blast
THE AGK BLAST
THE AGK BLAST
November ‘25 EDITION
The office will be closed November 26-28 for thanksgiving
Devo with
Pastor nathan
The Call of God
This morning, as I reflect on yesterday’s credential interviews and coffee conversations, my heart is encouraged. Men and women are still responding to the call of God. The truth is, God has always been speaking—but in this moment, there seems to be a fresh uptick of awareness to His voice.
What we’re seeing isn’t new—but it feels urgent. It reminds us that the call of God is still going forth, and people are still saying yes.
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I will never forget the moment God called me into full-time ministry. It wasn’t during a quiet retreat or in the middle of a service where everything felt safe and predictable. It was at a youth camp in Mississippi. Surrounded by peers, worship, and the presence of God, I heard His voice in a way I couldn’t ignore.
At the time, I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t know where God would lead me, or what assignments He would place in front of me. But I knew one thing: I was called. That call became an anchor for me through seasons of joy and through moments of trial.
Over the years, I’ve learned that while assignments may change, the calling remains. The call is personal, it is costly, it is urgent—and it is eternal. What began at an altar as a teenager has carried me through every chapter of ministry since.
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Since this is an article for our AGK credential holders, it makes sense to say you have experienced God’s call. Don’t let that moment fade. Remember it. Share it. Talk about it often. Write it down in a journal. Tell it to your family. Rehearse it in prayer. Every time you retell your story of calling, it reawakens your faith and strengthens someone else’s.
But here’s the reality—many wrestle with the uncertainty of details. You may know God has called you, but you don’t know exactly what comes next. That tension is normal. The pattern I’ve seen—both in Scripture and in life—is that clarity comes through consistent presence with God.
So how do we practically take steps to hear and respond to His voice?
Be in His Presence — Slow down, quiet the noise, and make space to listen.
Be in His Word — Scripture sharpens our ears to recognize His tone and truth.
Be with His People — Mentors, pastors, and spiritual family help confirm and strengthen the call.
These three threads—His presence, His Word, and His people—have consistently been the soil where calling is confirmed and courage grows. Think of Esther, who heard Mordecai’s challenge and responded with prayer and fasting before stepping into her assignment.
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The declarative statements you’ll see throughout this devotional have been a lifeline for me lately. Like many leaders, I can wrestle with overwhelming self-talk—thoughts of doubt, uncertainty, or fear. But God keeps reminding me: I am not the one who qualifies me. He is.
My responsibility is to align my heart with His truth—to choose faith, confidence, and assurance in His voice.
Here’s a simple way you can practice this:
Identify one negative self-talk phrase you’ve been carrying.
Write a declarative “God-talk” statement that directly answers it.
Say it out loud daily until His truth is louder than your fear.
Don’t just read these statements—find your own. And never allow your self-talk to be louder than your God-talk.
And remember this: as spiritual leaders, we are called by God to walk in spiritual health. May we be privately healthy and publicly fruitful.
“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” — Romans 11:29
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Calling is Personal
God doesn’t call crowds—He calls names.
He knew you before you were born, and His call has your name on it. You are not random, and you are not replaceable.Calling is Costly
If it doesn’t cost you, it probably isn’t your calling.
Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily.” The call will stretch you, demand courage, and bring tears—but obedience births joy that never dies.Calling is Urgent
Delayed obedience is disobedience.
We don’t get to wait for the “perfect” season—there isn’t one. The time to obey is now. The Kingdom advances at the speed of your yes.Calling is for a Lifetime, Assignments Have a Shelf Life
God’s call never expires, but the way it expresses itself often changes.
Your role may shift, your location may change, but the call remains the same. Hold the assignment loosely, but the call tightly.Calling Has Seasons of Highs and Lows
Not every day of ministry feels like victory.
Elijah called down fire one day and hid in a cave the next. Don’t mistake a low season for a lost calling.If You Can Do Anything Else and Be Happy, Do It
The call of God will not let you go.
If you can walk away and find joy elsewhere, it probably wasn’t your calling. But if the fire won’t leave your bones, that’s God’s mark on you.Calling is Eternal
Your calling doesn’t end at retirement or death—it echoes into eternity.
Every act of obedience, every soul reached, every seed planted carries eternal weight.A Final Reflection — Gratitude for the Call
As we move through this Thanksgiving season, take a moment to pause and give thanks for the call of God on your life. When was the last time you stopped—not to analyze your call, not to question it, not to compare it—but simply to thank the Lord for it?
