Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene

Transcription

1 Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene 177 North Road, Butler PA District Office Phone: (724) District Office District Website: David L. Marker, Editor - admarker@comcast.net February 2018 CHILDREN S BIBLE QUIZZING The November Invitationals are in the bag. Now the kiddos can relax for a couple of weeks and gear up for Christmas. Our next invitational is February 17 to be held at Philipsburg and Gentle Shepherd. We will also have a third, optional, quiz on March 24 at South Hills for anyone missing the February quizzes. Our District Finals will be held on April 14. Joanne Tutor with any quizzing related messages: pghnazquizzers@yahoo.com call or text PRIME TIME Overnight Bus Trip Sight & Sound April 19-20, 2018 This year we are again going on a Primetime bus trip to a NEW Sight & Sound show in Lancaster. As always, we have a full activity schedule offered, and at a very conservative price for our Primetime folks! Check out the full info on the attached Registration Form, fill it out, and send it back to Rob and Jane Lute with your payment or deposit. We are planning for only one bus, so please don t delay, as any registrations over the full mark will have to be placed on a possible waiting list for cancellations. Call, , or write with any questions or concerns. Our cell numbers are (Rob) or (Jane) if no reply from the listed home number on the form. Table of Contents Page 1: Children s Bible Quizzing and Primetime Bus Trip to Sight & Sound Page 2-7: SDMI Information Page 8-10: NMI Information Page 11: Mount Chestnut Nazarene Retreat Center Page 12: Education Courses at PDLC, District Logos and SDMI (Continued) Page 13: District Events and District Allocations P R O M O T E R

2 Page 2 - SDMI Sunday School Discipleship Ministries International Rev. David Smith SDMI Chair PghDistrictSDMIChair@aol.com Home/Office: Cell: SDMI Treasurer: Ron Schaeffer 141 Tressler Drive Confluence, Pa Phone: ronnell62@verizon.net Find Us Faithful Mike is a plumber, one of the men who are working on our expansion at the church in Franklin. Mike is 58 years old. He lost his wife three years ago and on the same day his mother died and a year later his two sisters died as well. As Mike started to work at the church, we just connected like we knew each other for years. He told me that he wasn t in very good health, that only 35% of his heart is working. He proceeded to tell me that he didn t think that he would be here much longer. I told him that I would keep him in prayer and I did and still do. A few days went by and he brought up to me again that he didn t know how long he would be alive and asked me if I was still praying for him and I told him that I was. This time the Holy Spirit opened the door for me to witness to him further. The Holy Spirit prompted me to ask him if he knew Jesus as Lord and Savior. I said, Mike, do you know Jesus? Sure, I know Jesus. Mike, I just want to make sure you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior before you die. You need to be sure your know Jesus, I care about you and I want to make sure you know Jesus. I know Jesus, Pastor Dave! Way down deep inside I had a feeling he didn t know Jesus as Lord and Savior. The next day I went to check on the men working at the church and Mike came to me and asked if I had time to talk. I told him I did and he took me aside and said, Pastor Dave, I came really early this morning before any other workers came and I hope you don t mind but I used the altar up front of the church, you call it an altar right? Yes, I call it an altar. He said, I went up there and I knelt down in front of it and talked to Jesus and asked him to save me because of what you said to me about knowing Jesus before I die. Jesus forgave me of my sins this morning, I am ready to go. As he told me this tears where running down his face and mine, this was a God moment. Mike thanked me for taking time to talk to him about Jesus. All I was doing is being a disciple for Jesus and showing Mike Jesus. Jesus calls us all to be disciples and make Christ like disciples. All I did was show Mike Jesus through my conversation and showed him that I cared like Jesus would. Mike tells me, Pastor, I m praying for you, are you still praying for me? Yes, Mike, I m praying for you. We make this being disciples and making disciples a hard thing to do. All that Jesus is asking us to do is show others His love, grace and mercy. People are hurting and you and I may be the only Jesus they see and need in their lives. Let s be intentional in being Disciples for Jesus. (continued on Page 12)

