time of trouble, disappoints
and doubts. I know that here at the Mission it seems
like we have one crisis after another. Sometimes we
wonder why, when we are trying our best to do what we
think that God wants done then another crises arises.
However, we have learned to take them to Him one at a
time and watch, wait and listen as He works them out.

3
It is good, indeed, to know, “When Answers Aren’t
enough, There is Jesus.”
 life that I understood the true message of salvation,
restoration and Christ atoning work at Calvary, but by
then the damage had been done.

e s My high school years were some of the best years of my

oni s life, I had a lot of friends in high school, I was captain
k
ti
m
ar of my varsity football and basketball teams, Sergeant

te
s Sp of Arms of the Senior Class and the Senior Choir,
en and I received better than average grades. During my
t e v junior year in high school I was introduce to marijuana
S and I began to consume alcohol, alcohol consumption
became a practice after some of our ball games.
I grew in the projects of Toledo, Ohio the
second of three sons to M r. and Mrs. Richard
Kenneth Sparks. My parents divorced when
I was about nine years of age, although my
father was not present in the home, I saw
him often enough that we had a intimate
and loving relationship, so much so that my
mom was able to rule knowing that if my
brothers and I got out of hand that the wrath
of my father, would be upon us, although my
mother could hold her own when it came to
swinging a belt. Today, what is commonly
called child abuse was known in those days
as a spanking and I got a lot of them, or so
it seems.

I was raised in the church, my great grandfather

Pastored a church, my grandfather was the
pastor and my mother ministers a hot meal
program in the inner city. Church was mandatory in my
mother’s house as it still is to this day. If my siblings
and I did not attend Sunday school and church, we were
not allowed to go roller skating, go to the movies, nor
did we receive our weekly allowance. I was baptized at
a very young age, the gospel has always been a part of
my life, at least as far back as I can remember.
My pastor growing up was the late Rev. J. Johnson, was
a very tall, very dark skinned African American who
had snow white hair. He preached fire and brimstone.
The image I had of God was him and I was scared of
him. As a adolescence I believed I was headed for hell
unless I was perfectly obedient and so perfectionism
creep into my psychic, but the truth of the matter was
no matter how hard I tried I could not measure up to the
word I heard preached. It wasn’t until my young adult
I attended college immediately after high school, a bible
college in Defiance, Ohio. Where I received honorable
mention all American honors in football, I was your
typical jock, I drank on weekends and smoked a lot of
pot, it was my most favorite thing to do. I graduated
from Defiance, College with a Bachelor’s of Science in
Economics and Business Administration.
I was young, black, educated good looking and
Affirmative action was in full swing and I thought I had
the bull by the tail. Little did I know what was in store
for me, through a series of job changes and promotions
I was relocated to Seattle, Washington, where I began
a career in banking, Commercial Lending with a
reputable bank, I began to systematically dig a hole for
myself that would take me on a roller coaster ride, that

