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Open
Letter to All the Dear People in the AC Ministry
TO PASS
ON THE BATON: Well the time has come "To Pass the
Baton" (1 Kings 1:35). I've come to the end of my
term as President of Alcoholics for Christ with as much
reverence and honor as the day I accepted the office.
Although leaving the office of President, I will continue
serving on the Board of Elders (and be the official
Spokesperson to the community at large, as Chief Consul).
In the soon coming years, Kathy and I will be moving to
Florida to serve as AC Coordinators, based in the
Tampa/St. Pete area.
Will Garret (former V.P.) has accepted the office of
President, amply supported by Jesse Washington as
Vice-President. I know that you will continue to give
them the same support through your time and talent, along
with your financial support and prayers as you have in
the past. The Lord's will be done! Once more, I thank you
for the honor of serving and for all the blessings it has
brought me and Kathy................Your
Brother-in-Christ, Jeff Sheetz
In this
Newsletter: Praise Reports from various groups; Poem;
Thank you from the Board; Upcoming Events
PRAISE
REPORT FROM KEARNEY NEBRASKA
I just want to thank the AC Ministries for the prayers
for/with the Kearney AC Group. the group has been led to
the Adult Children's Workbook and the results have been
awesome! And the potential is unlimited here in S.
Central Nebraska for a ministry in this area of our
lives. There are no A.C.O.A. meetings here in Kearney, so
we are the way to go (the Lord provides). There is no
doubt in my mind that in this AC group people will be
saved, lives will be changed and freedom from bondage
will take place. God Bless all of you.
...............Kent M.
AURORA COLORADO CHAPTER OF AC SHARES
Hello...from the Aurora AC Chapter. We would like to
thank our Lord Jesus as we get ready to celebrate our One
Year Anniversary of this great meeting. The Lord has been
so good to us this year, bringing people from all over
Colorado. People drive hours to experience the healing
power of Christ as He reveals himself through his people
in sharing experiences and the strength and hope found in
Him.
As I look back over the past year, I remember
thinking..what if only myself and my co-leader are the
ones to attend? The Lord had other plans that night and
every week since. We see the different faces of the
people the Lord has chosen to bring in for healing and to
hear from His Word of Love for His children. As we move
forward in this new year, the Lord has shown me what a
great need there is for His kind of healing, for it is
the only true healing anyone can find. It is possible,
with the Lord's leading, that we may try to have another
meeting in a different part of the Denver Metro area, to
reach more people for Christ. Please pray,as we see where
theLord leads......... Lisa Moller
BRIEF
FROM FORT WORTH, TX by Eric
Hello.......from the Lone Star State. Many things are
going on... 1. All ministries thriving in every
direction. 2. Local group sees new faces almost every
week. 3. Core group leadership desires to start leading
meeting, possible new group for inner-city (in gospel
Mission). Fort Worth has 3500 homeless street people at
night. We need prayer from all of AC to petition God for
grace, favor, and power to implement this meeting. 4. The
Texas Prison Ministry (from this group) has reached the
number/depth of people unimaginable! We have distributed
over 300 pieces of Christian material (over 100 AC
workbooks) in the Texas Prison System; reached 150
inmates with AC info, not including any clergy/chaplains
and the prisoner's family. 5. There are core group
members interested in going into jails to start small
weekly groups. 6. The Spirit is moving, and things are
jumping, pray that God will provide the funds, and
protection.
CLIO
MICHIGAN GROUP SHARES
Note to share how God is blessing our meeting in Clio,
MI. We started in April of 2001 with 4 people. From April
to November the most we had was six people. God was and
is at work to bring people in. On January 7, 2002 we had
15 people, three newcomers. Praise the Lord! We are going
to a bigger room in the church next week! We hope to
split up and start a family table soon.
On New Year's Eve we had a meeting at our house with the
Mt. Morris Group. 12 people attended and a new couple
with three days clean time!! Praise the Lord! It was a
real blessing to be clean and sober and pray through the
New Year!
Please continue to pray for our group. We also need
prayer for other churches in this area to open their
doors to Alcoholics for Christ. The newcomers are looking
for other AC meetings in the area.
God is Awesome!...Love in Christ.....Chuck and Wendy
I'M
FINALLY ON MY WAY.....by Rhonda Roberts from the Lakeview
MI AC Group
I can still remember the day, so many years ago,
when I was introduced into the evil ways of alcohol.
I had myself totally convinced I needed it to get me
through
all the things I was experiencing in all of life's
journeys and roads
Through all of my experiences, through all those special
events,
I had myself totally convinced that alcohol was my best
friend
I drank to "ease" the pain, I drank to help me
"bear",
the words "ease"and "bear" are two
words that alcohol shares
I have tried to remember back to the days of when my
children were young,
but those were the days I was too self-centered, and too
busy having my "fun."
Missing their "special moments" that gives a
child so much self-worth,
making them feel the respect they yearned, was something
they need to earn.
As I now try to make up for lost time, it hits me like a
slap in the face,
there'll be no "making up for lost time"
because, really, it's called "the Past"
All the excuses I've ever made can never be taken away.
Too, three childhood memories lost, because I let alcohol
lead me astray
I drank thru the course of my marriage. I guess it helped
me "cope".
