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Dear NEO Family,
In
only 2 ½ weeks, we will be gathering for our Annual Missions Convention and
District Assembly. You may be asking, “Why do we have these annual District
meetings?” Let me give a few reasons:
1.
Corporate District Worship. Our purpose as individuals and as a District is
to glorify God. John Wesley considered time together for Christian Conference
as a means of grace. I have been working with leaders on the District to plan
our times of worship and they are going to be powerful! I can’t wait to spend
time together in song and the Word.
2.
Community. We are a District family, so we need points to connect and deepen
our relationships together.
3.
Networking. As we gather for our annual meetings, we will share ideas,
support, encouragement and prayer.
4.
Inspiration and encouragement. As we hear from Davide from Russia, our
General Superintendent, Dr. Stan Toler, and pastors and leaders from across
the District, we will get a larger view of the work of our church.
5.
Accountability. Are we on track on our mission?
6.
Vision Casting and Mission Direction. Where is God leading us as a district
and denomination?
Here
is the schedule for our upcoming District gatherings:
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Congratulations!
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Jordon
Leibold of Broken Arrow First Church of the Nazarene has been elected
Student Body President of Southern Nazarene University for the 2013- 14
school year. Congratulations, Jordon! We are proud of you!
Pastor
Joel Heid and the Dewey Church of the Nazarene, for a very positive
Church/Pastor review on May 5. We discussed recent accomplishments, major
decisions facing the church, strengths of the pastor and board, areas needing
attention and progress on the “Annual Written Goals and Expectations”
developed in 2012. Pastor Joel’s pastoral relationship shall continue
according to the Manual provisions.
Pastor
Buddy and Alicia
Davis and the Core
Church Celebrate Recovery Ministry Team! This Saturday, May
18, they will celebrate 10 years of ministry:
6:00
pm for dinner; 7:00pm for big group; 8:10 or so for small group; 9:00
for He-brews coffee shop and Goodies
Graduates from
our Parsonage Families:
Drew
Lester, Metro Christian Academy (Going to ENC)
Tyler
Thornton, Christian Education Alliance (Going to
SNU!)
Allison
Woolery, Owasso High School (going to SNU!)
Dylan
Wilson, Muskogee Hilldale High School
College
or graduate degrees:
Zack
Hazelton, Oklahoma University, Engineering Degree
Jennifer
Hiehle, Rogers State University, Bachelor of
Science in Nursing
Kristin
Lester, Trevecca Nazarene University, BA in Applied
Mathematics
Ashton
Peterson, OU-Tulsa, Bachelors of Science in Nursing
Emilee
Richburg, Southern Nazarene University (Dec.),
Business Administration
Avery
Richburg, Southern Nazarene University (next Dec.),
Business Administration/Pre-Law
Alisha Hazelton
Solomon, Oklahoma University School of
Medicine
Kay Vernier,
Master of Social Work, University of Oklahoma
Tulsa
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Prayer
and Healing Service
at
Drumright
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The
Southwest Zone has planned a special prayer & healing service at
Drumright Church of the Nazarene on May 19 at 6pm. They will pray for Pastor
Mike Howard & his family as Mike is treated for Prostate Cancer and
for any others who would have need. The whole district family is invited.
Mike asks you to bring finger foods and stay for a fellowship time after the
service.
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God
Answered Prayer Swiftly
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Howard
Essary, Director of Manna House, our compassionate ministry center, sent this
story out last week. I forward it to you so you have a glimpse of how God is
working at The Manna House.
As
probably all of you know I am the director of Manna House Ministries, a food
pantry. The Lord is using the food pantry to reach out to the community
and we reach people spiritually, also. We are sponsored by the Church of the
Nazarene.
Many
times I pray with individuals, especially if a pastor is not there. One
recent day we had several clients in the waiting area to receive their
food. I announced that we had a prayer room and Bibles to give out if
they needed one. If anyone needed prayer I would be glad to pray with
them. A lady stated she would like to have prayer so we went into
the prayer room.
I
introduced myself (I had my name badge on). Her name was Viki (not her real
name). I inquired about her prayer request and whether she was a Christian.
She stated she was a Christian, giving her heart to the Lord at age 19. She
stated that she had a 14 year-old son in the car and they were
homeless. They had been sleeping in their car. She stated her son
was autistic and could turn violent at any time due to his mental
state. He is on medication for his autism but it doesn’t always control
his behavior. His behavior had presented problems in finding lodging.
She
has family in Tulsa but they cannot stay there due to her son’s
behavior. Her son receives Social Security but she was out of money.
They had tried room & board with a family, had used their funds for this
and had to leave due to his behavior. She was desperate for lodging and
asked if we could we pray that something would be available.
As
I started to pray about her need for lodging, I believe the Holy Spirit
impressed upon me to quote the scripture Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him
who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us.” However, in my prayer I didn’t
say it that way but I told God that he said if we are serving Him, he would
supply our need more abundantly than we could ask for.
I
believed the Holy Spirit was telling me, “she doesn’t need lodging tomorrow, she
needs lodging today.” I prayed, “Lord, she doesn’t need lodging
tomorrow, she needs a place to stay tonight. I’m asking you, Father, to
provide a place for her to stay today. Lord, I know you can do it,
nothing is impossible with You.” As we prayed about her finances,
lodging and then for her son, we told the Lord we knew He was able and
believed He was going to meet her need. As we concluded our prayer, she
was crying and so was I. (I have been crying as I am writing this when
I think about how God answered and answers our prayers.)
Viki
received a phone call at this time. She thought it was her ex-husband and she
went to the car to talk with him. Her son was asleep in the car. I wrote down
some phone numbers she might call to check on housing. I also was
interrupted by other calls that came for me, so approximately 30 minutes went
by. I took the information to her, but she informed me the call was
from her daughter who is in the military. More time went by as I was handling
other duties and she was still on the phone. Later, she came in with a smile
on her face and crying. She said, “ Your prayer was answered. My
daughter has talked to military personnel and they are going to help
me. I am driving to Sapulpa to meet with the military personnel now.
The Lord answered our prayer.” She was crying and so was I, as we told
the other volunteers working there with us (also Christians) they were
crying also, thanking God for answering prayer.
Another
scripture also comes to mind: Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply
all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Viki
promised to keep us at Manna House informed. Praise God from who all
Blessings flow.
God
gives to His servants this promise:
You’ll
not have to face life alone;
For
when you grow weak in your struggle,
His
strength will prevail--not your own.
-Hess
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Saturday,
June 8
8am
- 4pm
For
more information, call 918-682-2592
or
email musknaz@gmail.com
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