HIS WORD: “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Isaiah 42:8-9
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
PASTOR TO PASTOR
Have you ever heard the expression, "Can't see the forest for the trees"? Sure you have. I think we all know what that means. Some times the singular details can get in the way of the big picture. Related to our work together we can get so consumed by the details, the pressures, the trivial, the routine ...that we forget the mission, the big picture.
I confess it happens to me. I get a little down or discouraged because the view of this church or that situation is troubling, but then, I realize I need to step back and review the entire picture. Recapture the vision if you will.
So that is what I am doing. In lieu of this here are some observations:
1. I came to LA/MS with the conviction that our local churches need to be healthier to be stronger. Healthier stronger local churches mean a healthy, vibrant district.
2. I am convinced that we have established a platform that will enable us to get healthy, or as the medical community likes to say..will promote health.
3. That platform consists primarily of pray, filled with faith, that seeks the face of God and anticipates the move of God. Our last two years of prayer emphasis and Spiritual Awakening the expectations and vision of many of our pastors has increased.
4. During the 2012 calendar year we will once again focus on Healthy Churches. Let me remind you of the Characteristics of Healthy Churches:
5. We will use training events and media to work to train pastors and key lay leaders to evaluate their health and to make necessary adjustments to become healthy as to become effective.
6. We will continue to emphasize new ministries, new churches, and new partnerships to enhance our work in both states.
v Passionate Spirituality
v Holistic Small Groups
v Loving Relationships
v Functional Structures
v Empowering Leadership
v Inspiring Worship
v Gift-Oriented Ministry
v Need Oriented Evangelism
I believe God would be pleased to do a new thing among us! How about you?
I believe God would be pleased to do a new thing among us! How about you?
Let's Trade Prayers!
DISTRICT NEWS
DAYSPRING COMMUNITY WILL DEDICATE THEIR NEW WORSHIP CENTER ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, AT 10 AM. CONGRATULATIONS TO PASTOR MATT FRIEDEMAN AND CONGREGATION FOR THIS MILESTONE.
DAYSPRING COMMUNITY WILL DEDICATE THEIR NEW WORSHIP CENTER ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, AT 10 AM. CONGRATULATIONS TO PASTOR MATT FRIEDEMAN AND CONGREGATION FOR THIS MILESTONE.
PRAISE THE LORD - ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO ORGANIZE BOTH THE MANA SLIDELL CHURCH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PASTOR PAULA MURILLO, AND CAMINO DE SANTIDAD CHURCH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PASTOR JULISSA RIVAS. OVER 100 PEOPLE WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT BOTH SERVICES. BOTH CHURCHES RECEIVED ABOUT 50 CHARTER MEMBERS INTO MEMBERSHIP. WOW!
Congratulations to Rev. Tim and Stacey Burnett (New Beginnings, MS) who were married January 7th.
Rev. Derek Catron has resigned at Lake Charles First (LA) and accepted a call to Frankfort, KY. We will miss Derek, Amy and the girls.
Rev. J. D. Sailors has accepted a call to pastor the Vivian (LA) church. J. D. is a veteran pastor and has served in the General SDMI department. We welcome him and his wife Teresa.He was installed on January 15.
Rev. Artie Burnett has accepted a call to Jackson Emmanuel (MS). Artie is father to Rev. Tim Burnett, pastor of New Beginnings (MS) New Start. He is a long time pastor in the Church of God (Anderson) and teaches online at Ohio Christian University. We welcome him and his wife Pat.
Rev. Vonzella Askew is the new pastor at Southaven (MS). She comes from Memphis. She will be installed by Dr. Charles Johnson this Sunday at 3 pm.
Honore Calera is the new pastor at Mana Slidell (LA). He and his wife Medina have served the church for a number of years as lay persons. They have three boys.
Rev. Paula Murillo is the new pastor at New Orleans (LA) New Life (formerly Adullam), on the Westbank.
Levi Ashby is the new Youth Pastor at GracePoint (LA) and Danny Rester returns as the Worship Pastor.
Dr. David Smith has agreed to return to GraceWay as a lay minister. Steven Willingham has agreed to serve the Kenner church as a lay minister.
Rev. Charlie Ashby has been appointed as the District NYI President for the LA District replacing Derek Catron.
Rev. Charles Parish has been appointed Mission Area Coordinator of the North Capital River Area (MS) to replace Dave Garner. Rev. Stephen Deese has been appointed to the same post on the South Capital River Area (MS).
Rev. Bob Lanier has been appointed to replace Rev. Dave Garner on the MS District Advisory Board.
Rev. Marvin Denton (Crosspoint, LA), and Rev. Gary Jones (Marksville, LA) had very successful reviews.
New Beginnings Community (Byram, MS - Tim Burnett) has finally secured a location for their church. Almost immediately the attendance has grown and they are almost out of space.
One Accord (Jackson, MS - Bob Lanier) is experiencing exciting days. Last Sunday they had about 70 in attendance. They are meeting at Emmanuel.
