Dr. Larry W. Leonard District Superintendent

Transcription

1 Dr. Larry W. Leonard District Superintendent 2016 PARTNERSHIPS ADVANCING THE KINGDOM IN CRISIS AND BEYOND August was a horrendous month for natural disasters at home and abroad. There were fires in California, floods in Louisiana, and a massive earthquake in Italy. We have the privileged position to be able to partner with one another to assist those in crisis through the network of the Church of the Nazarene. As a global church, we have responded, and as local churches we have been part of that action through sending Crisis Care Kits and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. More directly, we have participated in ministering to those closest to us in our bordering state of Louisiana, meeting needs with medical supplies, building supplies, cleaning supplies, food and water, and human helping hands. I am filled with deep appreciation to our MidSouth family members who traveled to Louisiana, those who gave money and donated supplies, and those who prayed diligently for the victims of these disasters. Churches on the Clarksville Mission Area, with coordinators Rev. Daron Brown and Dr. Steve Estep, collected supplies and enlisted people who traveled in a caravan of five vehicles to Baton Rouge to provide relief to those who were hurting inside the Nazarene churches as well as their neighbors who had never attended a Nazarene church. Clarksville First Church Pastor Josh Cougle, a Louisiana native, led the participants and provided direction for the distribution efforts. The Hills Mission Area, with coordinator Dr. Carlton Harvey, gathered supplies from many churches. Laymen from the Grenada Church secured transportation for the materials donated, drove to Baton Rouge to deliver goods, and physically participated in the outreach effort. Victory Praise and Worship Center, under the leadership of Pastor Myron Hairston, gathered materials from the Coastal Mission Area as well as from Meridian Fitkins Memorial Church to assist a Louisiana pastor originally from the Fitkins Church. Rev. Marshal Trisler, new pastor at Gloster, served as director for much of the southern portion of our district in the actual contact and distribution early on in the relief effort. In addition to the many MidSouth churches that participated in these group efforts, others responded individually. These include to our knowledge Memphis Calvary, Memphis Grace, Hattiesburg First, and Meridian Northside. I feel certain that many others assisted in this effort who did not report it to our office. If you were involved but do not see your church listed, please let me know. I want to include you in next month s article. One of the most inspiring aspects of this kind of partnership is that these efforts spring up within an individual, a family, or a single church without institutional directives. Then, through linking arms and joining in mission, partnerships form that involve many people united by their inner passion to be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus. For almost eight years I have been preaching across the district about the divine power, the biblical beauty, and the scriptural significance of selfless partnerships. Christian partnership is much more a matter of eternal principle than it is institutional program. Since God is the author of partnership, He blesses those who participate as well as those who receive. He is glorified not only through these actions but also when we share the news about His people selflessly giving to others and extending themselves beyond the comfort of their own settings, just so that God s kingdom can come to earth. I am convinced that just as God worked in the lives of individuals on the MidSouth District to be Jesus to hurting and needy people last month, He is equally interested in helping us conceive in our hearts the mission of other partnerships: What is He leading you to do in the future in our mission to Hispanics in Tennessee and Mississippi? What is He stirring in you about launching a new Bible study that could lead to the planting of another church? What neighborhood is He laying on your heart to plant a new church? In daily living, as in response to natural crises, may we be sensitive to His calling to people s spiritual crises and branch out of our comfort zones into new partnerships for the sake of His Kingdom.

2 retired ministers & mates retreat October 4-5 Camp Garner Creek Dr. J.K. Warrick, Speaker Pastor s Soul Care Dr. Carla Sunberg, speaker November Camp Garner Creek Ministerial Christmas Dinners December 1 - Jackson, MS December 2 - Memphis, TN December 3 - Dickson, TN June 21 ~ 30, 2017 Indianapolis, Indiana for more information visit

