WHY PRAY?

   1) There is a God
   2) He listens to prayer
   3) He hears my prayer    

I choose to believe in God because the alternative is simply void. ..void of purpose. ..void of compassion. I cannot relinquish my faith to mere coincidence. I refuse to base my existence on a random set of events whose mathematical and scientific permutation are unfathomable. Without divinely given purpose, and the capacity for self willed compassion I am subject to nothing more than animalistic instinct. I have no wish to live in a world where intellectual and physical strength leave no room for the beauty of the God given soul. I choose to leave behind the bleak and barren landscape of humanistic rhetoric. I choose to believe in God. So, for me there is a God.

If l believe there is a God then, I accept my existence is the result ofGod's will. God is infinitely greater in power, knowledge, and goodness than I am. Therefore, if l am aware of his

existence; he must surely be aware of mine. God knows my thoughts and intents. He must know my words! If God has given me life and purpose, he must care deeply for me. 

"For this reason I kneel before the F ather, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the .fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. " [Ephesians 3: 14-21] Paul's prayer for Ephesus.

There is a God, he listens to prayer but, how does he hear my prayer among the countless prayers of all humanity? For this I would like to borrow from a metaphor presented on the BBC by one of the giants of Christian apologetics, C.S. Lewis. 


God is timeless and as such has eternity to access every moment in time. Lewis presented God as the author of a book who may at any time walk away from writing. For the characters in the story, the time between when the author stopped writing and then returned to his work is undetectable. The events of the story will just continue to unfold from beginning to end. In this sense, to us our lives are on a continuum but, God possesses the unique ability to access us at any point in time. With this being understood, God has all eternity to listen, ponder, and respond to each and every one of our prayers. God is never too busy to hear your prayer.

This may seem to some simplistic and bold but, the truth often is just that. ..simple and bold.


How special would you feel if you had a direct line to the President, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Lebron James, or some other World renowned celebrity? How many times a day would you call? If we could even begin to comprehend God's love for us, we would never again forget to pray. ..we would "pray without ceasing." [ I Thessalonians 5: 17]
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Rev. Andy Wilson is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC) and a life long member of New Life Apostolic Church in Watkinsville, Georgia. Andy and his wife Tammy have one child, Caleb. They have served in several capacities in the church such as preaching, youth ministry, and teaching. Andy is an anointed man of God and has been mentored by great men of God such as his late father, Rev. Jim Wilson, Bishop Douglas Hammond, and our current pastor, Rev. Tim Hammond. Andy and his family are tremendous assets to the Kingdom of God. You can contact him at nlac.tv@gmail.com. Thanks for reading his article. God Bless, Scott Strawn

2010 GEORGIA DISTRICT CAMP - JULY 19, 20, 21

Georgia Apostolic Crusaders Youth Camp is quickly approaching. We will be having our camp this year at Legacy Retreat Center in Commerce, GA on July 19-22. We are very excited about our new location and are expecting great things. Bro James Chessor will be preaching the nights and Bro Chad Erickson will be preaching the mornings and leading us in praise and worship. Our theme for this year is EMERGE.

Emerge- to rise, come forth into view or notice; rise up-reach out

My vision is for the students in our Georgia District to Emerge; Rise Up and Reach Out! We are a generation that has been called out of darkness, into His marvelous light. Our teenagers and college students are facing more today than we can even fathom. They have been told by this world that they can’t make it. In a society where celebrities, athletes, and politicians continue to fall, they’ve been made to believe that it’s impossible to live and be Christ-Like. The bible says in Matthew 19:26, “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

It’s my ambition and goal for our students to reach out to their schools, communities, and families. Mark 16:15 says “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Two key words in that passage are “all” and “every.” Our students have been given the opportunity to go to all and preach to everyone. They can reach people that we could never reach. They have to believe in themselves and trust in God. The world says that one person can’t make a difference, but God says that you and I can make a difference. “Two are better than one…” Let’s EMERGE and rise up and reach out in 2010.

Jason Hagwood (pictured left with his wife Deesha) is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC) organization and a youth pastor with New Life Apostolic Church in Watkinsville, Georgia. He also serves as the Georgia District President for the ALJC. He is married to Deesha Hagwood and they have two children. Jason can be reached at jhag7780@aol.com.  

NEW LIFE CHURCH STARTS SERVICES AT UNIVERSITY REHABILITATION CENTER - JUNE 2010

It has been well noted throughout the centuries dating back to the apostles in the New Testament that the mission of the church was to reach out to the world around us with the message of the “good news” or gospel. Jesus explained in three of the four gospels about what is commonly known as the “Great Commission”. In Matthew’s gospel, written after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the command is sure:

Matthew 28:19-20 (King James Version)

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The gospel according to Mark explains this commission as such:

Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke the Evangelist explains his view of the “Great Commission” in the following verses:

Luke 24:45-48 (King James Version)

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Luke further stresses the power of a Holy Spirit filled witness in his writings about the Acts of the Apostles:

Acts 1:8 (King James Version)

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

As the bible teaches throughout the book of Acts, the message of the cross: repentance, baptism by immersion, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit was obeyed in several locations noted in Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19. Peter went on to explain in Acts 2:39 that the promised plan of salvation was available to “you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call”.

