Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

u e A Ministry of
march
2009
s c Rescue & Discipleship

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a publication of the

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Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

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96 Forty-Four Years of
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Serving the Homeless!

The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission has been serving the poor, needy and homeless people
of Anchorage and those just passing through since 1965. A good nutritious meal, clean clothing
and a safe, secure place to spend the night has been offered for Forty-four years and we will
begin our forty-fifth in September, Lord willing!
Larry Aldrich There have been many changes and additions to our services over the past few years to meet
Operations Manager
the changing needs of those that come to us for help. We would like to add more services,
David Williams especially for those in our “NewLife” Discipline Program but since the city has closed our
Program Director
men’s dormitory we just do not have the room or space to add class room and counseling
Randy Hess rooms. All it would take is for the city to allow us to replat our property or they could give
Maintenance Supervisor us a variance or conditional use permit so that we would be up to code, but they just will not
do it. Their reason, they do not have one. They want us to relocate—they have other plans for
Larry O’Connor
this property. Mean while, the homeless, poor and needy have to suffer with no place to go.
Greg Mann
The city says they are working on the homeless problem! We have the solution that would help
Roger Klein
some. We could provide shelter for 40 men in the dorm and we could provide for another 30 to
John Lofquist
Guest Supervisors 40 with temporary relief from the cold and weather by sleeping in the chapel. We can do this
without any cost to the city at all. Somethings just do not compute! These services we would
David McKnight add are concerning learning a new way of life instead of returning to their old way of life they
Van Driver
will have new skills and ways to deal with life’s problems.
Solomona Talivaa
Maintenance We already have a “state of the art” learning center where those in the “NewLife” Discipline
Program are required to attend classes where they can learn and develop computer skills. These
Darlene Whaley classes include life skills such as learning money management, prepare and live on a budget,
Kitchen Manager
some basic computer skill software programs and GED preparation for those needing this help.
Anthony Boone
Intern We would really like to add other programs to the curriculum. These programs will be to help
those that really want to help themselves to become useful citizens in society, to pull their own
weight and not depend on welfare and other government agencies for their existence—BUT we
just do not have the room or space.
From its inception in downtown Anchorage in an old church building the Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission has worked hard to provide for the needs of the homeless men, women and
children and will continue to work hard to meet the increasing needs of the many people that
come to us for help—and we anticipate that will be many when the recession and depression
hits in Alaska.
As we make plans to increase programs we have to keep in mind the basic needs of food,
clothing and safe clean shelter must be met first and this we do all in a friendly, Christian
environment.
 Obey?
How many wretched souls walk through the doors instructed to submit. Although this attitude, at first
of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission? Hundreds hearing, screams indifference in reality it whispers
each day and by the end of the year thousands have obedience.
crossed our threshold. Each person’s story has a unique
beginning yet ironically they all end the same. Standing Wait! Peter and another Apostle were instructed by the
at the door of the Mission needing nourishment, both Sadducees not to speak the name of Jesus to the people.
physical and spiritual, desiring a hot meal, and hoping Remember the story in Acts 5 where Peter and the other
for a warm place to spend the night. Riding this tide Apostle were put in jail and instructed not to teach in
of misery is the spirit of hope flickering when every the name of Jesus and an angel of the Lord came and
circumstance threatens to extinguish it. The sound of released them? They immediately made their way to
laughter echoing down the corridors makes one marvel the temple and began spreading the Good News. Of
at the resilience of the human condition willed to us by course there were consequences. They were flogged
our father at the dawn of creation. Yet it is within this for disobeying authority but disobey they did. Does
very laughter the snare awaits. You see it’s a simple this mean we should ignore authority and let anyone
thing to serve those who because of their engaging who is cold sit in the chapel? What about the judgment
personalities are easy to get along with. It’s in the service we will bring upon ourselves? If you defy authority to
of the ungrateful or those who do good will the judgment
have abrasive personalities that be negative or positive? Of
our real characters emerge. It A wretched soul, bruised with adversity, course there is the whole
is within these trying times We bid be quiet when we hear it cry; receiving our reward in
I remember the words of But were we burdened with like weight of pain, heaven concept that must be
Shakespeare and wonder what As much or more we should ourselves complain. considered. As usual I have
my attitude would be if my William Shakespeare a lot of questions and very
fingers were numb from the English dramatist & poet (1564 - 1616) few answers. I know in my
cold and I had been informed heart God’s word does not
there is no room at the inn? contradict itself. Therefore
Would I mumble and shuffle there has to be a balance,
away with slumped shoulders or would I howl my a nirvana if you will where grace, law, and love are
primal rage at the injustice of a world where the person joined in a harmonious union.
standing before me has the privilege of basic comfort
and I do not? What would I do? What am I to do? The main difference between our situation and Peter’s
is that the consequences are not as narrow in scope.
Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-2 “1Everyone must
submit himself to the governing authorities, for there continued on page 5
is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.
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2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is e .or ho
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rebelling against what God has instituted, and those sc
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who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” It’s

