Northeast Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene

Dear NEO family, I love it when the District family gathers for worship, celebration, service, learning or inspiration. We will have times for all of the above during Homecoming 2012!! I can’t wait to see you. Don’t miss it! We will start with a School of Stewardship led by Dr. Mark Lail on 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 on 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.

Prayer and Fasting for Homecoming 2012 “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly” (Joel 2:15, NIV). Our Board of General Superintendents and Nazarene Missions International have urged us to join in prayer with fasting during at least one meal each week, suggesting Wednesday mid-day if possible. 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 have many graduates From High School: Kassie Hazelton, Pryor; Sydney Nichols, Ft. Gibson; Daniel Normandin, Edmond Santa Fe; Hannah Powers, Epic Charter School; Brittany Proctor, Charles Page in Sand Springs. College or Graduate Degrees: Gabby Behrens received an education degree from SNU; Lauren Edwards received her masters from SNU; Sharon Nichols received an MBA from Northeastern State University; David Stevens received a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Rogers State University.

SNU’s Commission Unto Mexico is a “Work and Witness adventure for all ages.” This year we are going to a northeastern Mexico city called Monclova and surrounding towns for our annual over-the-New-Year’s-holiday trip. We’ll have construction work, Vacation Bible Schools, medical clinics and soccer outreach ministry. Check out all the information at : www.snu.edu/mexico

Doug and Lecia Gunsalus Moving Duncan, OK Heritage Oaks voted unanimously to extend a call to Doug Gunsalus as Lead Pastor! Doug and Lecia are planning their first Sunday for June 3! Doug has served in NEO with distinction, serving for several years as a youth pastor at Tulsa Central and for the past four years as a new start pastor at South Community Community Church. Doug has also served the District as a leader of our youth ministry. We will miss you, Doug and Lecia!