E-Tidings April 2004
In this issue:- From the District Superintendent
- News from Around Our Great District
- 5th Annual Sportsman's Day & Wild Game Dinner at Flint Central
- TEAM DAY Plans Underway
- Pastors of Large Churches Meet
- Flint Central Welcomes Rev. Glen Gardner
- PrimeTime Ministries Update from Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe
- A Special Day at the Mission
- Easter Celebration at the Mission by Barb and Bill Burdine
- Missions Flags Now Located At Williams Lake Church
- Opportunity In Africa
- Be Sure to Read the District NMI Newsletter
- The District Impact Team - Highest Call
- NYI Scholarship Info Available
- Campground Clean-Up
- Upcoming NYI Events
- Complete Youth Info On District Web
- Spring Work Days Scheduled at Campgrounds
- Campmeeting Housing
- Children's Summer Camps at the Eastern Michigan Nazarene Camp
From the District Superintendent
Is it just me or does it seem that there is an "onslaught" of evil recently. And why does it seem that those that stand up for the Biblical point of view are ridiculed as if the Word of God was evil and Christians were insignificant. I guess this shouldn't surprise us. The prophet Isaiah recorded many years ago:
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20 NIV
There has never been a more important day to proclaim the Good News with clarity and conviction than today. Let's make a difference in these last days.
Dr. Stephen T. AnthonyDistrict Superintendent
More News
We are all familiar with the Flint Eastside Mission, but did you know that every Sunday services New Life Church of the Nazarene holds services. Rev. Eric Slade is the pastor and the church is ministering in a powerful way to this neighborhood. More information is available about their services at http://www.flintnazarene.org and www.flinteastsidemission.org.Violet Roberts, wife of the late Rev. Wade Roberts, passed away on Monday March 15 in Florida . Wade and Violet served for many years as pastor at Rochester Church . They retired several years ago and made their home in Pensecola, Florida.
Nancy Barnett , the mother of Sue McNett, wife of Caro Church pastor Rev. Paul McNett, passed away on the afternoon of March 14, 2004 following a long battle with cancer.
Rev. Mark & Amanda Mountain's baby boy Connor died on Thursday, April 8. Our deepest sympathy as a District family is extended to them. A Memorial service was held for Connor and for Mark & Amanda's other son Landon who was born prematurely and died in December.
Our Financial officer, Cristy VanSteenburg's phone numbers have changed. Please make a note.
Phone: 810-736-8529
Fax: 810-736-8583
Word has been received of the death of Michael Bowling, the brother of Olivet President Dr. John Bowling. Dr. Bowling's brother passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2004. It was only about 2 months prior that he went to the doctor with a cough. The doctor ordered a routine chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia, but after suspicious results, more tests were conducted that diagnosed cancer.
Audrey Stanley, wife of Rev. Russell Stanley, passed away on Tuesday in Reed City , Michigan . The Stanley 's pastored 8 churches over 38 years, all of them on the Eastern Michigan District.
Please pray for Ken Gocha, father of Warren Woods pastor Rev. Tim Gocha. Mr. Gocha underwent surgery recently.
Pastors of Large Churches Meet
Eleven EMD pastors, from churches which averaged over 300 in morning attendance in 2002-3 met on Wednesday, March 31 at the District Office. We discussed many items including how to better evangelize our district. Those attending were Rev. Larry Betz, Adrian First; Rev. Ben Wall, Brighton; Dr. Ron Blake, Detroit First; Rev. Glen Gardner, Flint Central, Rev. Ron Sharpe, Flint East; Dr. David Bowser, Flint West; Rev. Jon Jaymes, Howell; Rev. Fred Hall, Plymouth; 
Rev. Rob Prince, Richfield; Rev. Tim Gocha, Warren Woods; Rev. Dan Wine, Williams Lake.
Flint Central Welcomes Rev. Glen Gardner
Sunday morning (3/21) Dr. Anthony and Marilyn were privileged to pray to install Rev. Glen Gardner as Senior Pastor at Flint Central. Rev. Gardner, wife Kayla, daughter Kelsi, and son Blake have moved to Flint from Bradenton, Florida where they have been pastoring. Nearly 1,500 people joined in welcoming the Gardners to Flint. A reception was held in their honor on Sunday evening.
A Special Day at the Mission
On Saturday, March 20, sixty guys from Flint's eastside neighborhood enjoyed a wild game dinner provided, prepared and served by the Fenton Nazarene Church. This is an annual event and our guys look forward to this each spring. In fact, they start asking about it in the fall. Thank you Fenton.Easter Celebration At The Mission From Bill and Barb Burdine
Volunteers
Over 50 volunteers from all over Eastern Michigan came to help us with this wonderful day. This included adults, teens and children from 20 churches plus a 6 from a motor cycle club. We marveled as we watch each one minister with compassion and love. We are thankful to you, the volunteers, and to all that provided the food, paper products, the 800+ Easter baskets, helped set up and on and on. Most of all we thank God for supplying all that we needed to make this a very day for many very special people.Ham Dinners
The dinners were served at the Mission building using both the upper worship and lower dining levels. They were greeted at the door and then directed to one of the levels to be seated and then served a full-course ham dinner. 413 dinners were served and this was a record number for any Easter in the past. On the upper level we also had the Easter Bunny on the preaching platform helping the children pick out the stuffed animal of their choice. I am not sure of the number but the platform was full and at the end of the day just a few were left.Easter Baskets
An amazing miracle as over 800 Easter baskets came in from everywhere this year. For this reason we were able to give to the adults too. Over 700 were distributed and I can't tell you how much joy was evident because of just a little Easter Basket. I take too much for granted! Again I was reminded of that! I want to share just one of the many things that touched our hearts this day. I was going around at the dinner tables telling the adults that they could get a basket also and they just had to stop by the house when they were finished eating. One of our tough guys looked up at me and said, "hey, I know a little girl a couple doors from me who probably won't get one." I said great. Then he said, "I am going to give it to her mother to give to her." I did shed a tear then and I shed a tear now. In His image we were created. It is about giving, Jesus is about giving.Thanks to all of you and may God Bless you.
Rev. Bill and Barb Burdine
http://flinteastsidemission.org/
Missions Flags Now Located At Williams Lake Church
Our set of international flags that are loaned to local churches have been moved to a new location. Please take note. (as of March 15)Call : 248-673-5011
At : Williams Lake Church
2840 Airport Rd. Waterford, Mi.
www.wlnazarene.org
Make your reservations, pick up and delivery time with the church secretary.
Keeping up with Highest Call
The District Impact Team - Highest Call ministered to a packed church Sunday evening, March 14 at Southwest Church . Over 40 young
people from the Eastern Michigan District participate in this outstanding group. Leaders Kandra and Doug Hewitt along with Teri Dilts are in their 13th year of ministering on the Eastern Michigan District. Thanks to Rev. Gary Slusher and the Southwest Church for hosting Highest Call.