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settled then, we submit! The authorities have dictated

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we turn people away no matter what the condition or We invite you to visit
circumstance. Ok let us forget about it and move on. We us on the web or drop
either have room or we don’t. No more manufacturing us an e-mail with
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space to get people in out of the cold. The your comments and
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authorities have spoken and we’ve been suggestions
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 Living Memorials
. . . .touch lives as they honor the memory
of loved ones and friends.
In Memory of
Arnold (Arnie) Howard
by Don and Charlotte Bettis
In Memory of
Elise Marcia Carmichael
by Edward and Harriett Saunders
In Memory of
Frank Esperanza
Ernest Casas
by Martha Cashen
Note: Immediately upon receiving a memorial gift, a letter will
be sent to the family of the deceased or the person to be honored.
The letter will state the name of the person memorialized or
honored and the donor (not the amount of the gift). Your gifts
and honorarioums are tax deductible.
* * * * *
CharrittyC
CharrittyC
Chariity
Do something today to bring gladness
To someone whose pleasures are few
Do Something to drive off sadness—
Or cause someone’s dreams to come true.
Find time for a neighborly greeting
And time to delight an old friend;
Remember—the years are fleeting
And life’s latest day will soon end!
Do something today that tomorrow
Will prove to be really worth while;
Help someone to conquer sorrow
And greet the new dawn with a smile.
For only through kindness and giving
Of service and friendship and cheer,
We learn the pure joy of living
And find heaven’s happiness here.
Author Unknown—
Oldies but Goodies
I have had so much good response to this segment
in the newsletter I decide to keep it up for a while.
Today’s selection was sent to me by one of the friends
of the Mission. I must say that it, too is one of my
favorites.
Some Golden Daybreak
Some glorious morning, sorrow will cease,
Some glorious morning, all will be peace;
Heartaches all ended, schooldays all done,
Heaven will open—Jesus will come.
Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright,
Goodbye forever to earth’s dark night;
Changed in a moment, like Him to be,
Oh, glorious daybreak, Jesus I’ll see.
Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies,
No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes;
Love ones united – eternally,
Oh, what a day-break that morn will be.
Chorus:
Some golden day-break, Jesus will come;
Some golden day-break, battles all won;
He’ll shout the victory, break thro’ the blue,
Some golden day-break, for me, for you.
Urgent Need:
Men’s Clothing
Thank you for meeting our need a few months back
for clothing. However, we have a need again for
men’s clothing—Especially jeans and work pants
of all kinds and sizes and socks. These two long
stretches of extremely cold weather has taken a toll on
our supply of these items and we will be completely
out by the time you get this newsletter. Also, jackets,
coats and sweaters would be appreciated since we still
have several months of winter. They do not have to be
new—used will work just fine for us. Remember we
never sell anything. All items are given to those that
have a need.
3

