news
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
u e A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery
s c a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska
---PUBLIC AWARENESS CAPAIGN NEEDED!---
r e WILL YOU HELP?
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? And present the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to those that may never hear.
I know there are other agencies
around that provide help and they
are to be commended and we need
them. However, the Christian Gospel
Rescue Mission goes unnoticed, for
the most part, by local authorities
and the community. I meet people
almost everyday that say, “they never
knew we were here”. While we are not
Larry Aldrich looking for praises from men, we are
Program Director here to serve God in this capacity, it
would be nice to at least be recognized
for providing a service to the city and
David Williams
Learning Center Administrator the community. Again, what if we
were not here – who would take care
Roger Klein of the many people that depend on this
Kitchen Manager Gospel Rescue Mission.
Randy Hess There needs to be a Public Awareness
Maintenance Supervisor Campaign to make known to the city
who this Mission serves just how
Larry O’Connor much good we really do – without any
Greg Mann financial help from the municipality,
state or federal government. We
Scott DuFour
operate very effectively on meager
Neil Givens
budgets, giving a helping hand up to
Client Supervisors
those in need.
David McKnight
On the national level – every year the
Van Driver
Executive Director, Rev. Steve Burger,
of the Association of Gospel Rescue
Shane Day
Maintenance
Missions and many local Mission representatives
meet with elected officials and their staff to make
the Nation aware of all of the many good things
done by Rescue Missions not only in this country
but in many foreign countries. He said, “it is
a thrilling experience to hold hands with these
people and pray for the RESCUE movement.”
Steve’s further comments about these meetings
is that, “it is exhilarating to stand with national
leaders and testify how God is changing lives.
They know it is what people need, and they
are excited to here stories of transformed lives.
If that is all our Public Awareness Program
accomplished, it would still be a great asset.
The power of transformed life and the power of
prayer is awesome.”
All of the nation’s Gospel Rescue Missions
including the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
have a great opportunity to help people in need
with the essentials of life and more, like education
through our “NewLife” Learning Center
where basic computer skills are taught, money
management skills and GED preparation. These
things will provide job readiness training as well
as instructions in basic life skills individuals
need to survive.
If we can just get a PUBLIC AWARENESS
CAMPAIGN started and spread throughout the
city. Then, perhaps, those in authority in our city
and the rest of the people will realize just how
important that what we do is really needed.
Please help us by telling someone the good news
of RESCUE.
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t there has to be a need. It’s easier
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Overcoming Ignorance
Will Rogers once wrote,
“Everybody’s ignorant just in
different subjects”.
When I was 21 years old
I was, for all practical purposes,
illiterate. Although I could read it
was a painful process to witness. I
had to laboriously sound out each
word until I finally recognized it
for what it was. I had difficulty
spelling the simplest of words. For
example: I spelled any, “eney.” My
spelling was so bad I scribbled in
order to hide my ignorance.
There came a point in
my life where I knew I had to do
something about my illiteracy. I
obtained a book explaining how to
get your GED and set out to educate
myself. It took years of hard work
and determination. None of it was
easy but I had an enormous amount
of help along the way. I obtained
my GED and went on to earn
several trade school diplomas and
have over eighty hours of college
credits.
2
The first thing I learned
was: learning is a process. There are
basic steps to learning regardless
of what subject you’ve chosen
to explore. First and foremost
things we use regularly than it is to
learn something we could care less
need is established the next step
is to obtain the proper learning
materials for the subject. Lastly
it is imperative to have someone
available who can help us over
the humps because there will be
humps, lots of them!
It is a huge advantage
when helping someone with a
need if you’re able to identify
with what their going through. I’m
convinced God has put me here
at the Mission, in the Learning
Center Administrator’s job
specifically, because I understand
the fear involved when faced with
the daunting task of learning new
things. Especially when we are not
quite sure we have the intelligence
to pull it off. This insecurity never
leaves you no matter how much
you achieve. I’m confident the men
who come to our Learning Center
can achieve their goals because if
I can do it anyone can.
The Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission is dedicated to
providing the most up-to-date
materials available. This is not
always easy because learning
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
materials are very expensive. If
you have school aged children
or if you’ve already sent your
children through school I’m
preaching to the choir because you
already know how expensive these
materials are.
As the Learning Center
Administrator I try my very best
to be that someone who can offer
a helping hand getting over some
of the humps. This often requires
learning materials I wouldn’t
ordinarily be interest in but that’s
OK because I do have a need.
That need is to give the men in
the Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission’s “NewLife” Recovery
program the necessary tools to
compete in today job market. It
is also our hope to show the men
ignorance can be overcome with
the right materials, a helping hand,
and a lot of hard work.
This is a joint effort and we
appreciate your support.
David Williams
Learning Center Administrator
Learning Center Wish List
• Software
• Computers
• GED Textbooks
• Computer Textbooks
• Compost ion Notebooks
Gift cards to Barnes & Noble or
CompUSA are a great way to donate
textbooks and software.
 and alcohol they generally end
up crashing. After the crash they
convince themselves they need to
t change and they stop using drugs
o r and alcohol. Once the addict has
e p been clean for a while they forget
r
al how horrible the experience was
e ci and they reason justifications as to
sp why they can be a casual user and
they relapse.

