"Satan does not care how many people read about prayer, if only he can keep them from praying.” Paul E. Billheimer
Dear NEO family,
Thank you for your prayers for our NEO Day with Dan Bohi. God met with us in a powerful way. There was honesty and confession before God and one another, which is always a prerequisite for revival. There was a sense of desperation and hunger for God. God spoke through Dan and we were challenged and changed. I pray the fresh winds of renewal will ignite in every church in NEO this Sunday and for weeks to come.
And continue to pray for M11, a gathering of USA/Canada Nazarenes regarding mission and evangelism, this week in Louisville. Pray that God will break in such a way that leaders of our North American churches will leave inspired and refreshed.
Good news from SNU! Our university has seen a significant increase in residential enrollment this semester above Spring of 2010. It's hard to tell if the new A.M. Hills Residence Complex is the reason, or the slowly improving economy, or a better than normal retention rate (93.09 % raw rate of Fall, 2010), or some other reason such as a great Admissions staff working effectively. Regardless, we are happy to have seen Spring on-campus numbers increase from 626 in 2010 to 707 in 2011, an increase of 81!! This is a good increase, 13% in fact, to this group of residential students with whom we do our best job of fulfilling our mission. Thank God for this nice metric.
Southern Nazarene University—TULSA
Please Join Us for Food, Music, and Tours Celebrating the Opening of Our NEW Home!
8210 E. Regal Court, Tulsa (105th and S. Memorial)
Saturday, March 5th ∙ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
--Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony at Noon--
The late great basketball Coach John Wooden shared his coaching philosophy that works just as well in business when it comes to mentoring employees: "A coach's primary function should not be to make better players but to make better people. Lift others even with your critical analysis. This is still the best method to get the best out of someone because pride is a better motivator than fear. I never wanted to teach through fear, punishment, or intimidation."
Have a blessed weekend!
Dave McKellips
Northeast Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." - S.D. Gordon
"One of the principle rules of religion is to lose no occasion of serving God. And since [God] is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve [God] in our neighbor; which [the Lord] receives as if done to [Godself] in person, standing visibly before us." - John Wesley
Dear NEO family,
What an incredible 10 days we have experienced together! There are some records you like to read about rather than experience – like the records for most snow and the coldest temperature. But we have to accept what we cannot change and the weather is one thing we cannot change. We accept what we cannot change and change what we can – our attitude and responses. Knowing what I do about NEO Nazarenes, I bet you have some great stories of opportunities God has given you to shine and serve during this unusual season in our lives and region.
Work project at Tulsa Southwest this Saturday. Jerry Wilburg reports: “Because of the weather, we can only accommodate 6-7 guys this weekend. We will not be working outside the building on the grounds or on the roof. So we will be focusing on installing the grid for the drop in ceiling and begin the cabinet work needed for the kitchen and bathrooms. We will schedule again to do the balance of the chores at Southwest and give our brothers and sisters the help they need to get this project completed. Time this Saturday is 8 am til finished or 5PM latest. If anyone can only be there for a half day we will accept that offer too. “
Dan Bohi in NEO on Thursday, Feb. 17. God has been doing a powerful work in and through Dan Bohi. He has been used by the Holy Spirit as a catalsyt for revival across our nation. Dan will be here to meet with pastors and intereted laypersons on Thursday, Feb. 17, 9:30am - 3:00pm at Family Church. Lunch from Rib Crib will be available for purchase.
Two NEO pastors retiring on Easter Sunday After almost 11 years of pastoral service in Bartlesville, Dr. Randy Schuneman will be retiring on April 24. Rev. Harold Johnson will be retiring the same day after 7 years of ministry in Cushing. We are grateful for the faithful service of these gifted pastors.
For info on the PrimeTime Smoky Mountain Retreat on Oct. 4-7, 2011, go to http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/ssm/adult/primetime/display.aspx
NEO DISTRICT LEADERS – January 2011
Sunday School/Discipleship Ministries Gain in Weekly Attendance over January, 2010
Tulsa Regency Park +75
Tulsa Hills +28
Owasso +19
Drumright +17
Nowata +17
Barnsdall +16
Miami New Life +16
Sand Springs +15
Collinsville +12
Pawhuska +12
Worship Gatherings Gain in Weekly Attendance over January, 2010
Collinsville +37
Tulsa Regency Park +25
Barnsdall +18
Sand Springs +18
Miami New Life +12
Drumright +10
Davenport +8
Broken Arrow First +7
Coweta +7
Chelsea +6
I WANT TO CELEBRATE...1/2011
Steve Davis, Sapulpa...
• Beginning of Financial Peace University
• 2 New Ladies Bible Studies
• Leadership team established with young adults
• Beginning to see God answering prayers in a new way!
