From the District Superintendent:
As I write this, Marilyn and I have just returned from the closing service of the National Black Nazarene Conference in Orlando. What a service it was. Over 1,800 Black Nazarenes from all across the US joined together to celebrate and worship and praise our Savior. Bishop Dr. John Bryant from the African Methodist Episcopal Church preached a stirring message on "Keeping the Fire Burning". I was a little surprised at the conclusion of his message that he felt compelled to give an invitation to receive Christ as Savior. Certainly, I thought, he must have forgotten the crowd he had spoken to. These were ministers, their families and some of the finest laymen in our denomination. I guessed that he was going to be embarrassed when no one responded. Than he asked each of us to turn to our neighbor and ask if they knew they were going to heaven. If they weren't sure, we were to invite them to go forward and receive Christ as Savior. To my surprise and delight over 50 people made their way to the front to pray the sinners prayer.
Could it be that many times our altars are barren because we haven't been bold enough to simply ask someone about their spiritual condition. Maybe we've become so comfortable that we aren't even concerned about the condition of our neighbors soul. I'll never forget a young couple I was counseling before their wedding. The young man had grown up in the church and was a Christian but I wasn't sure about his bride to be. When I asked her if she was a Christian, she responded that she wasn't. "Why not", I asked. "Because no one has ever asked me to be one or told me how" she replied. That night she was born again and today, over a dozen years later, she is serving Christ in that Church.
What the Church of the Nazarene needs is not one more program or event. What we need is to simply invite those around us to receive Christ as Savior. The result will be a revival in the church like our generation has never seen.
Stephen T. AnthonyDistrict Superintendent
Interim Pastor Appointed at Otter Lake Church
Dr. Anthony announced that he has appointed Rev. Louis Cook as interim pastor at Otter Lake Church. Rev. Cook is a member of the church and is a Flushing Township Police Officer. The appointment comes at the retirement of Rev. James Franklin and will continue as the board searches for a new pastor.Flint Eastside Compassionate Nazarene Mission: Celebrates 10 Years Of Ministry
From the Mission
How wonderful it was to receive all of the donations of food, etc., from all of you for the pantry during Missionary Convention. It filled the Pantry to the max.
Our next major event is the "Back to School Carnival" to be held August 27 from 5 to 7pm. We distribute back bags and school supplies to fill them. Last year we made over 400 children very happy and we are expecting many more this year. If any of you can help us with school supplies it would be a blessing.
We love and appreciate all of you and count it a privilege to partner with you in reaching the lost and needy of Flint's Eastside. May God richly bless you for this.
Because of Him, Pastor Bill and Barb Burdine