3 Children s Talent Page 3 One Amazing Event No more local or zone competitions! New Categories such as Creative Movement and Lego Construction SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 PITTSBURGH DISTRICT CHILDREN S TALENT Greetings Pittsburgh Pittsburgh District District Churches! Churches! We have We exciting have citing news ex to news share to with share you about with the you annual about children s the annual talent children's competition. talent We competition. will be making We several will be changes making this several year in changes effort s year thi to encourage in an effort and to inspire encourage participation and inspire this participation event. God in this has provided event. God our children has provided with unique our and children special with gifts unique that can nd abe used special to honor gifts Him that and can forward be used His kingdom. to honor We Him need and our ward for local churches His kingdom. to help our We children need our discover local the churches talents God to has help gifted r ou them children with and discover encourage the them talents to participate God has in gifted this activity. them ith and was a encourage church body them we need to participate to support our in this children activity. and a let As church them know body that we we need value to their support contribution our children in our church and let families. them now k that we value their contribution in our church fami lies. Updated scoring guidelines A positive and fun way for kids to explore their talents while glorifying the Lord MT. CHESTNUT NAZARENE CENTER 177 North Road Butler, PA Krista Powell- Children s Talent Director Contact Information: Klpowell2000@gmail.com (cell)

4 Page 4 - Women s Ministry Spring Retreat Mt. Chestnut Nazarene District Center 177 North Road, Butler, PA We are not able to refund cancellations after this date. Deadline to register is Monday, February 26. Saturday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Breakfast 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM Friday: 6:00-8:30 PM, Registration begins at 6:00 PM Friday & Saturday, March 9-10, Spring Retreat Presents: Contact Sheila Johnson at (814) , shlakayj@gmail.com or Julie Beckley at , jabeckley04@gmail.com, with any questions or concerns. Checks may be made payable to: PGH District SDMI Include form above and send payment to: c/o Julie Beckley 153 Fitz Henry Rd Smithton, PA I would like to room with Amount Enclosed: *For info on lodging and floor plans scan or go to: Bring Your Own Bedding & Towels Whitling*-$48.00 per room: sleeps 5 Goring*-$39.00 per room: sleeps 2 Lodging Rooms are available for an additional fee. See info below for lodging choices and cost. Retreat - $45 Includes Fri & Sat retreat, activities and Saturday breakfast & lunch Church Address Name Phone # 2018 Spring Ladies Retreat Registration Form

5 Prime Time Bus Trip Registration Form - Page 5

6 Page 6 - SDMI Council Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (Updated: 1/8/18) Ex Officio District Superintendent Rev. Daniel Eddings Chairperson Rev. David M. Smith, 391 Pone Lane, Franklin PA (Term expires 2018) pghdistrictsdmichair@aol.com; C: ; H: Secretary Sheila Johnson, 75 Promised Land Drive, Coal Center PA shlakayj@gmail.com; C: ; H: Treasurer Rev. Ronald C. Schaeffer, 141 Tressler Drive, Confluence PA ronnell62@ verizon.net; C: ; H: Statistical Secretary Sheila Johnson, 75 Promised Land Drive, Coal Center PA shlakayj@gmail.com; C: ; H: NMI President Sandy Greenlee, 89 Market Street, Albion PA mgreenleesub@yahoo.com; H: NYI President Colleen Baker, 762 W. Old Rte. 422, Butler PA car1128@hotmail.com; H: Children s Ministries Council Director Joanne Tutor, 8 Hazen St., Union City PA pghnazquizzers@yahoo.com; H: ; C: Caravan Director Hannah Baird, 5601 Liberty Road, Bethel Park PA hbaird07@gmail.com; C: Children s Quizzing Director Joanne Tutor, 8 Hazen Street, Union City PA pghnazquizzers@yahoo.com; H: ; C: Children s Talent Director Krista Powell, 223 Bentley Avenue, Sharon PA Klpowell2000@gmail.com; H: ; C: Family Camp Children s Director TBD Kidz Camp Director Rev. Greg Niver, 41 Stewart Avenue, Greenville PA g-niver@hotmail.com; H: Children s Nursery Director Dondra Walker, 515 Euclid Avenue, PO Box 326, Saegertown PA dondra.walker@ymail.com; C: Adult Ministries Council Director Rev. Michael Beckley, 153 Fitz Henry Road, Smithton PA beckleymr@gmail.com; H: Prime Time Directors Robert & Jane Lute, Rte. 403 Hwy. N., Clymer PA rcjlute@comcast.net; C: ; H: Men s Ministries Director Rev. Dana Crocker, 1666 District Road, Fredonia PA pastordanac@gmail.com; C: Women s Ministries Director TBA CLT Director Rev. Richard Wise, 1835 Saxonburg Boulevard, Tarentum PA wises@consolidated.net;

