Dear NEO Nazarene family,

I was at Nazarene Publishing House this week for our Annual Board of Directors meeting. NPH is committed to becoming the leading provider of innovative biblical solutions for the changing church. I was impressed to hear of the innovations being made in Word Action Curriculum and Lillenas Music to deliver products in a way that appeals to a contemporary audience. I brought home a few new products that you may want to check out from the Resource Room: Christianity 101 and Articles of Faith are two new small group series; the kingdom experiment is a new product of The House studio, “publishing the conversation”.

Speaking of Lillenas Publishing Company, did you realize Lillenas is a winner again this year at the 2009 Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Annual Dove Awards. This is the 40th year the GMA has held its annual Dove Awards competition.Lillenas received a Dove Award for its Youth/Children's Musical, "An Island Christmas." The musical was created by Wayne Haun, Shelby Haun, and Joel Lindsey.Lillenas also was named a co-recipient of a Dove Award for best Southern Gospel Recorded Song. "Reason Enough" appears on the Dream On album, which was produced by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. The words and music were written by Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsay, and Wayne Haun. It was co-produced with the Gaither Musical Group. Wayne Haun, Lillenas' exclusive songwriter, won 12 Dove Awards this year. Tim Curtis, director of Lillenas Publishing Company, said, "We are thrilled to be a winner at the Dove Awards again this year. Lillenas is blessed to have talented people creating tremendous music, and it is an honor for our company and these people to be recognized."

Sunday is Southern Nazarene Sunday. I was on the campus last Monday and give thanks for the dedicated faculty, staff and administration who are shaping minds and hearts at SNU.

Jeremiah Matthew Lawrence was born on 4-19-09 at 4:40AM. He is 19" tall and was 7lb 5oz at birth. Mother and baby are doing fine. Parents are Gaylen and Corrie Lawrence. They live in Houston, TX. area. This makes grandchild # 3 for David and Carol Stevens. Grandmother Stevens is in Houston to help out for several days. God is good all the time!

Looking forward to a great training day tomorrow at Broken Arrow with over 110 preregistered.

Sunday is the last day of our statistical year. I appreciate the effort of our pastors, church treasurers and departmental leaders to get the report completed by May 4.

Grace and peace,
Dave McKellips