E-Tidings August 2003
In this issue:- News from Around Our Great District
- Dr. Raath Remembered on Flint Central's Web Site
- 2003 Class of Ordinands
- EMD Church Planting News - Four New Churches Launched
- EMNBI Announces Class schedule and offerings for Fall, Winter and Spring (2003-2004)
- Campground Enters VG's Community Share Program
- Labor Day Extravaganza at EMD District Center
- NMI Presidents ONLY Birthday Party
- Michigan Nazarene Right to Life Charity Shoot
- 2003 Lay retreat
- About E-Tidings
News from Around Our Great District
- Dr. Gavin Raath, Senior Pastor of Flint Central Church, passed away on August 10 while on a mission trip to South Africa. Please pray for Clara, Gavin Jr., David, and Jennifer Raath as well as the whole staff and congregation of Flint Central. (More information provided in the article below entitled Dr. Raath Remembered on Flint Central's Web Site.
- Jewell Hintz, the mother of Rev. David Hintz associate at Flint Central, passed away on August 3rd, 2003 in Oklahoma.
- Virginia Stimer's (retired missionary and member of Flint First Church) brother passed away in Florida on August 4th.
- The mother of Pastor Bob McFarlane from Allen Park Church passed away earlier this month.
- Savannah Stroud, the granddaughter of Pastor Don & Debbie Stroud of Filion had serious surgery at the UofM Hospital this week and is doing well.
- Our last summer camp for this year closed earlier this month. Thanks to Rev. Dan Black who directed Jr. High Camp and all of those who worked so hard to make it a success for the young people!
- Rev. Jeff Haynes, pastor of Lake Community Church has resigned to accept a Youth Pastor position in Indiana.
- Rev. Clayton Williams began as pastor of Beulah Church last Sunday.
Dr. Raath Remembered on Flint Central's Web Site
Gavin Raath, Senior Pastor of the Central Church of the Nazarene in Flint, Michigan, died on August 10 at approximately 11:00 a.m. South African time, near Johannesburg, South Africa, while leading a work and witness trip with a group of church members. Raath, 55, suffered a heart attack on Tuesday, August 5th, after arriving in his native South Africa, and had been hospitalized since then. Raath suffered another heart attack on August 10, which was instantaneously fatal. Clara, his wife, was with him on the trip. Raath's two sons, Dave and Gavin Jr., as well as his daughter-in-law, were flown to South Africa following the initial heart attack and arrived before he died.
An SNU alumnus, Raath had previously pastored at Bethany, Oklahoma First and Calgary, Alberta First before moving to Flint Central.
Flint Central Church is developing two areas on the web site;www.centralnazarene.org, one for people to contact the Raath family personally, and the other for people to leave public remarks on the life and ministry of Dr. Raath. The Flint Central staff feels this is the most appropriate way for friends to leave notes of condolence and encouragement for Clara, Dave, and Gavin Jr.
Source: Nazarene Communications Network News
2003 Class of Ordinands
From left Dr. Paul Cunningham, General Superintendent, Rev. Margie and Craig Bryce, Rev. Chad and Angie Oyer, Rev. Larry and Delois Bolling, Rev. Bryan and Nancy Crampton, Rev. Greg and Beth Boisture, Rev. David and Jodi Mills, Dr. Stephen Anthony, District Superintendent.
EMD Church Planting News - Four New Church Launched
Orchard Ridge Church - The Warren Woods Church under the leadership of Rev. Tim Gocha is sponsoring the Orchard Ridge Church in northwest Macomb County. The new church has initiated core group meetings led by Pastor Steve Barkey (previously a staff member at Warren Woods). The new church has secured a parsonage in the community and a meeting location is anticipated in a local elementary school in Washington Township.Clio Community Church - The Richfield Church under the leadership of Rev. Rob Prince is sponsoring the Clio Community Church in north Genesee County. The new church is meeting as a core group and will be conducting worship services in the near future in the local school system. Rev. Scott Salo is the pastor of this new church.
Grand Blanc Church - The Richfield Church under the leadership of Rev. Rob Prince is sponsoring the Grand Blanc Church that is being pastored by Rev. Marv Gerbig. The core group is presently meeting in homes in the Grand Blanc area and will soon be securing a worship location.
New Covenant Church - The Brighton Church under the leadership of Rev. Ben Walls is sponsoring the New Covenant Church that is located in South Lyon. Rev. Bob Moulding will be pastoring this new church. The church is now forming a core group and will possibly be meeting in the local school system for worship. If you are interested in learning more about any of these (or other poptential) new churches, please feel free to contact Rev. Michael Morris, Church Development Director, for more details. 810-750-4080, 810-654-2553, MPMorris@juno.com.
Campground Enters VG's Community Share Program
The District Camp has registered with VG's Community Share program. An extra way people can now show their support to the operations of the camp is to bring or mail VG receipts to the camp office. The camp can turn these into VG's and get 1% from the total amount of purchase.