Northeast Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene

Dear NEO family, Please know that you are loved and appreciated.  As we prepare for the district assembly there is much to be grateful for in each of our churches.  My prayer for Homecoming 2012 is that it will provide many great times of encouragement and inspiration. Everyone is invited to remain after the ordination service on Sunday evening, June 3 for a celebration for our ordinands and their families. I know it will be a wonderful opportunity to spur the ordinands on, to fellowship, and to bond as a district family.

School of Stewardship led by Dr. Mark Lail Saturday, June 2, 9am

Church treasurers, finance committee and board members, pastors, this is especially for you. Topics include: ·       Understanding Generational Giving Trends ·       Denominational Funding, Connectivity, & Mission ·       From Zero to Steward in 7 Difficult Steps ·       Heads Up in a Down Economy ·       Building a Budget and Sticking to It ·       Housekeeping Skills for Pastors & Treasurers          (Audits, Online Giving, & Fraud Prevention) ·       Stewardship Jeopardy! The session will be practical, motivational, and fun. If you have not called or emailed your reservation for this event, please do so. We want to be sure we have food for everyone!

District Assembly Begins Sunday Evening, June 3, 6pm

In the service we will be celebrating the multi-faceted missional outreach taking place in NEO and ordaining three of our pastors. Dr. Stan Toler is our General Superintendent for 2012–13 and you are going to realize what a treat that is as he preaches and leads at our Assembly. We will be utilizing Dr. Toler on Monday during Assembly in a couple of unique ways: We will have a Q & A time at 1:30pm for those who come back early from lunch; and during the afternoon session I have asked Stan, an internationally recognized developer of leaders, to teach on “The Five Secrets of an Exceptional Leader”. Dr. Toler will have a gift for all lead pastors.

Dr. Daniel Ketchum to be Featured Speaker at NMI/NYI Conventions Saturday, June 9 - Tulsa Central

Dr. Daniel Ketchum

We are thrilled to have Dr. Ketchum with us for this day focused on making Christlike disciples in the nations. Dr. Ketchum is Director of Nazarene Missions International (NMI), global prayer renewal, EngageMagazine.com, and Global Mission partnerships. Until mid-2006, Daniel and Carol served in the Eurasia region as field strategy coordinator on the India and South Asia fields. There 25% of the world’s people live in eight nations. Those fields include 19 districts with more than 2,300 organized churches, growing by more than one new organized church per day each year (370 new churches last year). Prior to India and South Asia, they served as field strategy coordinator for two fields: Western Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe (20 nations across northern Africa and southern Europe). Before becoming missionaries, the Ketchum’s served as lead pastor, last at College Church in Nampa, Idaho. Daniel, an ordained elder, also served as a general board member, global president of Nazarene Youth International (NYI), district superintendent, and university trustee. Saturday, June 9 9:00 am – Registration 9:30 am – Great Commission Rally. Worship led by Central’s youth worship band; Message by Dr. Ketchum.   11:00 am – Nazarene Missions International (NMI) and Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Business 12:30 pm – Lunch.   NMI Delegates and friends will have box lunch in fellowship hall; $7 each. NYI will have free pizza for all of their delegation. 1:30 pm - NMI Workshops/inspiration with Dr. Ketchum                  and NEO leadership              - NYI Service Projects around Regency Park

Prayer and Fasting for Homecoming 2012

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly” (Joel 2:15, NIV). As we move near Assembly, I ask you to make our Homecoming Gatherings a prominent part of your prayer time. We continue to pray for AWAKENING on our District and in every local church. The Lord is able, willing, and ready to respond, and we need Him to pour out mercy, to redeem us, and to bring holiness revival in community.

Crisis Care Kits and Peanut Butter and Jelly for Manna House

Troy Farmer will be picking up Crisis Care Kits(CCKs) at the District Assembly, June 3rd. & 4th. For a copy of the inventory list and instructions go to www.nazarenemissions.org/crisiscarekits If you have questions feel free to contact Troy by e-mail or phone @918 207 0617 or cell 918 650 2064.  District Gatherings are also a great time to bring a gift for Manna House. They always can use peanut butter and jelly.

NEO Parsonage Families - Additional Graduate

Kailiana Odom received a B.S. in Ministry & Theology from Southern Nazarene University.

Moving Pastors

Broken Arrow First Pastor Larry Morris and family are moving to Houston where Larry will be lead pastor at Living Word Church of the Nazarene. Family Church Pastor Brady Wisehart and family are moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana where Brady will be lead pastor at Grace Pointe Church of the Nazarene. These pastors leave a huge hole in their local churches and on the District. Pray for these families and the churches involved during this time of transition.  Camp Season is Near Exciting plans have been made for Kids Kamp and Youth Camp. Go to www.neonaz.com for more details. Grace and peace,   Dave