4
would last twenty-five years
First I no longer attend church nor did I read my bible
or pray. I partied several nights a week, drank and
consumed drugs as often as I wanted to; I kept a supply
of alcohol and weed at my place of residen ce. I had a
fifty thousand dollar loan limit which no one questioned
my loans as long as they did not exceed 50,000.00. And
if they did exceed my limit, I only had to follow certain
protocol and procedures and document my reasons and
have the branch manager sign off on them.
The next twenty years are numerous attempts at
treatment, three failed marriages and a slew of jobs.
Here’s the scenario, go to treatment, get clean, stay
clean, get a job, make some money, all while working a
program of recovery, which includes but not limited to
church, recovery meetings, service work, counseling,
sponsorship, etc. Then because of complacency,
indifference, pride, fear and other such emotions and
character defects I slowly began to self destruct by not
working a plan of recovery and before I knew it I it,
I was back to my bottom again or a new bottom, one
usually much further down. This I did more times than
I care to admit, let’s just say you’d run out of fingers if
you used both hands to count them with.
In retrospect God was working out his will for my life.
With each attempt at recovery I would gain insight and
knowledge of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
I was acquiring various tools and skills that were
enabling me to understand Gods will for my life and
a greater desire to seek a relationship with Him. God
was placing great men of faith in my life, some were
Pastors, Teachers, Professors, and Drug counselors all
men with one thing in common, they believed that Jesus
Christ was the way, the truth and the life and I began
to believe it. I even got clean and sober long enough
to attend the Seminary, to study for a Masters Degree
in Divinity, but before I could finish it that old cocaine
demon reared up its ugly head and I short circuited...
(But the Bible say’s delay does not mean denial).
I had a real tough time at reprogramming my way of
thinking or the way I had been taught to think, that is
the way of the world. Now I understand the message
of the Gospel of Jesus Chris, the Grace of God and the
Love of God the abundant life I am entitled to as a son
of the most, high God. I used to believe that once an
addict always and addict today I believe something
entirely different today I believe I am wonderfully
made, I believe I am a royal priesthood I believe I am
made in the Image of God. I began to hear about real
Love as opposed to sex as described in 1st Corinthians
13. About what Faith is, the terms deliverance freedom
and authority, became a part of my belief system. But I
still continued to struggle with relapse and recovery.
On one of my many relocation cures in the late 90’s I
joined a discipleship training program, I was homeless
down and out and nowhere to go and it seemed like a
good idea at the time, It was the toughest most grueling
emotional work I had ever done, once again I was faced
with the fact of facing who I wanted to be as opposed to
who and what I had become. It took me eighteen months
of being virtually sequestered from the outside world to
accomplish the task and meet the program goals, but I
learned and benefited greatly from the experience.
After more failed attempts at sobriety or shall I say
learning experiences, at discovering Gods will for my
life, which was not more booze and drugs. I ended up
in prison in Alaska, for possession with intent, I was
looking at seven years for my crime of which there was
no doubt that I was guilty, but thanks be to God through
who and from all blessings flow, I was sentenced to
only four months of imprisonment and three years of
probation..
Shortly after being released from prison I joined the
“NewLife” Recovery Program at the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission. While in prison I made a
commitment to God and myself to completely give my
life and my will over to the care of God, and part of the
meant submitting to a spiritual based recovery program
such as the one the Mission offers, Today I have a life
dedicated to prayer , to the systematic study of the
Scriptures, daily Bible reading, hearing Gods word
preached everyday, church attendance twice per week,
I serve as an usher in a local congregation, I am in the
process of applying to Correspondence graduate school
for a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling, today I
am all about obedience, sacrifice, serving giving and
living a life predicated on the word of God. It has taken
me a life time to get here, and a lot of pain, anguish and
frustration. I am in my thirteenth month of deliverance;
with another eighteen months to go before I leave the
Mission and I am confident of this one thing that he has
begun a good work in me shall not complete it until the
day of Christ.
5
 Be The Example!
I suppose one of the most daunting task associated with being the Program Director for
our “NewLife” recovery program is setting a good example for the men. The diligence
required can be exhausting. It certainly has helped me dispense grace towards those
whom I look up to when they may do or say something not quite right. I now understand
sometimes, although we try, we might fall short in our attempt to set the good example.

I believe it’s vitally important as Christians that we be the example. I believe this because
Christ believed this. He could have very easily forgiven and paid for our sins from the
comfort of heaven or he could have taken the fast track and appeared supernaturally to
die on the cross. He didn’t have to suffer the temptation in the wilderness nor the insults
of the Pharisees and Sadducees. I believe he chose to do so in order to show us how to In Loving Memory of
behave rather than just tell us. Tommy Wilkinson

Christ loved us enough to show us what love looks like. He taught we have to cradle concern in the arms of compassion
in order to truly practice the art of loving our brothers. He showed us how to place the needs of others above our own
even if it cost us something in the process. Christ showed us the difference between right and wrong can often be
decided by examining the heart behind the act. The most important lesson Christ taught has turned out to be the most
difficult to emulate. Even in death Christ submitted himself to the will of God. I can’t seem to effectively accomplish
this even in the best of times. The Lord has shown his love by continuingly placing people in my life who acted as
good examples for many different reasons. On this fathers day I would like to tell you all about one of theses men.

Thomas H. Wilkinson, Tommy to the world, was my Step-Father. Although my biological father is now a part of my
life whenever I use the phrase father or dad I’m referring to Tommy. My parents divorced when I was four years old
I was too young to really understand what was going on. Us kids move in with our grandparents on a small, 21 acre,
working farm in rural Mississippi. Although I can’t think of a better place to grow up there was defiantly something
missing in our lives.

