 |
Dear Pastors and Friends,
It was such a blessing to attend the memorial service for our dear friend and retired pastor, Rev. Harold Brown, in Denver City recently.
Brother Brown went to be with the Lord on September 20th following a lengthy battle with cancer. Harold and his wife, Vera, have been one of the most beautiful examples of holiness that I have known. In recent years, they have served in the Denver City Church with Pastor David and Robin Hollon, but before that they served very faithfully in several Nazarene pastorates, and as Nazarene missionaries in Africa, the Philippines, and Ireland, where he was District Superintendent. Pastor Hollon led a beautiful funeral service and preached a powerful sermon!. Also, David has written a very appropriate tribute to Harold, which will be presented to their congregation at their upcoming 75th anniversary celebration. You can read the tribute farther down in this newsletter.
|
|
 |
On Sunday, September 25th, Susan and I had the privilege of visiting the new Cedar Road church plant in Big Spring. Pastor Cal Callender and his congregation are sponsoring this new satellite congregation, led by their associate pastor, Josh Cisneros, and his wife, Melissa. Josh leads the service, which includes a dynamic worship team, and then they watch a simulcast of Cal's sermon from Big Spring First Church on the big screen. I think they are off to a great start. We are excited about their future. I asked Pastor Josh to submit a brief article telling about all that is going on there. You'll enjoy reading it below.
This past Sunday, we were with Pastor John and Peggy Lewis at Ft. Worth Trinity Church in North Richland Hills. I am grateful for John's and Peggy's faithfulness. Particularly, I have always been appreciative of John's special marketplace ministry at Walmart. One of his congregational leaders was wearing a Walmart employee's shirt and mentioned that he was on his way to work at Walmart immediately after the service. One day he had noticed Pastor John walking through the store...seemingly talking to himself. He asked him, "Sir, may I help you? Who are you talking to?" John replied, "I'm praying for you and all of the other employees of this store." This began a great friendship that later led to the man's conversion. Now, he is a leader in the church!
Fi
nally, I want to thank Pastor Zack Smithson for serving as our Mid-Cities Area zone coordinator in recent years.
He has done a great job for us.
Zack is stepping down in light of his newly enlarged paternal responsibilities.
I am pleased to announce that Pastor Clint Benn of Arlington First Church has agreed to take on this responsibility.
For you and with you,
Pastor David Downs
|
|
|
Tribute to Rev. R. Harold Brown
Rev. R Harold Brown finished his race here on Earth on September 20, 2016. He was 88 years of age. He left behind an amazing legacy. He was pastor of the Denver City Church of the Nazarene from 1956 to 1962. In 1960, Rev. Brown helped build (along with many in the congregation) this very building where we worship today. He returned to Denver City in 1994 and served as interim and associate pastor until his health would no longer allow him to do so.
People who knew of Harold's life would characterize him as a very compassionate and kind man. He shared both his love for people, and demonstrated daily what a man of faith does; namely living a Christian life. He did what was right, even from childhood, and he was obedient to God's calling on his life. He served in full-time ministry for 43 years. His joy in the Lord was always evident to whomever he met, and that wonderful smile of his could brighten anyone's day.
For me personally, Harold was my mentor, my fellow laborer in the ministry and, best of all, my friend. He had a true pastor's heart. He admitted he wasn't a great preacher at times, but few could compare to how he was able to minister to needs, spiritual and physical. The example he set before me left its mark in my heart and mind.
Harold Brown was looking forward to this 75th Anniversary Celebration. We had hoped his health would have allowed that to happen, but he died a few weeks short of that. Instead, we will be celebrating the legacy of Rev. R. Harold Brown, and including many other former pastors and church members this weekend! I know Harold would be the first to remind us that all that he was able to accomplish was only because God chose to use this humble, gentle, and loving man from Wickes, Arkansas! I'm glad God brought him to Denver City Church of the Nazarene, and especially into our lives!
Rev. David W. Hollon - Current Pastor
|
|
District Licensing Information
A. Qualifications for receiving a First-time District License
1. Have a local license for one year
2. Have registered with the District Ministerial Studies Board:
www.wtnazed.org
3. Have completed a minimum of 6 courses in the Course of Study which must include the following two:
a. History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene (the Manual course) and
b. Becoming a Holy People (the Holiness course)
4. Meet with the Ministerial Credentials and Ministerial Studies Boards:
January 10, 2017 at Amarillo First Church of the Nazarene or
January 17, 2017 at Fort Worth Northside Church of the Nazarene
5. If applying for a first-time district license and there has been a divorce in the past, the candidate must meet the Boards on January 17th at Fort Worth Northside.
