I write today with a heart of praise and thanksgiving because of God’s work in the people called Nazarenes in Northeast Oklahoma. As you know, our theme for the year has been AWAKENING. We have been praying to be awakened by His Spirit so we can live in His presence and walk in His purposes. On January 3, we began 21 days of prayer with fasting as a District family. As I have traveled from church to church, I have been blessed by the hundreds of folks crying out to God.. As we have prayed and given attention to God’s Word, God has begun stirring and renewing His people and His church. Last weekend we had our District renewal weekend with nightly services. The worship was authentic and the congregation was hungry. As Dan Bohi opened the Word and his heart to the people, God’s people received it as revelation from God and responded with faith and obedience: ·  Hundreds responded Friday night to the invitation to go deeper and to pursue a never-ending life of growth in grace and knowledge. Dan challenged us to continually allow Christ to increase. Think of the difference this will make in churches, families and communities as people who were formerly satisfied or stuck begin to increase! ·  Not knowing the direction Dan was going to preach, we started the service on Saturday evening with the call from James, “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded....Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” As Dan preached, God’s Spirit pierced hearts and close to 100 people came forward to repent of sin and ask God to cleanse their hearts. My heart was touched as older individuals who have been around the church for years and years joined children and young adults in crying out to God for him to purify their hearts. ·  It seemed like every individual present Saturday evening stood to ask God to increase our faith as we share Christ with those around us. Then we exercised that faith as Dan instructed us to pray for the many people seeking a miraculous touch from God. There were a few testimonies of immediate healing, and 60 to 80 people stood to testify that they definitely felt God’s presence and touch. We continue in prayer for God’s Kingdom to come,  anticipating ongoing healing and deliverance in the days to come. ·  Sunday night, we sought God for what Dan said is the missing ingredient in the church – perseverance. What a sweet spirit was in the service! The time of prayer over those with emotional, spiritual and physical needs was powerful! A pastor called me on Monday and reported on Gods healing work in his life on Sunday night. He was released from unforgiveness and bitterness that had a grip on him for many years. He said he didn’t want to go to sleep on Sunday because he couldn’t remember the last time he felt so good! Praise be to God. Thanks to all who contributed to an outstanding AWAKENING emphasis in NEO! Now let’s press on! May the ceiling of Sunday night be the floor for what God does this Sunday in your local church! We welcome your input on the AWAKENING emphasis. Would you take 2 minutes to fill out a brief survey? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QLBQSSR Grace and peace, Dave

I am also excited because of the wonderful training day we had for pastors on Monday. 31 pastors attended at SNU Tulsa and 3 at the Bethany location. I am so thankful to be a part of a great team of leaders that are always seeking to grow, learn and develop their leadership skills. As Dan Reiland said, “Next to the favor of God, everything rises and falls on leadership.”

Grove Re-Launch

We are using this Sunday, February 3rd, to officially re-launch the church in Grove. Pastor Don Engie reports, “We will welcome new members, issue a local license, have a couple of testimonies of how God has worked in a couple of people’s lives through this past year, and share in a time of communion. Our District Superintendent will be preaching.”

Mortgage Burning

Claremore church burned their mortgage on Sunday, Jan. 20. We rejoice with Pastor Mark Hiehle and this dedicated church family.

Positive Parenting webinar, Monday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time. A misbehaving child is a discouraged child. There are four ways in which “people” misbehave.  Do you have the necessary tools needed to navigate through those behaviors?  Join us as we discover the coded messages behind misbehavior and empower you with more tools for your tool bag. This webinar will be presented by Jayme Lenker, who is currently serving as the Early Childhood Director at First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, California. Click here <https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/977158376>  to register. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with all the information you will need to join the webinar. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at DiscipleshipPlace@nazarene.org.

