01 Garey A. Miller District Superintendent THE MESSENGER Chad Eichorn Editor/Communications Director Terry Vance Sunday School Ministries Deb Blodgett Adult Ministries Dave Phares Children s Ministries David McGaffey Youth Ministries Sharon Meek Missions Iowa District Church of the Nazarene 4090 Westown Pkwy - B2 (515)226-9727 www.iowanazarene.org A FAMILY OF HEALTHY, GROWING, REPRODUCING CHURCHES REACHING THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE FOR CHRIST. OCT-NOV-DEC 2009
2 THE MESSENGER OCT/NOV/DEC 2009 FROM THE DESK OF D.S. MILLER TEAM IOWA REPORT ON PASTOR S DAY WITH DAN BOHI On Thursday, October 15 Team Iowa pastors meet at Ankeny Hope Church of the Nazarene for a time of worship and prayer. Pastor Joy Maberry hosted the event and led in vibrant singing and worship. The speaker was Dan Bohi. Dan is a lay evangelist from Olathe, Kansas. He spoke with compassion and candor. Dan s powerful message was used by the Holy Spirit to bring conviction, confirmation, and challenge to every pastor s heart. Pastors sought the Lord and cried out for the cleansing, filling, and empowering work of the Holy Spirit to be a renewed reality in their lives. God answered prayer in a mighty way and a time of open sharing and confession followed the likes of which I have never experienced in 30 plus years of ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. Dan Bohi comes highly recommended and is available to speak in Team Iowa Churches. God is using Dan to speak a message our church needs to hear and heed. Garey Alan Miller Team Iowa District Superintendent Sunday School Ministries If you missed the S.D.M.I. convention in August you missed several great opportunities: First, we had a great time of fellowship as a district team. Second, we learned from each others experiences about what has worked in the local church. Third, we were able to learn from some of best teaching we have on the district. Fourth, we enjoyed the hospitality of Des Moines Eastside (thanks Pastor Miller and staff). Every one of the presenters got an A+ for the job they did in providing insight gleaned from the General Convention in Orlando. Thank you to all of our department heads who worked hard to insure outstanding presentations: Adult Ministries - Deb Blodgett, NYI - Dave McGaffey, Children s Ministries - David Phares. We are looking forward to a great year in 2009/2010. The men s and women s retreat are planned and final preparations are being made for these great events. The camps for our children and youth are already being planned. With all of this, how are you planning to grow your responsibility list and average SDMI attendance to ensure that more people can be involved? What are you doing to build the kingdom? - Terry Vance SDMI Chair
3 THE MESSENGER OCT/NOV/DEC 2009 Childrens Ministries There is no lack of opportunity for ministry on the Iowa District where children are concerned. Last year our quizzers had a wonderful time in Exodus, and this year they re at it again in Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. If you don t have a quizzing ministry you re missing a wonderful opportunity to hide the Word in your children s hearts. Twenty five years later I still remember the lessons I learned while studying to compete with other kids who were also studying that same Word. I want to challenge all Iowa Nazarene churches to step out in faith and start a quizzing ministry. I know from experience here in Monticello that it is challenging, but now that the congregation has seen the impact on the kids no one here would consider ever going back on it. Quizzing isn t for those who want a light lesson. Quizzing will take our children into deep study of God s Word. We also enjoyed an exciting camp at Wesley Woods. Jeana Mowery directed the camp this year and did a wonderful job yet again. Our kids had fun, which is always good; but they also heard about the love of God and His saving work through His son. That IS the reason we gather. Local churches, get your kids to camp. Something wonderful happens at camp. Often times God works as much in that one week as He does through the rest of the year. I am glad to say that Jeana has agreed to direct camp again this year. She has the experience and even more importantly she has a heart that loves children. Continue to pray for the ministry that God will lead and bless throughout this year. District NYI - Our Guiding Principles NYI EXISTS FOR YOUTH - Nazarene Youth International exists to attract, equip, and empower young people for service in the kingdom of God and to facilitate their integration into the Church of the Nazarene. NYI FOCUSES ON CHRIST - Christ is central to who we are, the Word of God our authoritative source for all we do, and holiness our pattern for life. NYI IS BUILT ON RELATIONAL MINISTRY TO YOUTH IN THE LOCAL CHURCH - Effective ministry to young people in the local church is critical to the health and vibrancy of NYI. NYI DEVELOPS AND MENTORS YOUNG LEADERS - NYI provides opportunities for emerging leaders to develop and utilize their gifts within an environment of nurture and support, assuring strong leadership for the Church of the Nazarene. NYI IS EMPOWERED TO LEAD - Relevant youth ministry requires that responsibility for ministry and organizational decisions reside with NYI leadership and the appropriate governing bodies at every level. NYI EMBRACES UNITY AND DIVERSITYIN CHRIST - NYI is committed to understanding and celebrating differences and diversity in language, color, race, culture, socioeconomic class and gender. NYI CREATES NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS - A climate of cooperation characterizes our relationships at every level of NYI.