Quite honestly, the message in today’s media outlets is very negative. Good news usually does not make it to the people of today’s world. It would seem to the common citizen that there is nothing but death, destruction, and a vast array of crime taking place. New Life Church in Watkinsville is a Christ centered church founded on the word of God and believes that it will take more than an emotional experience to make it through until the end. The message to the world coming from our outreach team has been and always will be an inspired, uplifting message about the “good news” and what wonderful things God is doing.

On May 30 and June 13, 2010, our outreach team started services at a facility in Athens, Georgia known as the University Rehabilitation Center. Over the first two sessions the following personnel from New Life were present to see the Great Commission fulfilled right in our area:

Steve Russell

Scott Strawn

Jeff Jordan

Marsha Jordan

Chris Greenwood

Howard Hammond

We have been so pleased with the music and testimonies by this great group of Christians. Marsha Jordan has blessed the patients with some great southern gospel songs. Scott Strawn has led the congregational singing with many of the old gospel hymns and Chris Greenwood has led anointed prayer sessions. Scott Strawn and Steve Russell always have a positive message of the gospel to bring to these fine people. The services have ended with prayer for many of the patients who are sick or need encouragement. New Life wants to express our sincere appreciation to the fine staff of this facility for inviting us to come and bring some sunshine to some lonely souls. Throughout this article, you will see pictures of the outreach team in action. Please continue to pray for them as they reach out to Oconee, Clarke, and the surrounding Georgia counties.

HEART TO LIFE

The true spirit of encouragement can only come from Christ, and him alone. Pastor Tim Hammond preached a message on June 6, 2010 about "You Are Not Alone...." based on the story of Elijah. Scriptures were taken out of I Kings 19: 1-4. There is enough evidence for mankind to know there is a God and that he never leaves or forsakes those who serve him. He is also searching and seeking after the hurting and dying souls of this earth. No matter how far down in sin we go, how desperate we may feel, lonely, forsaken, he is always there with loving arms, waiting to heal and save. Watch the video below with an open mind and let God minister to you. It is gonna be alright! It is our hope that this song performed by Lauren Strawn of New Life Church in Watkinsville will minister to you.... God Bless You!!

NEW LIFE CHURCH’S 2010 ANNUAL PICNIC – MAY 22nd

What is the one thing that people in today’s world are seeking more than anything in the world? We know that the human race is typically seeking after wealth, fortune, wisdom, and a higher way of life. People also crave the desire to be appreciated and liked. However, in light of how the world has evolved into such a corrupt and dangerous place to live, I believe that people in general are craving the fundamental elements of love and compassion. The bible teaches that Christ came and died for the ungodly while they were yet dead in sin. The disciple of Christ known as John wrote it best in his book with probably the most quoted scripture in all of Christendom:

John 3:14-16 (King James Version)

14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There are two goals that Christians should strive to achieve when getting together for events such as our annual picnic. The first goal is to have friendship and the second is to have fellowship. To know that someone truly loves and cares about you is something that no earthly value can match. Numerous millionaires, business owners, and politicians have often failed in their offices and personal lives due to the lack of finding love. The things that are truly real can only come from God above. We know he sent his son into the world, not to condemn but to save. God is truly a friend and a companion that sticks closer than a brother. God has chosen to use his church as his body in the world today. It is not often that a person can find a spirit filled church with anointed leadership with vision. Thank God for pastors today who truly lead with vision and purpose. New Life Church in Watkinsville is a place where the body of Christ truly does care and loves one another with mercy and grace. To be with true believers and people who you can call “friend” is a marvelous thing. John also wrote this about friends:

John 15:13-15 (King James Version)

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

The other important element of the body of Christ is fellowship. The great physician and writer of the book Acts, Luke writes the following scripture about the New Testament church:

Acts 2:42 (King James Version)

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

This was a common practice in the early church era as Christians faced all types of pressures such as persecution, martyrdom, financial issues, and a changing world political situations. What has changed today? We are still facing many of the same issues. That is why body of Christ needs to understand the importance of attending church services and church events on a consistent basis as we see the day approaching, the coming of the Lord. The bottom line is this: “We need each other and we can’t make it alone on this earth without Christ and his body.” John also wrote this concerning fellowship:

1 John 1:7

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

For several years, New Life Church in Watkinsville has an annual picnic near or around the Memorial Day Holiday. This has been an amazing day of fun, food, and fellowship for our church and the community. The very principles of love, mercy, and grace are practiced by the members as they gather together in spirit and truth. This year, the picnic was held for the first time at Oconee County’s Veterans Memorial Park (Pavilion and Playground are pictured above left). The park offers so much in the way of picnic facilities and recreation. There is a walking trail, playground, lighted tennis courts, softball and soccer fields, grills for cooking, and much more.

This day of May 22nd was filled with joy and gladness as many families gathered for the cookout (Basketball & Senior facilities are shown below). Home grilled burgers and hotdogs gave way for delicious homemade desserts. Then games were played with volleyball, horse shoes, tennis, walking, and fellowshipping. The night ended with much needed exercise and personal enjoyment. We had once again demonstrated that the principles of the book of Acts church is still prevalent in today’s world: friendship and fellowship.........

If you need a friend, some fellowship, or a church body to attach to, please consider New Life in Watkinsville. Contact the church office at 706-769-6824 or email Scott Strawn at rsstrawn@gmail.com.

Why Do Hurting People Hurt?

Why Do Hurting People Hurt?