TEACH 2012

We are only eight days away from the TEACH Conference of the South Central Educational Zone. This conference has an outstanding line up of speakers - Hal Perkins, Woody Stevens, Corey Jones, and Greg Love – and will be simulcast to four sites on our zone, including Tulsa Central.  How blessed we are to participate in these inspirational and educational sessions. If you can’t commit for the entire conference, come when you can and be inspired!(Friday 7pm; Saturday 9am and 1:30pm) Registration is free: http://www.fwf.org/teach-conference-registration

Incredible Kick-off for Family/Connection Church

516 people gathered together on Sunday morning, September 16, as Family Church and Connection Church united with Brad Farnsworth as lead pastor. Brad and the leadership team worked extremely hard to unite the many ministries of the church in a two-week time period, and God honored their labor. The welcome team, children’s ministry team and worship team functioned incredibly well together. During the service, DS Dave McKellips led the congregation in affirming their commitment to the mission and core values of the Church of the Nazarene and Pastor Brad and the people committed themselves to God, one another and the community they serve. Pastor Brad preached a powerful sermon on the source of power of the Early Church and challenged people to completely surrender their lives to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The front of the worship center was lined with people who came seeking the power that comes from a Spirt-filled life. One of the members told me that Pastor Brad was at the church on Saturday night mopping floors and cleaning restrooms after Celebrate Recovery. It demonstrated again what I have seen often in Pastor Brad – a commitment to do “whatever it takes” to reach people for Christ. I know challenges will remain for this congregation as they merge their ministries and lives, but we rejoice in a God-blessed beginning! Let’s keep praying for Pastor Brad and all the leadership of this “new” church.

Revival Report from Sapulpa

What an amazing Sunday morning of “Re-Knew” services in Sapulpa, OK. After Brother Dan Bohi ministered the Word, over 175 came forward to repent of their sins. GOD is doing a wonderful cleansing work in His bride in Sapulpa. Sunday night the glory continued as GOD poured out His mercy and administered His grace as dozens were set free from fear and depression and shame. Several others trusted Jesus as their Redeemer as well as their Deliverer. Many prayers of faith were lifted for healing. I can’t wait to hear the reports of what GOD has done. Monday & Tuesday nights picked up where Sunday night left off. GOD’s power moved in as Brother Dan spoke and many were set free from fear, depression and shame. What a beautiful thing to watch the countenance change as forgiveness and cleansing took place. The altars were full and dozens were sanctified. I know there were healings in many situations as GOD moved freely in our midst. How I thank GOD for these four services and the great things He has done.                                                  -Pastor Steve Davis

A "Re-Start" for Horton Chapel

Pastor John Hazelton and the people of Horton Chapel have worked hard preparing their facilities and hearts for company as they transition their church to “Country Faith Church of the Nazarene”. The gym has been converted into an attractive and usable worship center where breakfast will be served every Sunday. Nursery and children’s classrooms are being prepared. Personal invitations have been extended as they launch their new ministry this Sunday, September 23. The Young Family Band will join them and will be singing at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with a pot-luck dinner in between.

Church/Pastor Review at Pryor

The Church Board of the Pryor Church met with me on September 18 to conduct the pastoral review as set forth in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, Paragraph 122. A document prepared in advance by the pastor and board, “Annual Written Goals and Expectations”, was the primary tool used to look at the pastor/church relationship. In addition, we discussed recent accomplishments, major decisions facing the church, and strengths of the pastor and board along with areas needing attention. Pastor Dan Hazelton received a very excellent evaluation and review by the board and his pastoral relationship shall continue according to the Manual provisions.

This fall, from September 30 through November 11, 2012, the Church of the Nazarene Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries office is delighted to provide a 40–day Bible reading emphasis especially for you. Available in print, online, and via your smartphone, Engage the Word is an intergenerational Bible reading plan designed for everyone in your church family. There is no cost to sign up and participate. Engage the Word is easy, but it will make a difference! Visit www.engagetheword.nazarene.org  for a full list of available resources to help with this transformational emphasis.

