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Dear Pastor/Friends,
I can't thank you enough for leading the churches on our district towards participation in the offerings for South Sudan and Eastern Africa. Almost all of our churches have participated. If you haven't yet reported your offering to me, or to your zone chairperson, please do so. I've been reporting to our Sudanese churches and they are deeply moved by your generosity. Next week, in Indianapolis, I will be meeting with African Regional Director Dr. Fili Chambo, along with missionaries from East Africa and some of our district leaders, to discuss what we can do to help. Please pray for that meeting.
What a wonderful
blessing it was last Sunday
to be with Pastor Dwayne and Debbie Edwards of our Grace Point restart of the Pilot Point Church.
I am very pleased about the great strides Dwayne and his people are making towards reconnecting with their community. While we were visiting, they received this awesome class of new members!
 Prior to visiting Pilot Point, I went back and read a very informative article in our denominational archives written by Stan Ingersol. You can access it by
clicking here
. It offers a new perspective (at least it was new to me) regarding Pilot Point's enduring significance as a symbol of reunification of the American Church following the U.S. Civil War...at a time when the American denominations were still deeply divided over the war and its issues. I strongly recommend you read it. The article reminds me, very much, of the significance our WT Sudanese congregations have. While South Sudan is now deeply divided in civil war between the major tribes, Dinka and Nuar, in the Nazarene Sudanese Churches on our district, the two major tribes worship together in the spirit of holiness. This was the spirit of the early Nazarene Church. Incidentally, a field trip to Pilot Point would be a great experience for any of our congregations. Particularly, the youth and children would benefit...but so would the adults.
  Did you know that over 6,000 children were adopted through the Pilot Point Rest Cottage, a home for unwed mothers and an orphanage, which operated in conjunction with, first, Franklin College and then the Church of the Nazarene in Pilot Point, for over seventy years. From time to time, as I visit our churches, I will have an individual approach me and introduce themselves saying, "I'm a Pilot Point baby." Susan is pictured here with Linda Williams of our Borger church.
We had a tremendous time at Family Camp last week with Susie Shellenberger. You can see a picture of one of the services in the header above. I am so grateful for Arrowhead Camp and Retreat Center and for the camping ministries of our district. As I write this, our teens are finishing up a great week of CRAVE Youth Camp. Kidz Camp is coming up in July. It's still not too late to register.
Please be in much prayer regarding our upcoming General Assembly in Indianapolis. If you have not yet visited the General Assembly website you can do so by
CLICKING HERE. I look forward to seeing many of you there. It will be a very crucial point in the ongoing life of the Church of the Nazarene.
For you and with you,
Pastor David Downs
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Dear West Texas District Pastors and Leaders,
We are very pleased to see what God has been doing in the Hispanic churches of our district where we have seen the hand of God in our midst.
On May 15, the Familia de Naciones Church in Denton held a graduation celebration for its Leadership Academy where 21 people received their certificate and declared themselves ready to continue serving the Lord with excellence. Congratulations to Pastors Miriam Davidge and her husband Lamar for their leadership of this beautiful congregation. We can see the hand of God in them and as God is rewarding the surrender and passion for His work.
Also in May in our Church Arlington Jesucristo Vive, along with the Euless Hispanic, as well as Pastors Jose and Blanca Perez of the Emanuel Church, held our third Encounter at Arrowhead Camp facilities. Once again we could see the love of God pour out in a very special way in each of the participants who attended and had their personal encounter with Jesus.
Within our plans for the month of July is to hold a training workshop for the Seminar for Marriage Free to Love for pastors and leaders who wish to implement this wonderful resource in their churches. For more information please contact your server at 8175210914.
In Christ,
Rev. Moises Marquez
WTD Hispanic Ministry Coordinator
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ACTIVATE Kids Camp 2017
July 17- 21 at Arrowhead Camp
Camp Registration cost is $245. Don't forget you will have to upload your shot records, so let your families know to have them on their computers ready to go.
Visit our website to register!
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DISTRICT LADIES RETREAT
August 3 - 5, 2017
Wichita Falls, TX
Speaker: Debra White Smith
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Dear West Texans,
We are looking forward to the Nazarene Missions International General Convention this month! Please be in prayer for delegates from around the world who still await visas and travel permits. Pray, too, for safe travel. Most of all, pray for God's holy presence and guidance as Nazarenes gather from all around the globe.
The World Mission Broadcast offering, the life-blood of the WMB ministry, is traditionally received in June. Because of it, Nazarene programs are able to stay on the air and tell the world about Jesus. Current World Mission Broadcast ministry statistics are: 34 Languages, 72 Countries, and 140 Programs!
On-line contributions from a church or district for WMB can be submitted via the Funding the Mission website - www.fundingthemission.org. Be sure to indicate the gift is for WMB.
Church, district, and individual gifts can also be submitted via check made payable to World Mission Broadcast and sent to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Visit the WMB Facebook page for the latest news-www.facebook.com/WMBroadcast, or visit the WMB website for promotional resources and other ministry information - www.worldmissionbroadcast.org.
Holiness programming, delivered over the airwaves, literally sends the message of Jesus's redeeming love around the world...and listeners respond...and they are won to Christ.
Blessings,
Cheryl Crouch, WT NMI
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Process for Local License,
District License, and Ordination
Local License
District License
1. The student must have a local license for one full year.
3. The student must have completed 6 courses in the Course of Study, including History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene (the Manual) and Holiness (Becoming a Holy People).
