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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

thanksgiving
A Time To Be Thankful—A Time To Share

W
here did the time go? I cannot believe that it has already been a whole
year since I was wrote the last Thanksgiving newsletter! I want to take
this opportunity to Thank You for all of your help through this last year.
Your prayers, financial support, in-kind gifts and time volunteered to help with
some of the many things that have to be done, We are indeed thankful.
However, the day is drawing near, it seems like each year the time goes by
faster and faster. Actually we do look forward to the holidays, always with a
little anxiety and apprehension. We try to anticipate how many people we will
serve, how much food it will take or money to sponsor the event and make it a
real success. This year it is a real challenge because of the economic conditions
and more and more people coming to the city, it presents a real problem. We will
serve everyone that comes to the Mission one way or another. We do not count
David M. Williams success by how many we serve, but by how many we had the opportunity to share
Program Director
the Gospel with and how many came to know Him as their Savior as a results of
Larry Aldrich our Chapel service and personal witnessing.
Operations Manager

Randy Hess But, we do need help with food for our Thanksgiving dinner and for your
Maintenance Supervisor
“volunteer help” (opportunities for you to serve are listed in the Directors Desk
Larry O’Connor page of this newsletter). Many people would be without a Thanksgiving Dinner
Greg Mann if it were not for the Mission providing it. We want to continue to be the outlet to
Roger Klein
help people during this season and we need YOU TO SUPPLY THE MEANS.
Donn Baker
John Lofquist
Client Supervisors special needs for thanksgiving
(Thanksgiving Dinner will be served on WEDNESDAY November 26, from 3 to 5:30 PM)
David McKnight
Van Driver Lots and Lots of Turkeys – Stuffing Mix – Cranberry Sauce
Solomona Talivaa Green Beans – Corn – Instant Mashed Potatoes—
Maintenance Onions – Celery – Fruit Cocktail – Dinner Rolls
Canned Sweet Potatoes – Marshmallows – Pumpkin
Anthony Boone Apple and Pecan Pie.
Donations

Neil Givens
r

Learning Center
be
m

Darlene Whaley
8
ve

Kitchen Manager

0 0
no

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The kitchen staff I am honored to work with performs under
some very challenging conditions. Menus can change
t e at any moment as we are dependent on the kindness of
d a those who donate food items and equipment.. Food must

up y be constantly accessed, rotated and used according to its


a l e condition. We are forced to become very resourceful in
en h our culinary creations. This is a positive occurrence. I am
ch eW blessed to have some very skilled chef’s in the kitchen to
it lr en help guide the less trained. When the “NewLife” Disciples
k
Da
set forth in the community to contribute their knowledge
and skills, they will have an advantage over those trained
with limitless products at their disposal. They will be
Introduction able to accomplish creative menu planning with what
is on hand They also succeed to create delicious meals,
using less than perfect equipment. Our ovens are quite a
Hello! As the newest member of the Anchorage Gospel
challenge. They are hot in the back, cooler in the front
Rescue Missions staff, I would like to introduce myself.
and vary over 100 degrees in temperature. I am certainly
My name is Darlene Whaley and I am a volunteer with
not complaining. We are blessed by the kindness of others
AmeriCorps. My duty assignment is Kitchen Program
and we are thankful for all the equipment donations we
Training Manager and I am responsible for the daily
receive. We utilize everything and make it work.
activities of food production and instructing “NewLife”
participants in their quest to gain meaningful employment
The first assignment a Disciple Trainee is given is the
upon graduating from the program. I am instrumental in
kitchen, so I have the responsibility to welcome them
helping them in obtaining the necessary certifications
and begen the training. The most difficult part of my
for employment in the culinary field, I also assist in
assignment is losing Disciples. Some chose to return to
composing resumes and cover letters, and conducting job
their former lives, and I somehow feel I have failed them.
searches. I secure guests speakers to present information
This is a dilemma all new staffers experience and must
on relevant issues such as anger management, life skills,
seek to overcome.
how to conduct job interviews, workplace ethics and
nutrition and health.
I am extremely thankful that I have the opportunity to
work with this group of people. I would recommend and/
My qualifications include owning and operating two
or hire each and every one of them, given the opportunity.
restaurants, twenty years comprehensive experience with
Our kitchen is shining clean and great care is taken to
the management of staff, preparation and cooking of
meet all of the health codes. Please consider donating
meals in the restaurant, catering and oilfield environment.
any useable items to our culinary program. The more
I was involved in the selection and training of staff, menu
equipment we have for training, the better qualified they
planning and design, procurement, inventory control and
will become. The more varied food products they have
food and labor cost. I also have eleven years management
to utilize, the more proficient they will become. Feel free
experience with Alaska Airlines I am currently attending
to come in and donate your time in the kitchen. You can
Wayland Baptist University seeking a degree in
assist in serving meals and daily clean-up. I am looking
Occupational Education. I have signed up for a year of
forward to meeting you. Just pop in the kitchen and we
service at the mission and my 90-day probation period
will give you the grand tour.
will be over October 28th.