James Wilson, Pawhuska... We began the new year with our bi-annual “town hall” meeting and were able to establish some new and better ways to communicate. We also had the opportunity to hear and act on some fresh ideas from the members and as a result established two new Bible classes which kick off next month.
Angela Bentley, Bristow ... the launch of a new discipleship group for young adults and continued growth in our children’s department and Caravan program.
Brad Farnsworth, BA Connection...Offerings continue to remain steady; Connection Team members increasing (people becoming involved in the ministry).
David Stevens, Vinita... New families attending. People are growing closer to each other and growing in the knowledge of the Lord and of being a disciple.
Doug Gunsalus, Glenpool SoCo...Pelotons are beginning to drive much of what we do. We are focussed on this and believe that, even though it takes awhile to implement, it will have long lasting, foundational implications. The main thing that we believe that it will impact is the way that we reach our neighbors. When people go through these groups, they will be launched out to be on mission, reaching people for Christ.
Hope you have a warm, sunny weekend...but more importantly a warm, sunny heart!
You are loved,
Dave McKellips
"One of the principle rules of religion is to lose no occasion of serving God. And since [God] is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve [God] in our neighbor; which [the Lord] receives as if done to [Godself] in person, standing visibly before us." - John Wesley
Dear NEO family,
What an incredible 10 days we have experienced together! There are some records you like to read about rather than experience – like the records for most snow and the coldest temperature. But we have to accept what we cannot change and the weather is one thing we cannot change. We accept what we cannot change and change what we can – our attitude and responses. Knowing what I do about NEO Nazarenes, I bet you have some great stories of opportunities God has given you to shine and serve during this unusual season in our lives and region.
Work project at Tulsa Southwest this Saturday. Jerry Wilburg reports: “Because of the weather, we can only accommodate 6-7 guys this weekend. We will not be working outside the building on the grounds or on the roof. So we will be focusing on installing the grid for the drop in ceiling and begin the cabinet work needed for the kitchen and bathrooms. We will schedule again to do the balance of the chores at Southwest and give our brothers and sisters the help they need to get this project completed. Time this Saturday is 8 am til finished or 5PM latest. If anyone can only be there for a half day we will accept that offer too. “
Dan Bohi in NEO on Thursday, Feb. 17. God has been doing a powerful work in and through Dan Bohi. He has been used by the Holy Spirit as a catalsyt for revival across our nation. Dan will be here to meet with pastors and intereted laypersons on Thursday, Feb. 17, 9:30am - 3:00pm at Family Church. Lunch from Rib Crib will be available for purchase.
Two NEO pastors retiring on Easter Sunday After almost 11 years of pastoral service in Bartlesville, Dr. Randy Schuneman will be retiring on April 24. Rev. Harold Johnson will be retiring the same day after 7 years of ministry in Cushing. We are grateful for the faithful service of these gifted pastors.
For info on the PrimeTime Smoky Mountain Retreat on Oct. 4-7, 2011, go to http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/ssm/adult/primetime/display.aspx
NEO DISTRICT LEADERS – January 2011
Sunday School/Discipleship Ministries Gain in Weekly Attendance over January, 2010
Tulsa Regency Park +75
Tulsa Hills +28
Owasso +19
Drumright +17
Nowata +17
Barnsdall +16
Miami New Life +16
Sand Springs +15
Collinsville +12
Pawhuska +12
Worship Gatherings Gain in Weekly Attendance over January, 2010
Collinsville +37
Tulsa Regency Park +25
Barnsdall +18
Sand Springs +18
Miami New Life +12
Drumright +10
Davenport +8
Broken Arrow First +7
Coweta +7
Chelsea +6
I WANT TO CELEBRATE...1/2011
Steve Davis, Sapulpa...
• Beginning of Financial Peace University
• 2 New Ladies Bible Studies
• Leadership team established with young adults
• Beginning to see God answering prayers in a new way!
James Wilson, Pawhuska... We began the new year with our bi-annual “town hall” meeting and were able to establish some new and better ways to communicate. We also had the opportunity to hear and act on some fresh ideas from the members and as a result established two new Bible classes which kick off next month.
Angela Bentley, Bristow ... the launch of a new discipleship group for young adults and continued growth in our children’s department and Caravan program.
Brad Farnsworth, BA Connection...Offerings continue to remain steady; Connection Team members increasing (people becoming involved in the ministry).
David Stevens, Vinita... New families attending. People are growing closer to each other and growing in the knowledge of the Lord and of being a disciple.
Doug Gunsalus, Glenpool SoCo...Pelotons are beginning to drive much of what we do. We are focussed on this and believe that, even though it takes awhile to implement, it will have long lasting, foundational implications. The main thing that we believe that it will impact is the way that we reach our neighbors. When people go through these groups, they will be launched out to be on mission, reaching people for Christ.