th
RELAPSE
Webster’s 11 collegiate dictionary
defines relapse as: to slip or fall
back into a former worse state.
The Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission defines relapse as: an
event common to the recovery
process. Despite the many ads
on television telling us otherwise
there are no quick fixes in life. This
is especially true when it comes to
conquering an addiction to drugs
and alcohol.
Relapses are common because
drugs and alcohol are not the
problem. They are symptoms of
deeper problem covered in layer
after layer of denial, shame, fear,
and overwhelming amounts of
pride. Finding the source of the
addiction is a daunting task fraught
with dangers. The largest being the
Mission becoming a part of the
problem rather than the solution.
Relapse is a component in the
addiction cycle. The common
addict will use drugs or alcohol,
typically both, for a period of
time thinking they are in control.
As their bodies build tolerances
to the substances more and more
are needed to produce the desired
affect. While all of this is going on
so is life and as everyone knows life
is not always easy. Once the addict
combines the general hardships of
life with the problems generated
The “Newlife” recovery program is
designed to draw people out of that
cycle. The danger of becoming a
component it the cycle is very real.
Rarely is treatment successful the
first time around; in fact one of the
Godless men I know went through
treatment thirteen times before
turning his life around. There are
those who incorporate treatment
programs like “Newlife” into
their cycle. Once this happens we
become a part of the problem rather
than the solution. Our options are
to refuse the person entry into the
recovery program or help them
find another program. This is an
extremely difficult call to make.
Rescue Mission are rare in that
they do not charge for their
services. Therefore finding another
recovery program to refer someone
who is homeless, a condition not
uncommon among addicts, often
involves relocation to a Mission in
another state. The other alternative,
refusing someone entry to our
program, is our least favorite. How
do we really know this want be the
time that works? How can we just
give up on someone? It’s difficult
to know and it is the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Missions policy to
err on the side of grace.
Relapse happens and when it does
love is needed and that’s the core
Blessings & Needs
Snowplow
During the winter months the
Mission spends thousands of dol-
lars on snow removal. Although
necessary this is one of those
areas where we would rather be
spending this money on homeless
services. Thanks to the Lord’s
blessings we’re half way there!
The Mission has been blessed
with the donation of a truck (pic-
tured above) we would like to use
for snow removal. The problem is
we don’t have a snow plow to go
with it. If you know someone or
if you are someone with a plow
you’re not using or have not used
in a long time please consider
donating it to the Mission. This is
one of those gifts that will, over
the years, make an incredible
impact on the Missions operating
budget.

