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Dear Pastor/Friends,
I enjoy being with pastors! I like the stories they tell, the encouragement they share, the passion they demonstrate for their assignments, their humor, and their love for the Church!
Recently I had the opportunity to spend three days on my motorcycle along with five of our great pastors touring through Texas Hill Country. Except for a brief bout a couple of us had with food poisoning, it was of the most enjoyable rides I've experienced. What do pastors talk about when they are relaxing at a remote campgrounds after a long day of riding? Well, they talk about bikes, and buildings, their spouses and grandkids...but mostly they talk about the Lord...and His Church. They talk about His grace and mercy and all He is doing in the lives of their beloved flocks. What a refreshing and renewing time it was!
Last Sunday Susan and I worshiped with our great pastor and congregation at Wichita Falls First Church. We were able to be there for their quarterly combined service, uniting the Spanish-speaking and English-speaking congregations for bilingual worship. What a great service and fellowship meal afterwards. Then, after the meal, I met with the combined church boards to conduct the 10-year review of Pastor Allen Hughes. Of course, it was an outstanding review. Allen, Leanna, and their awesome sons are very loved and appreciated there.
There was so much good that stood out during the review, but I was deeply moved by the Hispanic brother who wept as he spoke...expressing how much it meant to him and the congregation that Pastor Hughes had determined, very successfully, to learn Spanish to the level that he can now preach and minister effectively in their tongue. I thought this was a wonderful example of incarnational ministry! Also, I was encouraged to hear great stories about their Neighbor/love ministry, which reaches out to the rapidly changing neighborhood surrounding the church. After the service, a couple waited in line to greet me, reporting that they lived a block away from the church and were hurting and alone until visitors from the church stopped by one Saturday morning and asked if they had any temporal needs or problems that could be prayed for. They've both since given their hearts to the Lord!
I am very pleased to report our District Advisory Board has approved the establishment of a new, very special, church-type mission (CTM) on our district.
We welcome Pastor Tony Kayser and his wife, Carrie, who will be planting a new international English-speaking congregation and ministering alongside our African and Hispanic congregations in the Cactus area. There are many, many people groups and languages spoken in the area surrounding our immigrant/refugee center in Cactus. Through the recent opening of our very successful ESL ministry there, we've determined that the best way to reach many of these wonderful people for Christ will be through English-speaking worship and ministry. The Keysers, who are members of Amarillo First Church, have already begun their research and are praying and planning toward a January launch. Please remember to pray for them as they embark on this exciting evangelistic journey!
Finally, I am sad to report to you that our wonderful office manager, Geni Basurto, will be leaving us soon to return to her previous job (plus a big promotion) with Chick-fil-A. This will be a great opportunity for her...but she is deeply loved around the district and we will certainly miss her in the district office. The good news is that she and her husband, Charlie, will be staying in the area and will remain very active in the Hurst Pursuit Church, where he is the worship leader. God bless you, Geni...and thank you!
For you and with you,
Pastor David Downs
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West Texas District Discovery Weekend
A Ministry-Equipping Weekend
November 13-14, 2015
This is a special weekend for first-time licensed ministers on the West Texas District. They will explore their strengths for ministry through our affiliation with Nazarene Strengths Institute. Also, practical information will be given to equip them in the process toward ordination and ministry in general.
Event will be held at:
MCM Elegante Hotel
4250 Ridgemont Drive
Abilene, TX 79606
For information contact:
Earl Robertson our Asst. District Superintendent
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District Licensing Information
A. Qualifications for receiving a First-time District License
1. Have a local license for one year
2. Have registered with the District Ministerial Studies Board:
www. wtnazed.org
3. Have completed a minimum of 6 courses in the Course of Study which must include the following two: 1. History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene (the Manual course) and 2. Becoming a Holy People (the Holiness course)
4. Meet with the Ministerial Credentials and Ministerial Studies Boards:
January 12, 2016 at Amarillo First Church of the Nazarene*
January 19, 2016 at Fort Worth Northside Church of the Nazarene
5. If applying for a district license and there has been a divorce in the past, the candidate must meet the Boards on January 19th at Fort Worth Northside.
6. Request an Application Packet from:
Earl Robertson
540-312-4500
B. Qualifications for renewal of a District License
1. Completed 2 courses from the Course of Study
2. Meet with the Ministerial Credentials and Ministerial Studies Boards:
January 12, 2016 at Amarillo First Church of the Nazarene*
January 19, 2016 at Fort Worth Northside Church of the Nazarene
3. If applying for Ordination/Recognition the candidate must meet with the District Boards on January 19th at Forth Worth Northside
4. Request an Application Packet from:
Earl Robertson
540-312-4500
*Please note that the meeting on the West Side of the District has been changed to Amarillo First
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West Texas Children's Ministry!