www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments
and suggestions
2
s k
de s
i
r’
s ett
c t o
on
B
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
re
v.D VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
di R e

We are offering the following a day to be thankful


opportunities for YOU to help What Does It Mean To You?
Are you really thankful for the things God has done for
YOUR Rescue Mission this you—for all of the blessings He has given you; are you
Thankgiving. even aware that they come from God or do you think you
have done it on your own? Or, are you too busy to just
pause a moment and reflect on what you have and where
Our Volunteer Coordinator Jeanne Lutz— you are now. Are you thankful for the little things in life
Phone 278-9679, needs volunteers of individuals that you just take for granted? What if all of the blessings
and families that can make the following were stopped—because you never take time to thank God
for all of the little things He does for you. When you look
commitments of time on Wednesday November at other people that are less fortunate than yourself or see a
26th 2008. person that is homeless do you stop and say, “but for the
grace of God, there go I’.
Team 1 – Prepare food and decorate facility
for the Thanksgiving meal – To be served on Please take time on this Thanksgiving Day and everyday
to give thanks to God. Let us become a thankful people.
Wednesday, November 26th (Not Thursday).
Need a commitment of 4 consecutive hours We are thankful for you! Each day at the Mission we count
beginning in the morning. our blessings as we see how God has touched your heart
and you share with us financially, with in-kind gifts and by
Team 2 – Serve the refreshments, meal, volunteering to help.
dessert and clean up of facilities at the
WE ARE SO BLESSED
close – Wednesday, November November 26th We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand
(Not Thursday). Need a commitment of 5 I just cannot understand
consecutive hours beginning in the afternoon. Why you have loved us so much
We are so blessed, we just cannot find a way or
Both teams require children The words that can say,
Thank you Lord, for Your touch
to be a minimum of 8 years of age.
When we are empty
Jeanne will do the scheduling of the teams. You fill us until we overflow,
You may reach her at her home telephone after When we are hungry
6 P.M. and weekends or leave a message on her You feed us and cause us to know;
We are so blessed,
telephone recorder. Please leave an evening Take what we have to bring;
number and speak the number slowly. She will Take it all everything,

