 |
I'm writing this from Camp Arrowhead where Susan and I are enjoying the awesome privilege of participating in Kidz Camp.
Three weeks ago we had a great Family Camp, followed by an outstanding teen camp. Attendance has been off the charts and we are getting great reports from CRAVE Teen camp. Please take a moment to check out the CRAVE article and video posted in this week's District Family newsletter.
CLICK HERE
to view the video.
One of the things that has impressed me so much, again this year, is the quality and dedication of our children's ministry staff...and all of the wonderful volunteers who bring kids to camp and serve as camp counselors...which is basically a 24/7 solemn responsibility. These adult sponsors get little sleep and they are on their feet virtually all day, and yet you can sense the joy they are experiencing as they pour their lives into these precious kids. And, of course they are rewarded when they see the spiritual progress the kids are making at the altars and during the devotional and counseling/prayer opportunities.
Many of us, including myself, gave our hearts to the Lord and/or accepted His call to ministry at Children's or Teen Camp. I am so grateful to Him for blessing us with such a great camping ministry on the WT DISTRICT!
Incidentally, I'm pleased to report that the morning Bible Study sessions from Family Camp led by Dr. Tim Crutcher from SNU are now available for your encouragement and edification at the WT district website,
www.westexnaz.org. The sessions, entitled "Holiness 101", represent the most concise and helpful presentation of our holiness doctrine that I have heard. Many of our pastors purchased the CD's from Cornerstone Ministries (
http://www.cornerstoneaudiovideo.com/) and are sharing them with their congregations.
Our Hispanic Ministry coordinator, Pastor Moises Marquez, was in Oklahoma City for the USA/Canada Regional Hispanic Ministry Conference at SNU last week. I am so grateful for the progress many of our Hispanic churches are making these days. Especially I want to commend Moises and the other Hispanic leaders for the new "Freedom to Love" marriage enrichment couples ministry that several of our Hispanic congregations are participating in. Pastor Marquez has contributed an article in this week's newsletter. You can read to learn more about this ministry, which is seeing great success.
This weekend a group of our African pastors are traveling to the GMC in Lenexa, Kansas, for the USA/Canada African Ministry Conference. Please remember them in prayer. Also, in two weeks, our African ministry coordinator, Pastor Michael Gatkek, and I will be traveling to Olivet Nazarene University together to meet with our denomination's African regional director, Dr. Fili Chambo, to give him information about the ten new churches our district's African congregations have now planted in South Sudan and Ghana. How amazing to be part of something like that!
Last Sunday morning we were at Fort Worth Crossroads Church where Pastor Corey Jones and his people were welcoming participants of their annual Urban Encounter Ministry, which involves numerous visiting youth groups from around the USA in outreach to the surrounding urban apartment centers. This is such a beautiful ministry. Of course the participating kids receive some of the benefit!
Finally, I received notification from NTS that one of our district's recent SNU ministry grads, Tyler Parson, has been accepted to the 365M graduate program in Cross-cultural ministries at our seminary in Kansas City. Tyler, who received his first district license at our district assembly in April, is the son of Hamlin pastoral couple, Jeff and Lindsey Parson. As a part of his coursework, Tyler will be required to raise offerings for a full year of overseas volunteer ministry at one of the approved 365M sites. I am encouraging our pastors to help raise the offering. He will come to a missionary meeting or another service to tell your people his inspiring story...or you might just want to read his testimony, found below, to your flock and take an offering, straight up. Thanks for your consideration!
|
IN THIS ISSUE:
|
Discovery Weekend - A Ministry-Equipping Weekend
October 28-29, 2016
This is a special weekend for first-time licensed ministers. 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.
For information contact:
Earl Robertson, our Asst. District Superintendent
|
Grace Point Celebrates Dads on Second Sunday-Dadfest 2016
It was a hot and beautiful day; birds were singing, when Bebo Chandler (from Bebo's Café) pulled up in his rat rod with matching smoker - Brisket a la Bebo - "Hey Dwayne, taste this." He handed me a piece of smoked pork ribs at 6:30 am - Yum (^: It wasn't long till "The Amarillo Boys", a quartet from Valley View Nazarene, pulled up to set up the sound and prep for their gospel/50's music. They were awesome!
The first rumbling of cars pulled in around 8:00 am, while 50's music played in the background, filling up the neighborhood (I had walked the neighborhood getting permission to play music early and neighbors approved, and some even showed up). The stage (a flatbed trailer) was set, chairs for worship set out, tables set and decorated, and cars were filling the parking lot as the brisket was smoking. This being our second service as GracePoint Church, we weren't sure how it would turn out, but the people began to come in and look at the vintage cars and hot rods pulling into the parking lot.
