Spiritual
Renewal Weekend
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What
a wonderful weekend we had with Chrissy Toledo, Mark Fuller and NEO
Nazarenes. Every event and service were blessed by God’s presence. Little did
we know that the "radical" theme would also refer to the weather!
There
are so many people to thank after a wonderful weekend like we enjoyed:
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Pastor Steven Lester and his Central staff were wonderful hosts for our
renewal services. Loyd Olson and Brian Lee are so helpful with all of our
facility needs.
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Rick Lepper and Renee Herndon excelled with AV.
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Evening Meals were provided by Mahanaim Hispanic Church led by Pastor Douglas
Reyes, and Central Youth, led by Pastor Todd Barker.
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Pastor Geoff Gunter and the ladies of Regency Park were outstanding hosts for
the Women’s day.
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Beckie Richburg and our children’s ministry team enthusiastically led our
kids services each evening.
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Ushers and Greeters were provided by Regency Park, Tulsa Hills, Sapulpa,
Bartlesville, Broken Arrow and Central.
·
Marcie Marquis coordinated the talented worship team and band who worked with
Chrissy’s team.
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Gloria McKellips and her team planned a very successful women’s event.
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Our workers, Mark Fuller and Chrissy Cymbala Toledo, were powerfully used by
God.
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Marla Shepherd was her usual exceptional help with every event held
throughout the weekend!
Sunday
evening I noticed the check on my dresser which I had written in advance to
put in the offering on Sunday evening of SRW. I brought the check into the
office today to give for SRW expenses. I just had a call from a pastor
telling me he would be sending a check from his church that they had planned
to bring on Sunday evening. I am so grateful. We usually count on at least
$3000 in the Sunday evening offering to cover our expenses. And this year we
stepped out in faith to bring in an outside worship leader. If you feel led
to help with this expense or to send in an offering you had planned to give,
it will be appreciated. We are certainly better together!
Grace
and peace,
Dave
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Abba
Compassionate Ministries
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Manna
House, our first District Compassionate Ministries Center, is in its 14th
year of service! Quarterly Manna House statistics are amazing: 949 families
served, representing 2,434 individuals; 44,223 lbs. of food distributed along
with 4,815 pieces of clothing: 31 volunteer serving 1,687 hours. Thanks to
our Director, Howard Essary, the NEO family for your vision and
support, and to God for his provision.
The
NEO District Advisory Board has been praying and discussing ways to expand
our Compassionate Ministries for months. Part of being “Radical Together”
involves following Christ in concern for “the least of these”. We want to
build on the success of Manna House, which gives immediate, direct help to
those needing food and clothes. We believeour next step is to expand into ministries that
touch the life issues that have contributed to poverty. We
want to provide assistance to individuals seeking to become self-reliant and
capable of securing and holding employment.
Abba
Compassionate Ministries is slated to launch May 3, 2014 under the
direction of Pastor Buddy Davis. Tulsa Southwest Church of the Nazarene has
graciously offered to house the ministries.
Buddy and Alicia Davis are trophies of God’s grace, authentic examples of
what Jesus Christ will do in the lives of all who seek His face and surrender
to His will. Since 2003, Buddy and Alicia have directed Celebrate Recovery at
Core Church. Southwest Church, led by Pastor Wade Normandin, has a deep
heritage of compassionate ministries to its neighborhood and is thrilled to
see that ministry expand exponentially through hosting this District
Compassionate Ministries.
Mission
Statement of Abba Compassionate Ministries (ACM): We exist to serve,
encourage, and empower the least, the last, and the lost, through the power
of the one true King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Buddy and Alicia write, “We will serve throughLife Launch, a
resource center for those who are in need of a restart in life.Life Launch will
attempt to connect individuals with job openings, food and clothing pantries
such as Manna House and overnight shelters. Life Launch will also offer
essential bags like our Crisis Care Kits. We will be gathering items from the
district to put in ‘Street Survival Packs’ for the Tulsa area homeless. We
plan to have this as a bi-annual project with a summer pack and a winter
pack. We are believing that in the near future we will be serving the
children and the youth in this area by providing a safe place for them to
play, learn, and be exposed to the Gospel.”
“We
will encourage through prayer, testimonies, and by walking alongside
those who we encounter along the way. We will empower through
Celebrate Recovery Ministry and Abba Homes Ministry, a transitional housing
facility. In addition, we are planning a computer lab designed to teach basic
computer skills and to aide those applying for jobs. We also plan to
have classes designed to teach parenting skills, life skills, and healthy
cooking on a food stamp budget.” These things are only the beginning of
endless possibilities and ways we as a district can show God’s love.
The
District has already made a donation of $50,000 for Abba Compassionate
Ministries. The Radical Together emphasis has challenged us all to do more
for the lost and least in our world. We would challenge every church and
individual to give a special offering to Abba Compassionate Ministries as we
end our Radical Together Challenge and to schedule Buddy and Alicia to come
speak in your church.
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From
the Annual Report
of
the Board of General Superintendents
to
the General Board,
Church
of the Nazarene,
February
23, 2014
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Compassion
is one of the primary results of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that has
been a part of Nazarene DNA from the beginning.
One
of our church’s founders and the first general superintendent, P. F. Bresee,
wrote in his journal, “It had been my long-cherished desire to have a
place in the heart of the city, which could be made a center of holy
fire, and where the gospel could be preached to the poor.”
Several
years later he preached a sermon in which he referenced Acts 4, “The first
miracle after the baptism of the Holy Ghost was wrought upon a beggar.
It means that the first service of a Holy Ghost-baptized church is to
the poor; that its ministry is to those who are lowest down; that its
gifts are for those who need them most. As the Spirit was upon Jesus to
preach the gospel to the poor, so His Spirit is upon His servants for
the same purpose.”
In
the face of nationalistic politics, leaders of the church must continue to
promote our distinct value of biblical compassion and justice for the
poor and needy. It is at the heart of who we are.
EASTER
MISSION'S RESOURCE
This year's Easter Offering resources are now available on the Nazarene Generosity website,nazarene.org/generosity. The site features many free resources that your church can download and use to promote this year's global Easter Offering for the World Evangelism Fund. Resources will include: Leader's Guide, Videos, "New Life" - Sermon assistance, Children's Activity Sheet, Posters, Bulletin Inserts, Prayer Reminder Bookmarks, PowerPoint Presentation, Logos, Children's Quarter Collectors, World Evangelism Fund Envelopes. |
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Registration
now open!
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