E-Tidings, January 2004
From the District Superintendent
The Passion of the Christ! Everyone is talking about it. Every time I get together with a group or even just a couple of ministers the conversation always comes around to The Passion! Who knows, this may prove to be the most effective tool the Lord has used in our lifetime to spread the Gospel in North America and bring a revival that is so desperately needed. We all have been amazed at the impact of the JESUS film around the world and hopefully The Passion will have that impact in our land.
This film would not have happened without the passion of a single individual by the name of Mel Gibson. He has placed his finances, reputation, and even his future on the line to serve God in this way. He has endured insult and ridicule but so believes in this that he counted the cost and gave it all to God. It is that passion that we all need to have if we are going to make a difference in our world.
Please join me in praying that this film will be used to reach those who need Christ. But let's also pray that it will be used to reignite the passion in the church. Let that passion begin in me, Dear Lord!
Steve AnthonyDistrict Superintendent
In this issue:
- News from Around Our Great District
- Rev. Milton Bunker Receives Scouting's Highest Award
- Clio Community Conducts First Preview Service
- Thumb Zone Completes Successful Revival
- Rev. Glen Gardner Accepts Call To Flint Central
- Rev. Lerrin Wentworth To Join Staff At Adrian First
- Steve And Julie Close Return To EMD At Flushing Community
- Rev. Larry Bolling Moving To Louisiana
- NYI Scholarship Info Available
- Complete Youth Mission Trip Info Now On District Web
- Eastside Mission Work & Witness Pt.2 Takes Place This Weekend
- 2004 Rates For Campmeeting Housing
- More Great Resources for Local Mission Presidents Available at EMDNAZ.org
News from Around Our Great District
On Sunday, February 15, Dr. Anthony and Marilyn attended morning worship at Lapeer Church. Rev. Andrew Jolly and his congregation are in the process of listing the church building for sale and interviewing builders for the relocation to their new property.Naomi Griggs Sargent, 95, died February 12, 2004. Mrs. Griggs Sargent was the mother of missionary Dr. Nina Gunter If you wish to send a card to Dr. Gunter, send it to: Dr. Nina Gunter 1417 Camping Rd. Gilbert, SC 29054.
Recently people from Rochester, Flint Central and Union Lake Churches went on a mission trip to Antigua. Antigua is an English-speaking island in the Caribbean. Flint Central is planning another trip in November and Rochester is returning in January. If you would have interest in helping on either of these trips, contact Eric Chenoweth at 248-894-3284 or ELC2x4@aol.com.
Rev. Don and Nancy Ault, pastor of Gagetown Church, are requesting prayer for their son, Rob who is being deployed to the Middle East.
Rev. Bill Bowers, pastor at Taylor Church, has been hospitalized in Mt. Clemens General Hospital will pulmonary problems. Please pray for Pastor Bowers.
Rev. John Doherty, Minister of Youth and Music at Fenton Church, has resigned.
Rev. Steve Barkey, New Start Pastor at Orchard Ridge Church, reported they had 97 in service on January 25th.
Troy Church under the leadership of Pastor Dennis Wegner averaged 138 in Morning Worship in January.
From Flint's Eastside Mission: Our mission is to demonstrate the light and love of Jesus Christ to the people who need it most on the eastside of Flint. We are compelled by Christ's life and call to act on His behalf in our community. Thank you Eastern Michigan Nazarenes for helping us to fulfill this our Mission Statement.
Rev. Milton Bunker Receives Scouting's Highest Award
Retired Nazarene elder Milton Bunker of Clio, Michigan was honored Saturday, February 7, 2004 bythe Boy Scouts of America, Tall Pine Council on the 70th anniversary of his Eagle Scout Award.
Bunker, who is pictured with Alex Hill of Grand Blanc, Michigan, was one of 55 recipients who
received Scouting highest award.
Rev Bunker was a Pastor in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan for over 30 years. He is the co-founder of the
Nazarene Caravan program and attends Central Nazarene Church in Flint, Michigan.