Happy Anniversary! Pawhuska Church of the Nazarene is celebrating its 75th Anniversary the weekend of September 22 and 23. You are welcome to come and participate in the Homecoming activities! Revival at Regency Park September 23-26 Sunday 10:10am & 6pm Monday-Wednesday 7pm Meal served at 5:30pm Guy Penrod in Concert Friday, October 5 7:00pm Claremore Church Primetime Event Dinner at 5:00pm - $5 RSVP by Sept 30th John Williamson 918-859-3600 johnw10021@yahoo.com New Staff The Sapulpa church board voted to extend a call to Jared Chesnut as Worship Arts Pastor. We rejoice in this addition to the Sapulpa staff and NEO team. October 11-13 Owasso Silver Creek is now a host venue for Come To The Fire 2012. Our ladies will able to register via www.cometothefire.org  for our site. 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 Grace and peace, Dave

Dear NEO family, Greetings in the strong name of Jesus! Are you ready for fall? We had a great summer in NEO with outstanding camps and Bible Schools, but there is something special that happens when school begins and our fall ministries kick into high gear. I love hearing good reports on the District. Pastor Mike Howard called on Monday to tell me that they had 140 people in attendance at Drumright on Sunday. Mike is always looking for ways to connect with and serve the community. This past Sunday the church honored Walmart employees and had almost 50 employees attend the service. As neighboring pastor, Keith Cole, would say, “Good for Jesus!”

NEO August Statistics

Attendance for August                                    2012-13                2011-12 SDMI                                        2829                       2858 Morning Worship             3775                       3927

View complete statistial report

I Want to Celebrate. . .

David Stevens, Vinita. . . We are seeing the fruit of years of prayer and work. Our average for the month is a new high, at least since the Stevens have been serving as pastor. Also, the church people took charge of the service while we were at M&M Retreat, giving the Pastor a much needed break. Brad Farnsworth, Tulsa Connection. . . An overwhelming majority vote of 93% to join Connection Church and Family Church into one church. Scottie Behm, Chelsea. . . the desire our congregation has in wanting to put the Word of God in our hearts. We have been doing a Bible study on Wednesday nights over the book of Matthew, using a Trivial Pursuit game as part of our children's study and the adults have been doing a verse-by-verse study. During our Sunday Morning Sunday School, the teens have been exploring a chapter a week. In the middle of August, we had a church-wide kids against the adults quiz night that was a great success. The teens took an early lead only to fall a few points behind in the end. We have continued our Articles of Faith series with a special emphasis on our children learning what it means to be part of the Church of the Nazarene. We a have seen some significant breakthroughs on behalf of certain members’ finances and physical healing, and the power of the Lord is evident in working through some important spiritual challenges. We appreciate Pastor Jim Reeves for his work in helping with visiting the sick and providing pulpit supply during the Pastors and mates retreat weekend. It is such a gift and joy to be able to participate with our fellow brothers and sisters in Northeast Oklahoma in district-wide events. Don Engie, Grove Lakewood Community. . . God is really bringing a strong core group of people here. We have seen people leave – and we have watched God bring people who were lost - or who have had bad experiences with church in the past. I am thankful to see a couple who have come to Christ in the past few months go from being lost to found – and are now going through membership and wanting to serve here! God has also developed a strong sense of unity on the church board itself, which I am extremely grateful for. We have seen God bring a family of four to our church this week, men are coming here from a transitional living facility hungry to hear more about this Jesus, and we have two families of 11 people who are on the verge of calling Grove Nazarene their home! John Hazelton, Horton Chapel. . . Still praying for a true "new beginning." Steve Brown, Cleveland. . . Installation service went very well with some people attending that have not been in a while. Through follow up they indicate that they will be coming back on a regular basis.

Family Church and Connection Church Uniting

Sunday, September 16, Family Church and Connection Church will be uniting with Brad Farnsworth as Lead Pastor. Some may ask, “Why are these two churches joining together to become one church?” The answer given by the leaders of Family and Connection Churches: “We believe we can have a greater impact for the Kingdom of God by joining together. Independently, we are two good churches. But, together, we can be one great church. We are better together. By utilizing the best of both churches, we can have a greater impact in our community and in the world.” May God bless this effort to expand His Kingdom!

This fall, from September 30 through November 11, 2012, the Church of the Nazarene Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries office is delighted to provide a 40–day Bible reading emphasis especially for you. Available in print, online, and via your smartphone, Engage the Word is an intergenerational Bible reading plan designed for everyone in your church family. There is no cost to sign up and participate. Engage the Word is easy, but it will make a difference! Visit www.engagetheword.nazarene.org  for a full list of available resources to help with this transformational emphasis.

TEACH 2012

We are less than a month away from the TEACH Conference of the South Central Educational Zone. This conference has an outstanding line up of speakers - Hal Perkins, Woody Stevens, Corey Jones, and Greg Love – and will be simulcast to four sites on our zone, including Tulsa Central.  How blessed we are to participate in these inspirational and educational sessions. If you can’t commit for the entire conference, come when you can and be inspired!(Friday 7pm; Saturday 9am and 1:30pm) Registration is free: http://www.fwf.org/teach-conference-registration

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

God’s Not a Spare Tire...