3
of our business in the Rescue
by the need to purchase more drugs Ministry.
 es
o ni
m
te
sti BELIEVING & SERVING

As far as I can remember back I’ve always s believed in God and Jesus. Believing in God and
serving him are two different things I found out.

I was 12 yrs. old when I tried pot for the first time and that lead to a cycle of alcohol and drug
addiction for the next three decades.

I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior at 16

yrs old, with no direction in my life I didn’t
understand what letting Jesus be Lord of my
life meant.

I was in a backslidden state when I came to the

Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission. I knew
in my heart that this is where God wanted me
to be.

Since I’ve been here the salvation, and

believing has led into a relationship, a love
relationship for my God, the God of creation,
the father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

By the grace of God, my life changed while going through the program here, and may this
continue. To me the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a discipleship school that rescued
Shane Loren Day

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the father through him.
Colossians 3:17

4
 SET FREE-IN-DEED
I was introduced to drugs at a very young age. By the age of twelve I was in full rebellion to
the point my mother was forced to have me placed in jail. Neither she nor I could have guessed
this was the beginning of a lifestyle. I was state raised and completely out of control. I found
myself in this cycle of drug and alcohol addiction that included committing crimes and lengthy
jail sentences. For twenty five years I was trapped in this cycle. I tried time and time again to
get sober and change my life with AA, NA, Relapse Prevention, Great White Buffalo, and the
list goes on and on. None of these programs worked.

The process of life transformation began

for me six years ago when I walked through
the doors of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue
Mission and joined the “Newlife” Recovery
program. I was introduced to Jesus Christ
and my life has never been the same.

The Mission taught me to seek a personal

relationship with Jesus by studying the
word and staying in the word. I was taught
the importance of prayer and meditation. It
takes time to learn to walk in the newness
and I thank God for this place because it
was here that I found all that I needed.

Since I began my walk with Christ the difference in my life is HUGE! I’m going on five years
of marriage to a beautiful God loving woman who helps me in my journey. God is continually
shaping and moving me into the man he created me to be. He has groomed me into the ministry
which I love. May all the thanks, honor, and glory be given to God the Father thru my Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit which empowers me to continue on. May his will
be done and not mine

When the Son has set you free you’re free-in-deed

5
 de
s k GOD IS SO GOOD!
’s
o r
t ttis
ec Be
My Shepherd
r n
di Do

I feel the hand of God on me

Each morning when I arrive at the Mission I never
know what to expect. Is everything all right? Did like a friend to whom I’ve known,
something break down? Was it a freezer or furnace that Leading me down better roads,
quit working? Was there an emergency and someone Than I would take alone.
had to be taken to the hospital? Maybe some of our His guidance helps me through the days,
guest clients are unhappy because of some rule that When I need his help to cope.
interferes with their life style. Or perhaps the person
And at night,
that was supposed to be in charge of the Chapel service
did not show and staff had to conduct the service. It He gives me peace and rest
could be any number of things that just happens – but and soothes my heart with hope.
God is always there and He watches over things for us
and we have never really had a crises situation. I feel the love of Christ in me,
He is so good! The love He said I’d know,
Then with in-kind donations, when supplies get low If I’d just put my trust in Him
and the cupboard is getting bare, God always sends And let my hatreds go.
someone by to donate just the things that are needed. And so I’ll hate no man, again,
Also, with financial gifts – God has really given us
The way I’ve done before,
some devoted and caring donors that are concerned for
this ministry and has helped us to continue serving the Instead, I do the best I can to
needs of homeless people. Not that we are wealthy or “Go and sin no more.”
serve porter house steaks, but God has provided for our
needs through kind benevolent friends that are interested The hand of God, the Love of Christ are in my
in providing for us that we may make life a little better daily life
for some. Without you we could do nothing. I am so And now I live in love and peace
thankful that have permitted the Lord to use you to Where once I dwelt in strife.
sustain this ministry. My life is richer now by far
Thanks to your donations we can operate our “NewLife”
than anything before,
Recovery Program. This program has changed the
lives of so many men and given them a new out look For my Shepherd leads me
on life by providing them with education and skills to in His steps on the path
return to life in the real world with new hope. To heavens door.
We really need your PRAYER support at this time as
Bill Hazel
we are facing some difficult decisions. But GOD is so
Used with permission
GOOD. I know that He will supply the answers for us
to make the right decisions.
The Lord is
my Shepherd
I shall not want.