6. Request an Application Packet immediately from:
Earl Robertson
540-312-4500
B. Qualifications for renewal of a District License
1. Completed 2 courses from the Course of Study
2. Meet with the Ministerial Credentials and Ministerial Studies Boards:
January 10, 2016 at Amarillo First Church of the Nazarene or
January 17, 2016 at Fort Worth Northside Church of the Nazarene
3. If applying for Ordination/Recognition the candidate must meet with the District Boards on January 17th at Forth Worth Northside
4. Request an Application Packet immediately from:
Earl Robertson
540-312-4500
|
Calling ALL West Texas Children's Ministry Leaders and their teams! Make plans now to attend our first ever WTX Kids' Ministry Training Day - Saturday, October 15th
Who:
Anyone who works with kids at your church
Where: Fort Worth First Church - live
Lubbock First Church - simulcast site
Hereford Church - simulcast site
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at Fort Worth First / Simulcast sites begin at 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $15 per person (contact Jennifer Sommers if this is an issue)
Lunch provided.
What to expect: A great time to be encouraged and inspired! Church leaders, you will be given time to meet with your team individually to discuss specific topics for your church.
RSVP: You can still RSVP! Please send the following information: Church Name - Leader & Contact info - number of team members coming
*Childcare can be provided but you need to let your site leader know how many and ages when you RSVP.
We are excited to offer this to you and your team this year. Please make every effort to come and bring your team! It promises to be a GREAT day together as the West Texas District Family!
Because Jesus Loves Kids!
Jennifer Sommers
WTD Kids Director
|
|
Deputation Thanks
In 2015, Nazarenes gave US $2.68 million in deputation offerings for missionaries, up 23.9 percent from 2014. Thank you for caring for our missionaries in your deputation offerings!
We are exploring new possibilities for 2018 Deputation Tours. In the future, if your church would like to host missionaries as part of a zone service or group of churches, please let your NMI Zone Director know! We plan tours 1 - 2 years ahead, so we need your feedback now for future tours.
NMI has four objectives in which every local church can participate:
Praying -
Interceding for leaders and churches and for the Holy Spirit to draw all people to Christ.
Discipling -
Involving and mentoring future missions leaders, especially youth and children, to make Christlike disciples for God's mission in the nations.
Giving -
Devoting ourselves and our resources, especially the World Evangelism Fund, to extend Christ's kingdom.
Educating -
Informing people of the World's needs and enabling our church to meet those needs in Christ.
Please offer mission activities based on these objectives to ensure your church's involvement in God's global mission. By making mission a priority, a congregation demonstrates God's passion for all people.
Churches involved in mission attract people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves!
Looking Ahead:
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church will be November 6. The Open Doors Web site offers a free resources to help you be informed, inspired and united in prayer for our brothers and sisters living under the heavy burden of persecution. You can find them
HERE
.
Cheryl Crouch
WTD NMI President
|
|
The Hispanic Ministry of West Texas is very glad and blessed for what God is doing in many of our churches, primarily through the Free to Love project, which has been a blessing and has given us much fruit within our churches.
Currently, our churches Euless Hispanic, Denton Willowwood Hispanic, Emanuel and Jesucristo Vive are imparting this seminar, in which God has allowed us to minister to more than 25 married couples that have been transformed, and in some cases, these have been new couples that have joined our congregations.
This seminar is for married couples and it consists of 10 sessions. If you would like more information to implement it in your church, please contact me. We will support you and provide you with all the necessary tools and advice to implement this seminar for the married couples in your congregation.
During the month of September, some of our churches celebrated the Hispanic Heritage month with special activities and representation from different countries, like traditional outfits and ethnic dishes.
Also during September, a Spanish ministerial course was successfully carried out and given by Toni Porter at the Emanuel Church, assisting those who are working on obtaining their district license and who will be out future pastors.
|
|
Hispanic Pastors, stayed tuned for...
- Fort Worth area pastors' meeting in November. The date, time and location will be sent out soon.
- Hispanic Family Camp. We have met with Camp Arrowhead Managers, Josh and Terra Edwards, and we reserved the dates for our Hispanic Family Camp 2017, which will be in July. Stay tuned for more information.
Pastor Moises Marquez
WTD Hispanic Ministry Coordinator
|
|
Crossroads Tabernacle is pleased to announce a first-ever opportunity connected to the Awakening Prayer Conference in 2016: a Spiritual Formation course through our Peniel School of Ministry.
Spiritual Formation Class
Spiritual Formation focuses on the personal journeys of those who minister. Most classes of this kind focus on scripture, spiritual disciplines, and Christian community as sources of vitality in our relationship with God. But our course is further designed to teach participants to practice and lead corporate prayer and small group discipleship. Taught by Rev. Matt Carte, this features frequent interaction with Pastor Corey Jones and other prayer conference speakers.
