Dear NEO family,

These have been exciting and busy days. I have heard and read many wonderful reports of your Easter celebrations. Aren’t we grateful for the cross and the price paid for our redemption! And aren’t we thankful for the victory over death that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Our HUGE TRAINING DAY on the District is less than a week away - April 25 at Broken Arrow Church. Wouldn't it be great to have 100 children's workers, 30 youth workers and 100 adult workers and 20 church treasurers from across NEO experiencing the fresh ideas, encouragment and inspiration that this day is planned to provide? Wouldn't it be awesome if you were there? The advance registration fee is only $6 and includes lunch. Register with Pastortodom@Collinsville-Nazarene.com

Our Work and Witness group in Ukraine sends this report: Just a quick update to let you know how things are going here. First of all, everyone is safe and the work is progressing well. The building won't be finished while we're here, but we're working on the construction of a 4-story area that will be the extension to the church. The facility will be used to house the women from the Celishe women's rehab center and provide an additional room (basement) for a prayer room. We participated with them tonight in a Good Friday church service (this is an Orthodox church area, so Easter is celebrated a week after ours). Sunday is Easter Sunday and we'll participate with them for their Easter service. The ladies from the Celishe center are preparing our meals and the guys from the rehab center here in Vinnitsa are helping us with the construction. We've heard testimonies from several individuals, each one is very powerful, some of those we will bring back on video. In short, the trip is very successful at helping us learn what is going on in the Ukraine church.

Let me give a word of encouragement to all of you who present Missionary lessons to your church. You never know how God is going to use your lesson. I heard Dr. Ben Carson, renowned Pediatric Neurosurgeon, speak last week at the Peer Learning Network of Southern Nazarene University. Dr. Carson was asked why he wanted to be a doctor growing up? He answered that as a kid, he listened to missionary stories. Missionary doctors seemed to be the most noble people on earth -offering life and hope back to people – and a dream was born in his heart while living in a poverty and crime filled inner city.

Troy Farmer writes: Would you remind churches that I will be picking up Crisis Care Kits at the District Assembly. I will deliver them to the warehouse in PA in July.

6th ARMM (Association of Retired Ministers and Missionaries) Retreat, October 20 – 23, 2009 in Branson. I encourage local churches will be support these wonderful and deserving servants of Christ and the church. Go to http://www.armmnaz.com/ for details on the retreat.

CCN PRESENTS “TOWN HALL FOR HOPE” WITH DAVE RAMSEY!

This is a FREE LIVE EVENT!

April 23, 2009 at 7:00pm at
Claremore and Central Churches of the Nazarene.

What is Town Hall for Hope?
It is your opportunity to sit down with people in your community for a nationwide town hall meeting led by Dave Ramsey. Thousands of venues across the country will host the event, broadcasting Dave's live presentation. In the opening half hour, Dave will offer straight talk about the economy, recession, foreclosures and more. He'll carefully explain where we've come from, where we are now, and what we should be doing with our money during this time. Then, Dave will spend an hour answering your questions live! Go to http://www.townhallforhope.com/ for more information.

Did you see Sam Bradford on the 700 Club this week? If not, check it out at this link: http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=/archive/club/700club041509

I made it through March Madness and was so proud to have my bracket only be beaten by 201, 288 other people (tough on a guy who is competitive!). Several others do have significant events to celebrate:

• Pastor Jim Thornton and Pastor Rodney Amos will be graduating with a Masters in Ministry from Southern Nazarene University on May 9.
• Heather Bryant will receive her Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary on May 10.
• Duane Cox had knee replacement surgery this week. It went well and he is already home.
• Caden Adams Lauhon was born last week weighing 8 pounds, 1 oz and was 20 inches long. Caden, Cassie (Mom), Chris (Dad) and grandparents, Bud and Linda are doing fine.
• Don Cowan had a positive pastoral review at Sapulpa.

Our District Secretary, Jim Thornton, will be going to be with his Dad in New Mexico as he has a very serious surgery. I know Jim would appreciate your prayers.

It is great to be a part of the NEO team with you! Have a blessed weekend!

Dave McKellips