Jackson Emmanuel has given office space to both New Beginnings and One Accord. We applaud this support of these two churches.
Iglesia Tellar (Gustvo Santos - Pascagoula, MS) is reaching lots of people. They have started a Sunday evening service in Lucedale, and have just started a Thursday night service in Gulfport church. Thank you Pastor Lisa for partnering with this new church.
Nouvelle (Lafayette, LA - Dale Hoffpauir) has almost finished remodeling the Merchant's Blvd. property and had their first public service on January 15. There were about 45 people in attendance. They will continue with monthly services until Easter, then move to weekly services with a Grand Opening/Official Launch in the Fall.
We have a pastor praying about coming to Mandeville, LA to start a church.
NEWSTART NEWS
New Beginnings Community (Byram, MS - Tim Burnett) has finally secured a location for their church. Almost immediately the attendance has grown and they are almost out of space.
One Accord (Jackson, MS - Bob Lanier) is experiencing exciting days. Last Sunday they had about 70 in attendance. They are meeting at Emmanuel.
Jackson Emmanuel has given office space to both New Beginnings and One Accord. We applaud this support of these two churches.
Iglesia Tellar (Gustvo Santos - Pascagoula, MS) is reaching lots of people. They have started a Sunday evening service in Lucedale, and have just started a Thursday night service in Gulfport church. Thank you Pastor Lisa for partnering with this new church.
Nouvelle (Lafayette, LA - Dale Hoffpauir) has almost finished remodeling the Merchant's Blvd. property and had their first public service on January 15. There were about 45 people in attendance. They will continue with monthly services until Easter, then move to weekly services with a Grand Opening/Official Launch in the Fall.
We have a pastor praying about coming to Mandeville, LA to start a church.
EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
Churches visited most recently for services or meetings: Shreveport First (LA), GracePoint (LA), Marksville, (LA), Kosciusko (MS), New Beginnings (MS), Jackson Emmanuel (MS), Baton Rouge First (LA), Crowley First (LA), Lake Charles First (LA), Vivian (LA), Camino de Santidad (LA), Mana Slidell (LA), Slidell (LA), Blanchard (LA),
Coming Up:
January 29 -- DaySpring (MS) -- Dedication of New Building
February 5 -- Travel from South Carolina Ministers Retreat
February 12 -- DS's Conference in Kansas City
February 19 -- Southern Nazarene Foundation Board
February 26 -- Available
March 4 -- Available
March 11 -- Available
If we have not been to your church in the past year or so please let us know. We would love to come. Please contact Renee in the District Office.
NEW OFFICE STAFF
Renee Parish - Office Manager
Email: renee@districtoffice.org
601-642-7300
Email: renee@districtoffice.org
601-642-7300
Elaine Mason - Secretary
Email: elaine@districtoffice.org
601-988-2301
Email: elaine@districtoffice.org
601-988-2301
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
Note Dates
MISSISSIPPI
DaySpring Community Church
DaySpring Community Church
DR. JESSE MIDDENDORF, PRESIDING
APRIL 18-19 SDMI/NMI CONVENTION
APRIL 19-20 DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
LOUISIANA
Rocky Creek Campground
DR. STAN TOLER, PRESIDING
MAY 16 - 17 DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
MAY 18 SDMI/NMI CONVENTION
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please continue to pray for Rev. David Ching (Houston Fellowship, MS). He is concluding horrific treatments for throat cancer. He has lost 65 pounds and cannot take food or liquids by mouth. Pray that the treatments have been effective and that his throat will heal.
Please pray for the father of LA District Treasurer Dajunna Howell (West Monroe Faith, LA). He broke his leg and had surgery, from which he has had several setbacks including a heart attack.
Please pray for Rev. Linda Francis (Restoring Hope, LA) who had to have a biopsy last week.
Rev. Steve Holtz (Cleveland, MS) has recently had two stints put in. He continues to battle problems with his feet.
Rev. Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff, LA) recently had rotator cuff surgery. He is mending.
Rev. Jamey Robertson (Holly Grove, LA) continues to recover from back surgery.
Remember Rev. Larry Ferris, (Monroe First, LA) who is facing recurring heart issues.
Tony Childress (pastors wife New Albany, MS) father has been very ill in LA. Please pray for him.
Remember Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA).
Pray for Shirley Denton, pastors wife at CrossPointe Community, LA.
Rev. Julissa Rivas (Camino de Santidad) is expecting a child. Pray for her as she has been having some issues related to her pregnancy.
Rev. Jason Faminoff (Leesville, LA) recently lost his mother. Rev. Daniel Mercado (Baker, LA) also lost his mother over the holidays. Linda Sherer, pastors wife (Sulphur, LA) recently lost her sister to cancer.
Cheryl Beaty, wife of Greg Beaty, continues to fight a multitude of difficulties. Please pray for her.
BOOKS I AM RECOMMENDING: (2)
The Pastor, A Memoir by Eugene Peterson
BOOKS I AM READING: (2)
Simply Jesus by N. T. Wright
Plain Account of Christian Perfection by John Wesley
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