Are We the Right Kind of Missional?

HIS WORD: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 NIV

PASTOR TO PASTOR

The church world these days tosses around the word missional much like it did church growth lingo 20 years ago. I am a proponent of the "missional" movement. However, like the church growth movement it can become the goal, "the end" if you will, instead of the "means". Missional is a verb. It is a means of describing and accomplishing our goal...which is to make Christlike disciples. So much of our missional mantra is self-aggrandizing and success oriented.


I recently read these words on a website called Church Leaders .com


"We are a group of people addicted to and obsessed with the work of the Kingdom, with little to no idea how to be with the King. As Skye Jethani wrote in his Out of Ur post a little while back “Has Mission become an Idol?”:


"Many church leaders unknowingly replace the transcendent vitality of a life with God for the ego satisfaction they derive from a life for God."


"The truth about discipleship is that it’s never hip and it’s never in style…it’s the call to come and die; a “long obedience in the same direction.” While the “missional” conversation is imbued with the energy and vitality that comes with kingdom work, it seems to be missing some of the hallmark reality that those of us who have lived it over time have come to expect: Mission is messy. It’s humbling. There’s often no glory in it. It’s for the long haul. And it’s completely unsustainable without discipleship."


Our goal is to spend time with Jesus in intimate and holy communion and to bring invite others to that same kind of fellowship. Being "missional" is to focus our energies, gifts, resources, and influence towards that end.

DEEPER ROOTS ...GREATER FRUIT

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING TOUR

November 11 - December 8

Dan Bohi will be our speaker for these weeks of intense district renewal and revival. Dan has been called and anointed of God to bring into focus the Word of God for His church and His people today. He preaches with power and seeks to invite people into the glory of God in such a way as to realize freedom, deliverance, sanctification, and healing.


PASTOR - you will want to make every effort to get your people to these services. Services are scheduled in such a way that a most people can get to more than one service in less than an hour. (Many travel farther than this for a high school football game.) PASTOR - YOU MUST SET THE EXAMPLE.
Reports from around the country are that lives are being changed and churches are being revived as a result of the power of God on Dan's preaching.


Schedules have been mailed out and are posted. Please make every effort to attend. If a Sunday evening service is in your area I fully intend that you cancel your service and encourage your people to go to the Spiritual Awakening Tour. If possible, why not go to www.nazarenemedialibrary.com and download a clip of Dan's preaching and show it to your congregation as a way of promoting these services.


EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
 Pearson Chapel (MS) (Homecoming), Marksville (LA), Baker (LA), Gulf Coast Family (MS), Inglesia Tellar (MS), Vicksburg First (MS), Sulphur First (LA), Tupelo First (MS), Southaven (MS), Springfield (Oh) High Street, Pineville (LA), Baton Rouge First (LA), Columbia (MS)


Upcoming Schedule:


October 23 -- Baton Rouge First (LA) (am and pm)
October 30 -- Columbus First (MS)
November 6 -- Southaven (MS)
November 13 -- Spiritual Awakening Tour (Vicksburg/Cleveland 1st)
November 20 -- Rosebloom (MS) am, Crossroads (MS) pm
November 27 -- Spiritual Awakening Tour (Shreveport First/Gracepoint)
December 4 -- Spiritual Awakening Tour (Marksville/Rocky Creek)
December 11 -- Available (MS)


If we have not been to your church in the past year we would love to come. Set up a date with Pam by calling the district office.

DISTRICT NEWS

Rev. Matt Newman has accepted a call to pastor the Bridgepointe Church of the Nazarene in Brandon, MS. Matt has served as associate there for the past three years. Matt is married to Jenn and they have three girls: Ashleigh, Bekah, and Sarah.


I have appointed Rev. Kelvin Boone to pastor at Crystal Springs (MS). He will continue to pastor the Hazlehurst church. We appreciate this step of faith on Bro. Boones's part as well as his wife Rhonda and the boys.


Rev. Brad McKenzie has resigned from Baton Rouge First (LA) to accept the pastorate of Pasadena First on the South Texas District. Brad and Emily have done a wonderful job at BR First and we will miss them on our district.