At our Superintendent orientation in June, shortly after we were elected, Susan Ross pulled Amber and me aside and said something I’ll never forget:
“You don’t have to do this… you get to do this.
That phrase has stayed with us. There have been many days since that moment—days filled with both joy and sorrow—when Amber and I have looked at each other and reminded ourselves, “We get to do this.”
Leadership in ministry isn’t always easy. There are moments of disappointment, fatigue, and frustration. I’m not asking you to adopt a Pollyanna mindset that ignores the hard parts. But I do believe there’s joy in reminding your heart that emotions don’t get to be in charge.
Emotions are real—but they don’t always tell the truth. Gratitude resets the heart. It turns pressure into praise and weariness into worship. When we choose to thank God for calling us, even in the hard seasons, we reclaim the joy of serving Him.
The call to ministry is not a burden; it’s a privilege. We don’t have to do this—we get to do this. Amber and I are grateful for the assignment the Lord has entrusted to us. We thank God for you and your leadership within the body of Christ and in the family of the AGK Ministry Network.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.”
— 1 Timothy 1:12
Leaning in,
NLS
Love God, Love the City
At Church in the City, we believe the Church should not be confined to the walls of a building. Instead, it should impact the community around it seven days a week. Our mission is simple yet powerful: Love God and Love the City.
Everything we do flows from that vision. We desire to make disciples, just as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission, and to reach those who feel far from God. We believe “one” is a big number. As Jesus taught, we must be willing to leave the ninety-nine to go after the one. Our heart is to step into neighborhoods, meet people where they are, and be the light God has called us to be.
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….that Church in the City will officially launch on March 1, 2026! We are planning to start somewhere along the Broadway Corridor. The Broadway Corridor in Wichita is one of the city’s most diverse and visible areas. It’s a stretch known for its older motels, transient population, and those often in need of hope and help. Many people along Broadway face challenges like homelessness, addiction, and poverty—but it’s also a place where the light of Jesus can shine the brightest. Reaching Broadway means stepping into the heart of the city where real life happens and real transformation is possible.
Our goal is to build a strong launch team of 50–75 people who share a heart to serve, love, and reach our city. We’re also excited to welcome Melissa and Sullivan Starks as our children’s ministry leaders. Their passion for investing in kids and families will help build a strong foundation for the next generation.
We are praying and believing for 300+ people to attend our Sunday launch service. Just a few weeks later, we’ll step right into the Easter season—a time when hearts are open to the message of hope. Our vision is to mobilize the church into the community, sharing the love of Jesus in everyday circles—whether that’s with family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. We believe God has empowered each of us through the Holy Spirit to be bold witnesses in our daily lives.
Looking ahead to fall 2026, we will begin launching Life Groups—small gatherings designed to help people do life together and grow in their faith. These groups will be a place for discipleship, connection, and outreach. God can use any interest to build relationships and change lives! Whether it’s through Bible studies, board games, crochet, or even disc golf, we believe He can take the things we love and use them to reach others. Real impact happens when we gather, lift each other up, and pray for one another.
Within our first year, we also plan to launch our first micro-site in Wichita—a small, strategic location designed to bring light into some of the spiritually darker places in our city. Imagine a welcoming space on Broadway, open late on Friday and Saturday nights, serving as a “spiritual lighthouse” for those seeking hope in their hardest moments.
Our long-term vision is to expand and launch additional micro-sites—or even new church plants—within three to five years of our initial launch.
We’re excited for what God is doing in Wichita and invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can love our city, one person at a time.
Pastor Dayton & Ann Poe
Church in the City
dayton@churchinthecity.co
316-644-2321
credential application deadline
The next Credential Interviews (both for initial credentials and credential upgrades) are scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026. To be included in this interview date, completed applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025. For questions, please reach out to our office at credentials@agkansas.com.
Introducing Our New Presbyters:
Dr. Michelle Parks
Dr. Michelle Parks serves alongside her husband at Cross Point Church, where together they are passionate about building a Christ-centered community, and they encourage believers to love God and His people. In addition to her pastoral role, Michelle is a dedicated teacher, bringing the same heart for encouraging and building up others into the classroom.
With a deep love for the local church and a commitment to seeing God’s kingdom advance, Michelle is honored to serve the Assemblies of God Kansas Ministry Network as a Presbyter. She is excited to partner with fellow leaders in strengthening churches, supporting pastors, and fostering healthy ministry across the district--making Kansas an easy place to know and love Jesus.