It ended my marriage of 16 years, which ended a lifetime
of hope
I can't go on with the future if I can't let go of the
past.
There's no turning back from the mistakes I made,
but I know the hurting won't last.
I've made a decision, "Jesus be my guide"
through all of life's journeys and roads,
to turn to Him when things go wrong, so I don't have to
turn to alcohol
I used to think of alcohol as my way, my truth, and my
life,
but I've learned through Jesus Christ that He is the Way,
Truth, and the Life!
I was brought from the depths of sin and forgiven for all
I've done,
made pure whole, and justly clean by the Great and
Masterful One.
I've learned that I don't need to drink to get by and
live my life
with Jesus at my side I can deal with pain and strife
I praise His Holy Name and give thanks to Him everyday.
He delivered me from evil and I'M FINALLY ON MY WAY!!!
.................A grateful and redeemed child of God
A NOTE
OF THANKS TO OUR FAITHFUL SUPPORTERS
We on the Board of Elders and the Board of Directors of
Alcoholics for Christ truly appreciate and thank you for
your faithful support. We gratefully thank our Lord for
instilling in you the desire to support us as you have.
Because of you AC has grown from just a handful of
meetings to over 150 across the US and around the world!
AC has become a world mission to reach the alcoholic,
those entangled in drugs and their families. This year AC
will be able to produce yet another translation (French,
for our Canadian ministry) of the workbook along with the
current ones in German, Swedish, and Spanish. And it's
exciting to realize that AC will be chartered in Canada!
We could not have done any of this without your effective
prayers and financial support. God bless you richly and
deeply!
We have an immediate need though. The machine (a
Risograph) which we use to print all of our own materials
(the workbooks, the hard copies of this newsletter and
the meeting lists, and etc) is worn out - and replacement
parts are no longer available. We have been able locate a
refurbished one for a mere $6000 ( a new one costs
anywhere from $11,000 to $21,000). However, we need to
have the cash for this by the first of June 2002. Won't
you help us reach this goal and help us continue to reach
those in need of this ministry by "partnering"
with us? By partner, we mean for you to regularly pray
for the Lord to open doors sealed shut by the evil one.
Also, tell others of AC and encourage those in any snare
to attend local meetings. And finally, pray about being a
consistent monthly donor, even a small amount can do
great things in the hand of the Dollar Stretcher (God).
And remember, if it is to difficult to commit to a
monthly amount, any amount you can give will be greatly
appreciated. This ministry is made up of all volunteers
(all the Board Members and all the Group and Table
Leaders) this is how we can do so much with so
little..............Thank you! Thank you! And receive
every blessing from God!! P.S. We accept Master Card,
Visa, American Express
ANNOUNCEMENT
OF UPCOMING EVENTS!!
APRIL
13 8:00 AM-4:00 PM .....ALCOHOLICS FOR CHRIST 2002 SPRING
INFORMATIONAL AND TRAINING CONFERENCE
AT CALVARY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, 15025 FENKELL (4 BLKS
EAST OF GREENFIELD) DETROIT, MI
Continental breakfast at 8:00 am.........General Session
and Praise at 8:30 am................
The Agenda consists of the following sessions and
presenters:
Session 1: "Leading Tables: Adult Children and
Family Groups" Presenter: Ola Allen
Session 2: "AC; The Name & What We Are and Are
Not" Presenter: Jeff Sheetz
Session 3: "Why Look Back" An in depth look
into Adult Children Issues Presenter: Jim Hartzel
Session 4: "Leadership: Substance Abuse"
Presenter: Jesse Washington
Session 5: "Effective Communication" Presenter:
Marie Jacobs
Session 6: "Twelve-Stepping" Presenter: Michael
Riley
Session 7: "A Six Character Skit entitled, A Day in
the Life of Donna, Fred and Amy" a dysfunctional
family ensnared in alcoholism and drug abuse, and
co-dependency.
Session 8: "Relapse: The Enemy of Recovery"
Presenter: Joseph Jacobs
All of
the sessions will be taped and made available for a
nominal price. Please contact the office for a copy of
the flyer which gives more detailed information about
each session and presenter.
THE
SPRING MEN'S RETREAT .............APRIL 26-28, 2002
...........
Will be held at ECHO GROVE CONFERENCE CENTER in
Leonard, MI
The cost is ONLY $80.00 for the entire weekend (Friday
evening 7:00 through Sunday noon) meals included. The
theme this spring is "Don't Speak Evil, Don't
Criticize, Don't Condemn" Scripture reference is
James 4:11, Living Bible
Contact the AC office for more details or flyers
(includes registration form).
AWARD
CEREMONY ...........MAY 4, 2002 ...................6:00
PM
DETROIT FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, 21260 HAGGERTY RD,
NORTHVILLE, MI
Keynote Speaker: BILL KEATON (Co-Founder of Alcoholics
For Christ)
Bring Finger Food to share and be prepared to PRAISE THE
LORD
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS TO THE CHURCH CONTACT
THE AC OFFICE AT 1-248-399-9955, 1-800-441-7877, or
e-mail to al4christ@globalbiz.net
ALL AC
PICNIC - AUGUST 17, 2002 AT KENSINGTON PARK, MICHIGAN -
Call the AC office for more details.
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