Rev. Bob Bradley, pastor at Crowley (LA) has announced his retirement from pastoral ministry effective December 25. We appreciate his ministry and will miss him. He and Cheryl will relocate to south Mississippi and will be available for pulpit supply, etc.


Rev. Sherrill Stiles has announced his retirement from Vivian (LA). He has done a tremendous job at Vivian and will be missed. He and Linda will move to their home in Lake Charles, LA. He will be available for pulpit supply.


On Saturday, October 24, the city of Meridian, MS honored Dr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson with a ceremony naming 38th Ave. after Dr. Johnson. All of the street signs are now marked Dr. Charles Johnson Ave.


Congratulations to Rev. Dale Hoffpauir who has led two successful outreach campaigns for the Nouvelle CON in Lafayette, LA, our newest church plant. The last outreach was a private showing of Courageous. Over 80 people attended and three gave their hearts to Jesus. Thanks to all who have helped to get this church started.


Congratulations to Rev. Michael and Rev. Lesly Ford, youth pastors at Crossroads (MS) and District NYI President, on the birth of a daughter Samantha Lynn. She joins sister Lexie in the Ford family.


DaySpring (Clinton, MS) is nearing completion of their new worship center. It is located on Interstate 20 between exits 35 and 31. It is going to be a beautiful addition to our district.


THE FOLLOWING PASTORS HAVE HAD SUCCESSFUL REVIEWS: STEVEN HUNT (FRIENDSHIP, LA), KEITH MEGEHEE (CROSSROADS, MS), JOHN RABO, (SHREVEPORT FIRST, LA), JAMES GILLETE (MAGNOLIA, MS), CECIL RUSSELL (TUPELO, MS), KERMIT HUDSON (HATTIESBURG FIRST, MS), DUSTIN MCDAVID (PINEVILLE, LA)


OPEN CHURCHES
MS -- Southaven
LA -- Family Community, Crowley First, Vivian, Baton Rouge First


PRAYERS FOR THE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP FAMILY


We praise God for his healing touch on Suzanne Duckering, daughter of Rev. Gary and Bobby Jones, pastors at Marksville (LA). She was miraculously healed of severe infections caused by (or in conjunction with) kidney stones. Not only was she quickly healed of the infection, the stone was gone. (Where have we seen that happen before?)


Please pray for Rev. David Ching, pastor of Houston Fellowship (MS) who has been diagnosed with cancer of the throat. His tonsils were removed and there is a tumor on the side of his neck that is cancerous. He will begin treatments soon. Pray for Angela and the kids as they face this fight. You may find him and info on his journey at http://www.facebook.com/groups/nbd2c/


Pray for Rev. Richard Boone, retired pastor at Emmanuel (MS). He has been diagnosed with a recurrence of throat cancer and is beginning treatments this week.


Continue to pray for Josh Rego, son of Pastor Chris and Kelli Rego (Brookhaven, MS). He suffered terrible leg infection that required emergence surgery. A cracked bone was discovered that has required a walking boot. His recovery has been long and difficult.


Pray for Braden Hunt, son of Pastor Steve and Jackie Hunt (Friendship, LA) who suffered a broken kneecap and torn cartilage in his knee. He has had surgery and has a lengthy recovery.


Pray for Becky Talhelm, wife of Pastor Joe Talhelm (Ebenezer, LA) who was knocked over by her dog and cracked two bones in her leg. She faces a lengthy recovery.


Pray for Dale Russom, adult son or retired minister Bob Russom, who suffered sever MRSA and has been very close to death. He is recovering but continues to need prayer.


Pray fro Rev. Jamey Robertson, (Holly Grove, LA) who is recovering from back surgery. He will need to be off from work for at least 8 weeks.


Pray for Rev. Raymond Teston, (Moss Bluff, LA) who will have rotator cuff surgery on November 2.


Continue to pray for Rev. Mike Howard, (Westlake, LA) who is battling cancer.


RECOMMENDATIONS:


Book --Bonhoeffer:Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy, by Metaxas and Keller. This is an amazing look at the famous Deitrich Bonhoeffer, perhaps best known for his book "The Cost of Discipleship". A German theologian during the reign and terror of Adolph Hitler, this book is a graphic and detailed look into Bonhoeffer's life, but the history of the age at that time: not only in Germany but in the entire church world. It bears reading however, not only because of it's recollection of the historical but because it has much to say to the modern church, as well as the modern political scene. Every pastor ought to read this and ask, "What if?"