Dear NEO family, AWAKENING 2013 is happening and our weekend of special services is only a few days away. Thanks to all of you who have joined in praying and fasting, anticipating and expecting a fresh movement of God in our lives and churches! I had a call last week from one of our pastors telling me of a breakthrough in his personal walk. He was confident this area of fresh obedience was related to our time of prayer and fasting as a District family. I am sure there are numerous testimonies like this to be shared. I read today this quote from Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C.: I feel like prayer is the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do. So if we’re not praying, then the best we can do is the best we can do, and that’s not good enough. When we get on our knees, the Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting. Prayer creates the culture and gives people a heart for evangelism, because when you get into God’s presence, you start to get His heartbeat. That’s been the game-changer for us this year. Let’s continue to pray. This week, I hope you will intercede for our workers – Dan Bohi, Marci Marquis and the worship team, Kyle Tyler and the Children’s ministry team. And pray for God to search your heart and show you anything that makes Him sad. If God’s people will humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our evil ways, times of refreshing and revival are on the way! Pastor Todd and the Central youth team are preparing dinner on Friday evening, beginning at 5:45pm (Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Fried Apples, Biscuits, Chocolate Sheath Cake, Tea, Water, Lemonade) and on Saturday, beginning at 4:45pm (Ham & Beans, Cornbread, Salad, Apple Crisp & Ice Cream, Tea, Water, Lemonade). Cost is only $5 per person. It would help us, but is not mandatory, if we have some estimate of how many plan to attend the meals. Anticipating AWAKENING,   Dave NEO December Statistics Attendance for December                                                                             2012-13                  2011-12                                     SDMI                                    2704                         3192                                     Morning Worship                 3824                         4293 view full report I Want to Celebrate. . .  Nick Vernier, The Tribe. . . A special Christmas communion service with individuals sharing testimonies of God’s care and provision in the last year.  Also, being able to assist a teacher’s family that has experienced several major financial setbacks… with gifts and food for Christmas. Bill Hilton, Tulsa Living Hope. . . We had a tremendous birthday party for Jesus after worship Christmas Sunday with 9 neighborhood children and 3 of their parents present. The Sunday following Christmas a fourth neighborhood parent was present. With 13 kids and 3 teens, the fellowship hall was filled with energy. The children seem so appreciative of their weekly Sunday snack bags. Special thanks to the three children's workers and unspeakable thanks to the GIFT who makes it all meaningful. David Stevens, Vinita. . . We set another record of attendance on Children’s Program Day. It is marvelous and wonderful to serve the Lord, especially during the Christmas season. I am also thankful for generous people who made it possible for Carol and myself to be involved with the Commission Unto Mexico. Scottie Behm, Chelsea. . . We shared a Christmas blessing by having a wonderful 3-hour night of Christmas Caroling, visiting 5 shut-in friends.  It was amazing how much fun the people and the caroling team (including children, teens and adults) had in that simple act of sharing God’s love.  We also enjoyed a couple of Christmas parties held for the congregation and the teens. Don Engie, Grove. . . The incredible spiritual growth we are seeing here at Grove Nazarene. The Month of December has been such a great reminder that this is God’s church. We had the humble privilege to see two people baptized during our Christmas Eve service. We have also seen a man come to faith in Christ during the month of December! God continues to open up doors where we sense Him leading us as a church. We were contacted again by an agency about possibly helping another family needing a place to live. The incredible people of Grove Nazarene again – without hesitation - decided to be Christ to yet another family in desperate need. A man whom we have ministered to for some time is now staying in our old evangelist’s quarters – and God is doing incredible things in his heart and life. We also were able to provide a place for a man who couldn’t pay lot fees – a place to park his camper and plug into our electricity. I continue to be blown away at the foundation God is laying here! He continues to open doors – and I pray we will continue to respond in obedience. The numerical and financial growth may not be happening as quickly as what we may have expected, but there is long-lasting spiritual growth taking place here- and for that I am deeply humbled. Praise God! Carl Brown, Hominy. . . We have completed another year, praise our Lord, and are looking forward to reach out to our community and making Disciples in the Nations. We are ready to see 2013 be a banner year, celebrating Christ, Reaching the Lost, and Loving each other with Christlikeness. God is Good and we just want to celebrate in Him. Tony Siebels, Pawhuska. . . The very fact that I am here.  I am so thrilled to be serving as pastor....preaching, teaching and loving the people.  The installation service was a HUGE highlight for me. We had over 20 kids at out Christmas party and we are seeing great potential in that ministry.  It excites me for the future! Ned McCarty, Cushing. . . We baptized 6 people (two new professions of faith and two rededication) this past Sunday...four adults two children!! PTL!!!!! We are growing with new young families with children and have added a children's Sunday school class. We will soon be adding a youth night as we are seeing new teens. God is moving on His people in Cushing and we are united in the purpose of making Christ-like disciples in our community!! Northeast Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene 6705 E. 81st Street, Ste 130, Tulsa OK 74133 / Ph:918.496.0022 / Fax:918.496.0288 / neokdistrict@neonaz.com

