Nazarenes Suffer in the Horn of Africa (Letter from the Board of General Superintendents) Greetings in the name of our risen Lord. We write today to ask you to join us as we pray for and give support to our church family in the Horn of Africa. Due to extreme drought, more than 12 million people in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti are suffering from the world’s most serious hunger crisis. Without an increased response, the situation will certainly grow worse. Children are among those most at risk. Church leaders in Africa who have visited refugee camps in Kenya report hearing story after story of mothers and fathers who have lost children because they had no food or water to give them. Many of those facing this famine are Nazarenes. Mohammed, a Nazarene leader in the Horn of Africa, has lost three children due to malnutrition in the past few years. In recent months, he has also lost his wife and four-month-old daughter. There are thousands of Nazarenes in the Horn of Africa affected by this famine. We know of 25 children of Nazarene families who have died of starvation. Local leaders expect this number to increase in the coming days. Rev. George Mureithi, one of our pastors in northern Kenya, has watched his congregation shrink from 80 members to 30. The drought has caused people to flee their homes in search of food and water. Rev. John Emuria Nanerio, also of Kenya, reports seeing children wander the streets looking for something to eat. He is discouraged, yet he is committed to serving. Pastors from the Horn of Africa, many of whom receive no salary, are committed to staying. Let us come alongside them as they provide assistance to their communities. How You Can Respond: · Our first response is prayer. Pray for church leaders tasked with sharing hope. Pray for parents grieving the loss of a child. Pray for physical strength for young children. Pray for local congregations seeking to serve their neighbors. · Give generously and sacrificially:
Note ACM1519 Horn of Africa Famine Relief in the Memo area. In the U.S. mail to: Global Treasury Services Church of the Nazarene P. O. Box 843116 Kansas City, MO 64184-3116 | |
The NEO Advisory Board voted last week to encourage every church to raise $1 per member to send to help with Horn of Africa Famine Relief. The District will match this up to $5000. The NEO Missions Council voted last Saturday to give their full support to this initiative.
Ryan Alsop, Wagoner. . . 3 baptisms / 3 new members James Wilson, Pawhuska. . . Revival with Dr. Chic Shaver and an Evangelism seminar was a great success. At least 8 people made recommitments to Christ and 4 made first time commitments to our Savior. In addition to this our Treasurer Kelly Stuckey is making rapid improvement in her health. Praise be to God alone!!! Claude Guy, Sand Springs. . . We had an excellent time of revival with Revs. John Juneman (evangelist) and Philip Phelps (music evangelist). There was a spiritual awakening here in Sand Springs! Many lives were touch by the power of God’s Word and altars were flooded with tears and submissive hearts for the Holy Spirit to come and do a new work in us. We have been reminded and challenged to keep the flame of revival burning in our lives by simply running to Jesus in all things and saying YES LORD YES, to your will and to your way! Praise God that the One who calls us to this life of holiness, He is faithful and He is the One that does the work! (1Thessalonians 5:23-24) Joel Heid, Dewey. . . We had a Women’s Retreat the 23-24 of Sept. Over 100 ladies signed up and attended the 2 day event. Many testimonies and positive results. We had much intentional prayer for this as we prayed week after week. We started “family prayer” this Sunday. Families/singles are randomly picked and then their picture is on the screen on Sunday morning. We contact them before Sunday and find out needs. We pray for them at the altar and ask the church to make them their prayer focus for the week. We know this to be God’s will “keep praying for all the saints”, and it is part of us becoming a “house of prayer”. Tim Odom, Collinsville. . . Had an outstanding revival with Susie Shellenberger and many lives were renewed, saved and sanctified. We continue in a spirit of revival and looking forward to having her here again next year. We also had three baptized this past Sunday which is always a joy. Dan Hazelton, Pryor. . . We are making a difference in the lives of two lost families that are becoming found. Angie Bentley, Bristow. . . God’s faithfulness and care in the storms of life! Monty Nichols, Muskogee. . . Muskogee First celebrated its 90th Birthday with special guest speaker Dr. Harold Graves sharing the morning message. What a fabulous experience! We had 267 in attendance, with visitors from as far away as Sacramento, CA. So exciting to see everyone having a great time and talking and sharing stories. It makes me wonder: "What's next?" (From Glen): I will add that it was a spectacular Sunday. Pastor Monty was right on target to stress the various ministries we are having at Muskogee. The service was great. The lunch prepared by Kathy McEntyre and her helpers was delicious! Then we had a singspiration. Several people sang and it was enjoyable. Just as we were thinking that is was getting a little long the teen band came to the stage. What a way to close the day! They were excellent! We were amazed by the 267 number but blown away by the people who sang and the teen band. Gerald Burch, Coweta Point of Grace. . . The wonderful spirit among our church family; God bringing His people together and bonding them in His love. People drawing closer to Christ and developing their walk with Him. Youth excited about attending church! Have had at least six individuals inquire about membership. Scott Behm, Chelsea. . . The Spirit of God is really moving the people in our congregation toward new personal growth. We had a wonderful baptismal service, 11 people were baptized that day. 4 by sprinkle within the church and 7 by immersion the old fashioned way in a lake. The water was a little chilly at first, but what a joy it was to see the spirit of new life pour into these people. Each person there will remember that day.We now have given away over 20 flashlights and certificates as symbols of our desire to want to be led by the light of Christ in our lives. We have had several new people start attending the church regularly and a few people starting to come back after being away from the church for an extended period. One couple is going on 50 plus days of cessation of smoking cigarettes and is now coming to support their actively involved children, who both were recently baptized. Brad Farnsworth, BA Connection. . . During our first service at the Green Country Event Center we saw several people make a first time commitment to Christ, and over 30 people came forward to make a commitment to fully surrender their lives to the Holy Spirit! Claremore. . . Our new pastor, Mark Hiehle and family arrived yesterday, Sep. 27, and we are looking forward to great days ahead. Steve Davis, Sapulpa. . .Great Weekend Revival with Chad Bohi and Adam Smith; Report of a healed knee; Repeat new attendees finding a home here; Wonderful Vision Banquet; Greater unity in the body Casey Hollingsworth, Miami New Life. . . God’s continual outpouring of His Holy Spirit on the people of New Life. We continue to offer the things in our “house” and He continues to provide by filling us up with His never ending oil! (2 Kings 4) We continue to expect miracles of life change to occur regularly as our people are receptive and obedient to Him! (16 baptisms this month!) |
Northeast Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene
Monday, October 17, 2011
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