Dear NEO family,
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus! How thankful I am to be connected to Christ and His family! When we go through trials or disasters (personal, family, church or community), God is available, adequate and totally reliable.
I preached last Sunday from Isaiah 40:28 – 31. Isaiah reminds a people in exile of the incomparable riches of God: "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength" That truth is good news for us in 2011!
If you have not seen the long report from Nazarene News on the recent tornadoes in Joplin and Oklahoma, I urge you to go to read it today: http://www.ncnnews.com/nphweb/html/ncn/article.jsp?id=10010334
The article will bless you to see the tremendous outpouring of support by Nazarenes in the Midwest, including a great number from NEO, and also help you know how to avoid misguided help that slows down the needed aid.
A week from tomorrow we begin NEO Homecoming 2011. I am so excited about what God has in store for us as we come together as a family for inspiration, fellowship and insight. In 2 ½ days we will have:
• Missionary Bob Skinner from the Ukraine (did you know he played football for Boise State?)
• REMEDY from Southern Nazarene University
• The preaching and leadership of General Superintendent Jesse Middendorf
• 60th Anniversary cake and punch on Sunday night
• Encouraging reports from every NEO pastor and District Leader
• The challenge for NEO in 2011-12
• Plus updates from Southern Nazarene University, Nazarene Publishing House, Nazarene Theological Seminary, the Nazarene Foundation, Nazarene Bible College, Manna House and more. (Isn’t it a treat to be a part of a connectional church!!)
And don’t forget the peanut butter and jelly for Manna House and crisis care kits to replenish the supplies of Nazarene Disaster Response.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend. I can’t wait to have the family gather a week from tomorrow! You are loved!
Dave McKellips
Northeast Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Dear NEO family,
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus. I want to thank all pastors for cooperating so wonderfully with our District Secretary, Jim Thornton. Annual Pastors’ Reports and all other end-of-the-year documents have been completed and sent in. Jim and his wife, Christy, are now working diligently to get everything ready for printing of our Assembly Handbook. NEO Homecoming 2011 is only two weeks away.
This is our 60th Anniversary as a District and we are excited about Homecoming 2011. Some may ask, “Why do we have District Assemblies and Conventions?”
1. They provide an opportunity for community. We are a connectional church and we need events to pull us together to “connect”. That is why we call in “Homecoming” – it is recognizing our connection together.
2. They provide an opportunity for networking. We share ideas, offer support and encouragement and pray for one another.
3. They provide inspiration and encouragement. We get a larger view of how God is an work in our District and in our church around the world.
4. They provide accountability. Are we on track? On mission?
5. They provide vision casting and mission direction.
Transitions:
• The Board of Muskogee First has unanimously recommended to the congregation that they call Rev. Monty Nichols to be their Lead Pastor. The congregation will vote on June 5.
• Rev. Jeff Wooten has resigned as pastor of Wagoner Cornerstone Community. Jeff and Christy have been greatly used of God at Wagoner and will be deeply missed by their church and the District. Jeff has served as District Men’s Ministries Director and Zone Coach.
Have a blessed weekend!
Dave
Dr. H. David McKellips
District Superintendent
Northeast Oklahoma District, Church of the Nazarene
Office: 918.496.0022
Home: 918-518-5969
Cell: 918.810.7095
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus. I want to thank all pastors for cooperating so wonderfully with our District Secretary, Jim Thornton. Annual Pastors’ Reports and all other end-of-the-year documents have been completed and sent in. Jim and his wife, Christy, are now working diligently to get everything ready for printing of our Assembly Handbook. NEO Homecoming 2011 is only two weeks away.
This is our 60th Anniversary as a District and we are excited about Homecoming 2011. Some may ask, “Why do we have District Assemblies and Conventions?”
1. They provide an opportunity for community. We are a connectional church and we need events to pull us together to “connect”. That is why we call in “Homecoming” – it is recognizing our connection together.
2. They provide an opportunity for networking. We share ideas, offer support and encouragement and pray for one another.
3. They provide inspiration and encouragement. We get a larger view of how God is an work in our District and in our church around the world.
4. They provide accountability. Are we on track? On mission?
5. They provide vision casting and mission direction.
Transitions:
• The Board of Muskogee First has unanimously recommended to the congregation that they call Rev. Monty Nichols to be their Lead Pastor. The congregation will vote on June 5.
• Rev. Jeff Wooten has resigned as pastor of Wagoner Cornerstone Community. Jeff and Christy have been greatly used of God at Wagoner and will be deeply missed by their church and the District. Jeff has served as District Men’s Ministries Director and Zone Coach.
Have a blessed weekend!
Dave
Dr. H. David McKellips
District Superintendent
Northeast Oklahoma District, Church of the Nazarene
Office: 918.496.0022
Home: 918-518-5969
Cell: 918.810.7095
Friday, May 6, 2011
"The bottom of the soul may be in repose, even while we are in many outward troubles; just as the bottom of the sea is calm, while the surface is strongly agitated."—John Wesley
Dear NEO family,
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus. I continue to hear great stories of how God is working in the churches of NEO. Won’t it be fun to hear a one minute report of God’s goodness and grace from every church at our annual Homecoming? Our gathering is less than a month away.
