A MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, REV. PHIL RHOADES

​What a tremendous Assembly and Conventions!

​Lead Day was absolutely marvelous under the leadership of Dustin Ledford. It was both challenging and encouraging as Pastor Todd reminded us to “Be Nice” and Pastor Kevin reminded us to ‘keep on dreaming’. What a great day for 350 wonderful folks.

May the ‘lights’ and stories from Sunday night encourage us to push the darkness out of our own personal lives, our families, our churches and our entire district. May we rise up to see more people discipled into a growing and dynamic relationship with Christ than ever before.

Monday, we celebrated with 9 Ordinands, 10 District Licensees, and 4 Retirees, plus hearing Pastor Kori remind us to take care of the children and Dr. Sawyer challenged us to stay filled with the Spirit. Then hearing our Pastors’ hearts through their reports was inspiring.

Missions led by Alison Johnson compelled us to continue to Advance the Gospel not just locally but globally as Hal Brower shared with us…

Who would have believed?

$102,275

As we listened to Hal’s presentation there was a fresh blowing of Pentecost winds. They entered through the doors of the building and settled on and in us. When the dust had settled from the winds, you had pledged or given $102,275 towards finishing a Church sanctuary in Pakistan for our Afghanistan refugees. It truly helps more refugees find a “safe sanctuary” and then helps them to get re-established in the new land, knowing all they had was a suitcase. With the remainder of the monies, we will help reach the 40,000 people living within a 1-mile radius of the Potter’s House as we open the International House. The pledges and gifts are coming in and we give thanks to God for what He is doing!

May God help us to Advance the Mission of God for His glory.

Casa Jaziel

Mavelin Vargas, Ivan Moreira, Scarlet Estrada

Galena Park Hill

Melissa Daugherty and KaTonya Reeves

Goodman Banner

Jerod Lewis, Mandy Lewis, Carter Lewis, Drew Lewis

New Horizon

Jack Bradshaw

Casa Jaziel

Mavelin Vargas, Scarlet Estada, Jesus Perez

Elk City

Brayden Stout, Kaegan Johnson, Kinsley Johnson, Kyle Johnson

Faith Journey

Danielle Johns, Maranda Johns, Ashley Pouge, Patty Galmiche , Annie schmidgall, Sierra Gilchrest, Leslie Gilchrest, Katrina Gross, Hailey Karlstromer 

Goodman Banner

Teresa Brown, Leslie Slosar, Jesse Bergen

Living Faith

John Cochran, Fred Bunny

Marionville

Michelle Garrett and Kelly Shelburn

PittNaz

3

Powell Twin Springs

Jaya Thorne, Natalie Richards, Stephen Chunn, Javier Swift, and Shiane McGarrah

Webb City Nazarene

Sue Jackson, Charlie Jackson

HIGHLIGHTS

I am always thrilled when I have the privilege to attend a Recovery Service of any type or at any place.  I am gently reminded that these folks have come through some very difficult times.  They have been to the bottom of the barrel and they have found Jesus patiently waiting for them at their lowest moment.

Their worship is so genuine because they come in with no marks or pretenses.  They love and accept everyone, no matter what clothes you have on or what car you drove up in.  They just open their arms to all.

Thank you to those churches who have created safe spaces for these powerful ministries to flourish – I know it is not easy, I know some will go backward before they go forward.  But so many have a new chance at a new life and have taken full advantage of it!

Maybe your church is not doing a recovery ministry but they could be doing a meal program of some type.  Whether it’s a Convoy of Hope or other programs these kinds of ministries give us a chance to touch lives for Christ.

Leaders, why don’t you consider maybe stretching your hands out to those in need and while you do that you can stretch your faith too!

Let’s be reminded where the Church of the Nazarene was started… in the poorer part of Los Angeles, California where alcohol and drugs were frequent realities.  Let’s remind ourselves that we are called to minister to ‘the least of these’.  Let’s be His hands and feet as we Advance the Gospel to a hurting world!