Dear NEO Nazarenes,

My cup is full and running over as I write to you this Friday afternoon. I have been privileged this past week to witness God’s activity in our midst:

1. Last Saturday evening I attended one of the youth revival services at Bristow. The music and testimony were powerful; it was great to see some churches coming together in mission; but what really touched me and challenged me was the “heart of a great pastor” I saw on display. Pastor Angie Bentley spoke earnestly and tenderly to the young people on her “responsibility list”, most who come from unchurched homes. She told them how she prays for them by name every day and she pictured a special future for them with Christ. I left challenged to be a better pastor, and extremely thankful for the privilege of being a partner in ministry with Angie and so many other great pastors we have in NEO.

2. On Sunday morning I went to a “preview service” at Connection Church. You would have been proud of this new church! They were SO ready for company. Their guest services team, children’s ministry team and worship teams all did a fantastic job. Pastor Brad Farnsworth spoke with clarity and conviction. Lots of visitors were present, and best of all, God’s presence was sensed.

As I sat in this service, I was not only proud of Brad and Laura and the wonderful launch team, but I was proud to be a part of a district family that is committed to mission and NewStart Churches! Thanks, NEO! Thanks Pastor Rickey and Family Church!Use the link below for pictures from Connection Church on August 10.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTDjg&notag=1

We have been praying with Brad for financial provision as they launch this church with radio spots and mailings. On Monday, Brad texted me and told me of a large gift that came in the mail. Isn’t God good!

3. On Monday I spoke with Pastor Doug Gunsalus about their first sneak preview service at SoCo Community Church. Let me have Doug tell you about it:

We had a wonderful service! The Spirit was really there and we have had a lot of positive feedback. We were able to share vision and connect with people, not to mention worship for the very first time as South County Community Church! A sneak preview also serves to help us practice what we are going to do, and although we had a great service, we also saw some things that could use improvements and some things changed all together. However, because of the Spirit that was there, these things seemed minimal at best. Things like when and how we take the offering were overshadowed by an authentic worship experience that had people talking about the possibilities of SoCo after the service and the mission that we were on. What an awesome day! As I said, we had two families that showed up in response to our mailer. It was very nice to meet those who came just to check us out as well as guests of our launch team who were potential members. All in all, we had 73 people in attendance (54 adults, 19 kids) and we also had a wonderful offering! We are also ready to work on our follow up. I have am calling each visitor personally, there is a letter going out, and there is also an invitation going out to each household for our upcoming bar-b-q on sunday evening. Our children's department is also making contacts and thanking kids for coming and inviting them to the cookout as well.

Central Church and Sapulpa Church each sent over 70 workers to separate work days at SoCo this summer. They have been great sponsors for this ReStart and Pastor Whitsett, Pastor Cowan and their congregations are to be commended. Again, it is great to be a part of a District with churches that are committed to mission outside their walls. Use the link below to see pictures showing some of the remodeled SoCo facility: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTDrA&emid=sharview&linkid=link2

4. On Tuesday one of our new seminary grads, Cole Weston, came by to visit. Cole has been busy in the Air Force reserves this summer, but is home in Broken Arrow for a few days and is looking for a ministry assignment. Isn’t it great to young people responding to God’s call!

5. On Wednesday, I had a wonderful call from Pastor Buddy Davis, leader of Celebrate Recovery at Family Church. Faith Church has graciously allowed Family Church to use their facilities three days a week for Celebrate Recovery. Family Church helps with expenses, but also has worked to care for the facilities. I had spoken with Buddy earlier in the week about work days they are planning at Faith Church in the coming weeks. We were not sure how they were going to pay for all of the projects on their list.

That brings us back to the Wednesday call. Buddy tearfully told me that he had spoken with Pastor Claude Guy and the Sand Springs Church Board had voted to give $20,000 to help with ministry needs. Pastor Guy said they "want to share in the blessings" of this exciting ministry. Not only that, but Faith has some money to commit to the repair and updating needs. Isn’t God good!

And isn’t it a joy to be a part of such a generous district family where churches look for an opportunity to bless and help other churches and ministries!Work days are scheduled at Faith Church; August 23 and Sept. 6, 9am – 4pm. Contact Buddy Davis, buddy@familychurch.tv if you need more information or to volunteer.

6. On Wednesday evening I attended a revival service at Bartlesville First Church. Dr. Stephen Manley spoke and God used him to "tune my heart". Thanks Pastor Randy Schuneman and the Bartlesville church for making times of renewal and revival a priority.

Can you believe that they pay me to get to work with this District family and share in the blessings of God! God is good.

It certainly would make you wonder why I would consider leaving all this to run for President of the United States. But I probably need to be in the open with you about this grassroots campaign that is taking off. http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=73ERT1Un6idv912qp247

Centennial Sunday School curriculum underscores core values
Since the earliest days of the Church of the Nazarene, children, youth, and adults have learned the scriptures and biblical truth in Sunday School and small groups. During the Centennial Celebration, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) and Nazarene Youth International (NYI) continue that great heritage by providing four Bible-based, age-appropriate, and doctrinally sound sessions for all ages, highlighting the core values of the Church of the Nazarene:
We are Christian – September 14, 2008
We are Holiness – September 21, 2008
We are Missional – September 28, 2008
The Radical Optimism of Grace – Centennial Sunday, October 5, 2008
Curriculum for children is available in early childhood and elementary levels. Each of these lessons is accompanied by a downloadable PowerPoint presentation and activity sheet. “During this special Centennial Celebration, the children’s Sunday School lessons premier the Church of the Nazarene core values for children,” says Children’s Ministries Director Lynda Boardman. “We want the children at an age-appropriate level to understand who we are and what we believe.”In producing Centennial lessons for youth, NYI Director Gary Hartke says, “Young people have been a vital part of the Church of the Nazarene since our earliest days. The good news is that they still are and will be for years to come.” The youth Centennial lessons help young people understand our past, yet connect with our present and future. Lesson themes for children, youth, and adults follow the same schedule so that family members of all ages are studying the same truths each week. According to Adult Ministries Director Larry Morris, “Lessons for adults were written by Nazarene educator and author, Dr. Frank Moore, and include everything necessary to make the history, message, and mission of the Church of the Nazarene come alive for adults as they prepare for the Centennial Celebration.”These lessons are scheduled for local churches beginning September 14, now less than one month away. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, and small group leaders are urged to access them now. Sessions for all ages are free, complete with resource materials. They may be located in English on the CD in the pastor’s Centennial Celebration resource kit. Lessons in English, French, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish for children, youth, and adults may be downloaded from http://www.centennialresources.org/ and http://www.clt.nazarene.org/. “Our Centennial Celebration provides the most significant opportunity we will ever have to reinforce our commitment to our core values,” says Jesse C. Middendorf, chair of the Board of General Superintendents. “This is vital to our future! Let's celebrate our identity as it is expressed in these values. They are a global expression of our most basic reasons for our existence as a church.”

It is a joy to be a partner with you in grace and in ministry!
Dave McKellips