6 Psalms 23:1
 Living Memorials
...touch lives as they honor the memory of
Talk To Him
loved ones and friends.
Talk to Him, soon as you open your eyes,
In Memory of
Thank Him for every new day,
Esperanza M. Casas
by Martha Cashen Tell Him you love Him, throughout every
hour,
In Memory of Don’t be too busy to pray.
Ruth Estelle Dilley Tell Him good night,
by Richard and Sharon Jones When you lie down to sleep,
Ask His forgiveness if there is something
In Memory of
Evelyn Michou You feel that you shouldn’t have done.
by Larry and Linda Michou Go to Him often in prayer,
Arla Jo Knause Talk to Him, make Him
Elizabeth Capps Foster Apart of your life.
N.A.P.M.—Houston, Inc. Include Him in all that you do,
He knows the heartaches
In Memory of
Al Syren That you’ve learned how to hide,
by Charles and Erdie Brodahl The things you are going through.
He knows all your questions,
In Memory of But better than that,
Tom Taylor He has the solutions, too….
by Cheri R. Sayer
So talk to the Lord,
In Memory of And know in your heart,
Beverly Dagley Wallner . . . .He’s waiting to talk to you!
by Jimmy and Annette Coleman

In Honor of For the overcoming, victorious life make

Al Atkey
Billy Charles prayer a part of your life everyday!
by Susan Hoefner

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 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: ______________________________________________

7
Please send this coupon with your donations.
Our Ministry of Chapel Services for August
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
s c 1 2 3 4 5

re is to Anchorage
Pilgrim
Nazarene
Anchorage
Gospel
Singers
Reverend
Ben
Sherbahn
First
Presbyterian
Church
Calvery
Baptist
Church

the least 6
God’s
7
Abbot Loop
8
First
9
Change
10
Alliance
11
Calvary
12
Wasilla
the last Place Community Assembly of Point Bible Church Assembly
Church God Church of God
the lost
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
“URGENT” God’s
Place
Church
of God of
Anchorage
Native
Christian
Evangelical
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
Sherbahn
Evangelistic
Lighthouse
Christian
Our supplies of these Prophecy Assembly Church Team Team Fellowship

items is constantly in 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Grace Reverend Attorney Chapel Evangelical In His Name Southside
need of replenishing Victory Ben Greg Grebe By The Covenant Sandy Church

† Prayer Fellowship Sherbahn Sea Church McCollum of God

27 28 29 30 31
† Paper Towels New Light Hillside Grace Change Shiloh
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Community
Church
Baptist
Church
Brethern,
Eagle River
Point Baptist
Church
† Fresh Meat
† Coffee Services are held nightly from 7:30 to 8:30
† Bathroom Tissue
† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
† Cleaning Supplies
organization. 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 to
† Dinner Napkins provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations
† Shampoo allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Donations are fully tax
“URGENT” deductible. We will give you a receipt for your donation.

Anchorage Gospel
Rescue Mission Anchorage Non-Profit Org.

ue
U.S. Postal

Board of Trustees Gospel c PAID

s Anchorage, AK
re
Mission
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Permit # 290

Mark Soquet, President

Bob Collins, Vice President A Ministry of
(and acting treasure) Rescue & Recovery info@anchoragerescue.org
Ed Shelton, Secretary www.anchoragerescue.org
ue
Enoch Adams
Brad Young

Emeritus:
r es
news
c

P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603

Cliff Hodgins
Rev. Willard leisy RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Advisory Board:
Paul Kelly

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir.

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.

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