Pastor Phillip Dow
Phillip Dow is the Lead Pastor of New Beginnings Church in Liberal, KS and its campus in Plains, KS. Phillip has served in full-time ministry since 2008 in Texas and Kansas leading churches from their historic roots to a new vision of multiplication. Phillip grew up in Kansas and Oklahoma as the son of a pastor; while Michelle grew up in Ukraine with her missionary family. Phillip and Michelle have been married since graduating Nelson University together and jumped straight into ministry service by serving the Missionary Kids of our fellowship in their training for life on the field. Phillip has served as a Kids Pastor, Executive Pastor, Lead Pastor, Board Member for a Community Non-Profits, and overseeing church planters. Phillip and his wife Michelle wife have two sons who are passionate about Jesus and his calling on their lives.
“ACT LIKE MEN”- KANSAS MEN’S CONFERENCE ’25
The Kansas Men’s Conference 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary. This year, we shattered records, with over 300 men in attendance, marking our largest gathering yet. Even before the sessions began, the energy was palpable as men from across the state poured into our pre-service man activities, including golf, skeet shooting, and bowling. Not only were these events at full capacity, but they also set a new standard for participation, showing that men are eager to build a brotherhood, laugh together, and create memories before stepping into powerful times of worship and into the Word.
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…it was the spiritual transformation and genuine connection that took place. We saw multiple men draw closer to the Lord and to each other, proving that the heart of this conference has always been more than just an event—it’s a movement. From the youngest men in their teens to seasoned saints in their eighties, every generation was represented. Men traveled from every corner of Kansas to be part of something greater than themselves, united under one banner: the name of Jesus.
That call was captured in this year’s theme: “Act Like Men.” Drawn from 1 Corinthians 16:13, the theme challenged every man to embrace biblical manhood—not as culture defines it, but as Christ commands it. From the opening session to the final prayer, the theme echoed through testimonies, conversations, worship, and preaching, leaving men inspired to rise up as leaders, fathers, brothers, and sons who reflect the strength and humility of Jesus.
We were honored to welcome Pastor Mike Santiago as our speaker. His message from 1 Samuel 13 gripped the hearts of every man in the room: “There were no blacksmiths in the land.” With passion and conviction, Pastor Mike challenged us to recognize the spiritual blacksmithing God has entrusted to men—to forge faith, sharpen one another, and prepare future generations for battle. His word reminded us that the absence of blacksmiths leads to unprepared warriors, but the presence of Godly men changes everything.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of Pastor Stephen Luna (AGK Men's Director), the Kansas Men's Lead Team, and our awesome host church, ZAIK Church in Wichita. More than 40 men and women volunteered their time, talents, and treasure to ensure every detail was covered—from hospitality to production, from setup to teardown. Their servant-hearted leadership created an atmosphere where God’s Spirit could move freely, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.
We also extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors who made this conference possible: Scheels, Eddy’s Cadillac, C3 Firearms, Murphy & Sons, Auburn Hills Golf Course, the LFTL Steak Team, and FireBible. Their partnership not only supported the event but also demonstrated a commitment to building strong men and stronger churches across the AGKansas family.
As the weekend came to a close, one thing was clear: Kansas Men’s Conference 2025 was more than a record-breaking event. It was a Kingdom-advancing moment, one that will ripple through homes, churches, and workplaces for years to come. The harvest is plentiful, and the men of Kansas are ready!
Stephen Luna
AGK Men’s Coordinator
It’s Credential Renewal Season!!
The earlier you renew, the better your chances of winning a prize!
AGK Credential holders, you will be receiving an email from the General Council at the beginning of November with instructions on how and where to renew your ministry credentials. If you do not have an email on file with the national office or do not have internet access, please contact Melanie at the AGK Network office to request your renewal packet. You will need to renew between November 3-December 31st (by 11:59am CST) to avoid incurring late fees. All renewals received between January 1-15th will incur additional late fees, and all credentials not renewed by the January 15th deadline will lapse.
Please note that Thursday, December 18th is the deadline for assistance from the AGK office. As in past years, the office closes for Christmas break beginning December 19th. Please submit your renewal and any renewal-related questions before then. This will ensure that everything is processed before the holiday break and save you unnecessary late fees.
To honor your prompt renewal, we’re giving prizes along the way!
$100 Amazon Gift Card-renewed between Nov. 1-15th
$50 Amazon Gift Card-renewed by December 1st
$25 Amazon Gift Card-renewed by December 15th
Each drawing is separate, so the earlier you renew, the more chances you have to win!
READY…SET…RENEW!!
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Ministers will renew online at https://www.ministerrenewal.ag.org. This site will be available beginning November 3, 2025.
