Lord, let the thick skin that covers me not be a hindrance to you. Pass through it. My eyes, my hands, my mouth are yours. This sad lady in front of me: here is my mouth for you to smile at her ... This smug young man, so dull, so hard: here is my heart, that you may love him, more strongly than he has ever been loved before.
- Madeleine Delbr’l, Missionary and activist (1904-1964)


Dear NEO Family,

It is great to be back in Oklahoma for a few days! Gloria and I just returned from a 19 day trip that was a mix of business and vacation. Here is a brief synopsis:

• We started out in Rochester, NY at the home of my sister, Leah, and brother-in-law, David. It was our first ever visit to her home and the city. We toured the George Eastman home and Kodak museum, took a short cruise on the Erie Canal, visited Letchworth State Park and enjoyed conversation, laughter, food and dominoes.
  
• Next we went to District Superintendent’s Leadership Development Program in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This was the first time for Gloria or me to see the Niagara Falls. They are spectacular! The meetings were very helpful. Michael Henderson was the keynote presenter, leading us in several sessions focused on methods of making disciples. We also had workshops on pastoral reviews, innovations in District Assemblies and case studies dealing with legal and disciplinary matters. Dr. Jess Middendorf made a presentation on the new methods of “Funding the Mission”.
  
• We then flew to Boston for a week of vacation. Eastern Nazarene College was our base of operation. We were tourists to the max - walking the Freedom Trail, riding on the Duck Tour, seeing baseball at Fenway, touring Harvard Square, the Adams Historical Homes, and the JFK Library and Presidential Museum, driving to the North Shores, Plymouth and even Maine. While in Portland, Maine waiting to be seated at D’Millo’s floating restaurant, President George and Barbara Bush walked right by us on their way to their table, so Gloria and I shook President Bush's hand. What a full and fun week we had!
  
• We flew back to Dallas in time to dedicate our newest granddaughter, Ellianna Nicole Mitchell, at Richardson Church of the Nazarene. How thankful I am to have children who are passing on the faith to the next generation.

Thank you for providing me time away for vacation and for making it possible for Gloria and I to attend the DSLDP each year. We are blessed to be a part of the NEO team!

Holiness Summit
Southern Nazarene University
September 27-29, 2009

Schedule of Services and Speakers:

Sunday September 27, 6:00 PM – Dr. Stan Toler. Dr. Toler, prolific writer, pastor, leader, and newly elected General Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene.

Monday September 28, 9:00 AM – Dr. Cliff Sanders. Dr. Sanders is a professor at Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK.

Monday September 28, 10:30 AM – Dr. Louie Bustle. Dr. Bustle is director for World Mission for the Church of the Nazarene

Monday September 28, 7:00 PM - Dr. Robert (Bob) Broadbrooks. Dr. Broadbooks presently serves the Church of the Nazarene as the USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism Director

Tuesday September 29, 9:00 AM – Dr. Talmadge Johnson. Dr. Johnson, General Superintendent Emeritus currently serves as District Superintendent for the Southwest Oklahoma District of the Church of the Nazarene.

Tuesday September 29, 10:30 AM – Dr. Nelson Perdue. Dr. Perdue is a tenured evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene

Tuesday September 29, 7:00 PM – Dr. Tom Hermiz. Dr. Hermiz serves as the General Superintendent of the Churches of Christ in Christian Union based in Circleville, Ohio. .

Evening services will be conducted in Herrick Auditorium / Morning sessions will be held in Cantrell Hall

The stats and sharing from our pastors are a few weeks old, but let me go ahead and pass on words of celebration and a list of our statistical leaders in August.

I WANT TO CELEBRATE…

Don Nichols, Tahlequah… Four People were baptized at our Baptismal Service.

Phil Buck, Grove Lakewood Community… We have some new couples coming and they have been a couple Sundays in a row. We had a southern gospel concert today with The Tulsans and it was another great day. They are a wonderful quartet with beautiful harmony. Of course I cooked BBQ and we had a typical Nazarene pot luck dinner!! We had 42 in church today!

Claude Guy, Sand Springs… Continual Spirit-filled services. 3 baptized and 7 brought into membership. To God be ALL the glory!

Jim Wilson, Barnsdall… Many of those suffering physical ailments in the church are making full recoveries.