7 Prime Time Council SDMI Council (continued) - Page 7 Directors Robert & Jane Lute, Rte. 403 Hwy. N., Clymer, PA rcjlute@comcast.net; C: ; H: Rev. William & Marna Degenkolb, 1386 Hemlock Road, Commodore, PA bill.degenkolb@verizon.com; C: ; H: Dave & Joan Weible, Box 141, Knox, PA dweible@windstream.net; H: Women s Ministries Council Director TBA Julie Beckley, 153 Fitz Henry Road, Smithton, PA H: Joan Weible, Box 141, Knox, PA dweible@windstream.net; H: Cherie Brown, 1942 Pennsylvania Avenue, West Mifflin, PA H: Sheila Johnson, 75 Promised Land Drive, Coal Center, PA shlakayj@gmail.com; C: ; H: Members-at-Large Minister: Rev. Ray Stark, 1848 Scarlett Lane, Middletown, PA (Term expires 2018) ray.stark@gsnpa.org; C: Rev. Marty Bausman, 1336 N. Main Street, Washington, PA (Term expires 2019) washingtonfirstnazarene@gmail.com; W: ; C: Rev. Samantha Vannoy, Dunston Road, Edinboro, PA (Term expires 2020) givethemgrace05@gmail.com; H: Laypersons: Tonya Hockenberry, 303 Barker Street, Girard, PA (Term expires 2018) tlhteach123@gmail.com; H: Mandy Crocker, 1666 District Road, Fredonia, PA (Term expires 2019) Mandy.crocker143@gmail.com; H: Dondra Walker, 515 Euclid Avenue, PO Box 326, Saegertown, PA (Term expires 2020) dondra.walker@ymail.com; C: On the Pittsbur urgh Promoter ing list? If you want onto the Pittsburgh District Promoter list, please contact: David Marker at admarker@comcast.net. If you are aware of anyone who was getting the Promoter but hasn t recently, let me know - there were some issues with my . The Promoter is published in the months of February, April, June, August, October and December of each year. Copies of all Promoter issues are also available on-line on the Pittsburgh District website at

8 Page 8 - Missionaries Are Coming! Sandy Greenlee NMI President April 29 and/or the first week of May 2018 Ashley and Tracey Hord Ashley and Tracey, both previous missionaries, met in Botswana, Africa and were married in Tracey s home country of Zimbabwe on April 30, After moving back to Houston, Texas, where Ashley was born and raised, in July 2006, God blessed them with three beautiful children: Esther is eleven, Joseph is seven, and Hannah is five. While in Houston, they fellowshipped and served at The Crossing Church of the Nazarene. The Hords have been serving in the country of Lesotho, located in the southern African region, since March They have been assisting in a newly formed school in the Lesotho district. With their training from Child Evangelism Fellowship, three Good News Clubs have been established to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with children, while teaching nationals how to do the same. Good News Clubs are also taking place on Sundays at the local churches around the Lesotho district for a period of six weeks at a time. Working with local pastors, they have assisted in church development, and helping train pastors for ministry through a satellite Bible School. Missionaries Are Coming! June 5-17, 2018 Monty Cyr and family: Discipleship Ministries Coordinator from Guatemala. Monte & Bethany Cyr (pronounced Sear ) are Global Missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene on the Mesoamerica Region (formerly the Caribbean and Mexico/Central America regions). Monte serves as the Regional Coordinator for Discipleship Ministries since March His main responsibilities include training leaders and Pastors, and working with districts and churches to develop relevant and effective discipleship strategies to make Christlike disciples in the nations. Monte has also served as the Global NYI President from , giving leadership to our youth and youth leaders world-wide. Additionally, he has served as the Africa Region Youth Ministries Coordinator from October 1998 until July 2006, and the Caribbean Region Youth Ministries Coordinator from July 2006 until March Bethany provides support to Monte s ministry by helping with office work, and she serves on the school board of their daughter Nkele s school. Monte graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with a B.A. in Religion in He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri in Monte was a full time Youth Pastor from 1990 until their Missionary appointment in If interesting in hosting or joining other churches to host either of these great missionaries, please contact Sandy Greenlee ( ) or mgreenleesub@yahoo.com. First churches get the best dates. Consider having them for VBS evenings too.