Website: Above I mentioned www.churchleaders.com. This is an outstanding website. You can sign up for a daily newsletter that provides several timely articles. It has thousands of archived articles for pastors and church leaders on a variety of subjects. Every day I seem to find something helpful.

Traits of the Leader

His Word:  Ephesians 3 (The Message) ^7-8This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
^8-10And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
^11-13All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!
^14-19My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
^20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
PASTOR TO PASTOR
Pastoring is shepherding. Shepherds lead from the front. Shepherding then is leading. Pastoring then is leading.

I just looked at the 21 books I have stacked on my desk. I have read most of them already but I have them handy for future reference. Right. 10 of them are about leadership.

I was reading from a couple of blogs today and this one guy (Kenny Silva, Transforming Leadership) talked about how Paul, in his letter to Timothy (II Timothy) illustrates a number of leadership traits. I have read this chapter many times, but never saw these verses in this context.

1. Teacher   2 Tim 2:2 – “…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

2. Soldier  2 Tim 2:3-4 – “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”

3. Athlete  2 Tim 2:5 – “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

4. Farmer  2 Tim 2:6 – “It is the hard working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”

5. Worker  2 Tim 2:15-17 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”

6. Vessel  2 Tim 2:20-22 – “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

7. Servant  2 Tim 2:23-26 – “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

You can fill in the blanks here. What do these verses say to you about your role as leader in the kingdom of God? Where can you do better?

DISTRICT BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

LOUISIANA
Saturday, August 13
Rocky Creek Camp
9 am -- 3:30 pm

MISSISSIPPI

Saturday, August 20
Jackson Emmanuel
9 am -- 3:30 pm

GUEST SPEAKER
Rev. Hal Perkins
Pastor, Author, Discipleship Expert

Author of Walk with Me: A Biblical Journey in Making Christlike Disciples , IF JESUS WERE A PARENT: COACHING YOUR CHILD TO FOLLOW JESUS, Meeting With Jesus.

Few understand personal discipleship like Hal Perkins. He will challenge and encourage your leaders and Sunday School teachers in the commission of making Christlike Disciples.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES

Since I last blogged I have been to Slidell (LA), LA District Family Camp (LA), LA Children's Camp, LA Teen Camp, Lake Charles First (LA), Hazlehurst (MS), Fitkins Memorial (MS), Ft. Jessup Campmeeting.   

Upcoming Schedule:

July 31 - Vacation

August 7 - Pearson Chapel (MS) (Homecoming)

August 14 -- Marksville (LA) am, Baker (LA) (afternoon installation)

August 21 -- Gulf Coast Family (MS) am

August 28 -- Inglesia del Tellar (MS) am

September 4 -- Available

September 11 -- District Superintendent Leadership Development

September 18 -- Available

September 25 -- Available

If we have not been to your church in the past year we would love to come. Set up a date with Pam by calling the district office.

 NEWS

 Rev. Daniel Mercado has accepted an appointment to Baker (LA). He and his wife Linda have been serving as Children's Pastors at Family Community. We welcome and their son Christian to this new assignment.

Rev. Artie Burnett has agreed to fillin at Crystal Springs for the rest of the summer. Artie is Tim Burnett's father and a veteran pastor.

Rev. Matt Newman has accepted a call to pastor the Bridgepoint (MS) church. Matt has been serving as associate there. We welcome Matt and his wife Jenn and their children to this new assignment.

Rev. Charlie Ashby has accepted a call as youth pastor to Marksville (LA) church. he has been serving at his home church of Blanchard.

Received this good note from Rev. Kaye Shelley at Philadelphia (MS): God is showing us something in Philadelphia! Today we had 34 for Sunday School and
37 in Worship Service! This afternoon we had baptisim services and we baptized 11 young people!!!

OPEN CHURCHES
MS -- 

LA -- Family Community 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Continue to pray for Joshua Rego, 6 year old son of Pastor Chris and Kelli Rego (Brookhaven, MS), who has been battling a leg infection. He has been hospitalized and required surgery. He has been very ill but it is believed he has made a start towards recovery.