My mother remarried in 1969 and once again our lives changed dramatically. We had our own version of the Brady
Bunch. There were three of us, two boys and one girl and Tommy had two boys. Two years after they were married
our little sister was born. She was the blood coupling that forged these two families into one legitimate unit. One
legitimate, noisy, energetic, and often destructive family unit.

What a good man Tommy was! Not once in my childhood did I ever entertain the notion he did not love me. Not once
did I feel he placed his own biological children above or below me. He was, and still is, the most unselfish man I’ve
ever known in my life. Everything he did he did with his family’s well being in mind. I loved him dearly and like my
mother I broke his heart with my foolish behavior.

Tommy Wilkinson was the epitome of unselfishness. Looking back it seem so unfair that someone so caring would
suffer so much in death. I’m not sure the doctors ever found out what was wrong with my father. All I know is it took
him close to thirteen years to die. Through it all, no matter how bad he felt, he worked to support his family. He never
lost his dignity and he forever loved my mother.

I suppose the most important lesson I learned from Tommy is one I use the most in my life today. Love equally, love
unselfishly, love devotedly, and love to the end no matter how difficult the journey might be.

David M. Williams

6
 Peaceful Warriors
What a concept huh? As I ponder upon those words they
go together about like Jumbo shrimp. But as I look deeply
into the Word, is that not what we’re called to be. But in no
uncertain terms do I believe that means that we’re supposed
to be door mats and so there lies my struggle.
How do I be a peaceful warrior and not a door mat people
walk all over? First thing is do I believe that conflict is an
opportunity? An opportunity for what, growth? If I keep this
opened up to the bare root, what was I created for? To glorify
God in all things not just the good things but ALL things
even conflict. Talk about a tough nut to crack because in
conflict flesh can become all consuming.
Conflict usually catches us off guard and leads us to say
or do things we later regret. When someone offends us we
can react without thinking (flesh just raised its ugly head)
and usually things go from bad to worse quick fast and in a
hurry. When Paul talks about dying daily to flesh, wow that’s
a big one especially in the heat of the moment. Secondly do I
believe that the gospel is the key to peace? (Yes) I believe that
And over all these virtues put on love, which
binds them all together in perfect unity. Let
the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since
as members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful.”
“Whew” you want meat? There it is a 60 oz. steak sitting
before us. There’s so much more that I could say but just not
enough room to say it. I’ve been digging into Ken Sande the
Peacemaker study through Peacemakers ministries and what
a powerful study.
If you would like to know more about this you can go to
www. Peacemaker.Net and check it out. Therefore may we
put on the Full armor of God so that we can take our stand
against the devils schemes, and not forgetting to shod our
feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Take care and may God bless you and yours abundantly.
Larry Aldrich
Operations Manager

Living Memorials
a true Peace maker is guided, motivated and empowered by
the gospel, the good news that God has forgiven all our sins
and made peace with us through the death and resurrection ….touch lives as they honor the memory
of His Son Jesus Christ. (col.1: 19-20).
of loved ones and friends.
Through Christ he has also enabled us to break the habit
of escaping from conflict or attacking others, and he has In Memory of
empowered us to become peacemakers who can promote Esperanza M. Casas
genuine justice and reconciliation. As Colossians 3:12-15
by Martha Cashen
tells us;
In Memory of
“Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy Frances Ballard
and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with by Josephine Damron
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness Joy / Kruston Sunday School Class
and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against
one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

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.
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 Our Ministry of
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u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
r Is to
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15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Grace Sherbahn Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Lighthouse
“URGENT” Victory Evangelistic Native Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Christian

Our supplies of these Fellowship Team Assembly Church Team Team Fellowship
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items is constantly in New Light Calvary Attorney Calvary Evangelical In His Name Glenn
need of replenishing Community
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† Prayer 29 30
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† Coffee
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† 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 D
Rescue Mission Anchorage Non-Profit Org.
P
ue
U.S. Postal

Board of Trustees Gospel c PAID

s Anchorage, AK
re Permit # 290
L
Ed Shelton Mission GOD BLESS AMERICA O

(President) A Ministry of info@anchoragerescue.org R

Bob Collins Rescue & Recovery www.anchoragerescue.org M
( 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
L
G
R
D
Emeritus:
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED C

Rev. Willard leisy

Advisory Board: D
Paul Kelly V

S
Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir. M
Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.
J
D

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