NEO Homecoming 2011, June 4 – 6, Central
NMI and NMI Conventions, June 4, 10am – 4pm Bob Skinner, Missionary to the Ukraine, speaking; youth worship band from Silver Creek
Opening Service of Assembly, June 5, 6pm The worship band, "Remedy" from SNU; Dr. Jesse Middendorf, speaking
District Assembly, June 6, 8:30am – 4:30pm Exciting reports from our DS and every church
Ordination Service, June 6, 7pm Also recognize retiring pastors and first time licensed pastors. Dr. Jesse Middendorf speaking
Joel Heid has accepted the call of the Dewey Church to serve as their pastor. Joel, Julie, Braden, Chandler and Cadet Heid have been members of the Tulsa Central Church. About a year ago, God impressed upon Joel’s heart that it was time to return to pastoral ministry. We welcome Joel to the NEO Pastoral Team.
Attention all youth: SNU Extravaganza is May 27 – 30, 2011. Extavaganza is more than a sports, talent, and quizzing competition weekend. It is a chance for teens to gather for awesome worship, meet other teens from around the region and experience life on SNU’s campus! And this year, it includes festivities on May 28 at Frontier City. More info and all the details can be found at www.snuextravaganza.com
Disaster Response
Regarding Tahlequah and Crisis Care Kits
I visited with Jason after church last night and we came to the conclusion that we did not need CCK's for this area. Most of the people had flooding (4 inches to 4 feet) and had some warning, so they were able to get some things out.
My suggestion is that we pick up the CCK's at the District Assembly as usual and take them to the warehouse to replenish any they may have sent out. I will pick them up on Saturday the 4th and Monday the 6th.
We are waiting on Insurance Companies, FEMA, and other agencies before we go forward from here with helping. Thank you, Troy Farmer
Regarding Work Team to Alabama
Wanted to thank my district family for their prayers and support of the work team that will be travelling to Alabama next Thursday. Wanted to remind all churches that if there is anyone still wanting to go with us to let me know we'll try to fit you in. Your church can also support us by gathering up a few of the items listed below. I will be in Tulsa on Monday and Tuesday and would be happy to stop by your church to pick any of these items up. I'm sorry for the short notice, and understand if you cannot collect the items. We do need your prayers and thank you for them! Thanks again! Casey Hollingsworth
Peanut Butter Jelly Small individual bags of chips Cleaning Supplies including bathroom cleaning items -Clorox Wipes -Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Rubber Gloves Toilet Paper
Handi Wipes/Paper Towels Small bottles of hand sanitizer
Also they could use $10/$20 gift cards to wal-mart or lowes/home depot
The media has been focusing this week on the death of Osama bin Laden. How do we respond as Christians? I have appreciated many thoughtful responses I have seen this week, including the one below:
"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end. In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred." - Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, on the death of Osama bin Laden.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all our Moms! You are loved!
Dave McKellips
Dear NEO family,
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus. I continue to hear great stories of how God is working in the churches of NEO. Won’t it be fun to hear a one minute report of God’s goodness and grace from every church at our annual Homecoming? Our gathering is less than a month away.
NEO Homecoming 2011, June 4 – 6, Central
NMI and NMI Conventions, June 4, 10am – 4pm Bob Skinner, Missionary to the Ukraine, speaking; youth worship band from Silver Creek
Opening Service of Assembly, June 5, 6pm The worship band, "Remedy" from SNU; Dr. Jesse Middendorf, speaking
District Assembly, June 6, 8:30am – 4:30pm Exciting reports from our DS and every church
Ordination Service, June 6, 7pm Also recognize retiring pastors and first time licensed pastors. Dr. Jesse Middendorf speaking
Joel Heid has accepted the call of the Dewey Church to serve as their pastor. Joel, Julie, Braden, Chandler and Cadet Heid have been members of the Tulsa Central Church. About a year ago, God impressed upon Joel’s heart that it was time to return to pastoral ministry. We welcome Joel to the NEO Pastoral Team.
Attention all youth: SNU Extravaganza is May 27 – 30, 2011. Extavaganza is more than a sports, talent, and quizzing competition weekend. It is a chance for teens to gather for awesome worship, meet other teens from around the region and experience life on SNU’s campus! And this year, it includes festivities on May 28 at Frontier City. More info and all the details can be found at www.snuextravaganza.com
Disaster Response
Regarding Tahlequah and Crisis Care Kits
I visited with Jason after church last night and we came to the conclusion that we did not need CCK's for this area. Most of the people had flooding (4 inches to 4 feet) and had some warning, so they were able to get some things out.
My suggestion is that we pick up the CCK's at the District Assembly as usual and take them to the warehouse to replenish any they may have sent out. I will pick them up on Saturday the 4th and Monday the 6th.
We are waiting on Insurance Companies, FEMA, and other agencies before we go forward from here with helping. Thank you, Troy Farmer
Regarding Work Team to Alabama
Wanted to thank my district family for their prayers and support of the work team that will be travelling to Alabama next Thursday. Wanted to remind all churches that if there is anyone still wanting to go with us to let me know we'll try to fit you in. Your church can also support us by gathering up a few of the items listed below. I will be in Tulsa on Monday and Tuesday and would be happy to stop by your church to pick any of these items up. I'm sorry for the short notice, and understand if you cannot collect the items. We do need your prayers and thank you for them! Thanks again! Casey Hollingsworth
Peanut Butter Jelly Small individual bags of chips Cleaning Supplies including bathroom cleaning items -Clorox Wipes -Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Rubber Gloves Toilet Paper
Handi Wipes/Paper Towels Small bottles of hand sanitizer
Also they could use $10/$20 gift cards to wal-mart or lowes/home depot
The media has been focusing this week on the death of Osama bin Laden. How do we respond as Christians? I have appreciated many thoughtful responses I have seen this week, including the one below:
"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end. In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred." - Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, on the death of Osama bin Laden.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all our Moms! You are loved!
Dave McKellips
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