es
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m other kids. So once again I started smoking pot, but my
s ti
te
HOPE
My name is William McCormick, and I am not related to
the McCormick that created a dynasty with his famous
seasonings. I am far from that person and my life’s
story is completely different from his. Before I begin
my testimony, I want to first thank God and praise Him
for protecting me since my birth and for delivering me
from my sinful ways. Next I want to thank the people
that support the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission and
other worthy causes around the world. Your dollars
and contributions does make it possible for myself
and others to have hope during the bad times in our
lives, and I personally want to thank all the people of
Anchorage, Alaska, as well as those from all over the
United States for their gifts and showing me how to
have hope in God for a better and brighter future.
I was born March 30, 1970 in Indiana but I lived in
Illinois. There was no hospital in the area where I lived.
At that time the nearest hospital was across the state
line in Indiana. I enjoyed living in the country, lots
of space to run around. Later on in my life my family
moved to Missouri. I played football for a couple of
years and I made some really good friends, but I still
missed my old home and my uncle’s back in Illinois. I
really do love my family.
It must have been around late 1979 or early 1980 that
I started associating with people who were five to ten
years older than me, they smoked pot. Being young,
only ten years old and wanting to hang out with the “In
Crowd”, I tried it and I liked it. Being only ten years
old, I didn’t have any money so I started stealing so
that I could pay for my share of the drugs.
Then in the summer of 1980 my family
4
moved here to Alaska where my aunt and uncle were
already living. My mother is a nurse and my father is a
mechanic so they got jobs pretty fast. Within a month or
so of my arrival in Alaska, I fell back in with the wrong
crowd. We all have particular weakness and mine was
following the wrong crowd and wanting to fit in with
weakness didn’t just stop there, I also started drinking
beer and then I started smoking cigarettes. I was ten
years old at the time and you all know that isn’t the
right way to start off life. Things for me went from bad
to worst because the very next year 1981 I tried cocaine
and I liked it. Crack cocaine didn’t come around until
1986, so in 1981 I was snorting the substance. It made
me feel as though I was on top of world. The devil had
complete control of my mind and I became his servant.
When I started High School, I just went from bad to
worst, I began using all types of new drugs to make
me feel strong, safe, attractive, powerful and happy, but
all this did was make me a poor student in school, so I
dropped out in the 11th grade. I was stealing more often
now and really disrespecting my parents. At 18 years
old I got my first felony. It was scary, my first time in
prison. I was in and out of prison several times for bar
fights, parole violations and I also got another felony
charge --- grand theft auto.
I kept telling myself that there’s got to be a better way
to live than this, every time I tried to do something
good it went bad. I had gotten so trapped in the world
that my mind was totally confused. I had become lost
and was homeless in the streets. Around 2005 or 2006
I met Curtis. He was my best friend and he told me
that if I was really finished with that old life style that I
should try Jesus. He told me that Jesus helped him get
his life back in order. Now Curtis finished the program
at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission. He is the
only person from my past that is in my future.
I am very thankful for the Rescue Mission being here
for me and other people like me. David Williams,
the Program Director, of the “NewLife” Discipleship
Training Program at the Mission quoted to me some
verses from the Bible when I entered “NewLife”, that
still remains with me now. Apostle Paul wrote from
Romans 8:37-39…”Overwhelming victory is ours
through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced
that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death
can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our
worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell
can’t keep God’s love away…Nothing in creation
will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The apostle
Paul also wrote: “Don’t worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and
thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will
experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful
than the human mind can understand. His peace will
guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:6-7).
I can say now that Jesus has changed my life. Through
constant Bible study in the “NewLife” Program I
have hope now, trusting God changes everything. We
also have Ministers who come and give lectures and
sermons. One of the instructors is Fred Steenmeyer
who also became a very good friend of mine. I thank
Jesus Christ for the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
and for the staff that is operating it. I want to thank
the people of the city of Anchorage and places beyond
our city for their contributions. For without you, there
would be no hope for people like me. I am also thankful
to the Lord for my mother, for giving her the strength,
patience, and love not to give up on me.
Thank You Jesus.
William McCormick
continued from page 2
If it meant Bro. Don or me being punished problem
solved. Of course I want presume to speak for Bro.
Don but knowing his heart for the disenfranchised I
don’t believe he would refuse the mantle of hardship
for their sake. The real problems lie in the fact if we
disobey authority those we serve will suffer not us. I
finally understand King Richard’s dilemma when he
cries, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!”
Frustration can derail even the noblest of quest. I
suppose the most difficult aspect of the Mission’s
situation with city codes and zoning is not to let our
frustration turn into anger. We cannot afford to allow
our charge to help those in need be sabotaged especially
by our own behavior. If you think about it this whole
affair is really about trust. It’s about our relationship
with God and the Holy Spirit. How much do we trust
God? Does he know better or do we?
What is our priority? Of course it is the men, women,
and children who depend on us for a hot meal, a warm
bed, clothing, furniture, a safe place to stand, a soft place
to land, and a kind word. The only way to hurt someone
who has lost everything is to give them something
back broken and unusable. We cannot do that to these
people, they’ve lost enough! We will submit. We will
continue to withhold our services as the city dictates
because flogging someone who is already beaten and
weak is cruel. In the meantime we will continue to seek
the balance between legalism and indifference.
Heavenly Father we recognize our tendency to use our
desire to serve others as an excuse to disobey your word
and we ask that you continue to discipline use when we
do so. It is within this discipline love abounds for your
word says you discipline those you love. Thank you
for that love and thank you for the precious blood of
Christ.
David Williams
Program Director
5
 sk
Help Provided
For Those in Need
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R Statistics For 2008:
By God’s Grace and with your prayerful and financial help the Lord permitted the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
to provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our town and those just passing through.