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4 Sunday School Make the Connection Rev. Michelle Lunsford SDMI Chairman People of Prayer Engaged in the Word Making Christlike Disciples midsouthnaz.org facebook.com/midsouthsdmi sdmiusacanada.org September brings the first hints of autumn, with (hopefully) cooler weather, Labor Day weekend, and our various fall ministry endeavors. The days are growing shorter, but my prayer is that the light of faith and God s love shines forth brighter and stronger in all that we do, as local churches and in our MidSouth District partnerships. Don t miss out on the opportunities in the coming months. Remember to check social media and our website for the latest MidSouth SDMI news and information. Ministry opportunities coming this fall Fall Revival - Sponsored by District Women s Ministry Open to men, women, youth, and children. Everyone is invited to participate at one of the sessions meeting near you. Guest speakers will be Patsy Lewis and Dr. Carolyn Johnson. For questions or further details, contact Ruth Chandler at SDMI: Sunday School Discipleship Ministries International o Sept 25 ~ 9:30 AM Clarksville Hope Riders Biker Church (TN) o Sept 27 ~ Time TBD Hermitage Church (TN) o Sept 28 ~ 6:30 PM Nashville First Church (TN) o Sept 29 ~ Time TBD Ashland City Ladies Prayer Tea: Julie Arbuckle hostess (TN) o Sept 30-Oct 1 ~ 7:00 PM Dickson Lighthouse Church (TN) o Oct 2 ~ 10:30 AM Dickson Lighthouse Church (TN) o Oct 3 ~ Time TBD Colonial Hills Church (Southaven) MS o Oct 4 ~ Time TBD Memphis Eastside Church (TN) o Oct 5 ~ Time TBD Memphis Friendship Church (TN) o Oct 7-8 ~ 6:30 PM Clarksville Hope Riders Biker Church (TN) o Oct 9 ~ 9:30 AM Clarksville Hope Riders Biker Church (TN) IGNITE Children s Leadership Conference: October 3-6 in Columbus, OH Annual conference hosted by Nazarene Children s Leadership Network (NCLN). Visit nazcln.org for details. Come to the Fire: November hosted at Nashville First Church Annual conference to bring the message of holiness to women around the world. Visit for details. SDMI General Convention June 21-23, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN (ga2017.com/sdmi)

5 Mrs. Mary Friedeman NMI President September is an Alabaster offering month. Since its inception, this offering has raised more than $108 million for the purchase of land and the construction of churches, schools, medical facilities, and homes for missionaries and national workers. Promotional ideas, graphics, and photographs of completed Alabaster projects are available at nmi.nazarene.org. Please celebrate enthusiastically in this important offering! After the devastating floods last month, our brothers and sisters in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas will be in recovery mode for some time. I know that many of you are eager to help. Clarksville First recently sent a team down, and other churches have sent requested supplies. Thanks to all who have participated in helping the flood victims! It will be an ongoing effort. I ve been in contact with Pastor William Bonee of Baton Rouge First Church of the Nazarene, headquarters for Nazarene disaster relief in theaffected area. Due to recent changes in building code requirements by area municipalities and FEMA, any repairs over $1,500 will require a contractor who is licensed in Louisiana. Since all the flooded homes exceed that damage limit, the new regulations have effectively halted cleanup and home rehabilitation by volunteers. Unless or until the situation changes, Pastor Bonee and his crew will not be able to host any more work teams. There is a critical need for gift cards to WalMart, Costco, Home Depot, and Lowes. These are being distributed to people who have lost the entire contents of their homes. When sending gift cards, please include an inventory sheet of the cards sent and amounts. If you would like to communicate directly with the disaster relief team about needs and potential donations, William Bonee at BRNAZrelief@gmail.com. NMI: Nazarene Missions International update... Two remaining slots must be filled for the October trip to Ecuador, including a team nurse. The dates of the trip are Oct , and tickets must be purchased soon. If you would like to participate, please contact Melanie Holcomb (melanie.holcomb@wildblue.net.) as soon as possible. REMINDER... the district has a new mailing address. Please send everything to: DMRC 70 Hart Street, Suite 101 Nashville, TN 37210

