Dear NEO family,

What a joy it was this past weekend to gather with the NEO family for Spiritual Renewal Weekend. Susie was fabulous and it was truly a time of encountering God and His life-changing and life-renewing power. I rejoice in all of the great reports I am receiving about the weekend. God is good!

While we are sharing good news, let me pass on some things our pastors are celebrating:

David Stevens, Vinita… Our services have been blessed. New attend-ers are growing and learning how to walk with the Lord daily.

Jim Wilson, Pawhuska… A renewed focus for Pastor and the Board with renewed energy for Pawhuska in 2010. New small group formats.

Gordon Smith, Dewey…(1) Evangelism training is going well – many people are learning to step out of our comfort zone and witness their faith. (2) We had a great youth fundraiser dinner for a future Youth Missions trip in July! (3) Although I am sad to see him go, I also want to celebrate that Don Engie has taken a church in Norwood, MO as Sr. Pastor. I am so proud of him!

Don Cowan, Sapulpa… The contemporary worship service on Sunday mornings; the fellowship we have at our weekly bowling league; the start of a Men’s basketball league; beginning of new Life Application Groups on Sunday evenings.

Cole Weston, Okmulgee… Broken Arrow’s amazing commitment to servanthood--they make me want to be even more devoted to our Lord; a great retreat and a much needed time away to gain focus on my ministry; wonderful people in my church who worked hard in my absence.

Angela Bentley, Bristow… Our Sunday School and Discipleship ministries are exploding. We are striving to live out our mission statement to “Love God and Serve Others” and God is richly blessing our labors and adding to our numbers weekly. The Spirit is present and active in our services and there is a wonderful sense of love, unity, and community among the people. We have decided as a united body to move forward and begin the process to build a new church on our property! God is so good.

Jim Johnson, Barnsdall… God is blessing the Barnsdall Church of the Nazarene. Physical improvements have been made in the form of a new roof and the installation of a guttering system. Also, a wheel chair accessible ramp is currently under construction. Our Wednesday night service is proving to be a powerful instrument in proclaiming God's glory. The services have been well attended and we meet with a sweet spirit and comradery, laughter and praise. Glory to his name!

Alan McBroom, Davenport… Our Wed. night service, “Food for the body and soul” has been a great Bible study and fellowship time.

Gerald Burch, Coweta… We are having some new families attend, some on a regular basis, we are seeing a good potential for growth, numerically and spiritually for our congregation. God has blessed us so that we are financially stable; which is a wonderful blessing during this financially stressed period we are experiencing in today’s economy worldwide. Someone has expressed an interest to come and work with our Youth, this would be an answer to prayer, especially with the increase we have seen in this area, and the diversity of age with in this area of ministry that we have been experiencing. We are looking forward to some great things a head as God continues to provide.

John Whitsett, Tulsa Central… Angie and I had a wonderful trip to Korea in conjunction with my studies at Asbury Seminary. It was unbelievably cold, but incredibly stretching and challenging. In spite of the exhaustion from busy days and a 15-hour time change, it was renewing to my spirit.

Below are our pace setters in attendance growth this past month:

NEO Leaders February 2010

Sunday School/Discipleship
Bristow +26
Dewey +25
Barnsdall +15
Wagoner +13
Hominy +11
Skiatook +8
Tulsa Southwest +6
Bartlesville +5
Horton Chapel +5
Sand Springs +2

AM Worship
Wagoner +11
Barnsdall +10
Hominy +8
Owasso Silver Creek +7
Cushing +6
Sand Springs +4
Coweta +7
Davenport +3
Bartlesville +2
Mannford +2


We rejoice in good news and cry with one another through loss. Three pastors in NEO have resigned recently:
Don Cowan, Lead Pastor in Sapulpa, will be moving to Fort Smith, Arkansas to be lead pastor there.
Darren Melton, Worship Pastor in Bartlesville will be taking a lead pastor job in Independence, Kansas
Ken Wheeler, Pastor to Families with Children at Broken Arrow First, will be taking a similar position at Denver First.
These three gentlemen have not only served their local churches well, but they have been tremendous team players and assets on the District. We will greatly miss them and their families.

NEO Kidz Kamp
Where: Sky Ranch at Cave Springs
When: July 23-25
Who: Finished 1st Grade through finished 6th Grade
Cost: Early Bird Special: $115 if sent by July 1st (snacks included)
More Information: Contact Linda Holland
hollandlinda@cox.net

The Dallas district is serving as co-sponsor with NCS for the 2nd Cowboy University Training event, April 23-25, 2010 in Red Oak, Texas. This 3-day event provides information and training relative to those interested in learning more about the Cowboy Church movement, and or starting cowboy churches as part of the Church of the Nazarene. Go to the following website for details: http://www.newchurchspecialties.org/Cowboy_Church_Planting

The 2:8 House, our Nazarene Student Ministry at the University of Oklahoma is behind budget for the new year. The budget is set at just over $7000/month and they are receiving about $3500/month. On April 23, 2010 there will be a Tulsa area fundraising/thankyou dinner at the Silver Creek Church of the Nazarene in Owasso. Contact Nate Burns (918.633.6082) for more information.

It is great to be a part of the NEO Team! You are loved!

Dave McKellips