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Dear Pastor/Friends,
Susan and I had the awesome privilege of driving out to Clarendon this past Sunday to help Pastor Bill and Mary Jo Hodges celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
We enjoyed a dynamic worship service and then stayed for the anniversary celebration that afternoon during which Bill and Mary Jo renewed their wedding vows. I must say that there was scarcely a dry eye in the packed house as this precious couple read letters of love,
commitment, appreciation, and faithfulness to each other. I was reminded again what a privilege we have of walking alongside a wonderful group of pastors and spouses. Bill and Mary Jo have served for forty years on our district...27 of those years in Clarendon! We love them and celebrate with them!
We had somewhat of a banner Sunday on the West Texas district this past week as three of our congregations elected new pastors. We are delighted to welcome these new wonderful pastors to our district family as they will begin their new assignments in October:
Pastor
Kevin Angel
has accepted the pastorate of our
Wichita Lakeview Church
. He and his wife, Sueann, and their awesome kids, Bethany (a freshman at MVNU), Caleb, Lydia, and Micah, will be moving to Texas from Akron, Ohio. Kevin has served congregations in Ohio and California. He is a graduate of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary. We welcome the Angels to Texas!
Pastor Jeffrey Marcoe has accepted the invitation of
Amarillo First
to come and serve as their pastor. Jeff and his wife, Amy, have two teenage children, Alex, who is a junior in high school, and Ashley, who is beginning her freshman year at Texas A&M. The Marcoes come to us from New Braunfels, Texas, where he has served for 15 years. During his time there was very solid growth. Jeff is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary, where his concentration was in Pastoral Counseling.
Finally, we welcome
Pastor Michael Davis
as our new pastor in
Wellington
.
Michael and Leona and their kids are not strangers to our district, having served recently in Abernathy and at Lubbock Refuge. He has been active in our ministerial training program and has always been a great team player. Michael is a two-time graduate of SNU with a B.S. in Christian Education and a M.A. in Theology. Their daughter, Cynthia, is at SNU, and their son, Nathanael, is in high school.
These are three great families! Again...welcome to West Texas!!!
It's hard to believe that the church year is half over. Pastors, I can't thank you enough for your faithfulness in leading your churches toward fulfilling your "Funding the Mission" responsibilities. I know that this is a solemn responsibility of our pastors...and it frequently rests upon your shoulders to lead your congregation to success in this area. It isn't always easy. Please know that I deeply admire and appreciate your work in this vital area of congregational leadership. Certainly this factor is an area of consideration as we look for new pastors to serve on our district. Incidentally, if this has been an area of difficulty for your church, please consider using Faith Promise as an opportunity for your people to share in the blessing of direct giving for missions. Generally speaking, Faith Promise is a powerful tool. You can learn more about how to conduct a FP convention/Sunday by
CLICKING HERE.
Also, as a former missionary, I've spoken at dozens of Faith Promise conventions. I'll be delighted to help any way I can. This is also true of our awesome NMI district president, Cheryl Crouch.
To see a full six-month report of your church's "Funding the Mission" giving, please
CLICK HERE or read the report below in this newsletter.
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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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 pay pal 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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It has now been just over two months since NYC 2015 and stories of how God used this event to impact hearts and lives continue to roll in-stories of life change and calling that occurred in Louisville. Our West Texas students have
carried
the momentum back home. Take time to follow up with your students that attended NYC and/or CRAVE and see what God is doing in their lives. Maybe their carrying the torch or maybe they need your support. Furthermore, the USA/Canada NYI team has a few resources available for download on the
NYC website
, including a small-group curriculum and videos. These are great tool to help follow up or carry the message of NYC to your students that were not able to attend. Students today are facing pressure today that many of have trouble understanding. Together we serve a God bigger than our generational differences. Take the time this month to let your students know the church believes and supports them.
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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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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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CONGRATULATION to SNU Presidential Leadership Scholars, Julia Glidden and Jordyn Johnson from the West Texas District!
The SNU Presidential Leadership Scholarship Program is for female, Nazarene students who have the potential to make lasting contributions to SNU student life, excel in the classroom, and have the passion and desire to make a positive difference in the world.
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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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A special event for all District pastors & leaders:
"The Vibrant Church" Seminar with Dr. Stan Toler- Oct. 3
Location: Richardson Church, Saturday October 3, 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This one-day seminar taught by Stan Toler will both encourage you and reinforce what you are already doing. Pastors and key leaders will find answers to their questions about: Vibrant leadership, relationships, spirituality, and stewardship. See seminar flyer below or by clicking here.
Registration is now open- please click on the form below, fill out the information and click on the REGISTER botton at the bottom! Must register by Sept. 29.
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West Texas District
Calendar of events
2015-2016
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2015
October 12-
SNU Pastor's Forum Sponsored by the RCPL at SNU
October 12-14-
Youth Ministry Summit at SNU
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 25-
Vision Conference/District Assembly Planning Session
March 7, 2016-
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 12-13, 2016-
SNU Board of Trustees
May 14, 2016-
Spring Commencement
August 24 -
SNU Fall Semester Classes Begin
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 SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
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9/18 Barbara Jones
9/20 Susan Downs
9/20 Araceli Marquez
9/20 Mirian Davidge
9/23 Dave Menefee
9/28 Matthew & Dana Carte
9/30 Caleb Hughes
9/30 Abigale Pepper
10/1 Jeremy Lee
10/2 Luke Smithson
10/3 Corrie Smithson
10/4 Ceresa CAllender
10/6 Sophia Mora
10/11 Joy Anderson
10/12 Gerardo Reyes
10/13 Lori Dunlap
10/15 Kara Hays
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
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