10:00 am came and we cranked up
This is Amazing Grace, complete with sweet gospel, and a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace, blues riff style (Brian Lambert - met him at the North Texas Songwriters Festival in Pilot Point - has a fresh new voice of country/rock and blues). There were giveaways from local vendors and a message to dads about the "roads they travel and measuring up" in our world. It was a great day with many new friends looking for a church home. Thank you for your prayers. Now it's time to be God's Grace to our community.
Becoming Part of History at Pilot Point
In 1903, the Church of Christ Holiness
Church in Pilot Point, Texas (who would join with others in 1908 to become the Church of the Nazarene) began a ministry to unwed women that would not only touch that early wild west community, but last until 1975 (named Rest Cottage). In that time, our church touched over 6,000 women who needed to experience God's grace at a time when many were not willing to give it.
In those early days, many infants died at the Rest Cottage and were buried on a 3 acre plot of land (notice the small metal unmarked headstones where the infants lie) along with many others in that early community, which would later be called Skinner Cemetery. The last to be buried in the cemetery was 1928. For more than a generation, that land would become over grown with no one to care for it, until this past year when a few citizens got involved and began cleaning it up.
Because some have moved out of town and because our church, historically, has a vested interest and connection with those buried there, these citizens approached GracePoint a few weeks ago to see if we would be interested in taking the responsibility of keeping it up - and we said "yes." This project is bigger than GracePoint, so I am asking for your help. Would you consider having your church come to Pilot Point for a day of mowing, weeding and clearing branches to keep this historic site clean, where our historic ministries began? If you would be interested, please contact me at 760-518-6732.
Pastor Dwayne Edwards
GracePoint Nazarene Church
Pilot Point, TX
|
CRAVE 16 was definitely one of the best weeks I believe our West Texas students have ever had! With "Broken" as our theme, speaker Ron Jackson didn't waste any time getting deep with the students on the first night. Every student was given a piece of tile to write their "brokenness" on, then they brought them to the altar, throwing them into a bucket and listening to them break. What the students didn't know was, by the end of the week, their broken tiles were going to be put together to create a table. As the table was being made, their writings on the tiles disappeared, symbolizing what happens when we give our brokenness to God and allow Him to rebuild it into something we couldn't do alone. Each morning and night we had amazing worship under the leadership of Parker Guthrie Harbour from Nashville, TN, and Pastor Mandy from Lantana. The altars were filled each night and our students were challenged to take home what they learned and share it with our world--not to keep His light for ourselves but to spread His good news!
I want to personally say a BIG THANK YOU to Pastor Jake Isbell and Kalee for all their dedication and hard work as our CRAVE Camp Coordinators this year. They did an amazing job, and we are so blessed to work with such an amazing group of youth pastors and sponsors from West Texas. Thank you for going all out and making this week the best it could have been.
We have a highlight video from each day (courtesy of Jairo!)
Kelsea Gale Beville
Communication Director
Youth Assistant
|
Dear Pastors and NMI Leaders,
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER DEPUTATION
Bad news: Liliana Reza had to cancel her tour.
Great news: Our own Steve and Amanda Pettit, West Texans serving in Dominica, have agreed to fill each English speaking church from Liliana's tour! Your day and time will stay the same, but your speakers will now be the Pettits.
We are currently working on plans to fill the Spanish speaking churches. Please stay posted!
July is another busy month for deputation in West Texas! We've heard GREAT reports about the Riggins and the Millers. Your people are going to love hearing from THEIR missionaries.
Remember, you can be creative - you DO NOT have to host them in a service in the sanctuary if a dinner out or a game night or something else works better for your church. Please DO give them a chance to share their story, and offer them a chance to interact with your children and teens. Please DO pray with them and for them and show them lots of love!
June 30 - Burleson hosts the Millers
July 1 - Whitney/Hillsboro* host the Millers
July 2 - Cleburne hosts the Millers
July 3 - am - Stephenville hosts the Millers
pm - FW First hosts the Millers
July 4 - OPEN
July 5 - Mineral Wells/Graham host the Millers
July 6 - Cisco First hosts the Millers
July 7 - Abilene First hosts the Millers
July 8 - Abilene Trinity/Southwest host the Millers
July 17 am - Pilot Point hosts the Riggins
pm - Denton Willowwood hosts the Riggins
July 18 -Denton Hope Community hosts the Riggins
July 19 -Burkburnett New Hope hosts the Riggins
July 20 -Wichita Falls First/Wichita Falls Cristo Vive host the Riggins
July 21 -Wichita Falls Lakeview hosts the Riggins
********************
What a joy and privilege to introduce another young West Texan called to serve God through Nazarene Missions! Read Tyler Parson's story and please consider supporting him through prayer, financial gifts, and opportunities to speak in your churches:
I just recently graduated from Southern Nazarene University (SNU) with a Bachelor's Degree in Ministry and Theology. I am currently a district licensed minister in the WT District and serve as an associate pastor at Hamlin Church of the Nazarene. Through much prayer and guidance, God has led me to further my education at Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS). Through NTS, I have been accepted into a cross-cultural ministry program called, "365m". In this program, I am currently being trained mentally and spiritually through different courses I am taking that pertain to fundraising in ministry, cross-cultural adaption, and other courses that are preparing me for roughly a year of ministry in another country.