Pray for Kathy Ferris, wife of Rev. Larry Ferris (Monroe, LA First) whose father passed away yesterday. Kathy recently lost her mother.

Continue to pray for Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff, LA). He is back to work but still gaining strength.

Pray for Michael Howard (Westlake, LA) who continues to battle cancer.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration for Dr. Charles and Shirley Johnson was fantastic. The concluding service lasted 3 and one half hours. Two General Superintendents were in attendance. The following pastors were there -- (these are the ones I know about) Gilmore, Witbeck, Bell, Lanier, Hairston, Shelley, Deese, Bush, Clay, Bonner, Boyd, Sadler

To read more about this great man and the celebration go to www.ncnnews.com

QUOTE: The first step in becoming a leader of a group of people is to fall in love with them and give them the opportunity to fall in love with you. Kennon L. Callahan

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED

His Word: 2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV) Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

PASTOR TO PASTOR

Verse 15 of the above quoted passage says "study" in the KJV. It is the way many of us memorized it.
Study, including reading, is an important part of our work. Obviously that starts with the Word of God. We must be men and women of THE BOOK.
However, we should attempt to read or listen to other resources as well. Being a life long learner assumes that we will read.
Some find reading easier, more enjoyable, more fulfilling than others. I have very successful friends who read very little. I like to read and so find it more fulfilling. However, if we are going to be effective, all of us need to embrace some reading.

I like all kinds of reading. It won't surprise you to know that I read books on theology, preaching, leadership, and the church. It probably won't surprise you that I read books on sports and sports figures. It may surprise you that I like to read about American Presidents and Louisiana/Mississippi history. You may not have known that I like to read crime and courtroom novels like James Patterson and John Grisham.

I wanted to share with you some very good reading that I have done recently and then to share with you some very inexpensive resources to enhance your own reading.

READING ENRICHMENT (0-5 Stars)
The following books are some I have read recently that have interested me. Some have helped me more than others. Some of these I have recommended or highlighted in past blogs. I keep a diary of books I read and try to average one book a week. (I am slow.) In my journal I rank books between 0 and 5 stars. Very few get less than 3 stars, because if they are that bad I usually don't finish them.

They are listed in no particular order. You can find reviews of all of these books on Amazon and elsewhere so I will not spend too much time on most of them.

1. LOVE WINS by Rob Bell - this is the most controversial "religious" book published in recent months. It is Bell's observations centered on eternal life including heaven or hell. It has been quoted (generally out of context) and roundly ridiculed as heresy. I will agree that in the wrong hands, it is a dangerous book. It is mostly questions (day dreams if you will) with very few answers. It is interesting to think about some of the things Bell ponders, but he is very non committal about anything. I will say that the last couple of chapters are pretty good. ***

2. PRIMAL by Mark Batterson -- The author uses the Great Commandment as the stage for reviewing the basics of living out our faith in the post modern culture. He explores loving God with compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. This is a great book. *****

3. RADICAL by David Platt -- Really Good ****

4. RADICAL TOGETHER by David Platt -- Living out Radical in community or in the church. I liked this one better. It is more practical. Great *****

5. LOVE MADE PERFECT by William Greathouse -- A wonderful book on Holiness. Read it years ago and then just last month. (See below about downloading classics from NPH). When you read it you will say, "I didn't know that's what we believed, but that's what I believe." Really good ****

6. CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan -- Awesome. Read it twice. *****

7. FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan -- Good. Not as good as CL but worth the read. ****

8. A HOLY PURPOSE by Bill Wiesman, et all. Strategies for Making Christlike Disciples. Very practical. Our own Matt Friedeman has a great chapter in this book. Really good. ****

9. PLANTING MISSIONAL CHURCHES by Ed Stetzer - Just getting into it but it has been recommended by lots of my colleagues. As I have scanned it I am challenged by the chapter titles, etc.

10. THE HOLY BIBLE -- didn't expect to see this here did you. It's a given. However, I recently picked up a new version that I had seen for a couple of years but had not purchased. It's the ESV published by Crossway. I got a mock leather type at LifeWay for about $15 I think. I have been using it for my devotions. I kind of like it. ***

 11. DISCIPLESHIP IN THE HOME by Matt Friedeman -- I would recommend this book for every parent. It is good for grandparents to give as gifts to your children. Parents of six kids Matt and wife Mary present some outstanding practical helps in "training up a child in the way he/she should go." I wish I would have had this book when I was starting my family. *****

12. HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo -- The story of a 4 year old's insight into heaven. A quick read but very meaningful.