When and where are the sessions?
The class includes sessions at the prayer conference (October 20-22, also accessible via LiveStream) and then meets each Saturday 8:30-12:30 Central through December 3 (except November 27) live at Crossroads Tabernacle OR by Internet-enabled video connection.
So virtually anyone, anywhere can take the class.
Who should take this class?
· Those seeking ordination. This class meets the educational
requirements for Spiritual Formation for elders and deacons. Additionally, three hours collegiate credit is awarded to those who transfer Peniel credit to Nazarene Bible College.
· Ministry leaders, clergy and laypersons, who want specific training
in leading corporate prayer and small group discipleship beyond what we can offer in three days at the Awakening.
· Those who seek a structured environment for more challenging
personal spiritual growth.
· Ordained clergy who seek continuing education credit.
· Those who do not require ordination credit may audit the class (and
skip the assignments!) for half price.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
According to Cheryl Graves, director of the NBC Alliance programs, the recently announced refocusing of NBC as an online-only institution will not affect Peniel students or the transfer-ability of Peniel credits to NBC.
Peniel School of Ministry is a collaboration of the West Texas, South Texas, Dallas, and TOLD Districts
|
|
in our local churches...
God has called NazFamily Big Spring to a Movement! To plant a church to reach the 20,000 people in our community who do not know the Gospel message of freedom. God has provided a space in the cafeteria of our day care/academy as well as provision to hit the ground running. Our first service was September 18th with 73 in attendance; after which we continued to celebrate with a pot luck lunch. Wednesday night services and small groups have already begun. We are always looking for ways that we can connect with families in the community and the school. Our first outreach event will be a fall carnival and coat giveaway on October 28th. We will also be participating in the National Night Out event at a local apartment complex October 7th.
We are excited to be following the multi-site model, where we stream services from our Lancaster campus. This model keeps us connected and allows us to extend our reach and support further in the city. Please join us in prayer for our new Cedar Road campus. Our goal is to reach the lost and disciple people in new ways where anyone can come as they are and experience the love of Christ.
Pastor Josh Cisneros
|
|
For all you do in Jesus' name... May you be blessed today, in every way.
Thank you, Pastor!
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Texas District
2016 - 2017 Calendar of Events
October - Mission Priority One
October 10
- Pastor's Forum at SNU
October 12-13
- Youth Ministry Summit
October 15
- Kids Ministry Training Day
October 15
- Camp Arrowhead Board of Directors Meeting
October 20-22
- Awakening Prayer Conference
October 28-29
- Discovery Weekend
November
- Thanksgiving Offering to World Evangelism Fund
November 9-11
- SNU Board of Trustees
November 17
- JOY and Laughter Retreat at Lubbock First
December 10
- SNU Winter Commencement
December 27, 2016 - January 3, 2017
- Commission Unto Mexico
-----------------------
January 10 -
Ministerial Credentials/Educational Committee
Amarillo First
January 20-22 -
Shepherd's Sabbath Retreat
January 17
- Ministerial Credentials/Educational Committee
Fort Worth Northside
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 13
- Annual Pastor's Reports due
March 18
- District Assembly Finance Committee meeting
April 5-7
- Vision Conference & District Assembly, Lubbock First
June 4-9
- Family Camp, Camp Arrowhead
June 12-16
- CRAVE Teen Camp, Camp Arrowhead
June 21-30
- General Assembly, Indianapolis, IN
July 17-21
- Kids Camp, Camp Arrowhead
|
|
PASTORAL FAMILIES BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
10/1 Jeremy Lee
10/2 Luke Smithson
10/2 Michele Gibson
10/3 Corrie Smithson
10/4 Ceresa Callender
10/6 Isaiah Smithson
10/6 Regina Diaz
10/6 Sophia Mora
10/10 Grayson Keating
10/11 Joy Anderson
10/12 Gerardo Reyes
10/12 Wes & Peggy Harper
10/13 Lori Dunlap
10/15 Kara Hays
10/15 Steve & Michelle Holmgren
10/17 James Miller
10/17 Clint & Lauren Grimes
10/19 Matthias Derbyshire
10/20 Linda Kenedy
10/20 Malakai Downs
10/21 Cecelia Boice
10/22 Zack & Corrie Smithson
10/23 Erika Mora
10/24 Robin Hollon
10/25 Rayna Diaz
10/26 Dana Carte
10/26 Wes Harper
10/29 Heather Plaxco
10/30 Kyler Kleeb
10/31 Allen Hughes, Jr.
10/31 Sam McPherson
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
NMI
M
ISSION
S
TATEMENT
To mobilize the church in mission through
praying, discipling, giving, and educating
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NYI
Our Mission:
BE. Evagelism
DO. Discipleship
GO. Leadership Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