6 Rev. Jason Underwood NYI President The past few weeks the song Back to school, Back to school from the movie Billy Madison has been rolling around in my head. Our students all around the midstate are back in the classroom. In youth ministry this is the beginning of a new year for us as well. We have said goodbye to seniors that we have spent countless hours with, and we are welcoming a new group of students. We are truly excited about ministry with you in the year ahead. Together we have the chance to shape students to make a life long commitment to Christ. In all we do this year my prayer is that we lean on John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less. MidSouth Momentum Momentum will be held on Trevecca s campus this year, November 11-13, This event serves as the district prelim to TNT at TNU in April, but it is so much more than that. It s an opportunity to share and grow in the gifts that God has given us and to worship and celebrate him through these gifts. There will be sports tournaments both for middle and high school students, worship services to begin and end our event, various local Nashville artists performing, a solid arts competition with fantastic judges that are looking to help students develop their gifts, an amazing after-party hosted by our friends at TNU and more! More detailed information along with registration forms will be available mid-september at midsouthnyi.org and by from info@midsouthnyi.com. If you re not on our ing list, go to midsouthnyi.org and click on "contact us. From there you ll be able to send us your information to be added. We can t wait for Momentum! See you in November! NYI: Nazarene Youth International MIDSOUTH PASTORAL TRAINING: SOCIOLOGY OF CHURCH SIZE - dr. JESSE MIDDENDORF october 24 9:00am - 2:00pm PREACHING THEOLOGY FROM A PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE - DR. DAVID BUSIC JANUARY 12 9:00am - 2:00pm PREACHING CHRIST IN THE CURRENT - DR. DAN BOONE MARCH 2 9:00am - 2:00pm PREACHING THE RESURRECTION - DR. Dwight Gunter MARCH 30 9:00am - NOON

7 Attendance Report for August Capitol Mission Area SS AM Bread of Life Community...NR... NR BridgePoint Brookhaven First...NR... NR Crystal Springs DaySpring Community Hazelhurst Hillside Community Meridian Fitkins Memorial Meridian Northside New Beginnings Christian New Vision Quitman...NR... NR Vicksburg First Vicksburg Hispanic Clarksville Mission Area Camden Clarksville First Clarksville Grace Clarksville Hope Riders Biker Clarksville Korean Clarksville Park Lane Dickson Lighthouse Dover Erin...NR... NR Fulton Gray s Chapel Griffin s Chapel NR.Jason Chapel Long Creek Paris Pine Hill Waverly Woodlawn Community Coastal Mission Area Crossroads Gloster Gulf Coast Family Gulfport Hattiesburg First Iglesia Taller del Maestro Laurel Bresee Laurel First LifePointe Community Long Beach Community Magnolia...NR...NR Palabra de Vida Prentiss...NR...NR Victory Praise & Worship Center Waynesboro Trinity...NR...NR Columbia Mission Area Columbia First Columbia Grace Elmore Fly Jones Chapel Lawrenceburg Grace Lawrenceburg Vaughan...NR... NR Lewisburg First Mount Wesley-Akin...NR... NR Nashville New Life Korean Pleasant Point Savannah Spring Hill Restoration Comm Summertown Hills Mission Area Bent Knee Cowboy Clarksdale Cleveland First Columbus First SS AM Divine Grace Sunflower Fellowship Greenville First Grenada First Houlka New Albany Oxford/Oxford Hispanic Pearson Chapel Ripley Hispanic Rosebloom Sentobia N.O. Nabors...NR... NR Starkville Wesley Comm Tupelo Union Way of the Cross Memphis Mission Area Colonial Hills Outreach Covington Crossroads Community Dyersburg Memphis Calvary Memphis Eastside Memphis Emmanuel Memphis Faithful Believers Memphis Friendship Memphis Grace Memphis Holiness Tabernacle Memphis Hope Tabernacle Memphis New Hope Memphis Refreshing Springs Millington Southaven Spanish Nashville North Mission Area Ashland City Faith Comm Gallatin Goodlettsville Hendersonville Hermitage Highland Joelton...NR... NR Madison Madison Hispanic Nashville First - (Bethel Campus) Nashville First - (Main Campus) Nashville Inglewood Nashville Whites Creek Old Hickory Portland Springfield...NR... NR Nashville South Mission Area Brentwood Concord Comm Franklin Comm of Faith Gateway Community Kingston Springs Nashville Bell Road Nashville Blakemore...NR... NR Nashville Christ Nashville Community Fellowship Nashville Donelson Nashville First Calvary Korean Nashville Glencliff Hispanic Nashville Grace Nashville Kaleo Nashville Trevecca Comm Nashville Trinity Nashville Westwind Comm TOTAL