9 NMI News - Page 9 NMI Events and Happenings Praises and update on the Bibles, Christian Literature we have collected. We were just a small part of this but we have planted some seeds through our collecting Bibles. We are still collecting. Christian Literature for Africa (CLA) and the Education Development United Foundation (EDUF) volunteered to sort, pack, and ship the remaining books to Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) in Swaziland and Africa Nazarene University (ANU) in Kenya. The shipment to ANU was received with great jubilation on September 6. Prof. Rod Reed, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, said, This is a tremendous gift to ANU. It will greatly enhance the collection of books that support our School of Religion and Christian Ministry. Thanks to all the partners who made this possible. Dr. Greg Crofford, Dean of the School of Religion and Christian Ministry, pointed out that some of the books will be distributed to other Bible Colleges in East Africa while the rest will remain on the main ANU campus. Rev. Gift Mtukwa, chair of the Religion Department, said, The library resources we have received have not only doubled our physical book collection, but they have greatly enhanced the quality of our library. I want (to) assure NBC that the books are in good hands and will certainly be used by our students and faculty. Thank you. Andrew Ntabo, student and leader of the Religion Student Association stated, Wow. I cannot wait to hold and read them. God bless NBC and CLA. - Mrs. Amy Crofford, Africa Nazarene University February 10-24, 2018 International W&W to El Salvador Prayers for the team of 10 going, for their safety, strength, health and wisdom for the team. The building they will be working on is in honor of Marian Lineman from the Bradford Church and her many years of service for W&W. Thank you, team!!!! April 14, 2018 NMI Presidents Appreciation Luncheon 10:30 am 1:00 pm: Mt. Chestnut Dining Hall Guest speaker: Mrs. Sharon Kessler Eastern Regional NMI Director and Fawn Grove Director Free to all NMI Presidents and/or Pastors June 16, 2018 NMI Convention Speakers: Joe and Beth Heath: Johannesburg, South Africa and John Cunningham: Jesus Film June 17, 2018 W&W Trip to Inez Kentucky Michelle and Andy Russell Hiring English Teachers for Malaysia - Inquire! 2017 Record Year for CLA: Thanks to your partnership, 2017 was a record year for CLA. Through Gods faithfulness, your giving and prayer, you helped the ministry do the following: Ship 5 containers to Africa 98,904 pounds of resources 3146 boxes of books 71,808 pieces of literature. Dynamic Language Centre is accepting applications for full-time language teachers in their English language center in Penang, Malaysia.

10 Page 10 - Nazarene Girls for Justice Club Sumprecia (left) and Lucy (right) are President and Vice President of the Nazarene Girls for Justice Club. In Sumprecia Yaro s rural village in northeastern Ghana, educating girls is typically frowned upon. Sumprecia s first-year high school fees were paid by a compassion fund the district had set up, and she also received two pigs to raise. The profits that the pigs and their progeny generated allowed her to finish school without having to turn to men who would exploit her. Through the church s support, Sumprecia became the first educated girl in her family. She says that the Nazarene superintendent encouraged her to keep up with her classes and never think of quitting. He even suggested that through her efforts, other girls could be empowered to believe they could succeed. For the first time, I felt like I am capable of doing something good, and could do more, she says. The Nazarene Girls for Justice Club has helped hundreds of girls gain an education or vocational training and receive emotional and spiritual support. A Dream of Justice Sumprecia s feeling that she could do more wasn t just a passing notion. She went on to found the Nazarene Girls for Justice Club as a way to equip and empower other girls. Sumprecia knew her story wasn t unique. She also knew that many girls weren t as fortunate as she was: when they left school, they often didn t get to go back. She says God began to speak to her about forming a club to support other girls the way she had been supported. I had a lot of encouragement to dream of living and doing anything that men could do because I am not a lesser human being, Sumprecia says. I always find ways to share this same dream with other girls and to encourage them. In 2009, the dream God gave her for the justice club came to fruition. Since then, young women have been coming together to create tangible solutions for the problems they face. At first, running the club wasn t smooth. In order to garner the respect and support of the men in the community, leadership of the club was given to a man in the beginning. This generated a lot of tension how would the young women learn to accomplish things themselves if they weren t allowed to lead? Still, they didn t let the awkwardness stop them. Sumprecia, along with 14 other girls who had similar stories, came together to start the first club. We freely discussed our issues and found ways to respond with biblical teachings and prayers, Sumprecia says. After about a year, the church leadership helped the club transition its structure. Now, the club functions independently under the leadership of young women. Nazarene district leadership continues to provide support in the form of mentoring and leadership training opportunities, as well as finances for larger project proposals. The church leaders also engage with local police when legal justice is needed for specific situations in the lives of the girls, such as sexual assault. The club hasn t just continued to function; it has exploded. The original club with 15 members has grown to more than 750 members, plus others who aren t yet registered officially. The club consists of groups who meet across four zones in 11 different communities. The groups meet on the first Saturday of each month, and the local group leaders also meet together every three months. Once a year, all members are invited to a club-wide gathering at a central location.

