Dear NEO Nazarene,

About 20 of us were at SNU on Monday and Tuesday for the Gallup Strengths Summit. It was good information - probably more than we could absorb in 24 hours. You will continue to hear more about this in months ahead. All of us in attendance want to be more self-aware of our own God-given talents so we can begin to use and develop them into strengths and then be catalysts for others to discover and use their own strengths. As Joe Cavananaugh, our Gallup instructor said, "Don't try to put in what God left out. Instead, try to draw out what God put in."

Last Sunday, Gloria and I had the privilege to attend Sand Springs. What a treat to see the beautiful remodeled facilities and to worship with Pastor Claude and Betty Guy and this wonderful church family. To see pictures, click on the link below:
Sand Springs, September 21
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEdg

Our Work and Witness Coordinator, Jerry Wilburg writes: In response to damage done by Hurricane Ike in the USA, Nazarene Disaster Response is now making an appeal for chainsaw teams and cleanup teams who can respond to Texas as soon as possible. Interested parties should contact National NDR Director Steve Creech at 252-876-8720 or screech@ncmi.org.
If there are any persons wanting to organize a group to go down to Houston or just want to participate in a group I will try to connect the interested parties. I am not able to make a trip myself at this time but if I know of a group going down, I will be able to connect individuals to those opportunities.

Also, Crisis Care Kits are low in supply due to the unusually active Hurricane season.

God continue to work through our NewStarts. Brad Farnsworth writes about answers to prayer at Connection Church:
1. Single mom came Sunday and approached me after the service, with tears in her eyes, saying that the message was just what she needed and had been asking God about.
2. A recovering addict said that all week he asks God questions and then he shows up on Sunday and God answers them. He said he plans to just keep coming each week so he can get his questions answered.
3. Young mom, out of church for 5 years, has started coming. Sunday her husband (who said he would not go back to church) showed up and then came to our event at the park.
4. Young man, who said he would never go to church, showed up 2 weeks ago and loved it.
5. Mom, who never goes to church and is struggling in her marriage, came up front a few weeks ago with tears in her eyes saying she is finding hope for the first time in a long time.
6. My 10 year old son's best friend has been dragging his dad to church every Sunday because he loves it.
7. A young teen, who thinks Jesus isn't really the Son of God, has been coming to learn more and has been bringing his dad along with him.
8. An elderly lady, who felt her life was meaningless and asked God to take her home, has found new life and is coming each week.
9. A gentlemen, who was raised Hindu, has come and has been open to learning more about Jesus Christ.
10. Visitors every weekend. Seven brand new families attended just last week.

Thanks again for your continued prayers.

Doug Gunsalus writes: South County Community Church is on it's way. We are only a week and a half away from our Launch Date. WOW! I can't believe that we are already here! However, the excitement is overwhelming and the movement of God is almost tangible among our congregation. We are excited about what God is going to do with this small group of people. This past Sunday at our sneak preview service we had 76 people and nearly 20 brand new guests! It was a great sunday!

God is good....all the time.

You are loved!
Dave