Coming up...
Camp dates for 2016 - June 27 - July 1 at Camp Arrowhead
. Mark your calendars now and get the word out! Families can start making payments into their PayPal accounts every month to help with the costs. Starting in October if you set aside $25 each month you'll have $175 by the May 1 early bird deadline. Camp Early Bird fee with be around $200 this year.
Kids Fest & District Quiz - March 4-5
(tentative date - will be finalized in the coming weeks). ALL quiz and talent entries will be due February 22. More details will be coming to your inboxes later this fall.
Want to be in the know?
Contact Jennifer Sommers to sign-up for our email blasts at [email protected]
Want to connect with other Kid Min Leaders?
Join our Facebook page - West Texas Children's Ministry. This is a closed group so send a friend request to Jennifer Sommers or Renae Fowler to join.
Finally - our summer mission offering was another HUGE success! Looks like the West Texas Kids were number 1 in money raised again this year for our mission project...In His Name! Way to go West Texas Kids and Churches!
Because Jesus Loves Kids!
Jennifer
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Dear West Texas NYI Family (students, youth workers, pastors, etc.),
Please take the time to read all the information below. There are exciting things happening in WTNYI.
In 2016 West Texas NYI is trying something new! Youth A Rama will be joining the region at Southern Nazarene University to make Extravaganza 2016 a truly exceptional event.
The West Texas NYI council spent much time in prayer and discussion before making this decision. We understand the tradition of Youth A Rama and the impact that is has made on the lives of so many students. Extravaganza at SNU is a meaningful regional event that has impacted the lives of many students over the years as well. That being said, the NYI Council is excited to join forces with Extravaganza. We pray that it will be received as a new opportunity and tradition, taking Youth A Rama to the next level; Introducing our students to the region, our university, while still maintaining unity as a district. We want to see more students attend our fine university and one way to do that is to get more of our West Texas Students on the campus. The region has moved
Extravaganza
to March 31 - April 3 in 2016. If you are not familiar with Extravaganza at SNU, it is almost identical to Youth A Rama but on a larger scale. It offers more options for students to display their talents and has separate divisions for Junior High and High School. The regional council has made recent changes putting more emphasis on the worship services at Extravaganza. It already is a great event, add at little West Texas flair and it becomes an exceptional event. :)
The WTNYI Council is excited to get on board with this event and bring our West Texas students to SNU. We pray you too will be excited about the potential. Most importantly we want our students to encounter God! Join us in praying that God will prepare all our hearts for what he wants to do at all our local, district, and regional events!
Also in 2016, ENCUENTRO 2016. July 10-16 2016. West Texas NYI is taking a team of students, sponsors, families, etc. to Encuentro 2016 in Puerto Rico. This is an NYI sponsored mission trip with over 2500 students anticipated to participate during July 2016. We will work along side our Puerto Rican Nazarenes conducting youth, adult and family evangelistic missions. Prayerfully consider how you can get your students involved in this incredible mission opportunity. Go online to www.wtnyi.com for more information and to get your students registered.
Mark Your Calendars:
Youth Ministry Summit (Youth Leaders conference) --October 12-13, 2016
SNU West Texas College Days -- February 18-20, 2016
Extravaganza at SNU -- March 31 - April 3, 2016
Crave (Youth Camp) -- June 13-17, 2016
Encuentro Mission Trip -- July 10-16, 2016
WTNYI is so blessed to have so many dedicated youth leaders that passionately care about our students. We join you in prayer for our students and local ministries.
Your NYI Council,
Gary Young
WTNYI President
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Dear Local NMI President and Pastor,
Fall is an exciting time in the life of West Texas!
Regional Conference
The South Central Regional NMI Conference is almost here - September 25-26! It is a tremendous opportunity for every person in every church to gain tools for local ministry as well as global outreach. Global outreach begins at home in our "Jerusalem" and extends to "Judea, Samaria and beyond to the ends of the earth." This conference, sponsored by your South Central Regional NMI, has all of that available to you: tools for reaching your communities and beyond.
Eunice Brubaker, former missionary and Global NMI President for the Church of the Nazarene is our keynote speaker on Friday night following our banquet. We will have several small presentations that evening.
The workshops will begin on Saturday morning. We have something for everyone. This is an equipping conference, with workshops for engaging youth in mission ministry as well as helps for the local president.
This is an event that you do not want to miss.
You may register online at:
Your hotel reservations may be made at the Tower Hotel:
405-842-6643
There is a conference rate, so be sure to tell them that you are with the South Central Regional NMI Conference. ($69 for king and $79 for doubles)
Alabaster
September is Alabaster offering month. Sometimes people feel disconnected from missions because they have never been on a mission trip, but the Alabaster offering is an opportunity for them to see their money at work in a very tangible way.