Dear NEO Family, I pray that God is already doing a good work in your life in 2013 as we seek Him with desperation and expectation! Pastor Brian Stephens (Broken Arrow) gave me the book, Radical Together, by David Platt, for Christmas. I had just read Radical a month before and was anxious to read more. As you read David Platt, you quickly become aware that he is convinced that the normal Christian life is living everywhere and at all times aware of our need for God and in constant dependence upon him and in desperation for him. This quote from Radical Together fits for the people called Nazarenes in NEO as we begin a new year: “As long as church consists of normal routines and Christianity consists of normal devotion with little risk, little sacrifice, and little abandonment, then we can do this on our own. But what happens when we give ourselves to something that is far greater than what we can accomplish our own? What happens when we dare to believe that God desires to use every one of our lives and every one of our churches to bring about kingdom advancement to the ends of the earth? We will find ourselves around every corner and at every moment dependent on his power and desperate for his grace as we devote ourselves to his purpose.” I am humbled and thankful to be a part of a people who are calling out to the Lord day and night because we hunger for God’s Word in our lives, God’s power in his church and God’s glory in all nations!

Zone Concerts of Prayer

This Sunday, January 13, 6pm we will have Concerts of Prayer on each NEO Zone at the following locations:       Zone                              Location Northeast Zone                   Claremore Northwest Zone                  Hominy Southeast Zone                   Muskogee Southwest Zone                  Cushing Tulsa Zone                           Regency Park Speaking of prayer, yesterday morning I was on the website of Operation World, looking at information about the country of Brazil to know how to pray for it. Brazil has had a huge growth of evangelical Christians in the last few decades. They now have much socio-political clout, which they are beginning to use as a voting bloc and in lobbying the government on various issues. I like the suggestion of prayer for the Brazilians: “Pray for assertive holiness that is combined with gracious humility in presenting the face of the Church to the nation.” This would be a good prayer for Americans, as well, huh? It is not too late to begin to use the AWAKENING 2013 Journal. Every local church pastor should have copies available. It is also available to download. Visit the NEO website for more information. Church/Pastor Reviews The Church Board of the Chelsea Church met with me on January 7, 2013 and the Church Board of Vinita met with me on January 9, 2013 to conduct the pastoral review as set forth in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, Paragraph 122. Pastor Scottie Behm and Pastor David Stevens both received a very excellent evaluation and review by their boards and their pastoral relationships shall continue according to the Manual provisions. February 22-24 Speaker: Philip Rodebush Stone Castle Resort Branson, MO Sponsored by the Joplin District Singles flyer The NEO NYI 2013 camp website  is up.  Bookmark this page and watch for more info to be posted soon!   View newsletter

Dear NEO Nazarene Family,

On January 4 we begin our 21 Days of Prayer with Fasting for AWAKENING! The New Year is a great time to open your heart to new possibilities and dreams. It's a time to look at the promises of God and come to Him with our hopes and goals for the future.

Entering into an extended period of prayer and fasting at the New Year is practiced by hundreds of thousands of Christians throughout the world as we look ahead and position ourselves to receive from God.

The AWAKENING 2013 Journal may prove helpful for these 21 days. Every local church pastor should have copies available. It is also available to download.

On Sunday, January 13, 6pm we will have Concerts of Prayer on each NEO Zone at the following locations:

                                               Zone                                   Location

                                        Northeast Zone                     Claremore

                                        Northwest Zone                    Hominy

                                        Southeast Zone                     Muskogee

                                        Southwest Zone                    Cushing

                                        Tulsa Zone                             Regency Park

A growing number of Christians around the world, and in NEO, are beginning the year with the 21-Day Daniel Fast.  Fasting, when coupled with prayer, serves as a powerful vehicle to draw us closer to God. This is a God-designed discipline to enable the Creator’s people to enter into a focused time of seeking the Father and His wisdom, intervention and direction. For more information on the Daniel Fast, check out http://daniel-fast.com/ or www.awake21.org.

One of the encouraging things for me is the number of voices I hear calling for focused prayer for AWAKENING in our land.

· On December 20, I received an email from Dr. Loren Gresham, President of Southern Nazarene University. Dr Gresham forwarded a letter from one of SNU’s staff members that touched his heart. Dr. Gresham stated, “We are in a time of national soul searching, as we ought to be. Paul has called our campus to prayer in these days, and I wanted to invite you to join us in seeking God's blessing and direction on our institution. There is a higher road to be travelled than the one we are on institutionally, and I want to diligently seek the path Christ would lead us.”