A
round February 1st, 2017, I will be shipped out to the Philippines and will remain there until Mid-December of 2017. I will be based out of the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) in Manila, Philippines. I will continue my education while I am on the field as a full time student of NTS. However, I will also be an active missionary of the Church of the Nazarene working with other missionaries as well as the people of the Philippines to help spread the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ. I will be involved in the Church of the Nazarene's mission to show the love of God to the children of the Philippines and to the victims of human trafficking in Asia Pacific region.
When I first received my calling into ministry, I knew that God was calling me to spread his Good News and work for the physical, mental, emotion, and spiritual betterment of broken people. The 365m program is a unique and awesome opportunity that is helping me to fulfill God's calling for my life! However, I need your help. As the old joke goes, "Well, we can't offer you that kind of help!" But all joking aside, there are many ways in which you can help me. One way is financially. I will need to raise roughly $20,000 before January of 2017 in order to have the funds to pay for my schooling and living expenses in the 365m program. Another and most important way is through your prayers and encouraging support. You can contact me on my cell phone (325-721-6486), email ([email protected]), and on Facebook. I truly appreciate you for taking your time and efforts in joining with me in this great adventure that God is calling me to!
********************
In July we emphasize
International Ministry, Bible Schools, and Seminaries.
Remember, July is a great month to pray for "our" 2 classes of pastors from India! We have 12 graduates in Mid-Maharashtra and 13 graduates in Simla. West Texans sponsored their education and we want to continue to pray for them as they serve throughout their country!
July:
Mail District Work & Witness Offering to District NMI Treasurer
Rev. Zack Smithson
500 Live Oak, Euless, TX 76040
These important deadlines are coming up:
Mail all LINKS monies (by September 1) to Global Treasury Services
Mail Children's Mission Project Offering (by September 1) to Global Treasury Services
The Children's Offering Project is "Power" and will focus on getting God's Word into the hands, hearts and minds of kids around the world. Google "Kids Reaching Kids Nazarene" for information and promotional materials. The offering is
DUE on September 1
.
It is a general church project, and our whole district is participating in it (We were number one in the world for the children's offering AGAIN last year! Thank you for your generosity!). That is why we make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and mail to:
GLOBAL TREASURY SERVICES (866-624-3092)
P.O. BOX 843116
KANSAS CITY, MO 64184
Thanks for your ministry. What great men and women of God you are! I am proud to be part of your family.
Blessings,
Cheryl Crouch
WT NMI President
|
|
Libres Para Amar
The 'Libres Para Amar' (Freedom to Love) seminar is a 12 weeks program for married couples. It offers seven activities that complement each other, which were designed to provide advanced tools for married couples, in an effort to help them obtain not a perfect marriage, but a healthy one. It helps them learn more deeply the differences between men and women, so they can understand each other and communicate better. It also helps them manage the most common conflicts in marriage and learn their specific, individual needs.
The LPA seminar is spreading throughout our district. Arlington Jesucristo Vive, Denton Willowwood Hispanic, Fort Worth Emanuel and Euless First Hispanic have taken the seminar, and we also have other churches lining up. It has become a great tool to strengthen marriages in our churches, as well as to gain new couples for Christ. During the time the seminar was taking place at Denton Willowwood Hispanic, one of our married couples was struck by tragedy; the husband suffered a fatal accident at work, leaving his wife and children behind. Even though his death left a big sorrow, we know that he was loving Jesus, as well as his wife and children, and he is now enjoying the presence of our Lord.
This seminar can be given in English or Spanish. If you would like more information about this program, please contact me at
[email protected].
Moises Marquez
WT Hispanic Coordinator
|
Our Third Annual fcnKidz Hub was held at Overton Elementary again this summer. This interactive, 3-day Youth Lead VBS Outreach Ministry, reaches children in FCN's Home Mission Outreach Target area, centered at Overton Elementary, a Title 9 school located in an "at-risk" downtown area of Lubbock. FCN's Infuse Youth Ministry partners with fcnKidz and the Overton Free Lunch Program to provide a fun, safe place for families to retreat out of the West Texas heat and learn about Jesus. This year, our theme for fcnKidz Hub is "Jesus is the Light of the World" (John 9:5).