BOOKS FOR CHEAP I, like some of you, have shelves upon shelves of books and don't know what to do about it. They are about the only thing of value that I own, and yet I cannot envision reading most of them a second time. So they collect dust. And like cars, once you buy them they lose their value. (See the difference in prices on Amazon between new and used books)
I decided I was about finished with buying books that are just for fun. I have shelves at home filled with very nice hardback books that are worthless now that I have read them, i.e. Patterson, Grisham, etc. I first started using the local library. What a thought. Free books. Then I invested in an e-reader. In fact I invested, with the help of my family and friends at Christmas time, in an IPad so I could have all of the e-readers on one device. When you have an e-reader (which you can also download to a smart phone), you also have it on your computer. Therefore you can read the books you purchase or get for free, on your reader, phone, or computer.

HERE IS THE GOOD PART -- Nazarene Publishing House has republished 100 classics as e-books. (That's where I found Love made Perfect) These include the Beacon Bible Commentary and many, many more. When you choose the book you want to buy or at least consider, you find out that many of them are very inexpensive. Love Made Perfect was $1.49.

HERE IS THE GREAT PART -- I received an Amazon gift certificate from one of my kids for Father's Day. I decided to see what I could find on the NPH classics list. I scrolled down the list and clicked on Amazon. There I discovered a pearl in a field. I noticed that they had H. Orton Wiley's Christian Theology, Vol. 1, for free. YEP! FREE!. So I downloaded it. When I did, Amazon (as always) showed me similar products. I discovered dozens of free books. I got the rest of Wiley's, Vol. 2 and 3, FOR FREE!. (I have these in my library, but now I have them wherever I go.)
I also downloaded E. P. Ellyson's "Bible Holiness", FOR FREE. I could have downloaded books from Bresee, Wesley, Andrew Murray, and so many others. FREE.

I know some will find the Kindle or Nook readers a tad expensive but they cost less now than ever. In order to get my IPad I just told those who asked what I wanted for Christmas to get me a Best Buy gift card. When it was all said and done, I had quite a down payment on this helpful tool. But if you have a smart phone, you can download these to your computer for FREE.

All of us can "study" to show ourselves as workman who need not be ashamed...for less that ever before.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES

Since I last blogged I have been to Cleveland First (MS) Revival, Magnolia (MS), Columbia (MS), Baker (LA) Revival, Senatobia (MS), Clarksdale (MS), Bossier City (LA), Natchitoches (LA) Installation, Meridian Northside (MS) Installation, Lucedale (MS), Emmanuel (MS), Greenville (MS), Rosebloom (MS), Gracepoint (LA), Crosspoint (LA), GracePointe (LA) Installation.

June 26 -- Slidell (LA)
July 3 -- Lake Charles First (LA) am, 
July 10 -- Hazlehurst (MS) am and pm
July 17 -- Meridian Fitkins (MS) am and pm
July 24 -- Ft. Jesup Camp Meeting am and pm
July 31 -- Vacation
August 7 -- Pearson Chapel (MS) am
August 14 -- Available (preferably LA)
August 21 -- Available (preferably MS)
August 28 -- Inglesia Del Tellar (MS)

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

NEWS Both District Assemblies and all of the Conventions were great. We have completed youth and children's camps in MS and Family Camp in LA. These have been great.

The MS District Advisory Board has voted to close the Lucedale church. We are appreciative of Rev. Ruby Walters for many years of faithful ministry. The Inglesia Tellar church in Pascagoula is working to start a new Hispanic work in the building.

Rev. Darwin Enicks has retired from Baker. He and Lucy will be moving to San Antonio to be near their daughter.

Rev. David Craig has accepted a call to Gracepointe (LA). He comes to us from Lufkin First on the South Texas District. He is married to Dawn and has two sons Caleb and Adam. We welcome them to Louisiana. He was installed on June 12th.

Rev. David Kelly has accepted a call to Blountstown on the North Florida District and has resigned Crystal Springs. We will miss David, Nancy and the boys.