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give you specific details about team assignments Lord, we love You so very much.
and schedule your time to work.
remember it as a bad time but as an boots hurt my feet I felt compelled to
exciting and adventurous time. grow my hair long and start smoking
Flash forward to Winnemucca, grass. I also started dressing in
NV in the late sixties. It is from bellbottom pants, polyester print
here that I can piece together a more shirts, and platform shoes, but we
e s
ni e complete picture of my life. Grade won’t go there. I probably would
s
o u es school, Bridge Street, the premier of have been better off just slipping on
im L “Planet of the Apes” at the cinema, a pair of cowboy boots and calling
st a el and fishing in the Humboldt River. it good, but my dignity and my
te ich
Mom was hired as a “21” dealer at
the Winners Casino. In an industry
feet forbade it. Anyway, four-inch
platforms are much cooler. I think
M that was predominantly male at that there’s a picture of me in one of
time, my mom had the rare honor those “outfits”, floating around out
of being the first woman dealer in there somewhere. I hope it never
Winnemucca. She had her picture falls into the wrong hands as it
“The Collapsible Man” in the paper even; go figure. I have would most certainly be used as a
to mention here a man by the name tool for blackmail.
Hello! My name is Michael, of Joe Mackie. He was the owner I didn’t realize it at the time,
and I am “The Collapsible Man”. of the Winners Casino and took care but what I thought was innocent
I call myself that because as I look of our little family for a time. He experimentation with drugs and
back on my life, I can see chains of gave my mom a job, got us into a alcohol would set the pattern for
events that led to my collapses and little place on Bridge Street, and my life of repeated collapse. I wish
reconstructions, the cycle repeating even bought my mom a car, so she I could go back to that point in my
itself over and over…… wouldn’t have to walk to work or life, knowing what I know now.
I was born in Aurora, CO. in 1957. take a cab. What I remember most “The Collapsible Time Traveler?” I
My father was an Air Force M.P., my about him was his policy of giving guess not.
mother was a housewife. My earliest any kid that needed it, a free haircut By the time my twenty-first birthday
memory is of the assassination of at the casino. I learned later that he rolled around, I had enlisted, and
J.F.K. I remember the stunned had connections to the “mob”, but I was booted out of the Army. I was
silence and then the tears of the didn’t hold that against him. In my married and had a new son. And I
adults, and I remember how scary book he was a sweetheart of a guy. was generally just partying my way
and confusing it all seemed. It was His end came in the form of a small through life. But on my twenty-first
also about this time that I noticed I place crash that killed him and his birthday, my father-in-law got me a
had a little brother. What I mean is, family. Reportedly it was a mafia job as a “21” dealer at the Nevada
he’d probably been crawling around “hit”. Club in Laughlin, NV. This was to
down there for awhile, but his My brother and I knew it was time prove a turning point in the story of
presence didn’t really register with to move again when our mom pulled “The Collapsible Man”. My income
me until that time. I remember that up in front of the house towing a U- increased greatly along with my
he smelled funny and made strange Haul trailer. Next stop Reno, NV, appetite for gambling, booze, and
noises and had the annoying habit of where I started Junior High. Uh oh, drugs. This soon proved to be too
drooling on everything, but when he moms got a load of cardboard boxes, much for my wife, and she promptly
smiled at me with that big toothless must be time to move. Sparks next, divorced me.
grin, I loved him instantly. My bro! then Fallon and here’s where the After my divorce, I re-enlisted
The rest of my early childhood real story of “The Collapsible Man” in the Army and was discharged,
I remember only in bits and pieces, begins….. honorably, three years later. Back
usually a memory involving a move I started High School in Fallon, to Nevada and the casinos for
from one place to another, Seattle, NV, and soon found myself hanging me. That’s where the action was,
Bellingham, Blaine, and other points out with the “wrong crowd”. The the gambling, the booze, and the
in northern Washington State. school was divided into two factions, drugs. For the most part I worked
My mom, by now, a single parent, or classes, of students other than as a “21” and roulette dealer. But I
moved a lot in my baby years, nerds, who in fact had no class. You was soon asked if I wanted to learn