4 THE MESSENGER OCT/NOV/DEC 2009 The Missions Minute As I write this in the middle of September, it seems strange to be wishing you all a most blest Christmas season. However, I have already received the first Christmas wish list from some of my family so, in that same vein, I would like to ask you to consider sponsoring a child as a gift to children in your life this year. If you have children in your home, perhaps you could use the sponsorship of a child in another country to help teach you own children the value of giving to others in a personal way and allow them to earn the money necessary. Perhaps your small group or Sunday School class would consider taking the sponsorship of at least one child as their personal mission project for 2010. Information can be obtained at Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. ~ Sharon Meek, Iowa District NMI President Prayer - The guaranteed way to participate in the lives of those we care about or are interested in. MISSION PRIORITY ONE awards will be given again this year to churches who: 1 - Pay their World Evangelism Fund in full. 2 - Participate in a prayer program for missionaries. 3 - Use any of the various means available to educate and mobilize our folks to participate in the mission of Making Christ-like Disciples In the Nations. 4 - Disciple our teens and children. DEPUTATION DIRECTOR: Mrs. Brenda Miller has resigned as the district Deputation Director and Mrs. Patti Thrasher has agreed to assume this responsibilty. You can contact her for help in scheduling a missionary for your church at mpthrasher@ reachone.com. Her address is 312 S 2nd St, Ames, IA 50010. Brenda will continue to serve as the District NMI Vice President and the NMI Education Director, ie. 2 jobs instead of 3!! Thanksgiving Offering The Thanksgiving Offering is for the World Evangelism Fund (WEF). Traditionally, WEF is collected through two large offerings each year the Thanksgiving and Easter offerings. What is Available to Help Promote the Thanksgiving Offering? CHILDREN S MISSON PROJECT - Any monies collected for the 2008-2009 project need to be sent to the Global Treasury Service before the end of September. As of Octobor 1st, there will be a new project and any monies received after that will be applied to the 2009-2010 project. REMINDER - As we approach the holidays (or any time for that matter) food, clothing, school supplies, blankets or money collected by a local NMI organization and given to a local ministry such as a county food or clothing pantry or the Salvation Army or a shelter for the homeless is included in the goal of hands on participation in missions! Be sure all donations are clean and in good shape. (It s not necessary to wash the money!) CCC - The Iowa City Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Center is asking for winter coats for both children and adults to give to folks in need this winter. If you can send clean coats in good shape to their facility, they would appreciate your help. Stewardship Ministries provides a multitude of resources to assist local churches in promoting the Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund (WEF). Offerings. Promotional material specific to the Thanksgiving Offering is available to be downloaded or printed, free of charge, and can be found on the Thanksgiving Offering page of the Stewardship Ministries website. Some of these resources include posters, bulletin inserts, and clip art. Offering envelopes and posters to promote the World Evangelism Fund are now available, free of charge, through the Nazarene Publishing House, www.nph.com. The HOPE Offering for World Evangelism envelope design will be used through 2009 and can be ordered at any time. Any left over envelopes can now be used in your pew pocket to promote the World Evangelism Fund year round. The envelope set-up and printing charges are free to all churches. Stewardship Ministries Toll Free Phone: 1-800-544-8413 E-mail: stewardship@nazarene.org
