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Dear Pastor/Friends,
Thank you again for your wonderful participation in the Shepherds' Sabbath! Many have commented that it was, perhaps, the best ever. Certainly it was our largest number of participants (180), and certainly God anointed and blessed our time together. Dr. David Busic did a great job.
We'll not soon forget his "Guard Your Heart" message. And, once again, the praise team under Jairo and Chrissy Maldonado was phenomenal! Special thanks go out to our office manager, Ana Carrier, who did such a great job coordinating the event. She will be sending out an evaluation form to all who participated so that we can keep improving the event each year. (Incidentally, I heard that your church had the best Sunday ever while you were away...and that the preacher explained holiness to them-finally.) :)
We said our earthly farewells to two of our wonderful retirees last week. Rev. Chalmer Wiegman and Sister Theresa Sandoval both went to be with the Lord. Both of these precious individuals served the Lord on the WT district, and elsewhere, with grace and dignity. We are grateful for them and we continue to pray for their spouses and families.
To read more about their lives and ministries you may CLICK HERE (Rev. Wiegman),
CLICK HERE
(Sister Sandoval).
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Last month I reported to you that we had no open pastorates on the district. It was the first time in 16 years I was able to make such a claim. For the last month, I've been afraid to answer my phone...however, I now must report to you that one of our great pastors has accepted an assignment on the Oklahoma district. Pastor Mark Elam and his wife, Shelly, have been in Lantana for nine years and have done a GREAT job for the Lord there. He announced two weeks ago that, in late February, they will be moving to Choctaw, Oklahoma, to begin their new pastorate. We will miss this wonderful couple tremendously. We thank Mark and Shelly for their great service in WT and we wish them the very best in their new assignment.
Congratulations to Pastor C.B.Glidden and his wife Becky of Fort Worth First Church. Last week I had the privilege of conducting Pastor Glidden's quadrennial pastoral review following his 22nd year of pastoral service at FW First Church. The review was very positive, enthusiastic and unanimous. When the Glidden's arrived their congregation was a small group meeting in a small building which was in need of much repair. Now, it has become one of our region's flagship Nazarene churches. Their wonderful 85,000 sq.ft. facility is also the home of Nazarene Christian Academy, a K-12 private Christian school with over 300 students. Many, many people have come to know Christ under the Glidden's ministry. We rejoice over this wonderful review!
This past Sunday, I visited our Grassland church, near Lubbock. It was great to be with Pastor Jim Miller and his wife, Judith. Those of you who know Jim well are aware that he has been working diligently over the past two years to complete his new book, "The Journey," which was published by Westbow Press (a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan). Congratulations, Pastor Miller! I look forward to reading your work...after the district assembly.
Speaking of the district assembly, It's hard to imagine that we are only nine weeks away from our annual meeting, this year in Lubbock. Due to the general assembly in June, our district assembly will be earlier than normal this year. I can't thank you enough for getting your reports in on time this year. Pastor Earl Robertson will be sending them out to you soon. Anticipated highlights include the ordination of eleven ministers, the recognition of three pastors' credentials from other denominations, the introduction of our new Asian Indian church-planting initiative, the introduction of our new clinic in Cactus (and the physician couple) and the full organization of three of our church-type missions and parent-affiliated congregations. I am very, very excited about this year's district assembly! I do not know the full history of our district regarding this, but this will be the largest ordination class I have ever participated in. We have so much to celebrate together!
Also, please study the Funding the Mission report below and double check to make sure that your numbers match ours and the General Treasurer's at the GMC. My prayers are with you as you strive to lead your congregations in generosity as we embrace the world-wide evangelistic agenda of the Church of the Nazarene. Pastors, we know that leading our congregations in this area is a solemn responsibility. I am always deeply moved by the generosity of our pastors and congregations toward our missionaries, our district ministries, our university, and our retired pastors. I can't thank you enough for your careful attention to this important matter.
Finally, ours is a very diverse district. Many languages are spoken in our churches each Sunday and throughout the week. Therefore, immigration issues are very important to our people. I hope you saw the powerful statement put out by out General Superintendents recently regarding this important issue. If you have not,
PLEASE CLICK HERE.