Hope you have a warm, sunny weekend...but more importantly a warm, sunny heart!
You are loved,
Dave McKellips
Friday, February 4, 2011
“Keep giving Jesus to your people, not by words, but by your example, by your being in love with Jesus, by radiating holiness and spreading his fragrance of love everywhere you go. Just keep the joy of Jesus as your strength. Be happy and at peace." - Mother Teresa
"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." -John Wesley (who invested two hours daily in prayer)
Dear NEO family,
What a week this has been in NEO! A week ago today many of you were on the golf course (or wishing you were there) and since then we have had record snow falls and record cold temperatures. The good news – most of us got a lot of extra time with our families! I have more good news, the snow should be gone by Spring Break (based on research by the squirrels – I gave up on the Ground Hog).
Exciting update on Barnsdall. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting the Barnsdall Church. This church that for years averaged 10 – 15 in weekly attendance is experiencing new life – in the past fourteen months five people have been saved and 7 new members have been received. They have started a Wednesday night meal and bible study and are averaging in the mid 30’s in attendance on Sunday. They have also seen amazing transformation of their facilities – a new metal roof and roof gutter, central heat and air, remodeling of the pastor’s office, a new PA system and a projector and screen, new chairs for platform, three new entrance doors installed, handicap access ramp installed, bathroom in basement remodeled, additional electrical wiring, new lighted sign outside, and classrooms remodeled. The Fellowship Hall has new carpet, new lighting, a new serving bar, new tables and chairs and new kitchen appliances.
We rejoice with Pastor Jim and Jan Johnson and the Barnsdall Church family. We also thank the Hominy church for their support this past year and the Pawhuska Church for their encouragement and support for several years.
Update on Pryor. I saw on their end of the year contribution report this great news: last year we focused on connecting the younger generation with Christ through building a youth group. We are averaging 30 each Wednesday and several are attending church on Sunday morning. Twelve have accepted the Lord since summer. PTL. This year they hope to focus on strengthening their children’s ministry. Congratulations, Pastor Dan Hazelton and the Pryor Church family.
Spiritual Renewal Weekend. Thank you for your joining us in prayer and for your attendance at our weekend services. God blessed us and gave us a great time of refreshing. I welcome your feedback. What could we change to make the weekend more meaningful for your church family? Do you like having this in January or does the risk of bad weather discount any advantages of the month? Should we try to have services on each Zone? Who would you like to see leading worship or preaching for these events in the future? Send responses to dmckellips@neonaz.com.
40 Days of Continuous Prayer Preceding M11. Each USA/Canada District was assigned 1 day to pray for 24 hours. Our assignment was Feb. 2. I thank all the pastors and churches who helped us form a prayer chain across the District from Midnight til Midnight. I received some great responses by pastors afterwards, including these:
A pastor who took three hours for his church wrote: We have 12 people taking 15 minutes each. Thanks for letting us join in this prayer emphasis.
Another pastor wrote: A good hour of prayer to be had. I appreciate the opportunity - prayed for stewardship of our resources, the leadership of the conference and the giving of our people. Led off by reading through the scriptures about prayer itself - I found my prayers changed by Jesus' words to be for M11's greater purpose in God's Kingdom. I need to take these times more often in extended prayer with all else shut out. It's inspired a number of things I want to do at church.
M11 website http://www.m11conference.org/
NEO Pastor’s (and Leaders) Day with Dan Bohi, February 17, 9:30am – 3:00pm. God has been using Dan Bohi in powerful ways across this nation. Come, hear and be challenged and changed! We will be meeting at Tulsa Family Church, 5205 S. Aspen, Broken Arrow, OK, 74011. Lunch will be available for purchase.
One DS wrote recently about Dan: "Never" is a word I'm careful with, but I've never sat under anointed or convicting preaching like I did at Deeper Life services this past weekend. Chad and Dan Bohi are dead men; abandoning all except God's will. Rare proclaimers of the Word; so radically in love with Jesus. “
District Workday at Tulsa Southwest. Jerry Wilburg tells me that on Saturday, Feb. 12 we will have a workday to help Southwest. More details will be coming.
President’s Day is February 21. No American President has been more misunderstood, condemned, maligned, and assailed by friend and foe alike than Abraham Lincoln. One newspaper called him “the obscene ape of Illinois.” As the end of the Civil War approached, Lincoln took no pride or pleasure in either his election to a second term or the conclusion of conflict with the South. One writer said about Lincoln, “He harbored no resentments, had no slightest wish for retaliation against those who had cruelly slandered and abused him. He had one interest only: to conciliate the rebellious states and to rebuild the Union he had sworn to preserve.” (Lillian Eichler Watson, in Light from Many Lamps, Simon & Schuster, 1951, p. 204).