Jim Wilson, Pawhuska…We baptized two people this month and received one new member with 2 more to come.

Harold Johnson, Cushing… I do want to praise God. We are seeing new people in our church. Last Sunday, five of those in attendance were new people who started coming in Aug.

John Whitsett, Tulsa Central… Numbers held up very well during the weeks I was away. I heard a number of reports about a powerful move of the Spirit on Sunday, August 16.

Jim Thornton, Tulsa Hills… Five families in their 20’s (plus the pastor and his beautifully youthful bride) came together for a great time of grillin’ and chillin’ on a Sunday night. Lot’s of fun. We are now enjoying the newly redecorated foyer space with a Starbucks theme. The goal is to nurture an atmosphere for Casual Fellowship.

Otoniel Dannemann, Fuente de Vida… This month we had an outreach and we had revival and thanks be to God we have 12 new conversion as the fruit of this activity.
In the same way we in the Morning Worship the last Sunday of August we have a new family receiving Jesus like a personal savior.

Alan McBroom, Davenport… In September the church will have a work day to improve the looks of both the Fellowship Hall and the Parsonage.

David Stevens, Vinita…Slow steady growth is best in the small community. Again this month we have gained in our average attendance over last year. A new lady has requested baptism. Our Caravans program is starting up with great interest and excitement again this year. We have a new leader for the Wednesday Night Teen class. Ben Stevens (Teen Pastor) started his college classes this Fall and is doing well.
A year ago I was reporting that Carol Stevens was in therapy for her broken leg. Today she hardly notices the leg, mostly she feels it when the weather is changing. Thank God for a good recovery!
I felt God was leading to have a special emphasis service on Divine Healing. At the close of the 8/23/09 morning worship service 10 people came forward to be anointed. One lady was facing a risky surgery; doctors were afraid she could not handle the stress of anesthesia. The surgery went without a hitch or problem! Another of our members was anointed to represent a family who had a terrible car crash in our community. Early reports said that the 12-year-old boy had no brain activity. The next week we had a report that he was recovering and they were do facial reconstruction surgery. We are expecting to hear more wonderful reports of healing! God is faithful!

Casey Hollingsworth, Miami New Life… Great services! I’ve been preaching a series on Holiness asking the question, “Is it dead or alive?” Have had great responses to our services and lives are being transformed!

Don Cowan, Sapulpa…14 People who have completed the Membership Class; hiring of a new Associate of Families/Students (Mark and Ashley Sanford & two daughters ) Starting the first Sunday of October; New families coming to Church.

NEO TOP LEADERS
(increase in weekly attendance over August, 2008)

Sunday School/Discipleship
Wagoner +27
Fe y Esperanza +25
Hominy +22
Sand Springs +20
Regency Park +8
Collinsville +7
Horton Chapel +6
Chelsea +5
Mannford +4
Grove Lakewood Community +1

AM Worship
Fe y Esperanza +34
Sand Springs +23
Wagoner +21
Broken Arrow First +15
Collinsville +14
Mannford +8
Horton Chapel +6
Chelsea +5
Dewey +5
Okmulgee +5
Owasso Silver Creek +5

Saturday, Sept. 19, was our first Area Bible Quiz. We had 8 churches (Bartlesville, Broken Arrow, Central, Claremore, Cleveland, Family, Owasso, and Pryor) participating with 35 Blue Level quizzers and 23 Red Level quizzers. We had three children with perfect rounds!!! We are learning some interesting things about Joshua and the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. We have a new study this year from Joshua, Judges and Ruth; very interesting and challenging. Thanks to all the churches, volunteers, parents and children for working so hard.
Thanks, Ms. Rachel Bess

Our District Marriage and Family Coordinators, David and Lisa Frisbie, have just released a brand-new Leader’s Guide for small group study of "The Soul-Mate Marriage: The Spiritual Journey of Becoming One." The Leader’s Guide is COMPLETELY FREE; download it from the landing page of the Frisbie’s website:
http://www.marriagestudies.com/

I leave this afternoon for Nazarene Bible College Trustees’ meeting. It will be a joy to be with our former DS, Harold Graves, who is serving so capably as President of NBC. I will give Harold and Cheryl greetings from the NEO family.

You are loved and appreciated!

Dave McKellips