4
but always provided for my either belonged to the cowboys or the to be a “craps” dealer. This would
brother and I. And I don’t surfers (hippies), and since cowboy prove to be another turning point
in my life. I excelled at the game losing it all. There probably was a serious problem. “The Collapsible
and this proved to be both a blessing point where I could have stopped Fool”.
and a curse. A blessing in that I was and salvaged a little of my life, but What happens in Vegas doesn’t
pretty much guaranteed a job in any if nothing else, “The Collapsible always stay in Vegas. I left that town
casino in the state. A curse in that Man” is consistent. six months later, a little wiser, a little
it left me unaccountable, uncaring, It all came crashing down in more humble, and a lot skinnier. Plus
and dissatisfied. These years are a December or 2003 when I was a few scars on my head to remind
blur to me. A casino hopping, booze arrested and charged with fraud in me of the “good time” that I had
fogged, drug induced blur. Frankly, a gaming establishment, cheating there. My destination, Peoria, AZ,
I’m amazed that I survived. for short. I’d gone to work drunk to enter in a rehab program. I wasn’t
In 1994 I was dealing cards at one night and was caught on there long though before I became
a casino in Wendover, NV when the camera giving the casino’s money disheartened and asked my brother
hostess from the Fun Bus sat at my away. They frown on that for some to buy me a plane ticket to come up
table. Her first words to me were, reason. The desert around Vegas is to Alaska. Almost immediately I
“Are you married?” I replied that I supposedly full of unmarked graves fell back into the lifestyle that had
wasn’t married. Her next words so of people who did what I did, but I become the bane of my existence.
startled me, that to this day I think got off lucky with just, a one to four Drinking and drugging.
of them and smile. She said, “Do sentence. Lucky me! I entered the “NewLife”
you want to be?” That woman’s My wife filed for divorce in Discipleship Training program at
name was Virginia and a year later January 2004 and it was then that I The Rescue Mission in the middle
she was to become my wife and best thought I’d reached bottom. Locked part of 2007. After what I like
friend. up, the love of my life kicking me to refer to as “false starts”, I find
After a somewhat rocky start, which to the curb, my life ruined (again), myself settling in, growing more
involved a drug arrest, probation, it couldn’t get any worse than this I comfortable with my sobriety, and
and the suspension of our gaming thought. I was wrong. more importantly, growing closer to
cards, we ended up in Mesquite, NV, Moms are a wonderful thing. God. I’ve still got a long way to go
where we both got jobs as dealers. Mine was always there for me. though, in both my sobriety, and my
Within six months we had both been Mine wrote me in prison and kept knowledge of Him, but at least now,
promoted to pit boss. We were on my spirits up. Mine put money on I’m traveling in the right direction.
the fast-track now, to success or my books. Mine never gave up on I’ve never been a religious person,
failure, depending on how we played me. And mine died of cancer, while and have always had trouble with
the hand. Given “The Collapsible instead of being at her side where the concept of a God of the universe.
Man’s” track record, I’ll let you take I should have been, I was serving But through my studies here at the
a guess as to how this little scenario a term in prison, for some stupid Mission, I’ve come to believe that
played out. Give up? mistake. It was the worst experience such a God is not only possible but
In 2002 my wife developed of my life, getting that call from my quite probable. I often pray that
chronic neck pain and later had brother. I was summoned to the He would reveal himself to me in
to have surgery. The outcome of prison chaplain’s office, and handed a way that I could recognize and
this was to give our household a the receiver. “Oh Mike, we lost our understand, so that I would know He
constant and steady stream of some mom”. My brother’s words cut to is present in my life and that He is
very potent pain pills, and it only the heart of me, and I still hurt to this God. By faith……………..
took a little while for the both of us day. I miss her so much.
to become hopelessly addicted. I was released from prison in
I’ve discovered that you can only October 2006, dropped off at the May God Bless You All
keep up a juggling act for so long Vegas bus station wearing prison
before the items you are juggling blues; the $23 “gate money” burning
begin falling to the pavement. a hole in my pocket. I had two “The Collapsible Man”
What had once started as a dream choices. Go to the halfway house
realized was quickly turning into a that they had arranged for me, or go
nightmare. Once again, gambling, to the bar. Halfway house or bar?
booze, and drugs were replacing Halfway house or bar? When I woke

5
car, house payments, family, and up shivering on the cold pavement
work as priorities in my life. I was the next morning, I knew I had a
Living Memorials Do You Remember?
. . . .touch lives as they honor the memory If you do let me hear from you!
of loved ones and friends.
In Memory of My Jesus, I Love Thee
Esperanza M. Casas
Frank L. Casas My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine.
by Martha Cashen For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
In Memory of My gracious Redeemer, My Savior art Thou,
Mickey Robert Dinsmore, II If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
by John and Donna Poff
In Memory of I love Thee, because Thou hast loved me,
Elvin Jackson And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
by Etta M. Schandelmeier I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow
In Memory of If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
Alvin Syren I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
by Mr. and Mrs. Sy Syren And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
In Memory of And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow
Dave Traver If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
by Etta M. Schandelmeier
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
In Honor of I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright,
Dr. Richard Newman I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
by Arlene Manook If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.

Let Love Live Through Your


Special Gift Our Prayer of Thanks
A very good way of remembering a departed friend or We humble bow before you Lord
loved one or to honor someone that is special to you, On this Thanksgiving Day,
giving a memorial gift to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue To lift our prayers of gratitude
Mission in the name of that person is a very personal, For all Your caring ways,
lasting expression of your love. Your thoughtful As You have blessed us abundantly, Lord,
remembrances can have eternal value when invested in Let us remember, too,
the lives of people. That we should share with those in need
As You would have us do.
your will don’t lose it! Around this festive table today
Are those we hold most dear,
You need a will. Don’t wait too late and let
And in our midst Your, presence, Lord,
others make decisions for you.
Seems so very near.
This is a very important decision for We are thankful for this land we love,
you to consider. For sod, and sky and tree
You should have professional help or advice. For Pilgrims who braved unknown seas
We cannot help you with this. That all may worship free.
But we can send you a brochure that may help We are thankful for each blessing, Lord,
you if you request it. You send along our way;
But may our greater “thanks” be shown
In preparing your will or estate,
In praising You each day.
please remember the
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission Used with permission

6
The End of an Era We no longer consider ourselves a rehabilitation
program or a recovery program. Most of the men who
come to our door have never been habilitated therefore

