These are busy and exciting days on our district. This past week, our Credentials and Ministerial Studies Board interviewed 48 district license and ordination candidates! The interviews spanned over three days in Amarillo and Fort Worth.  I am so very grateful for their wisdom and servants' hearts! Especially, I admire and appreciate the amazing group of men and women who have accepted the Lord's call and are progressing toward licensure and ordination on our district. What a privilege it is to be associated with them!

 

Last weekend, I had the thrill of participating in the long-awaited  grand opening and dedication service for the new clinic (the Well Center) at the  Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Center in Cactus. What a great day! There was a large crowd, an anointed service, and a fun reception. On Monday morning, their very first patient arrived.  She gave us permission to put her picture in the

newsletter.  WHAT A WONDERFUL BLESSING! This is a

tremendous answer to prayer! I am so grateful for Dr. Stephanie Diehlman's staff, Dr. Shawn Fouts and his staff,  and many volunteers  and generous churches and 

donors for the countless hours, weeks  and months, and 

dollars that have gone into this project. 

I want to congratulate Pastor Todd Derbyshire and his wife, Anna, for  the outstanding four-year pastoral review I recently conducted with his church board. The  Derbyshires have been serving the Fort Worth Crosspoint congregation for six years and, among many other things, led them through a very successful relocation and building program. If you haven't yet seen their beautiful facility, located on I-820W, you should visit. It is beautiful!

Congratulations are also in order for Licensed Minister Gobran George, of our Arabic church in Euless. It was just announced that he was named "High School Teacher of the Month" for the very large Arlington School district. We are very proud of him. Incidentally, Gobran's Arabic language evangelism videos continue to go out regularly, now also translated into English. You can view the most recent by CLICKING HERE .  This one has already been viewed by 1800 people over the past five days. This past year there have been over 800,000 viewings! Maybe by the district assembly, that number will surpass one million viewers! Praise God! Gobran's production team members are Basem, Moody, and Kokie Mankarious. Thank you!

 

Finally, Susan and I had the privilege of visiting Vancouver, BC, recently, where I was the

speaker for the Canada Pacific District pastors and spouses retreat. It was a really great experience, primarily because, as I hope you know, we love pastors. God seemed to direct the services and the fellowship they shared. It certainly prepped my heart for our upcoming Shepherds' Sabbath. Vania reports that we have another outstanding preregistration. The music will be over the top again this year...and we know Dr. Carla Sunberg will encourage and inspire us. I can't wait to be with you!

 

For you and with you,

 

David Downs