Dear Pastor/Friends,
 
I want to congratulate our Stinnett congregation on the installation of their new pastor, Crystal Lewis, on May 7 th . Pastor Lewis and her husband, Joe, have attended the Stinnett church for many years. 
She is an accountant and he works in manufacturing for Bell Aviation in Amarillo. There is much excitement in the congregation regarding their new pastor.  Crystal came into the Church of the Nazarene under the ministry of, and has been mentored by, long-term Lay Pastor Ken Benton.  Pastor Benton, has served in Stinnett since 1983. We've jokingly said to him from time to time that he could not retire until he had trained his replacement...which he did beautifully! We honor and commend this godly and faithful lay pastor who served with distinction and loyalty for 34 years. I am grateful that the path of my ministry has intersected with his.
 
We are just a couple of weeks away from Family Camp. I am praying for a wonderful time together at Arrowhead Camp and Retreat Center. I know that we will all be blessed by the ministry of Susie Shellenberger. Please see the brochure below for details.
 
Several of our pastors' kids are graduating from high school and college this month. We celebrate with the proud families of the following seniors: 

Alex Marcoe - Amarillo High School
Celeste Forrest-Blissett - Southern Nazarene University
Erica Forrest  - ATEMS High School
Halee Powers - Era High School
Jonah McGuire - Snyder High School
Leah Benn  - James Martin High School

Susan and I had the privilege of worshiping with our newly organized Amarillo African Community Church of the Nazarene on Sunday afternoon, May 7 th . I want to commend Amarillo First Church for serving as their sponsor congregation for the past four years as they prepared for organization, or "independence," as they refer to it.   We commend Pastor Michael and their congregation for this major step. Pastors, I want to respectfully thank you and remind you of the special compassionate offerings we are receiving for famine and refugee relief in South Sudan. I am receiving wonderful reports from our churches. We are praying for 100% participation. Please view the article below as a reminder of the need and procedures for receiving and reporting this offering. Thank you again!

I am grateful for our Disaster Response team, under the leadership of Eastside Coordinator Marcia Nikl, for the tornado cleanup work they've accomplished in Canton, Texas, this past week. Our Disaster Response teams are always looking for additional volunteers to be trained and deployed. For more info contact Marcia at [email protected] or Pastor Calvary Calendar at (432) 267-7015. 

Finally, As we approach the end of the first quarter of our statistical year, I am so blessed and gratified to see how our congregations are making every effort possible to support the denominational and district ministries of the Church of the Nazarene. I've noticed that a good number of congregations have made great strides and improvement in allocation giving this year. THANK YOU! To see the full report as it stands,  CLICK HERE .
 
I want to say again how grateful I am for the privilege of serving the West Texas District. Every day is an exciting adventure for me. I have never enjoyed an assignment as much as this one...and I've enjoyed all of my ministry assignments. Please know that Susan and I truly love our pastors and people. I pray for wisdom constantly. I want to serve you to the very best of my ability...with the Lord's anointing.
 

For you and with you,
 
Pastor David Downs
General Assembly is Around the Corner

Every four years, more than 20,000 Nazarenes from around the world gather for General Assembly and Conventions. This global family reunion includes times of worship, service, fellowship, training, and making important decisions that will affect future generations of Nazarenes.  Click on the images below for more information:



In This Issue


Our district treasurer, Dan Davisson, has prepared the WTD 2017-2018 Funding the Mission report as of May 17, 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.



West Texas District
Family Camp
June 4-9, 2017

Our 63rd Family Camp is only a couple of weeks away! We are looking forward to spending a blessed time together, and hearing from Susie Shellenberger. Be sure to register today!

Click  HERE to register!

 

**Family Camp Nursery Workers Needed!

Each year, WTD Kids Ministry provides a nursery for our Family Camp families - ages birth to 2 years and 3-4 years (up to Pre-K). We need workers to come and minister that week. Nursery workers must be 16 years or older and have a current background check and MinistrySafe certificate on file with Jennifer Sommers. If you have any students or adults interested in coming to Family Camp and serving in the nursery, please email Jennifer Sommers at your earliest convenience - [email protected]. All nursery workers will receive their room and food for the week. Our goal is to have 18 workers for Family Camp!

CRAVE 2017

JUNE 12 - 16
COST FOR STUDENT:
$230 BY MAY 24TH

$260 LATE REGISTRATION BY JUNE 4TH
NO WALK UPS ALLOWED
SPONSORS COST: $75


Click  HERE to REGISTER TODAY!



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!

 



Because Jesus Loves Kids!

Jennifer Sommers
WTD Kids Director

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 participate and receive an offering prior to June 1st. 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


May Emphasis

Remember May = Missionary Care
You can help take care of our missionaries by presenting a Memorial Roll for $75, a Distinguished Service Award for $125, taking a Healthcare Offering, or giving a "Gifts from the Heart" card and donating to Missionary Care.
 
May = a great time to  Mail the Teen Mission Offering to District NMI Treasurer
 
Thanks for the excellent work you do as you lead your congregation to pray, disciple, educate and give. Let's continue to minister around the world and across the street!


Blessings,

Cheryl Crouch, WT NMI President

SDMI News

Our district Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries team oversees all district-wide Christian Education and Discipleship activities and training events for Adult, Youth and Children's Ministries.

Click on the images below for more information on all our upcoming events:












May 24 - CRAVE Camp Registration, $230 deadline ($260 late registration)
June - Mail World Mission Broadcast Offering to GTS
June 1 - ACTIVATE Camp, Regular Camper Registration due
June 4-9 - Family Camp at Arrowhead Camp & Retreat Center
June 12-16 - CRAVE Teen Camp, Arrowhead Camp & Retreat Center
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

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES OF OUR PASTORAL FAMILIES

5/20 Dan & Jennifer Sommers
5/20 Jacy Townsley
5/20 Jeff Crouch
5/20 Kathy Kessell
5/22 Cal & Ceresa Callender
5/23 Coleen Scott
5/24 Curt & Heather Plaxco
5/25 Daniel Dyer
5/26 Cailyn Pepper
5/26 Lauren Grimes
5/27 John & Karen Donnerberg
5/29 Piper Ramsey
5/30 John & Peggy Lewis
5/31 Hugh Hays