For you and with you,
Pastor David Downs
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Our district treasurer, Dan Davisson, has prepared the West Texas District 2016-17 "Funding The Mission" report as of February 1, 2017. 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.
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West Texas Children's Leaders at Children's Pastors Conference in Orlando, Florida. Pictured left to right - Jonna Jones from Northside, Tracy Ricenbaw from Hereford, Jennifer Sommers from Fort Worth First, Becky Adams from Big Spring and Renae Fowler from Fort Worth First. The theme this year was Anchored Deep! We enjoyed great breakout sessions, amazing general sessions and times of worship, local food trucks and the wonderful Florida weather. We even had the opportunity to gather with close to 50 other Nazarene children's leaders at a luncheon with Leslie Hart the new children's leader for the USA and Canada region. CPC will be held in Orlando again in 2018 from January 16-18. Contact Jennifer Sommers for registration details.
Kids Fest will be held this year March 3-4 at Lubbock First Church! We are adding a Pinewood Derby Race, Mission Service Projects in the community, a 4 Square - 2 Square Tournament and Kidz Blitz is coming to lead our Friday night service! We will still have quizzing and talent for our kids to participate in as well. Check out the details below to see how your church can participate! Even more is available for download on the district children's ministry page at
www.westexnaz.org.
Kids Fest Registration Link:
Church leaders please register your kids no later than, February 20th.
Quizzing deadline - February 22nd to Chriss Burke (district quiz director)
[email protected]
Talent deadline - February 23rd to Elaine Nauert (kids fest director)
[email protected]
We hope to see you at Kids Fest 2017!
Jennifer Sommers
Attachments: (click on link to download/open in new tab)
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February means the official church year is ending and we will need your help soon!
There are TWO reports churches must complete at the end of the year. One is the online report for Nazarene Missions International. It only
takes about 10 minutes
,
but is vital for our district records! The questions cover participation in prayer, mentoring children/youth, mission education and missions giving. When the time comes and we send the link to the report, please at least sign on to tell us that you pray for missions! Our goal this year is 100% of West Texas churches praying for God's work all around the world.
February is Alabaster offering month.
The Alabaster offering is an opportunity for people 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 by clicking the image on the left.
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The missionary is here!
If you need to make a change (or have made a change) to this schedule, please contact Jackie Miner at [email protected] or
806.777.3205
Deputation Schedule (please check carefully for your church name!)
February 4 - Lantana hosts Daniel Gomis
February 5 - am - Euless First hosts Daniel Gomis
pm - Euless Spanish/ Euless Arabic host Daniel Gomis
February 6 - Haltom City/FW Trinity* host Daniel Gomis
February 7 - FW Riverside Community hosts Daniel Gomis
February 8 - Arlington Restoration Community hosts Daniel Gomis
February 9 - Granbury hosts Daniel Gomis
February 10 - Hamlin hosts Daniel Gomis
February 11 - Snyder hosts Daniel Gomis
February 12 - am - Big Spring hosts Daniel Gomis
pm - Lamesa First hosts Daniel Gomis
February 13 - Andrews hosts Daniel Gomis
*Services will be held at the first church listed
Remember, hosting Deputation Missionaries doesn't necessarily mean holding a service in your sanctuary. You can take them to dinner or invite them to join in whatever your church enjoys - a game night or a picnic... get creative! DO allow your people (especially children and youth) time to interact with them and get to know them!
NEXT YEAR if your church would like to coordinate your own missionary visit (instead of participating in the district deputation tours) or would like to host missionaries as part of a zone service or group of churches instead of individually, please let Jackie know by FEBRUARY 14 at
[email protected] or
806.777.3205.
Blessings,
Cheryl Crouch
WT NMI
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Free to Love Seminar Romantic Dinner
Special Guests: Luis & Hania Fernandez, founders of the Free to Love seminar and El Charro de Cristo
February 24, 2017 at
7:00 P.M.
Trinity Church of the Nazarene
611 N. Cedar Ridge Dr. Duncanville, TX 75116
Cost: $20 per couple
Current and former students of the "Free to Love" Seminar are invited to attend.