Sheltered (nights lodging for men and women)-----------------------------------------------------------------------25,254

Meals Served--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------127,757
(average 350 meals per day)

Clothing-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------No Record
(estimated 150,000 pieces of clothing given out)
Furniture, Appliances, Household Items-------------------------------------------------------------------------No Record
(no records are kept on how many of these items we give—but there are many)
Health Care--- (The Neighborhood Health Clinic has temporarily suspended their program of providing health care
at the agency. However, we provide transportation for those that need to go to the hospital or doctor.

Spiritual Needs:
Chapel Attendance----------------18,980
(average 52 per night)
Professions of Faith------------------324
(almost 1 per day)
Prayer Request from our guests----972

There are so many other things we do for our guests and those in our “NewLife” Program that we just do not have
the space to list them all.
Our shelter has been filled to capacity for the last three years. Our meal count has increased and is still on the
increase. We will never turn anyone away that comes here for a meal. We will continue to give away clothing,
furniture and household items as long as you continue to donate them to the Mission.

The statistics reveal that God is using the Mission to provide for the physical needs of people so that we may have
the opportunity to meet their spiritual needs It also shows that God is using these facilities to provide for the needs
of the poor, needy and homeless people in out community.

We need and covet your prayers first and foremost and your financial support so that we may continue to do the things
we are doing—if the Lord tarries His coming!