Rev. Rob Pocai has resigned as pastor at Bridgepoint in Brandon (MS). He and Holly will be moving to Kentucky where he will pursue his DMin at Asbury. We appreciate their ministry in MS.



PRAY FOR Remember Rev. Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff Trinity, LA) who underwent recent gall bladder surgery and immediately contracted shingles. He is in deep pain and misery.
Pray for Rev. Howard Green (Grenada First, MS) who is suffering from cataracts and is awaiting surgery in July.

Please pray for Sis. Johnnie Childress, mother of Bubba Childress and Brenda Hatcher. She has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Pray for our teens and sponsors from both districts that will be attending NYC in Louisville the first part of July. This is a once in a lifetime event.

OPEN CHURCHES
MS -- Bridgepoint, Crystal Springs
LA -- Family Community, Baker

The following pastors have had outstanding reviews: Wayne Williams, (Laurel First, MS), David Colegrove (Greenville First, MS), Jerry Hatcher (Rosebloom, MS), Stephen Deese (Gloster, MS)

COME ONE -- COME ALL

DISTRICT BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

LOUISIANA
Saturday, August 13
Rocky Creek Camp
9 am -- 3:30 pm

MISSISSIPPI

Saturday, August 20
Jackson Emmanuel
9 am -- 3:30 pm

GUEST SPEAKER
Rev. Hal Perkins
Pastor, Author, Discipleship Expert

Author of Walk with Me: A Biblical Journey in Making Christlike Disciples , IF JESUS WERE A PARENT: COACHING YOUR CHILD TO FOLLOW JESUS, Meeting With Jesus.

Few understand personal discipleship like Hal Perkins. He will challenge and encourage your leaders and Sunday School teachers in the commission of making Christlike Disciples.

After a Long Hiatus

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38 to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time." Deuteronomy 4:35-40

PASTOR TO PASTOR
I am writing this in the aftermath of yet another "natural" disaster. (Isn't that an oxymoron?) After a conversation with one of our pastors I read again Matthew 24. Wow! I was then reminded of some scripture I read last week that is copied above.
God is in charge. And God is constantly reminding us that He is in control, He is our sustainer and Savior, and that we need to depend on Him.
As a pastor I get that. What surprises me sometimes is that I notice that when these things happen, there is little mention of God, His plan, or His ability to see us through. Some in our culture never consider that the things that are happening around us are a part of a bigger plan, a greater scheme, a larger picture. Just listen to the prognosticators. They talk about the science of it, or the cost of it...never the purpose of it.
That is why God was so adamant about parents and communities teaching these things to their young. They need to know what God has done, and what He can do.
This is why you and I are in the disciple making business. We need to teach and to train each generation to see God and to hear His voice in these days. To naturally and sincerely know that there is a God thing happening here. That these disasters, troubles, tests, and each challenge of life have divine responses and options attached to them.
Matthew 24 says "the love of many will grow cold". How can that be during these days? Perhaps because they don't know. Perhaps because people have forgotten...there is a God!

LET'S TRADE PRAYERS

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited Gloster (MS), Lucedale (MS), Laurel First (MS), Holly Grove (LA), Friendship (LA), Crowley (LA), Kosciusko (MS), Natchitoches (LA), Family Community (LA), Jackson Emmanuel (MS), Meridian Northside (MS), Columbia (MS), Pearl River (LA), Hispanic Ministries/Slidell (LA),

March 13-16 Revival at Cleveland First (MS)
March 20 - Magnolia (MS) am, Columbia (MS) 2:30
March 27-30 Revival at Baker (LA)
April 3 -- Available
April 10 -- Available
April 17 -- Available
April 24 -- Easter
May 1 -- Available

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

SPECIAL NOTES

Rev. Thomas (Carolyn) Allen was honored for his 25 years of pastoral ministry to the Pearl River (LA) congregation recently. What a wonderful record. Congratulations to the Allen's.

Rev. Alejandro Murillo and his wife Paula were honored last week for 25 years in the ministry. It was a gala celebration held at Slidell First (LA). Four Hispanic churches as well as the Slidell congregation, and other area ministers celebrated the occasion. Congratulations to the Murillo's.