Dear SNU faculty, staff, alumni and students:

In light of the tragic events at Sandy Hook school, God has gripped my heart              concerning the current spiritual status of our great nation.  My life has taught me that tremendous positive change can spawn from tragedy and adversity.  I believe that such is this time.

I am hard pressed to view our nation today as unified under the Almighty God.  We seem at best fragmented.  I know that there are faithful believers who pray daily for our country.  I am asking for a renewed commitment to the call for believers to pray for our nation.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” --2 Chronicles 7:14

Who can help the stubborn problems of our great land?  Who do we have faith in to help us in our time of need? I believe the answer is Almighty God.  I am calling believers to pray with a renewed commitment and fervor for humility, forgiveness and healing for our land.

Please pray for a spiritual awakening for our great nation!  And as you pray, please lift up the mission of Southern Nazarene University.  Pray that we will continue to be faithful to transforming lives through higher education in Christ-centered community.  Pray that God will strengthen us, place His hands upon us and that we can do our part to sustain ‘One Nation Under God’.

In my family as a youngster there was a saying, “Prayer changes things!”  We serve a gracious and merciful God.  I believe He delights in the prayers of His people.

This is not a time for believers to be silent.  This is a time to shine the light and lead the way!

Praying for positive change,

Paul McGrady, Associate Athletics Director, Southern Nazarene University

· On December 22, I received an email from Joe Rouintree of our Cushing Church. Joe said, “This week during my devotional time my heart was stirred to see if there would be those saints who would enjoy praying together in challenging God to move in 2013. My heart has already been stirred by the enthusiastic response received in just 3 days. I believe there are many saints who are hungering for a fresh move of God in our age. It seemed like a small step of faith for me to do this, but God is the one who multiplies our small gifts to His intended use.” The following prayer was attached:

Lord I praise you, thank you and glorify you for allowing me to covenant with you, as did Joe's father, and say by faith there is going to be awakening on the earth and by God's grace we are going to be a part of this new reformation!

As you told us to do in the parable of the widow before the unjust judge we knock on your door afresh and declare there is going to be abundant faith on the earth when you return in triumph to claim your bride, for your blood is sufficient and your Spirit is willing and able. So we pray for the reign of the Holy Spirit in humble hearts to come on the earth and the triumph of Jesus Christ.

May your enemies become your footstool for reformation and revival. You know every face and you know every place by name.

Father speak new life on the earth. May the declarations around your throne become the realities that we possess: of this earth experiencing portals of your manifest glory. We agree with your plans for planet earth. May the purposes you declared at creation be fulfilled.

Overcome evil with Thy goodness. Empower honesty, faith, mercy, humility, grace, compassion, Christ-likeness, and love in people who seek to know the truth. May we live by the principles of your Word in such a fashion that the powers of evil are banished from the earth and its atmosphere. May the chains which have bound creation be broken. May judgment be administered to Satan and his forces. May the demons keeping people out of church be bound and cast into the bottomless pit. You are King over all creation and as such deserve to see the fruits of your labors flourish.

Bring Spirit-ordained awakening in 340 areas each in Africa, Asia, South America, and the United States. Awaken 290 areas in Europe, 36 in Mexico, 29 in Canada, 29 in Australia, 20 in Central America, 16 in the Carribean Islands, and 10 in New Zealand.

May your people in these areas have pure faith, abundant love and unlimited resources as they obey you to the full extent of your plans for them.

Praise and thank you again, Holy Spirit, for working so actively in the hearts of the world today. I praise you and thank you for a ground swell of the Spirit working in the hearts of the world today.

Thank you for using me to help awaken a sleeping church.

Thank you for faith to pray big prayers for we serve the Lord of all creation with whom nothing is impossible! Your love knows no limits, your grace has no measure and your power has no boundary known unto man.

Thank you, oh Lord, that out of your infinite riches in Jesus, you love to give and give and give again.

Amen and amen!

· And as I shared earlier in the week, our Global Church leadership is calling Nazarenes worldwide to pray January – June for God to renew the Church of the Nazarene in the Holy Spirit. Many leaders are gathering at the Global ministry Center in Lenexa, KS to kick off this time of prayer. Read more about If My People Pray: http://nmi.nazarene.org/10203/story.html.

I am hearing from many of our churches and from individuals who are earnestly joining in these 21 Days of Prayer with Fasting. Let’s cry out together for AWAKENING!

Anticipating AWAKENING,

  Dave

Dr. H. David McKellips

District Superintendent, Northeast Oklahoma