E-Tidings April 2003

E-Tidings April 2003

From the District Superintendent

       Can you imagine the excitement of the families of the 7 POW's that were rescued last week in Iraq. Certainly in their minds, those families must have thought their child, spouse, relative or friend that was a POW had been killed somehow in the action since their capture. Then the word came on Sunday morning - They're Alive!!! Unbelievable. Our whole country celebrated and by Easter they will be home.

        These emotions are much like the women that went to the tomb on that first Easter Sunday. They went early taking spices to freshen the decaying body of their friend Jesus who had been crucified. But instead of finding a corpse, they found angels. Instead of death and decay, they heard the Good News that still rings down through the centuries: "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:6 NKJV

        As we celebrate the greatest news mankind has ever received, let's not neglect to continue to spread that Good News to our generation. Praise God, Christ is Alive!

        Your District Ministerial Team want to wish you and your family a very Happy Easter.
Dr. Stephen  and Marilyn Anthony, DS
Rev. Michael and Karen Morris, Church Development Director
Rev. Clarence and Roslie Moorhouse, Nehemiah Director
Rev. Alan and Ann Stokes, Camp Director

News from Around Our Great District

  • Also, pray for retired missionary Virginia Stimer who has recently gone through surgery.
  • On Sunday, March 16, 2003 Dr. and Marilyn Anthony visited Cornerstone Church for their morning service. This is the former Pinegrove congregation that now meets in the Sterling Heights building. They had 72 in attendance. The church has grown significantly since moving to this new location. Following the service, I met with the church board for Pastor Ken Brier's review. The board unanimously voted to extend his call for 4 more years. Rev. Brier has just completed 14 years of service with this congregation.
  • Vern and Debra HazzardSandusky Church has called Rev. Vern Hazzard as pastor. Rev. Hazzard is presently pastoring in Escanaba, Michigan. He and wife Debbie will begin their ministry in Sandusky on Sunday, April 6th. Debbie is the sister of Sandy Comfort, pastor's wife at Ellington. (see picture left)
  • Katy Burkett, daughter of Dave & Jan Ballard, associates at Port Huron First, was in a very serious snowmobile accident a couple of weeks ago. She is recovering following surgery on her head. The Ballard's are praising the Lord for sparing her life.
  • Rev. Vince Flippo, pastor of Bedford Church, reports that they have gone to two services. Last Sunday they had 264 total in attendance with 64 in the early service and 220 in the later service.
  • Rev. Gary Slusher, pastor at Southwest Church, reports an excellent revival with Rev. Jack French. They had the highest Sunday AM attendance since Rev. Slusher arrived last year with 64 in Sunday School and 89 in worship.
  • Richfield Church, under the leadership of Rev. Rob Prince , had their largest non-holiday, non-special service attendance in the history of the church. They reported a total of 892 in the 2 morning services.
  • Rev. Steve Barkey, youth pastor at Warren Woods, sent me an e-mail indicating that the Christian comedian HB Sanders that we had at "Night to Remember" last year on Mackinac Island, is one of the finalists on "Star Search". The show airs this Wednesday.
  • Justin Baker, worship leader at East Flint has moved to Bridgeway Church on the Michigan District.
  • Rev. Dave Dial, children's pastor at Warren Woods has moved to California to assume a similar position.
  • Rev. "Aunt" Pat Sexton, children's pastor at Williams Lake has announced her retirement as children's pastor effective May 31st.

Fenton Church Celebrates 10 Years

Fenton Anniversary The Fenton Church, under the leadership of Rev. Gregg Davis celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Rev. Mike Morris, founding pastor, preached the morning message. The service was attended by nearly 250 people. A debt reduction program is currently being conducted with an eye toward building in the near future. This will be the church's third building project since it began in 1993.(see attached picture)

Bethel and Armada Work to Grow the Kingdom

Rev. Mike Morris represented the district at the Grand Opening of the Armada Community Church of the Nazarene.  One Hundred forty five (145) people were in attendance. They are now official, and they became the 74th church on the Eastern District of Michigan.  Lots of Bethel people were there. Evangelists Larry and Tamla Leckrone presented their unique brand of music and preaching. God's kingdom has a stronghold in Armada now, and the church was born at Bethel.  In fact, a hand-stiched birth certificate was presented to the Bethel Board.  A new church was born six months ago, and yesterday they struck out on their own. Congratulations and thanks to Rev. John Carr and the Bethel Church of the Nazarene.

Flushing Community Breaks Ground

Flushing Church GroundbreakingSunday, April 6th was also a great day on the district. Flushing Church and pastor Darrel Harvey broke ground for their first building. The new multipurpose building is being built on 30 acres of ground the church purchased west of Flushing last year. The project is being constructed by Rhoads and Johnson Builders. See the attached picture. In addition to the ground breaking, over 40 members were received into the church and 230 people attended the service Sunday morning service. (see attached picture)

Introducing New Heights Church of the Nazarene

On Sunday, March 30th Rev. Chad Oyer and wife Angie left Metropolitan Church as associates to begin their new church plant in northeast Sterling Heights. The name of the new church is New Heights Church of the Nazarene and is being sponsored by Metropolitan and several surrounding churches.

Family Festival Coming this Summer at Flint Central

Ron Graeflin, Flint Central's Children's Pastor, invites your church to their Family Festival with Ronnie Caldwell.  It will be in Central's sanctuary on Saturday, August 23, at 7:00pm.  No tickets sold, only an offering will be taken.  Central kids love his music. Ronnie and his company, Peaceable Kingdom Ministries, Inc., have produced 3 music albums and one video. The music is energetic and contemporary. The response has been incredible, for children of all ages (and adults) love the fresh, new sound!  Ronnie Caldwell has been noted as one of the "Top 10" Children's Ministers in the United States. He has received the "Children's Minister of the Year" award from Willie George Ministries and he created and hosted a children's television program. See a picture of Ronnie Caldwell with one of his puppets that he will be using at the Family Festival at http://pkmi.org

Top 10 Churches for March 2003 Morning Worship Attendance

  1. Flint Central 1362
  2. Richfield 822
  3. Warren Woods 778
  4. Detroit First 510
  5. Howell 496
  6. Brighton 455
  7. Williams Lake 401
  8. Flint East 382
  9. Adrian First 353
  10. Plymouth 332
Top 9 Churches for Increased Attendance for March*
  1. Richfield (+110)
  2. Flint Central (+66)
  3. Allen Park (+60)
  4. Bedford (+44)
  5. Rochester First (+29)
  6. Monroe (+18)
  7. Ann Arbor First (+16)
  8. Brighton (+15)
  9. Imlay City (+8)
*Difference between March 2003 and March 2002.

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