For more information, contact Pastor Moises Marquez at 817-521-0914
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West Texas District
2017 Calendar of Events
February
- Alabaster Offering to Global Treasury Services
February 23
- Planning Session - Vision Conference & District Assembly
March 3-4
- Kids Fest in Lubbock, TX
March 3-5
- PK Retreat @ SNU (for pastors' kids, grades 10-12)
March 5-7 - USA/Canada NYI Leadership Conference
March 13
- Annual Pastor's Reports due
March 18
- District Assembly Finance Committee meeting
March 30 - April 2 - SNU Extravaganza
April 5-7
- Vision Conference & District Assembly, Lubbock First
June 4-9
- Family Camp, Arrowhead Camp & Retreat Center
June 12-16
- CRAVE Teen Camp, Arrowhead Camp & Retreat Center
June 21-30
- General Assembly, Indianapolis, IN
July 17-21
- ACTIVATE - Kids Camp, Arrowhead Camp & Retreat Center
August 3-5 - WOW - Women's Conference
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY
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1/1 Elizabeth Gatkek
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1/12 Peggy Burnside
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| 1/1 Mabure Atak |
1/12 Peggy Harper
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| 1/2 Amy Scarlett |
1/13 Jonnathan Jones
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| 1/3 Michael & Amy Scarlett |
1/16 Montana Peirce
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| 1/3 Rick & Julie Calvert |
1/17 Grace Anderson
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| 1/4 David Downs |
1/18 Martha Patalano |
| 1/4 Luz Reyes |
1/19 Michelle Holmgren |
| 1/4 Zack Smithson |
1/20 Emmanuel Gatkek |
| 1/4 Kalani Jenkins |
1/20 Madison DeLuna |
| 1/5 Misael Levi Alvarado |
1/21 Ken Book |
| 1/6 Joseph Ricenbaw |
1/22 Lille Smithson |
| 1/6 Sierra Kessell |
1/26 Debbie Edwards |
| 1/7 Alfredo & Candida Alvarez |
1/27 Michael Davis |
| 1/7 Julia Benn |
1/29 Avyn Scarlett |
| 1/9 Caleb Cisneros |
1/29 David Kessell |
| 1/9 Gerardo & Luz Reyes |
1/29 Tonda Wallace |
| 1/9 Larry & Lori Dunlap |
1/30 Pedro Cruz |
| 1/10 Alan McGuire |
1/30 Rachel Mensah |
| 1/10 Ezekiel Atak |
1/31 Rick Calvert |
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
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2/1 Michael Scarlett
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2/18 Richard Jones |
| 2/1 Terry Porter |
2/19 Erminia Cordero |
| 2/1 Timothy Oh |
2/19 Natalie Derbyshire |
| 2/2 Candida Alvarez |
2/19 Norman Kessell |
| 2/3 Amy Marcoe |
2/19 Parker Plaxco |
| 2/5 Moon Hew Lee |
2/20 Andrea Marquez |
| 2/7 Deng Atak |
2/20 Hector Orozco |
| 2/10 Leah Boice |
2/21 Eli Monteblanco |
| 2/11 Garren Keating |
2/21 Josh & Melissa Cisneros |
| 2/14 Beth Ann Jones |
2/21 Paul & Moon Hew Lee |
| 2/14 James & Judith Miller |
2/21 Phillip & Linda Kenedy |
| 2/14 Jeff Marcoe |
2/23 Reath Gatkek |
| 2/15 Marcia Nikl |
2/25 Charles Jones |
| 2/15 Penny Nichols |
2/25 Joan Johnson |
| 2/16 Becky Glidden |
2/25 Misael Alvarado |
| 2/17 Ron Sullivan |
2/27 Lee Lennon |
Pastors and Leaders, if we are missing your or your family's birthday information, please fill out a District Contact Information Form and send it to
[email protected]
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Our district Children's Ministry team plans and organizes annual Summer camps, talent festivals, periodic Bible quiz meets and other training events throughout the year
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NMI
M
ISSION
S
TATEMENT
To mobilize the church in mission through
praying, discipling, giving, and educating
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NYI
Our Mission:
BE. Evagelism
DO. Discipleship
GO. Leadership Development
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