4. Request a District license application packet from Earl Robertson
a. District license application
b. Essay and questionnaire
c. Background check authorization form
d. Recommendation to District Assembly form given to the Church Board
5. Meet with the Ministerial Credentials and Ministerial Studies Boards in January.
6. If there has been a divorce in the past, the student must complete the process for removing the divorce as a barrier to licensing and ordination (contact Earl Robertson for assistance)
Ordination
Upon completing the Course of Study and the required time in an assigned role, the student will be invited to meet with the Ministerial Credentials Board to apply for Ordination.
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South Sudanese Relief Offerings
We have begun receiving reports from our congregations regarding the special offering we are receiving for famine and war/refugee relief in South Sudan. You will recall that on Wednesday evening of the assembly week we had special prayer for our South Sudanese congregations and their families (see picture).
Also, you will recall that I respectfully asked that each of our congregations receive an offering between now and June 1st to help with compassionate ministry there. I am convinced that the problem (which many see as the largest humanitarian crisis of our lifetime) can only be solved through prayer and a powerful outpouring of God's power in the region. This is what I'm praying for. Especially, because of the special connection God has given us with South Sudan, I feel He is looking to us, the Nazarene churches on the WT district, to be faithful in prayer for this crisis. So please remember this in your pastoral prayer times and during your prayer services. And, please, lead your people in receiving a generous offering for South Sudan.
In addition to our prayer and the compassionate ministry offering, I am praying for and actively seeking other ways we can be involved...such as W&W to the surrounding countries (Kenya and Ethiopia) to assist with refugee ministry. Please pray that, if the Lord wants this, He will open the doors for this type of involvement.
Regarding the offering, we are providing two giving options for our churches:
 1. The first giving option is to participate in the global Nazarene Compassionate Ministries offering for famine relief in East Africa.
The entire region is facing famine, in addition to the war in South Sudan. I have learned through conversations with our denominational Compassionate Ministries Coordinator, Nell Becker Sweden, that the current plan is for a full third of the amount received through this global Nazarene offering to go toward the South Sudanese crisis. If you choose to send your offering through NCM, which I highly regard, trust, and support, you will send your church's check to the Nazarene General Treasurer's office at P.O. Box 843116. Kansas City. MO 64184-3116
 2. The second giving option that we are supporting is through A.R.M (African Relief Ministries). A.R.M. is an independent 501(c)3 established by our Sudanese pastor, and USA/Canada Regional South Sudanese Ministry Coordinator, Rev. Michael Gatkek. The board of A.R.M. is made up of several highly trusted members of our district, including Pastor Serina Nelson, and DAB member, Loretta Martin. A.R.M.'s mission is to provide aid to South Sudanese refugees. Frankly, I have restrained from supporting them openly (though I've supported them personally) because I've not wanted to detract from NCM...but now is the time for us to explore every avenue of compassion. I have great confidence in Michael and the A.R.M board. (Please be advised that A.R.M. is not at certified Nazarene 10% giving project. Therefore, offerings given to them will not be deducted from your budget calculation base, as will offerings given to NCM.) You will report A.R.M. giving on your annual pastors report on line 47, "Local Compassionate Ministries" (Monies used for helping those in need, including non-Nazarene global missions.) Monies sent to African Relief Ministries should be made out to A.R.M. and labeled "Sudanese Relief" and mailed to African Relief Ministries. 3411 S.E 13th Street. Amarillo, TX 79104.
Again, I am requesting that 100% of our 100 churches and new-start congregations receive an offering. We have extended the deadline so that all of our churches have a chance to participate. Please notify me via e-mail once you have received the offering and report the results directly to me. I cannot thank you enough for your attention to this matter.
Pastor David Downs
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June
- Mail World Mission Broadcast Offering to GTS
June 21-23 - Global NYI, NMI & SDMI Conventions, Indianapolis
June 24-30 - General Assembly, Indianapolis
July 17-21 - ACTIVATE Kids Camp, Arrowhead Camp & Retreat Center
August 3-5 - WOW Women's Conference, Wichita Falls
September - Alabaster Offering to GTS
September 1 - Children's Mission Project & LINKS offerings due to GTS
Sept. 17 - Oct. 4 - David & Erika Campos on Deputation
September 8 - Nazarene Nite at Six Flags
September 9 - District Children's Council Meeting, Fort Worth First
Sept. 26 - Oct. 3 - Pastors' Master's Plan trip to Cali, Colombia
October 9 - Pastor's Forum
October 9 - 11 - Youth Ministry Summit, SNU
October 13 - 14 - Senior Adult Retreat, Lubbock First
October 19 - 21 - Awakening Prayer Conference, Arlington
November - Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund to GTS
Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 - Commission Unto Mexico
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UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES OF OUR PASTORAL FAMILIES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE
6/15 Paul & Cynthia Prentice
6/15 Tong Atak
6/16 David & Robin Hollon
6/16 Vito & Jenni Monteblanco
6/18 Jeff & Linsay Parson
6/18 Trey Pepper
6/19 Alton Ashby
6/20 David & Kathy Kessell
6/21 Lee & Linda Lennon
6/22 Mark & Mandy Hewitt
6/22 Grace Mensah
6/22 LeAnna Hughes
6/23 Matilyn Callender
6/25 Camryn Plaxco
6/25 Marcia Book
6/26 Andrew Taylor
6/26 Ken & Jonna Jones
6/27 Ethan Hughes
6/27 Jeff & Amy Marcoe
6/29 Cindi Tharp
6/29 Ken & Marcia Book
6/29 Sam & Susan McPherson
6/30 Serina Nelson
6/30 Dale Peirce
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The West Texas District Office will be closed from June 19 - 27. We will be checking emails and voice messages daily from Indianapolis. If you need to reach us by phone, you may contact Ana Carrier at 214-649-1839.
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