A lthough all of the Graduation Ceremonies held


at the Mission are important milestones in the live of
rehabilitation is not possible. Most of the men who come
to our door have never been healthy in body, spirit, and
mind at the same time therefore recovery is not possible.
What we are now focusing on is Training men in the
our Disciples; the one celebrated on the 10th of October
ways of Christ and this begins with restoring a broken
was even more special in that it symbolizes the end of
relationship with Christ.
one chapter and the start of a new chapter in the history
The first phase of our training will focus on the
of the Rescue Mission. Since its conception in 1965
Disciples identity. To learn who we are in Christ Jesus,
the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission has had a 12
to learn new ways of relating to ourselves and others, to
month program to help end the cycle of homelessness
recognize destructive behaviors, and to take ownership of
in the Anchorage community. Through the years the
our behavior. The new Disciples are encouraged to adjust
name of this program has changed but the core value
and settle into their new community and to set new goals
has always remained the same. Jesus Christ is the only
consistent with Discipleship training.
way! Like the name the method of directing men to this
The second phase is purging. Disciples will learn
important truth has also changed over the years. New
to recognize false beliefs, negative behaviors, and critical
counseling techniques have come and gone, Program
thinking errors and the effect they’ve had on our lives.
Directors and their individual philosophies have come
The Third phase, Freedom, is designed to help the Disciple
and gone, Executive Directors and their varying degree
recognize, understand, and become empowered by the
of commitment to excellence have come and gone, the
Holy Spirit.
secular establishment has increased its efforts to extinguish
The fourth phase, Stewardship, will help Disciples
Gods word in our society, and the community’s view of
with Money Management Skills classes in order to
homeless men, women, and children have taken a radical
recognize, obedience to Christ can be tested by how we
turn for the worse. As a result of all of these variables
handle money, Money must be controlled or it will control
most Missions across the country have gravitated from
us, God is pleased with regular, consistent giving. The
12 to 24 month programs in an attempt to give those men
Disciple will be instructed in résumé writing, and how to
who are actively seeking Christ an opportunity to build an
attain gainful employment.
even stronger spiritual foundation then before.
The fifth and final phase, Transition, will
Our Executive Director, Brother Don, has
help Disciples to establish a life outside the Mission.
expressed his vision for a more object orientated training
Jesus encourages all believers to grow in relationship,
program from years. I shall not speculate on why he felt the
commitment, and obedience to Him. This is the essence of
time was right when a little over a year ago he instructed
how to live a Christian life. Our relationship, commitment,
me to develop and implement a 24 month Discipleship
and obedience are done out of love, not constraint.
Training Program for the Rescue Mission. That program
When a Disciple leaves the Mission he will,
is now fully in place and the Graduation Ceremony held
through the power of Christ, be a new man. A Christian
on October, 10, 2008 was the last 12 month graduate the
man of integrity, honor, and dignity who will not shy away
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission will produce. The end
from making the right decisions even if those decisions
of an Era!
cost him something in the end,

Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission P.O. Box


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.
7
Our Ministry of
Chapel Services for November
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1
r Is to
Calvary
Baptist
Church
The least 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The last God’s
Place
Abbot Loop
Community
Anchorage
Pilgrim
Anchorage
Gospel
Anchorage
Vineyard
First
Presbyterian
Wasilla
Assembly
The lost Church Nazarene Singers Fellowship Church of God
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
God’s Church First Anchorage Christ Calvary Lighthouse
“URGENT” Place of God of Assembly of Church of Community Church Christian

Our supplies of these Prophecy God Christ Church Fellowship


16 17 18 19 20 21 22
items is constantly in Grace Sherbahn Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Glenn
need of replenishing Victory
Fellowship
Evangelistic
Team
Native
Assembly
Evangelical
Church
Evangelistic
Team
Evangelistic
Team
Herman

† Prayer 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
† Paper Towels New Light
Community
Calvary
Baptist
Attorney
Greg Grebe
Calvary
Baptist
Evangelical
Covenant
In His Name
Sandy
Change
Point
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Church Church Church Church McCollum

† Fresh Meat
30
† Coffee God’s Nightly Services 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
† Bathroom Tissue Place

† Laundry Soap
† Disposable Shavers
† Cleaning Supplies STATEMENT OF FAITH
† 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
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
Ed Shelton
(President) A Ministry of info@anchoragerescue.org
Bob Collins Rescue & Recovery www.anchoragerescue.org
( 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

Emeritus:
Cliff Hodgins RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Rev. Willard leisy
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

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