5 THE MESSENGER OCT/NOV/DEC 2009 Adult Ministries As we enter into the season of Thanksgiving, I find myself asking the question, Am I Thanksliving? Ponder that for a moment. I recently ran across a saying that said, Get Rich Quick! Count Your Blessings! So often I am caught up in the well intentioned hustle and bustle of the holidays that I am negligent in taking the time to pause and reflect on the blessings that have come my way. I have found that when I have a grateful heart, the blessings that result from an attitude of gratitude flow out of my life and into the lives of those around me. That is when I am truly Thanksliving! - Deb Blodgett District Statistics Church Membership AM SS Ames 56 44 34 Ankeny 81 41 55 Atlantic 40 10 9 Bettendorf 51 16 17 Bloomfield 53 20 16 Boone 41 19 18 Britt Zion 90 63 63 Burlington First 288 164 139 Burlington Flint Hills 76 54 37 Cedar Falls 98 79 94 Cedar Rapids First 334 129 106 Cedar Rapids Oakland 291 349 270 Centerville 62 48 48 Chariton 149 11 78 Clarion 25 17 27 Climbing Hill 19 10 7 Council Bluffs Emanuel 73 81 122 Council Bluffs First 310 187 110 Davenport 143 105 60 Deep River 16 18 17 DM Eastside 242 187 143 District Statistics (cont.) Church Membership AM SS DM Faith 75 43 16 DM First 57 44 32 DM Highland Park 63 87 77 DM Southside 137 84 74 Dubuque 33 49 27 Esterville 15 9 8 Fairfield 67 46 47 Fort Dodge 66 47 40 Fort Madison 57 38 31 Fremont 40 15 14 Grinnell 24 23 18 Iowa City 128 80 40 Iowa City African 46 30 13 Iowa City Hispanic 39 25 0 Keokuk 132 96 75 Knoxville 153 78 78 Lacona 17 15 17 Lemars 43 31 24 Marengo 20 20 20 Marshalltown 146 83 83 Mason City 86 38 27 Missouri Valley 96 58 46 Monticello 56 79 44 Montrose 84 79 53 Moravia 218 357 230 Mt. Pleasant 13 25 5 Newton 146 38 43 Oskaloosa 469 311 208 Ottumwa Trinity 155 18 81 Pella 78 35 18 Red Oak 37 41 13 Sioux City First 189 51 38 Spencer 39 50 35 Tabor Weaver Memorial 94 64 74 Wapello 43 37 29 Washington 39 26 5 Waterloo 128 63 55 Waverly 45 13 50 West Des Moines 90 89 106 Winterset 77 39 99
Iowa District Nazarene Men s Ministries This Event is Open to Men from All Faiths and Denominations Announcing the 2010 bi-annual gathering of Christian Men, their sons, neighbors and friends. This event is open to men of all faiths. Come one, come all to either: Council Bluffs Emanuel April 24, or Moravia May 1. Program Agenda Doughnuts & Registration 8:30 9:00 First Segment 9:00 10:30 Second Segment 10:45 11:45 Lunch 11:45 12:30 Third Segment 12:30-1:30 Fourth Segment 1:45-3:00 Tenured Preaching Evangelist Rev. Bill Ulmet Reverend Ulmet s roots go deep in Iowa! He was preachers kid (PK) in Council Bluffs, Chariton, LaMars, and Oskaloosa. He married a PK whose folks were both Quaker ministers all over Iowa. He came back to Oskaloosa after college to teach and coach. While there his pastors were Jim Diehl and Gary Henecke. Bill was called to preach in 1975. He was senior pastor 18 years in four churches - Catlett, VA, Wichita Falls University Park, TX, New Castle Southside, IN, and Rock Hill West Main, SC. He was called to evangelism in 1993 and has been preaching in camps, retreats, camp meetings and revivals ever since. Song Evangelist Marcus Whitworth Marcus will lead us in worship and prepare our hearts for what Reverend Ulmet has from God for us. You will not want to miss the inspirational leading of Marcus. Pastors/Laymen encourage your men to attend and then stand back and watch your church grow as men lead others into a relationship with Christ. Wives send your husbands and welcome home a man who wants to be a spiritual leader in your home for you and your children. Men come find out what God has planned for your life. Invite co-workers, neighbors, and friends. Do Not Miss This Event. Every man who attends will experience a change of course for their life, the lives of their families, churches, and communities as Christ shines forth anew in their life. Golf and Fishing Friday, April 23 and April 30, there will be golf and fish outings at both locations for all who want to participate. Contact Chuck at chuck.griffin@mchsi.com or 319-754-7889 for details. Please complete one registration form for each person attending. cut along the line above Registration Form cut along the line above Last Name: First Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: E-mail: Church: Yes, I do want to play golf on Friday. Yes, I would like to fish on Friday. Please complete a registration slip and enclose $40.00 for each adult, $30 for each high school student, attending and send to: Chuck Griffin, 2604 Clearview, Burlington, IA 52601. Checks should be made payable to: Iowa District Men s Ministry. Advance registrations must be received by April 11, 2010. Late registrations received after April 11 will be $45 for adult and $35 for students. Registrations at the door will be $50 for all who attend. Register Early-This event will likely sell-out!