Alabaster is a wonderful way to provide buildings & land on the mission field. It's a perfect example of how God can take each of our little bits & multiply them. Find Alabaster resources
HERE
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Dominica Trip Scholarships
~ Pastors have been signing up for our NMI Scholarship, but there are still a few available! This $250 scholarship toward the Pastor and Family Mission Trip to Dominica is for the first 10 pastors who request it. NMI Leaders, encourage your pastor to be part of this great trip to bless the Pettits, our own West Texas missionaries to the Caribbean.
Let's all pray for the Pettits as they help the people of their island recover from Tropical Storm Erica.
Missionaries Are Coming!
October 4- am Big Spring (Faith Promise)
pm Abilene First/Trinity/Southwest*
October 5- Cisco
October 7- Graham/Mineral Wells*
October 8- Bowie English/Bowie Hispanic
October 9- Decatur Jesucristo
October 11- am Sobra la Roca
pm Fort Worth Trono de Gracia
October 13- Mansfield
October 14- Fort Worth First
October 15- Whitney/Hillsboro*
October 16- Granbury
October 17- Stephenville
October 18- am Hamlin
pm Snyder
October 19- Lamesa/Andrews*
October 20- Seagraves/Denver City*
October 21- Post/Grassland*
October 22- Ropesville
October 23- Levelland
October 24- Lubbock Refuge
October 25- am Abernathy
pm Lubbock First
October 26- Dickens
National Leaders
Shradha Saraf and her husband Nitin are currently in the USA for the very first time. She is the District NMI President for the Central Maharashtra District in India, and he is the District Jesus Film coordinator. They are both pastors. She is one of VERY FEW women pastors in India! They have housing in Dallas and are available to speak to churches in the area in September and October. They are not missionaries - rather, they are both PRODUCTS of Nazarene missions. Please contact me at
[email protected] if you are interested in having this precious couple, who I came to know and love during my time in India, in your church.
Thanks for your servant leadership!
Blessings,
Cheryl Crouch, WT NMI President
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PASTOR'S WORK AND WITNESS TRIP 2016
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Since Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center started, one of the most requested services from the community was English classes. So, providing ESL became a top priority for the staff of CNMC! This fall we kicked off the semester by offering six classes on every Thursday. We have almost 60 students from all over the world (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico, Somalia, and South Sudan) participating in classes. Students are part of the ESL program for any number of reasons, but many of them are taking English in order to take their GED test, to become more successful at their job, or even just to make day to day life in a a little easier.
ESL classes are one way that we can help foster unity in our neighborhood. In our classes people from different cultures are meeting and learning together. People who had no way of communicating before are now able to come together and learn about each other and their respective cultures. With the coming semesters we are looking at offering classes on additional days and even in additional locations. This ministry is incredibly important for our neighbors and for their empowerment and success in this new place they call home. Please join us in prayer for our volunteers, who are learning and growing as they become more confident in the classroom and learn how to be Jesus to people from very different cultures. Please pray for our participants, as learning a new language can be incredibly difficult but so very important, and for our staff as we continue to grow this program.
Liz Gentry
CNMC ESL Coordinator
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The first BUNDLE-UP CACTUS event was a huge success! CNMC gave away over 500 coats to children and youth (and even a few parents!) in Cactus last winter! Thank you for your help in making that happen! This winter we plan to go even bigger and better by holding our second annual BUNDLE-UP CACTUS event which will include a health-fair. Our goal will be to not only provide a coat, but to provide necessary education for helping families stay warm and healthy throughout the winter months. You can help by donating new and gently-used coats for children and youth!
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Amarillo First Invites you to their
100th Anniversary Celebration
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PENIEL SCHOOL OF MINISTRY LAUNCHES FALL CLASSES in NETWORK OF TEXAS CLASSROOMS
The Practice of Christian Ministry and Introduction to the Old Testament are now being taught in weekly classroom gatherings at web-connected churches in Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Harlingen, Midland, Lubbock, Amarillo, and Tyler. Check out our website at penielschoolofministry.org for online registration and complete information.
The West Texas, South Texas, Dallas, and Texas-Oklahoma Latin Districts of the Church of the Nazarene collaborated earlier in 2015 to create the Peniel School of Ministry. The rotation of classes at Peniel allows a student to complete educational requirements for ordination in as little as three years.
Peniel's fully qualified classes are ideal for ministry students who want the collegial environment and convenience of a nearby classroom. Eleven-week trimesters allow each class to meet just four hours once a week, with typical out-of-class preparation of about an hour a day. The Alliance relationship between the Texas districts and Nazarene Bible College makes it possible for Peniel students to complete 72 hours of an accredited BA degree with NBC at steeply discounted tuition.
SPANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES: Later in 2015 Peniel will launch its NBC-Alliance 24-class ordination track entirely in Spanish. Juan Vazquez-Pla, coordinator of Spanish language instruction for Peniel, will be instructor for Historia y Politica de la Iglesia del Nazareno in the winter trimester.
Peniel's network of video-connected Spanish-language live classrooms will be groundbreaking in USA/Canada. As in English, Spanish-language students who register their studies with Nazarene Bible College may receive degree credit.
AUDITING AVAILABLE: Peniel discounts audit registration for interested laypersons or ordained clergy looking to obtain CEUs or simply to sharpen their ministry skills.
THE TRADITION of PENIEL: Did you know that the Church of the Nazarene in Texas predates the October 1908 Pilot Point merger? Phineas F. Bresee preached a revival at Texas Holiness University in Peniel in the spring of 1908. Bresee issued an invitation for those present who wished to join the Church of the Nazarene, an invitation the entire faculty accepted, including THU President E. P. Ellyson. In fact, Ellyson would be elected General Superintendent that fall at Pilot Point. The first pastor of Peniel Church of the Nazarene was Mrs. E. P. Ellyson!
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District Funding the Mission Report:
Our
District Treasurer, Dan Davisson, has prepared an updated District Funding the Mission Report. Pastors, please pay close attention to your church's contributions so far this year. Please make every effort to encourage your people to faithfully maintain their giving for others. You can view your church's current progress below or by Clicking HERE.
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West Texas District
Calendar of events
2015-2016
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2015
October 16- Camp Arrowhead Board meeting at 10:00 a.m.
November-
Thanksgiving Offering for the World Evangelism Fund
November 5-6-
SNU Board of Trustees
November 6-7-
SNU Homecoming
November 13-14-
Discovery Weekend-A ministry equipping
workshop for first-time licensees and
pre-Ordination candidates at Abilene First
December 4-
District License Application Packets due
December 27, 2015 - January 2, 2016
Commission Unto Mexico
2016
January 12-
Ministerial Credentials/Education Committees--Lubbock
January 14-
SNU Spring Semester Classes Begin
January 15-17-
Shepherd Sabbath
January 19-
Ministerial Credentials/Education Boards--Fort Worth
February 20- Fort Worth Zone Talent & Quiz (Denton, Arrowhead, & Mid-Cities invited)
February 20- ALL Children's Zone Competitions - no later than the 20th
February 25-
Vision Conference/District Assembly Planning Session
February 18-20- SNU West Texas College Days
March 4-5-District Kids Fest & District Quiz at Lubbock First
March 7-
Pastor's Forum Sponsored by the RCPL at SNU
March 12-
Annual Pastor's Reports due
March 17-20-
Youth-A-Rama (Tentative)
March 19-
District Assembly Finance Committee Meeting
March 31 - April 3rd-
SNU Extravaganza
April 13-15-
Vision Conference/ District Assembly- Fort Worth
May 1-Early Bird Camper Registration by midnight
May 12-13, 2016-
SNU Board of Trustees
May 14, 2016-
Spring Commencement
June 1- Regular Rate Camper Registration by midnight
June 1-Counselor, Staff, & Intern registration by midnight
June 5-10- Family Camp at Camp Arrowhead
June 13-Regional Quiz at SNU
June 13-17
- Crave (Youth Camp)
June 15- Late Rate Camper Registration by midnight
June 27-July
1-Kids Camp
July 10-16- Encuentro Mission Trip
August 24-
SNU Fall Semester Classes Begin
September 1-Children's VBS / Summer Mission Offering due to General Treasurer
September 10- District Children's Council Meeting - Lubbock First
October 12-13- Youth Ministry Summit (Youth Leaders Conference)
November 10-11-
SNU Board of Trustees
November 11-12-
SNU Homecoming
December 10-
SNU Winter Commencement
December 27, 2016- January 3, 2017
- Commission Unto Mexico
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DISTRICT PASTORAL BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
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10/20 Linda Kenedy
10/20 Malakai Downs
10/21 Matthias Derbyshire
10/22 Shawn Fouts
10/23 Erika Mora
10/24 Robin Hollon
10/26 Dana Carte
10/29 Heather Plaxco
10/29 Jane Hughes
10/31 Allen Hughes
11/1 Carol Mixon
11/1 Jackie Miner
11/2 Michele Gibson
11/4 Jimmey Cole
11/5 Aubrey Dunlap
11/6Daniel & Dreanna Dyer
11/13 Angelica Banda
11/14 Terry & Sandra Porter
11/17 Scott Jimenez
11/21 Tammy Fisher
11/26 Steve Swanson
11/28 Jim Graham
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