Renee Parish, pastor's wife at Vicksburg (MS) has been appointed by the MS DAB to serve as District Secretary, replacing Dr. Ray Easley who has moved off of the district. Renee has worked for several years in the General Secretary's office at Nazarene Headquarters and brings valuable experience to the assignment.

Rev. Eric Nelson, pastor of Slidell (LA), has accepted the appoinment of the LA DAB as the new District Secretary, replacing Rev. Joe Talhelm who has resigned after many years of valuable ministry. Eric served in a similar capacity on the NWIL district.

Elijah Friedeman, pastor's son at DaySpring (MS) has been announced as a winner of the prestigious McClurkan scholarship at TNU. Only two of these are given each year.

Rev. Marlin Betts (Debbie) has resigned as pastor at Family Community (LA). Rev. Betts has done a wonderful job their helping to launch the school and other community ministries. He is seeking God's will for his next assignment.

Rev. Michael Perkins has accepted a call to Natchitoches (LA). He is married to April and they have a son Ethan. They are coming from a staff assignment in Midland, Tx.

Rev. John Sadler has accepted a call to Meridian Northside (MS). He is married to Beth, and they have two sons and a daughter. They are coming to us from Charlotte, NC.

Rev. Rev. Edwyn Carias and his wife Ligia, are pastoring our newest church in Gretna (LA), the Inglesia Del Nazareno Adulam. They will be serving under the direction of Rev. Murillo. They currently have a congregation of 25.

Rev. James Gillette (Magnolia, MS) will celebrate 10 years at the church with a special service on March 20.

The New Orleans Westbank church board has voted to close. The district has agreed to allow Inglesia Del Nazareno Adulam to occupy the building.

The board at Columbia (MS) has voted to close the church. There will be a celebration service at the church on Sunday, March 20, at 2:30. Pastors and churches in the area are encouraged to attend.

The following have had outstanding reviews: Rev. Bob Bradley (Crowley First), Rev. Jamey Robertson (Holly Grove), Rev. Steve Joiner (Columbus First) Rev. Randy Witbeck (Starkville Wesley)


Open Churches: (MS) GraceWay
(LA) Gracepointe, Family Community

Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) continues to go through cancer treatments.

Continue to pray for Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

Rev. Thomas Allen (Pearl River, LA) and wife Carolyn have had multiple physical battles recently. Carolyn will face another surgery on Monday. She recently had gall bladder surgery. Thomas had surgery (brain) on the pituitary gland.

Rev. Gary Harper, elder in MS, fell and broke his kneecap, and is immobilized.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Sis. Eileen Cargill, wife of retired pastor Vernon Cargill. Their daughter Claudia is a member of the MS district NMI council. She was a faithful member of the Gulf Coast Family church.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MS DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS
APRIL 12/13 - NMI Convention
APRIL 13/14 - SDMI Convention
APRIL 14/15 - DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
April 16 - NYI Convention

Justin Wells, Special Music
Dr. Eugenio Duarte, General Superintendent

LA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS
MARCH 11/12 -- NYI Convention
MAY 4/5 -- DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
MAY 6 -- SDMI/NYI COMBINED Convention

Adams Voice, Special Music
Dr. Eugenio Duarte, General Superintendent

Book I am Recommending: "Holy Purpose: Strategies For Making Christlike Disciples" by Bill Wiesman, et al. This book was sponsored by the USA/Canada Missions department as a way of highlighting the 5 strategic emphasis being encouraged and studied as a means of church renewal in North America. They are: 1) Intentional Leadership Development, 2) Vibrant Church Renewal, 3) Clear and Coherent theological Identity, 4) Passionate Missional Outreach, and 5) Multifaceted New Church Development.
Each strategy is highlighted in the book by chapters written by various authors. Our pastor at DaySpring (MS), Matt Friedeman has a chapter entitled Following the Leader, which describes the leader as tone setter in missional outreach.

I highly recommend this book.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: ASHES TO FIRE - Many churches are using the emphasis as a time for deep spiritual renewal in their local churches running from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost. I pray you are walking through the daily material. I heard one of our pastors say that without Pentecost, Easter and Christmas don't matter. He is exactly right. May this season of the Christian calendar be rich with renewal and revival.