IOWA DISTRICT WOMEN S RETREAT 2010 Vicki Henderson Vicki Henderson, Avenue Ministries, is a wife and mother, an actress and speaker. Vicki offers something for every woman on a spiritual journey. She will provide encouragement and laughter through contemporary sketches about the trials of potty training or offering a glimpse of hope through her ability as an actress to relate to women of all ages. IOWA DISTRICT WOMEN S RETREAT Holiday Inn Airport 6111 Fleur Drive Des Moines, IA 50320 April 16 & 17, 2010 FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT Let s rekindle the flame in your life! II Timothy 1:6 ( Pre-register means Postmarked by 3/31) Pre-Register Late Register Full Retreat $55.00 $65.00 Friday Only $45.00 $50.00 Saturday Only $45.00 $50.00 First-time attendees get a $5 discount! Please also note that two meals are included with ticket price. Gregory Paul Smith will be leading us in worship!
BASKET DOOR PRIZES!! For more information please contact: Carol Vance District Women s Ministries Director Phone: 319-754-4769 ~ E-Mail: cvance@fsptbm.com Francene Graves Retreat Registrar P.O. Box 51, Grinnell, IA 50112-0051 Phone: 641-236-5610 ~ E-Mail: fgraves@gmrc.com Don t forget to bring your baskets! Holiday Inn phone: 515-287-2400 or 800-248-4013. Mention Iowa Women s Retreat to reserve your room(s) at our $79 plus tax per night. They will also honor this price the night before and the night after. I m looking forward to seeing you, and you, and you... at Women s Retreat April 16 & 17, 2010! The Stepping Stones Christian bookstore is coming. We will have craft tables. We will get to visit with friends old and new. We will share good music with Gregory Paul Smith and Vicki Henderson will share our friend, Jesus, with us. Important schedule information: Registration by mail: Early registration makes a difference! Early registration must be postmarked by March 31, 2010. Schedule: Friday s evening meal is scheduled for 6:30. Saturday s first session is at 9:00 a.m. * Remember you are responsible for your own breakfast and snacks. Crafters: We need to know by April 3, 2010 that you need a table. Who else should be on my e-mail list for Women s Retreat? Francene Graves email: fgraves@gmrc.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - REGISTRATION FORM: * When copying the registration form, you may use the back for additional names & details. Sign me up for Women s Retreat 2010 FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT ~ I want to rekindle the flame in my life! NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: E-MAIL: Amount enclosed: $ COSTS: (Put check in front of lines that apply to you.) Pre-registration must be postmarked by March 31 Pre-registration Late registration Full Retreat $55.00 $65.00 Friday Only (Dinner at 6:30 p.m.) $45.00 $50.00 Saturday Only (First session at 9:00 a.m.) $45.00 $50.00 Craft Table $15.00 First-time attendees get a $5 discount. $15.00 And yes, TWO meals (Friday supper and Saturday lunch) are included with registration. Mail your registration to Francene Graves, P.O. Box 51, Grinnell, IA 50112-0051 Remember to mention Iowa Women s Retreat when reserving your room(s) at Holiday Inn (515-287-2400 or 800-248-4013). We arranged for a $79 per room rate (2 doubles or 1 King and a fold-out double.) First-come basis on choice of rooms.