The Ministers renewal site includes a helpful FAQ section with useful information and step-by-step instructions at https://www.ministerrenewal.ag.org/Home/FAQ
If you have difficulty logging in, please email accounts@ag.org for assistance.
Pay all GC dues and late fees (if owed) within the renewal system instead of through AG Giving. Additionally, dues can be paid with a check or card via the contribution form at the time of their paper renewal submission.
Once a payment is made within the renewal site, please DO NOT exit the site until your renewal has been submitted and the option to download a PDF is displayed. If you exit prematurely your renewal is not guaranteed to be complete.
woven women’s conference recap
We are in awe of all God did during the annual WOVEN Conference. This year was all about AUDACIOUS FAITH and the key verse of John 11:40, “Jesus said to her, ‘Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’” Over 360 Kansas women came together at Evangel in Wichita to grow in their faith through believing and becoming. A beautiful foundation was laid for us throughout the conference as the worship team led us in pursuing God’s presence together through worship that prepared our hearts to receive from Him.
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…coming to an AUDACIOUS Acceptance & giving an AUDACIOUS Yes. Our guest speaker, Stacie Cathcart, shared messages from God’s word that challenged and championed us to offer our AUDACIOUS Asks and trust Him with AUDACIOUS Answers. Conference attendees were also able to hear about Inspire Global Sisterhood, which we have the honor of linking arms with this year through the WOVEN financial arm THREADS. Because of the generosity of the women of Kansas we are able to partner with this ministry to help reach the generations across the nations. Once again this year, women were given the opportunity to reflect & respond through journaling and prayer, to what they were hearing, learning, and experiencing in real time. This time allowed women to record in the moment what they felt God was revealing to them, so that they could later recall how they responded or would respond to Him. We give God all the glory for the impact this weekend made on the lives of the women of Kansas. Impacts that we believe will cause a ripple effect that will lead to a lasting impact in homes, communities, and churches across the state and beyond.
Heidi Robiou
AGK Women’s Coordinator
Creating a
Fool-Proof Church Offering Counting Program
By Rollie Dimos | Church Budgeting & Finances
Churches rely on financial stewardship to support ministry, outreach, and operations. A well-organized counting program ensures offerings are handled with transparency and care. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing process, this guide will walk you through the essentials.
What an unforgettable time at KidCon! This year was packed with faith, fun, and foam — literally!
Jamie Walton brought an incredible word about the power of prayer, teaching us that God cares when life feels like too much, and the importance of carrying each other's burdens in prayer.
In our breakout sessions, kids dove deeper into what prayer looks like in their daily lives — learning what prayer is, who they can pray for, how Scripture changes their prayers, and even engaging in prayer through various prayer stations.
And of course, all the fun:
A silent disco that had everyone dancing their hearts out
And a foam party that no one will forget!
Thank you to everyone who made KidCon so incredible. God moved in powerful ways — and we’re already counting down the days until next year!
Jenna Tuck
AGK KidMin Coordinator
Kidcon Recap
Axis
Axis equips parents for gospel-centered conversations with their teen about faith and culture.
In preparation for an upcoming foreign missions trip, the team received important information from the host missionaries about the cultural norms in their area of ministry. The purpose was to make sure that the gospel could be presented in a way that was clear and understandable despite language and cultural differences. Now imagine the number of updates required if the culture is shifting every few weeks and the language is in constant flux.
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…and it is nearly impossible to keep track of all that is happening. How much time should a parent or youth worker invest in the fight to stay current? How many social media accounts do you need to stay up-to-date? How many artists’ album releases do you need to listen to? How many movies should you watch to be current?
Worry less, fam (i.e. “don’t worry about it,” or “take heart, loved ones”)… axis.org is your best friend. Axis.org's mission is to help build lifelong faith in children and teens by equipping parents, caring adults, and youth workers with skills for conversations and culture translation to disciple their teens toward a Christ-centered future. They provide resources to help adults understand and discuss complex topics like culture, social media, and mental health, enabling them to connect with their children and guide them in their faith. Their content is available through many social media websites as well as an extensive, free library of resources on their own website. At one time, axis.org was a subscription service only available to those who could pay the premium. Fortunately, they have moved to a donor-based platform and their resources are now available to anyone who wants to take the time to visit their site.
If you want a sample of what they offer, go on their site and subscribe to the weekly Culture Translator. It will arrive in your inbox every Friday, full of resources to have better conversations with students.
For more information about Axis.org, contact T.R. Stewart.
He is available via
trstewart@lifechurchemporia.com
or Facebook Messenger.