Using kid friendly Praise and Worship songs, interactive activities, Bible lessons, and super fun sport games, fcnInfuse Ministries is showing the "Light of Jesus" to these wonderful children and their families.
FCN Lubbock has been investing into the Overton Community for the last 4 years in a powerful way for Christ. Each year, fcnMissions provides over 400 backpacks filled with school supplies to the children of Overton Elementary, fcnKidz provides a weekly Kidz Church program partnered with Beach Club, fcnPrayer meets and prays over each class and each teacher every year, fcnCards of Love provides each teacher with a handmade Birthday Card, our fcnFamily provides over 20 impoverished families a complete Thanksgiving meal each Thanksgiving, fcnGrow Groups provide over 20 impoverished families a full Christmas experience for their children in
need, fcnWomen's Ministries provides food for Teacher Luncheons throughout the year, fcnBenevolence, partnered with fcnMission, provide two Free Clothes Closets a year for adults and kids, as well as food boxes, shoes, and emergency financial needs for Overton families and teaching staff. As you can see, FCN Lubbock not only has invested time and money for Overton, but has a special love in our heart for the Overton community. Each ministry has partnered together in doing their part to provide for the needs of the Overton community.
FCN Lubbock has been blessed with the opportunity to show the unconditional love of Christ by partnering with Overton Elementary and serve the Overton Community. This true Mission Field has helped Christ's love flow through the great people of FCN and has been a transforming force in their church. None of this would have been possible without the relationship between FCN and Overton's School Principle, Ann Archer, who allows FCN Lubbock access to be the "Light of Jesus" to her school family and community.
Carl Wren
Children's Director
|
|
Dear Pastors and Leaders,
The 2016 West Texas District Journal is officially published and available for download. You can find it on our website, at
www.westexnaz.org, or you may click on the link below to access the journal.
If you have any questions, please call the district office at 817-479-8611 or send an email to
[email protected]
|
West Texas District
2016 Calendar of Events
July 1 - 8
- Ronald & Shelly Miller on Deputation
July 10-16
- Encuentro Mission Trip
July 17-21
- Scot & Jill
Riggins on Deputation
July 18-25 - Pastors' Work & Witness Trip to Dominica
July 21-23 - WOW (Women of Worth) Treasured Retreat
July 27-Aug 1 - African-American Conference, Orlando, FL
July 28-Aug 7 - NMI W&W Trip for Refugee Relief, Croatia & Serbia
September - Alabaster Offering to Global Treasury Services
September 1 - Children's VBS / Summer Mission Offering due
September 1 -
LINKS Offering due
September 7-26 - Steve & Amanda Pettit on Deputation
September 9 - Naz Night at Six Flags Over Texas
September 10 - District Children's Council Meeting - Lubbock First
October 10 - Pastor's Forum at SNU
October 12-13 - Youth Ministry Summit
October 15 - Camp Arrowhead Board of Directors Meeting
October 28-29
- Discovery Weekend
November - Thanksgiving Offering to World Evangelism Fund
November 9-11 - SNU Board of Trustees
December 10 -
SNU Winter Commencement
December 27, 2016 - January 3, 2017
- Commission Unto Mexico
|
Our July Parsonage Families Birthdays/Anniversaries
7/1 Alan Wallace
7/1 Greg Key
7/1 Moises Marquez
7/2 Mike Murphy
7/2 Gary Young
7/2 Dennis & Awilda Hayes
7/3 Cori Young
7/3 Gary & Cori Young
7/4 Todd Forrest
7/4 Eric Deluna
7/5 Mary Jo
7/5 Dough & Becky Yates
7/7 Marvin Pepper
7/8 Jett Davis
7/8 Scott & Tammy Fisher
7/9 Yvette Alvarado
7/11 Micah Angel
7/12 Calvary Callender
7/12 Joshua Mora
7/12 Teresa Deluna
7/13 Emily Fouts
7/13 Gaylord Hayes
7/15 John Lewis
7/15 Phil Patalano
7/17 Felix Torres
7/17 Bridget Benn
7/18 Greg & Debra Johnson
7/20 Ismael Mora
7/21 Sabbatha Taylor
7/21 Tom & Doris McNutt
7/22 Alex Marcoe
7/22 Jim & Patsy Graham
7/23 Burnie Burnside
7/23 Olivia Monteblanco
7/24 Mark Banda
7/25 Sophia Boice
7/26 Al Mixon
7/27 Julian Corpus
7/28 Ronda Menefee
7/30 Audrey Derbyshire
7/30 Ted Taylor
7/31 Harvey & Kathy Baskett
|
|
|
|
|
|