11 Mount Chestnut Nazarene Retreat Center - Page 11 The Pittsburgh District is privileged to have such a powerful tool for ministry. A tool that is utilized by thousands, who each year, come to seek refuge, strength and healing through ministries that take place here. In a time where many camps are being sold, we have such a treasured gift in Mt. Chestnut Nazarene Retreat Center as it is one of 33 Nazarene Camps in the United States. Camping ministry is one of the cheapest revivals you can have at your church. Have you ever witnessed a group of young people return from summer camp? Their passion and enthusiasm for Jesus is contagious. If you can nurture and disciple their energy, your church could watch a Holy Spirit fire spread across your congregation. There is value in camping ministries and the facility that is used to host these ministries. Over the past 3 years which I have served as the Center Administrator at Mt. Chestnut, I have witnessed God s hand at work in many areas at our Center. From lives being touched, to financial blessings and new groups utilizing our facilities, I am certain God still has a plan for Mt. Chestnut. Many of you refer to this place as Camp, and it is. But our reach extends beyond the 9 weeks of summer camps. We host many retreats in the spring and fall and even have a few events booked in the winter months. Our District Center hosts events such as Walk to Emmaus, Freedom Reigns, church retreats, youth retreats and many scrapbook and quilting retreats. It is exciting to know that people in our community and other denominations see the value in what we have! It the goal of our staff here at Mt. Chestnut to continue to improve the facilities and services we offer to our District and other guests. We work hard to improve accommodations so they are updated, comfortable and clean. We hope you have experienced pleasant changes each time you return to our grounds. Some of the newest upgrades you will find upon returning: A new playground Painted and updated MPB lobbies A new serving line in the dining hall New menu selections from Chef Mark Although our project list is long, we do our best to prioritize the work and complete what we are able within our availability and resources. You can help! Whether as an individual or church group, we can always use extra hands. Removal of old wooden playground Till sand volleyball pit Stain porches Remove old trees Painting (interior and exterior) Extensive renovations in Dorm 1 Prayer walks Please contact the District Office if you have free time and want to lend a hand or to schedule a work group. We are willing to provide free food and housing for our volunteers!

12 Page 12 - Educational Courses, District Logos and SDMI Continued from Page 2 Educational Courses at the PDLC 2018 Feb 16-17, Mar 2-3 and Mar 16-17: PDLC Church Admin & Finance Feb 17: CLC Exploring Christian Ministry Mar 3: CLC Exploring Christian Ministry Mar 30-31, Apr and May 4-5: PDLC Global Evangelism May 18-19, Jun 1-2 and Jun 8-9: PDLC The Practice of Christian Ministry Aug 10-11, Aug and Sep 7-8: PDLC Christian Preaching 1 Sep 21-22, Oct 5-6 and Oct 19-20: PDLC Doctrine of Holiness Nov 2-3, Nov and Nov 30-Dec 1: PDLC Biblical Interpretation (continued from Page 2) He told them. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Luke 10:2 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 Making The Connection Rev. David M. Smith, SDMI Chair Person

13 District Events 2018 and District Allocations - Page 13 District Events Schedule 2018 Feb 10: NYI Quiz District Center Feb 16-18: NYI Winter Retreat Feb 17: Children s Quizzing, Location TBA Mar 9-10: District Ladies Retreat, District Center Mar 10: NYI Quiz Oil City Mar 14-18: Festival of Life at ENC Apr 14: Children s Quizzing, District Center Apr 19-20: Prime Time Bus Trip to Lancaster May 17-20: NYI Regional Quiz at ENC Jun 16: NMI Convention Jun 18-22: Kidz Camp Jun 20-22: ENC Jun 23-28: NYI Teen Camp Jun 29-30: District Assembly Jul 29-Aug 5: Family Camp Sept 8: District Women s Retreat Sept 29: Children s Talent Oct 4-6: District Assessment * Dates are subject to change. District Advisory Board Members: Rev. Leon Blaise, Rev. Rod Johnson Rev. Nate Patnode, Dr. Lois Moranville, David Weible, Laurene Timmons, Darcy Bell, Rob Lute, Sandy Greenlee (NMI), Rev. David Smith (SDMI) and and Colleen Baker (NYI). DISTRICT ALLOCATIONS: Payments can be made to the following: District Ministry Fund: Henry Twentier, District Treasurer 177 North Road, Butler PA Make checks payable to: Pittsburgh District Church of the Nazarene NMI: Debra Shutak 428 Great Belt Road Butler PA Make checks payable to: Pittsburgh District NMI SDMI: Rev. Ronald Schaeffer 141 Tressler Drive Confluence PA Make checks payable to: Pittsburgh District SDMI NYI: Tom Aaron 141 Supervisor Drive West Newton PA Make checks payable to: Pittsburgh District NYI ENC: 23 East Elm Avenue Quincy MA L.T.G.: JoAnn Chase 5759 E. Lake Rd. Erie, Pa Make checks payable to: L.T.G. Club