Thoughts from DS Olivia

According to Pew Research, 46% of young adults, ages 18-24, identify as Christian in our nation, 27% of them say they pray daily, and 25% attend religious services at least monthly. These numbers are staggering and should give us pause! You may have heard of the declining number of this age group staying in church when they graduated High School, and you probably didn’t need a research company to tell you. Many of us felt it in the pews. This generation needs to know the Good News! I’m sure you are with me when I say, I want to do what we can to help young people stay in church or come to Christ and connect with a community of faith. This isn’t about self-preservation! While young people will help our churches to thrive, the desire is that their lives would be transformed by the grace of God. How can we do this when many of our churches are average size, have limited budgets, and difficulty getting volunteers? 

This month I want to introduce you to a new partner in ministry with us on the district. Rev. Stephanie Lobdell is a newly district assigned minister on Upstate NY. She lives in Ohio, but will be partnering with us as we seek to connect with young people in our communities and churches. You may remember that two years ago all pastors received a copy of the book Growing Young at District Assembly, which was written by three authors connected to the Fuller Youth Institute. This book was intended to start a conversation about how to connect to young adults. Pastor Stephanie is going to help us even further. 

She has been working with Nazarene Youth International on our USA/Canada Region, has been a pastor and college chaplain, and is going to help pilot a particular ministry to young adults called Generation Spark. This pilot comes from a Lilly Grant that was given to the Reformed Churches in America to implement a strategy to reach young people. The strategy is born out of Fuller Youth Institute and will be tested in a Wesleyan-Holiness theological context on our district. She is hoping to connect with two churches to start and we will expand beyond that as the relationship continues. You also will get to hear from her in a variety of resourcing ways throughout the coming year. We will be blessed to be connected with her as we all strive to love and reach this missing generation. You will be hearing more about her engagement with us soon!

In the meantime, get to know her by checking out some of her writing:

Signs of Life

Belong

Pastor Olivia

Nazarene Missions Team

Guatemala Trip and Project Fund

Upstate NY is sending a 21-person Nazarene Mission Team (NMT) trip to Guatemala from September 19-28, 2025! Let's cover them in prayer as they prepare and serve, knowing they're called by God and sent by our Upstate NY District!

They will be going to help build God’s kingdom in San Luis, Guatemala, in the northern Peten region of the country, by constructing a large covered shelter, as part of a bigger project to expand and upgrade the Nazarene church in that area. They will also engage in personal evangelism and VBS with local missionaries. But they can't do this project without YOU! They may be going, but we all can take part! The construction project costs $10,000. Here's a thought: if every church supported with $250, they'd be on their way! Boom! Just like that!

If you and/or your congregation would like to contribute toward the Guatemala NMT project, please send checks to District NMI Treasurer:

Rev. Rachelle Bell

107 Mclain Dr.

Spencerport, NY 14559 

Please make checks out to "District NMI Treasurer" and note "Guatemala NMT project" on the memo line.

You can also donate online using the QR code or link below. Please choose "Guatemala Nazarene Mission Teams Project" from the dropdown list.  

Brooktondale Camp

District Youth Ministry (NYI)

Pastors' Prayer Zoom

Nazarene Higher Education

Trevecca’s Nazarene Guarantee

Trevecca offers Nazarene students a full-tuition guarantee through a combination of institutional scholarships and state/federal aid.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS



• Be an active member of the Church of the Nazarene in the Southeast or Northeast educational field.
• Submit a Pastoral Confirmation Form confirming active church participation.
• Meet academic or financial need criteria.
• Complete your FAFSA submission.
• Be enrolled as a full-time, residential undergraduate student.

More Resources for Pastors & Churches

Vision Partners offers coaching, workshops, and processes to help you confidently lead in God’s plan.

AFLAC

AFLAC is a wonderful way to be supported by your church. The District is offering a one-time benefit when you sign up to help offset the cost. We are encouraging every church to find a way to pay for this emergency insurance policy for you. When a cancer diagnosis comes, or a medical emergency no one expected occurs, finances that are already tight can become tighter. This plan is a great way to add a layer of care for those who care so much for you! While this is not a district-sponsored policy, we are making it available to the district. Check out the information below about how this will work!

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction offers a sacred space to listen for God’s direction in your unfolding life. It’s not about fixing or performing—it’s about being companioned with prayerful insight, care, and deep respect for the mystery of your journey. If you’re longing for real conversation, rest, clarity, or simply a place to be fully human before God, this is a gentle invitation to try Spiritual Direction. Visit www.shaneash.com for scheduling, or for more information. 

Spiritual Direction Directory

The district will cover spiritual direction for any licensed or ordained pastors on the district with Shane Ash (or up to 3 sessions with a director from the directory below).

If you have any questions, email the district office at: office@upstatedistrict.org. 

Retreat Homes Around the District:

The Springwater Retreat House is a place to pray and listen to the still quiet voice of the Lord. Pastors face multiple challenges and carry the burdens of many people. Here is a place where they can obey Jesus’ words and go away with Him to a quiet place to rest. For free.

The Wilmington Retreat Home is a three bedroom home with a fully-applianced kitchen, dining and living room. This is an excellent place for a prayer or sermon planning retreat.

NEW Allocation Procedure

What are we doing? Making some changes. Change can be difficult. We are hoping these changes will ultimately make life easier for everyone. If you have questions let us know!

If you have any questions or concerns about the new process, email the office at office@upstatedistrict.org