Clio Community Conducts First Preview Service
Rev. Scott Salo and the core group of Clio Community held the first service open to the public on Sunday, February 15 at Clio High School. The ministry team was excited to welcome well over 50 people to the new church for the first service. Preview services are used to allow the community to experience the ministry of the new church even though all ministry systems may not be fully implemented. Congratulations Rev. Salo and Clio Community on a very successful introduction to the Clio area!
Thumb Zone Completes Successful Revival
The pastors of the Thumb Zone completed a very successful revival campaign with Rev. Tim Hancock. Revival opened on Sunday, February 8 at Caro and proceeded to Cass City, Gagetown and concluded at Ellington. Despite inclement weather the services were well attended and a good spirit was present.
Rev. Glen Gardner Accepts Call To Flint Central
Rev. W. Glen Gardner of Florida has accepted the call to pastor Flint Central Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Gardner is currently pastor of Bradenton Florida First Church where he has served for the past five years. He and wife Kayla will begin there ministry at Central on March 21st. The Gardners have two children, Kelsea and Blake. They are both students at Olivet Nazarene University.Rev. Gardner attended Olivet and is a graduate of Mid-America Nazarene University. He also attended Nazarene Seminary and has completed the "K" Church Project or School of Large Church Management. In addition to his pastorate in Florida he has served as Senior Pastor at churches in Kansas, Texas and New Hampshire. In Florida, the Bradenton Church has grown from a congregation of 500 to over 1,000 in AM worship attendance. He has been the District Secretary of the Southern Florida District and a member of their District Advisory Board.
Rev. Lerrin Wentworth To Join Staff At Adrian First
Rev. Larry Betz, senior pastor at Adrian First Church announces the addition of a new Youth Pastor Rev. Lerrin Wentworth. Lerrin and wife Jennifer will begin their ministry at Adrian on February 9th. Currently they are serving at Owosso Church of the Nazarene as youth pastor. Jennifer is the daughter of Rev. Tim and Debby Gocha, pastor at Warren Woods Church.Lerrin is the son of Rev. & Mrs. Keven Wentworth, pastor at Dayton Beavercreek Church on the Southwest Ohio District. Keven grew up on Eastern Michigan attending the Ferndale Church (now Madison Heights).
Steve And Julie Close Return To EMD At Flushing Community
Rev. Steve and Julie Close have joined the staff of Flushing Community Church effective January 18, 2004. They have moved to Flushing from Munster, Indiana, where they have served at Fairmeadow Community Church of the Nazarene for the last six years.
Steve will be the Associate Pastor of Community Outreach. Julie will serve as Administrative Assistant and Children's Coordinator. The Close's are both graduates of Olivet Nazarene University. They have been in ministry for over eighteen years serving in Michigan for twelve years, and in Indiana the last six years. They have two daughters, Lindsay and Brenna. Lindsay is a freshman in high school and Brenna is in fifth grade.
Rev. Larry Bolling Moving To Louisiana
Rev. Larry Bolling and wife DeLois have accepted a call to pastor New Orleans First Church of the Nazarene on the Louisiana District. Rev. Bolling has been the associate pastor under Rev. Robert Hunter at Detroit Grace Church for a number of years. Rev. Bolling recently retired from General Motors and was ordained at our last District Assembly. His last Sunday at Grace will be February 8th.Updates from Greg Boisture, District NYI (Nazarene Youth International) President:
Celebrate Life: March 6th is the date for District Celebrate Life. Some of you are new to the district and I want you to know what this is about. It is a talent and sport competition. District Celebrate Life is a time that the youth of the district can show off their talent, gain insight for improvement and encouragement to use it for the Lord. The talent portions includes singing, art work, instrumental, quizzing and many other areas. The sport portion includes, Men's and Women's Volleyball, basketball, co-ed soccer, 5K run, table tennis, golf, chess, and many others. Winners at the district level will advance on to the Regional level at Olivet the early part of May. Information will be to you in a short time. Mark this date, I would like to see the greatest turn out ever for district Celebrate Life so we can have the biggest group ever go to Regional Celebrate Life. Last year we took 2nd overall at Regionals, let's stomp them this year.