6
 The Missing Piece
Part Two: A business person’s point-of-view
This article follows David William’s request in the
January Newsletter for business men and business
women to step forward to serve the Lord in the Mission’s
“NewLife“ Program. I want to encourage you to step
forward by sharing my story.
I am a local insurance agent and risk manager and
our agency has been a long-time financial supporter
of the Mission. In February 2007, my partner and I
decided to make time, despite a 7-day-a-week work
schedule, to volunteer time at the Mission. When I
called to make an appointment with David Williams
I was thinking mopping the floor, painting walls, and
whatnot. When David found out what I did for a living,
he said they had been praying for someone to run their
money management class, and would I do an hour on
Tuesday afternoons, and would I do it right away for
three guys ready to graduate from the (formerly) 1-year
“NewLife” Discipleship Training Program. I had no
experience, no materials, and only a general direction
from David Williams. I accepted and with some
research found “Making Ends Meet” written by Larry
Burkett with Brenda Armstrong (Crown Financial
Ministries). From Mar 2007 to Dec 2008 I have had
the wonderful pleasure of teaching this class to 12
“NewLife” Disciples. I have come to love each one.
Let me describe what the “NewLife” Disciples need
from you: your time and attention and mentoring, both
inside or outside of the Mission; your non-judgmental
acceptance; your encouragement and coaching; and if
you are looking for a devoted employee, they need a
chance to show you their worthiness as an employee.
And if you want to teach a section of the Money
Management class, you are invited. In brief, in the
final eight to ten weeks of the two-year program (just
prior to the final six months of work and living at the
Mission to save up), the “NewLife” Disciples enter the
Money Management Class which focuses on helping
these men create a vision and mission statement,
helping with personality and career assessments,
encouragement to use the Anchorage Job Service
Center and where appropriate referrals to Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation, and all the while, working
on establishing a working budget.
If you are someone you know would be interested in
beginning a dialog about this partnership, please –
please, contact David Williams at 907-563-5603 or
email him at dwilliams@anchoragerescue.org

Let me describe the “NewLife” Disciples in a few words:

they are repentant, sober and sobered about their past
life, sincere, determined, in love with, and passionate
about, the Lord Jesus and the Heavenly Father.

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  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. 7
 Our Ministry of
Chapel Services for March
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
u e
es c 1
God’s
2
Abbott Loop
3
Anchorage
4
Anchorage
5
Anchorage
6
First
7
Calvary
r is to
Place Community
Church
Pilgrim
Nazarene
Gospel
Singers
Vineyard
Fellowship
Presbyterian
Church
Baptist
Church
the least 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
God’s Church First Anchorage Christ Calvary Wasilla
the last Place of God of Assembly of Church Community Church Assembly
the lost Prophecy God of Christ Church of God
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Grace Sherbahn Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Lighthouse
Victory Evangelistic Native Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Christian
“urgent”
“urgrge en
ent” Fellowship Team Assembly Church Team Team Fellowship

Our supplies of these 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

New Light Calvary Attorney Calvary Evangelical In His Name Glenn
items is constantly in Community Baptist Greg Grebe Baptist Covenant Sandy Herman
need of replenishing Church Church McCollum

† Prayer 29 30 31
God’s Trinity Grace
† Paper Towels Place Presbyterian Brethren
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Church Eagle River
† Fresh Meat
† Coffee
Nightly Services
† Bathroom Tissue 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM L
O
† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers STATEMENT OF FAITH D
† Cleaning Supplies Pr
The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
† Liquid Dish Detergent organization. We receive NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United
† Dinner Napkins Way Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations makes it possible for us to R
M
† Shampoo provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations
“urgent” 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.
L
Anchorage Gospel G
Rescue Mission R
J
Board of Trustees G
Anchorage
age Non-Profit Org.
Ed Shelton
Gospel u e U.S. Postal
PAID D
sc
(President)
Anchorage, AK Va
reMission
Bob Collins Permit # 290
( Vice President/treasure) Mission GOD BLESS AMERICA
S
Enoch Adams A Ministry
Ministry of M
(Secretary)
Rescue & Recovery info@anchoragerescue.org D
Mark Soquet
Ralph Nobrega e www.anchoragerescue.org K

news
u
Emeritus: sc A
Cliff Hodgins
re In

Rev. Willard Leisy

Advisory Board: P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603
Paul Kelly return service requested
Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir.
Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.

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