One of Lincoln’s most memorable closing paragraphs occurred during his Second Inaugural Address: “With malice toward none; with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
This is still a great challenge for us today.
Have a great weekend. Stay warm and stay safe and I hope the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. You are loved!
Dave McKellips
"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." -John Wesley (who invested two hours daily in prayer)
Dear NEO family,
What a week this has been in NEO! A week ago today many of you were on the golf course (or wishing you were there) and since then we have had record snow falls and record cold temperatures. The good news – most of us got a lot of extra time with our families! I have more good news, the snow should be gone by Spring Break (based on research by the squirrels – I gave up on the Ground Hog).
Exciting update on Barnsdall. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting the Barnsdall Church. This church that for years averaged 10 – 15 in weekly attendance is experiencing new life – in the past fourteen months five people have been saved and 7 new members have been received. They have started a Wednesday night meal and bible study and are averaging in the mid 30’s in attendance on Sunday. They have also seen amazing transformation of their facilities – a new metal roof and roof gutter, central heat and air, remodeling of the pastor’s office, a new PA system and a projector and screen, new chairs for platform, three new entrance doors installed, handicap access ramp installed, bathroom in basement remodeled, additional electrical wiring, new lighted sign outside, and classrooms remodeled. The Fellowship Hall has new carpet, new lighting, a new serving bar, new tables and chairs and new kitchen appliances.
We rejoice with Pastor Jim and Jan Johnson and the Barnsdall Church family. We also thank the Hominy church for their support this past year and the Pawhuska Church for their encouragement and support for several years.
Update on Pryor. I saw on their end of the year contribution report this great news: last year we focused on connecting the younger generation with Christ through building a youth group. We are averaging 30 each Wednesday and several are attending church on Sunday morning. Twelve have accepted the Lord since summer. PTL. This year they hope to focus on strengthening their children’s ministry. Congratulations, Pastor Dan Hazelton and the Pryor Church family.
Spiritual Renewal Weekend. Thank you for your joining us in prayer and for your attendance at our weekend services. God blessed us and gave us a great time of refreshing. I welcome your feedback. What could we change to make the weekend more meaningful for your church family? Do you like having this in January or does the risk of bad weather discount any advantages of the month? Should we try to have services on each Zone? Who would you like to see leading worship or preaching for these events in the future? Send responses to dmckellips@neonaz.com.
40 Days of Continuous Prayer Preceding M11. Each USA/Canada District was assigned 1 day to pray for 24 hours. Our assignment was Feb. 2. I thank all the pastors and churches who helped us form a prayer chain across the District from Midnight til Midnight. I received some great responses by pastors afterwards, including these:
A pastor who took three hours for his church wrote: We have 12 people taking 15 minutes each. Thanks for letting us join in this prayer emphasis.
Another pastor wrote: A good hour of prayer to be had. I appreciate the opportunity - prayed for stewardship of our resources, the leadership of the conference and the giving of our people. Led off by reading through the scriptures about prayer itself - I found my prayers changed by Jesus' words to be for M11's greater purpose in God's Kingdom. I need to take these times more often in extended prayer with all else shut out. It's inspired a number of things I want to do at church.
M11 website http://www.m11conference.org/
NEO Pastor’s (and Leaders) Day with Dan Bohi, February 17, 9:30am – 3:00pm. God has been using Dan Bohi in powerful ways across this nation. Come, hear and be challenged and changed! We will be meeting at Tulsa Family Church, 5205 S. Aspen, Broken Arrow, OK, 74011. Lunch will be available for purchase.
One DS wrote recently about Dan: "Never" is a word I'm careful with, but I've never sat under anointed or convicting preaching like I did at Deeper Life services this past weekend. Chad and Dan Bohi are dead men; abandoning all except God's will. Rare proclaimers of the Word; so radically in love with Jesus. “
District Workday at Tulsa Southwest. Jerry Wilburg tells me that on Saturday, Feb. 12 we will have a workday to help Southwest. More details will be coming.
President’s Day is February 21. No American President has been more misunderstood, condemned, maligned, and assailed by friend and foe alike than Abraham Lincoln. One newspaper called him “the obscene ape of Illinois.” As the end of the Civil War approached, Lincoln took no pride or pleasure in either his election to a second term or the conclusion of conflict with the South. One writer said about Lincoln, “He harbored no resentments, had no slightest wish for retaliation against those who had cruelly slandered and abused him. He had one interest only: to conciliate the rebellious states and to rebuild the Union he had sworn to preserve.” (Lillian Eichler Watson, in Light from Many Lamps, Simon & Schuster, 1951, p. 204).
One of Lincoln’s most memorable closing paragraphs occurred during his Second Inaugural Address: “With malice toward none; with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
This is still a great challenge for us today.
Have a great weekend. Stay warm and stay safe and I hope the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. You are loved!
Dave McKellips
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