Dear NEO family,

It is a joy to be a part of the family of God in NEO that is called by the name of Jesus the Nazarene. We certainly need each other in times of loss. The Riggins family, Muskogee Church and NEO District lost a true saint this past Sunday around 12:45 pm. Sue Riggins, wife of elder, Ben Riggins, and mother of missionary Scott Riggins, modeled great faith and hope in her battle with cancer. Sue was Church Board Secretary, NMI President and Sunday School teacher. She will be deeply missed. Sue Riggin's funeral will be Thursday, July 24 at 2:00 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 2700 E. Peak Blvd., Muskogee, OK 74403

As a family, we weep together and also rejoice together. Being a part of the NEO family gives me great reason for rejoicing. For example, just last Sunday:

• I had the privilege of worshiping with the Chelsea Church and Pastor Wayde Normandin. The worship center had a new look and the church was filled with expectancy and love. Good days are ahead for this congregation.


• I went from there to Vinita and visited with David and Carol Stevens. Carol is recovering from her broken hip and surgery. Rehab is painful, but Carol is strong and determined. David and Carol mentioned the joy of pastoring a church that is so unified and supportive.


• Sunday afternoon I attended a Biker's Rally at Grove. Pastor Phil Buck and this congregation are small, but their vision and commitment are large. This rally demonstrated again their willingness to try new things to reach out to their community. Pastor Phil fixed up some wonderful pulled pork and led in a meaningful time of blessing each biker and bike.


• After the biker rally, I wiped off the sweat and headed to Claremore where the Nazarene Church was packed for a concert with Carson Wagner and the Booth Brothers. We laughed, cried, and worshiped the God who has redeemed us and whose grace is sufficient for every need! I hear rumors that Pastor J.J. is thinking about going on the road after sharing the stage with the Booth Brothers.
  

Following are pictures from the services Sunday, as well as the installation service with Pastor Rodney Amos and Tulsa First.
Tulsa First Installation July 13: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTC2g&emid=sharview&linkid=link5

Chelsea: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTDBg&emid=sharview&linkid=link5

Grove Biker's Rally: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTDJA&emid=sharview&linkid=link5

Claremore Concert: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTDYA

Tonight I was blessed and challenged as some of our leaders gathered to hear Chip Ingram teach on "How to Grow a High Impact Church". Coweta and Pastor Gerald Burch gets the attendance prize with 5 people from their church in attendance.

God also blessed NEO with a wonderful Kidz Kamp last week. Camp Director Linda Holland writes: God’s Power! God’s Power! God’s Power! Our theme for Kidz Kamp 2008 was the cry of our week. We definitely experienced God’s Power! We witnessed 12 children give their hearts to Jesus for the very first time in Kidz Kamp I and over 50 asked Jesus into their hearts in Kidz Kamp II. By the end of the kamp almost every child had made a decision to get in the wheelbarrow and let God be in charge of his or her life.
Rev. Tim Willison preached and demonstrated what we can do with God’s Power. Rev. Monty Nichols lead us in worship. We had campers from 23 of our district churches………..106 at Kamp I and 167 at Kamp II. God protected, gave us beautiful weather and most of all blessed us with His presence. We will never forget our week of God’s Power.
Thanks to all of you who lifted us in prayer and who gave to allow the children from your church to come.

On Saturday, Tulsa Central and Pastor John Whitsett had a work day for one of our NewStart churches. Pastor Doug Gunsalus writes: Wow! What an amazing workday we had here at SoCo. We tore down walls, changed door jams, painted upstairs and down and did a ton of yard work. All in all, it was truly a great day.....I can't tell you how indebted we are to Central Church for their showing at the work day. Together we had over 40 adults and a ton of children. Nearly 70 were here to experience the work day. There was so much work that was done. Continual comments on the tenacity of the workers were made. There was no one that didn't give their all. It took me back to three-a-days when I played soccer at SNU. Everyone is getting into shape and gearing up for something big. I feel like this is exactly what is happening here. I can't wait for the season to start; I can't wait for our first preseason game. Well, I guess I will wait since our place is a mess, but as soon as we are cleaned up, we will be ready for company. Our next sponsor church work day will be on Aug. 2 and our first sneak preview service is on Aug. 10. Please be praying for us. If you would like to see the video that we shot for Central, it is on youtube at...http://youtube.com/watch?v=yBUaE4SUwtc

We also rejoice in the on-going involvement of the District through our Compassionate Ministry Center, Manna House. Director Howard Essary reports:
Quarterly report April - June 2008 from Manna House Ministries.

Faith and Deeds: James 2:15-17
15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, it if it not accompanied by action, is dead.
The above scripture was recently impressed upon me as I heard a report on a children's orphanage in Mexico.
Manna House is not an orphange but we are supplying food, clothing, prayer and counseling for the clients when they come in. This is made possible through your prayers, donations of clothing, etc. and your financial giving.
We give THANKS to individuals and the following churches that have assisted financially: NEO District Missions (Dist. Assembly), NEO District Home Missions, Broken Arrow First Nazarene Church, Tulsa Central Nazarene Church, Sand Springs Nazarene Church, Chandler Nazarene Church, Okmulgee Nazarene Church, Silver Creek Nazarene Church, Tulsa First Nazarene Church, Sapulpa Nazarene Church.
Recently as we had our prayer time before we opened for business and asked God to give us 3 people we could pray with. In approximately the first 10-15 minutes a young man, age 23, comes in of the street and requested prayer. He didn't want food or clothing. Pastor Doug Dawson and I prayed with him, he professed to being a christian but wanted deliverence from using and (selling drugs when he needed money). Two ladies came in together, we had prayer and counseling with them.
Thanks for excelling in "this grace of giving" (II Corinthians 8:7). May God bless you for your commitment to His work through Manna House.
For this quarter we have served 779 households and 2,883 individuals.
Our financial commitment to you...
We seek to follow the teaching and example of the apostle Paul, who wrote:
WE WANT TO AVOID ANY CRITICISM OF THE WAY WE ADMINISTER THIS LIBERAL GIFT. FOR WE ARE TAKING PAINS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, NOT ONLY IN THE EYES OF THE LORD BUT ALSO IN THE EYES OF MEN. (II CORINTHIANS 8:20-21)

SNU Hall of Witnesses: SNU Homecoming emphasis this year – November 7-9, 2008 – is on the School of Theology and Ministry, utilizing the theme “Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus.” As a part of the weekend’s events, The Hall of Witnesses will be dedicated on Saturday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m. This dedication ceremony will include all honorees whose sponsors have fully funded their nomination by September 1, 2008.
I’m sure you are aware of a number of persons connected to the Northeast Oklahoma District who are worthy candidates, and we would be delighted to include them in this group of honorees.
Again, because of the design element deadline, this inaugural group to be inducted must be submitted and funded by September 1st, so if you or someone you know is still interested in making a nomination, please feel free to give our office a call and we’ll assist you or them in any way we can.

It is a joy to be a part of the family with you! Have a blessed week!

Dave McKellips