Pastor Bob Ritter of Eastside Baptist Church in Nebo, North Carolina, says our country often treats God like a spare tire:  "When a crisis comes, we pull God out of the trunk and we call for pastors to come to schools when there's been a shooting; we called for prayer after 9/11," he said. "But then the sad thing is when it all works and God gives our country peace of heart and protects us, since 9/11 we've put God back in the trunk.... "... God's not a spare wheel," stated Ritter. "He's supposed to be the steering wheel."

Happy Anniversary! Pawhuska Church of the Nazarene is celebrating its 75th Anniversary the weekend of September 22 and 23. You are welcome to come and participate in the Homecoming activities! Guy Penrod in Concert Friday, October 5 7:00pm Claremore Church Primetime Event Dinner at 5:00pm - $5 RSVP by Sept 30th John Williamson 918-859-3600 johnw10021@yahoo.com October 11-13 Owasso Silver Creek is now a host venue for Come To The Fire 2012. Our ladies will able to register via www.cometothefire.org  for our site.

Grace and peace,   Dave

Ministers & Mates Retreat

We had a great Ministers and Mates Retreat on Aug. 24 – 26 at the Hilton Promenade in Branson.  Rev. James Peterson led our worship and our District Superintendent, Dave McKellips, spoke on “Guard Your Heart”. Time was spent connecting with other pastors and spouses, especially through our zones. We thank our churches for supporting their pastors’ attendance and for your financial support to the District which underwrote the weekend.

Family Church and Connection Church Merging

Twelve years ago, Pastor Brad Farnsworth joined with Pastor Brett Rickey and close to 100 people from Central Church to begin Family Church. God blessed and used Pastor Brad for eight years as Pastor to Children and Youth. Four years ago, Pastor Brad again stepped out in faith to begin Connection Church with twenty plus people from Family Church. As Family Church faced a need to call a new pastor, the board had a growing sense that Pastor Brad was the man for the hour, so the boards of Connection Church and Family Church began to prayerfully consider a merger. Last Sunday, both church congregations voted to approve the merger of the two congregations with Pastor Brad Farnsworth serving as Lead Pastor. We congratulate Pastor Brad and all the leaders of Family and Connection Church. The leadership teams of both churches will begin working together immediately to merge their ministries, with their first service combined on Sept. 16. The church will be deciding later what name to use for the united congregation.

Helping Victims of Fire in NEO/Manna House

Several of our Nazarene families were impacted by the recent fires that touched our state.  If you would like to give to assist these families, please give through our compassionate ministries center, Manna House, and designate your gift for Fire Victims. Manna House assists hundreds of families every month. Director Howard Essary tells me they could use another lady to work in clothing on Wednesdays, 9:30am – 1:00pm.

This fall, from September 30 through November 11, 2012, the Church of the Nazarene Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries office is delighted to provide a 40–day Bible reading emphasis especially for you. Available in print, online, and via your smartphone, Engage the Word is an intergenerational Bible reading plan designed for everyone in your church family. There is no cost to sign up and participate. Engage the Word is easy, but it will make a difference! Visit www.engagetheword.nazarene.org  for a full list of available resources to help with this transformational emphasis.

TEACH 2012

We are less than a month away from the TEACH Conference of the South Central Educational Zone. This conference has an outstanding line up of speakers - Hal Perkins, Woody Stevens, Corey Jones, and Greg Love – and will be simulcast to four sites on our zone, including Tulsa Central.  How blessed we are to participate in these inspirational and educational sessions. If you can’t commit for the entire conference, come when you can and be inspired!(Friday 7pm; Saturday 9am and 1:30pm) Registration is free: http://www.fwf.org/teach-conference-registration

Discover the Power of Prayer, 2012 Prayer Conference sponsored by Crossroads Tabernacle. October 23-25 in Fort Worth. Featured speakers: Corey Jones and Dan Bohi. www.ctgiveshope.com

District News

This Sunday, September 2 - Installation of Rev. Brian Stephens as Lead Pastor at Broken Arrow First!

Revival at Bristow

September 8-12 with Chic Shaver

9/2/12 - Begin Adventure in Acts Bible Study 10/6/12 - Invitational Quiz (Tulsa Central) 11/17/12 - Invitational Quiz (Muskogee) 1/12/13 - Invitational Quiz (Owasso) 3/9/13 - Invitational Quiz (Broken Arrow) 4/13/13 - District Quiz (Collinsville) 6/22/13 - World Quiz (Indianapolis) Happy Anniversary! Pawhuska Church of the Nazarene is celebrating its 75th Anniversary the week-end of September 22 and 23. You are welcome to come and participate in the Homecoming activities! Guy Penrod in Concert Friday, October 5 7:00pm Claremore Church Primetime Event Dinner at 5:00pm - $5 RSVP by Sept 30th John Williamson 918-859-3600 johnw10021@yahoo.com