March 2005 Etidings
In this Issue: (click the title to jump to the article) News From Around our Great District

From the District Superintendent

Our plane landed on a Saturday evening in the little Caribbean Island of Antigua. Marilyn, our daughter Cheri, and 28 other Nazarenes from several churches of the Eastern Michigan District had paid their own way to invest in building a Church of the Nazarene for those who couldn't afford it themselves. Some were veterans of trips like these while for others this was their first venture into hard labor on hot days.

This trip reminded me that the greatest thing that happens on a Work & Witness trip is not the construction of buildings, but what God does in our hearts. To watch the people of this remote island worship God with such joy while their building is literally falling in around them, reminds me of what is really important. The answer is simple; it is our relationship with God and with our fellow man. It doesn't take money to experience the presence of God. We don't need a beautiful building or comfortable surroundings to sense His nearness.

The week passed too quickly and we gave to our new friends about everything we had brought with us. But really, we took much more home than we started with. We took the joy of serving Jesus and giving some of ourselves and our resources to our fellow man and our brothers in Christ called Antiguan Nazarenes.

I'm glad I'm a Nazarene! What a joy it is to be part of a group that looks beyond her own borders and reaches out to everyone with the Good News of Heart Holiness. Someone, along time ago planted a seed of the Gospel in Antigua, and it is still bearing fruit. What a privilege it is to play a part in sharing Jesus!

Steve Anthony

News from Around Our Great District

Marilyn and Dr. Anthony joined hundreds of young people for the kick off of our District's version of Celebrate Life, MOMENTUM. Over 350 teens and sponsors gathered at Saginaw Valley State University for this annual event. MOMENTUM started with a Praise gathering in the University's auditorium. Grove City's Praise Band brought the music and several youth pastors from the EMD brought messages from the Word. Competition in sports, the arts and music were held late into Friday night and all day Saturday. Thanks to NYI President and the many youth pastors and sponsors of EMD for making this a huge success.

Rev. Rob Prince, pastor at Richfield, has resigned to accept a call to Central Church on the Kansas City District.


Rev. Tom Harvey has resigned at South Flint Church.

Rev. Debi Humpreys has been appointed pastor of Merritt Road Church.

Ann Arbor Honey Creek Church has sold their building and are temporarily worshipping in a local public school.


Congratulations to Rev. Paul McNett, pastor of Caro Church, on a good renewal vote by the congregation. His call is extended through January 2009.

Congratulations to Rev. Drew Jolly, pastor at Lapeer Church, who received a unanimous 4 year renewal of his call.

Dominic PaceThe District Camp is happy to announce the addition of Dominic Pace as Camp Director of Programming and Development. Dominic comes to the district following 3 years with the Free Methodist Camp "Covenant Hills" in Otisville, Michigan. At Covenant Hills he served as Guest Services Director. Prior to his camp work, he was Youth Pastor at Lapeer Church. Dom joins Rev. Kendall DeFord, who is Camp Director of Building & Grounds. Pace will be moving to the camp in the next couple of weeks. Ruth Steiner

Argentine Church Honors Long time Member

Sunday, February 27 was designated Ruth Steiner Day by Dr. Anthony and the Eastern Michigan District as the Argentine Church of the Nazarene honored her with a Distinguished Service Award for her many years of service. Ruth began attending Argentine Church in 1947 as a "bus kid" and has been part of the church ever since. During those years she has served in many different capacities including NWMS President, Church Treasurer, Board secretary, and Sunday school teacher. Missions Update

Million Hours of Prayer

There are 1.4 million Nazarenes in the world. If everyone prayed 45 minutes, the goal would be surpassed. This is 45 minutes prayed over a period of 168 days. Prayer changes things. Will you join us? Pray that all delegates from world mission areas will succeed in obtaining visas to enter the United States and have safe travel to Indianapolis. Pray for translators of General NMI Convention materials and for those who will interpret at the convention itself, that all delegates will understand and be inspired. Ask the Lord to prepare the hearts and minds of speakers and musicians for the plenary sessions of the NYI, NMI, & SSM conventions. Pray for a mighty movement of God throughout all conventions resulting in this generation living dynamic lives for Christ. Pray that Nazarenes will make a positive impact on Indianapolis Convention Center personnel, merchants, and citizens through Christ like behavior, particularly the "One Heart-Many Hands" project. "In all my prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. " Philippians 1:4-6.

PrimeTime Spring Luncheons

Promotion Packets have been mailed to each of our EMD Churches for our 14th Annual Spring Luncheon. Again this year we have three luncheons scheduled so our PrimeTimers do not have to drive more than one hour to the closest luncheon. All Luncheons serve at 12:00 Noon. Below is our Luncheon Schedule:

Luncheon One: April 30 Detroit Grace Rosa Hunter, Hostess 313-872-6956
Luncheon Two: May 14 Flint First Elsie Morey, Hostess 810-653-5215
Luncheon Three: May 21 Adrian First Dick & Rhea Butler, Hosts 517-863-7362

We have not yet scheduled a speaker for Luncheon One, however our very own, Virginia Stimer will be speaking at Luncheon Two and Three.

The cost is $10.00 per person. Each church is encouraged to offer scholarships for the PT'ers who may need some help. Individual PT'ers are also encouraged to help someone else attend and to invite an unchurched PT'er to come with you to the Luncheon.

To reserve your space at the Luncheon or Luncheons, phone the host(s) so they may prepare for their event. You may also contact Rev. Charles Bledsoe at 248-684-9457 or email him at ULNazarene@aol.com.

Work & Witness, WOW!

Wanda WileyWanda Wiley, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

What does Work and Witness mean to me? Mere words cannot express what Work & Witness is, has been and will continue to be in my life.

The joy and strength of my life is being obedient to the Lord as His servant. Any soul without Christ is the "darkened world." Christ asked me a long time ago if I would be the one. My answer to Him when He called was and still is "Yes." Yes, Lord, you open the door and I will go. I will be the one!

I was born the seventh child in a family of seven brothers and three sisters. I grew up at Bald Knob in northern Franklin County about eighteen miles from Frankfort Kentucky. There was always lots of work to be done on an old rocky hill farm. We were taught to work hard, sometimes with very little resources and to always be faithful to God.

I praise God to be so blessed to have had the opportunity to work my way through Asbury College and to complete my graduate work at Georgetown College.

I consider my first Work & Witness trip to be a little unusual. I taught Elementary Physical Education with 500 students daily. Trust me, that was work and my life was definitely a witness.

Work and Witness is certainly not a vacation as some folks assume when you travel to other countries. Each team member must find ways to earn funding for each mission work. I do enjoy seeing God's creation and traveling to other world areas, experiencing many cultures as we serve the Lord together. Spoken language has no barriers when hearts speak the language of love.

Work & Witness is a tremendous way to fellowship with team members who possess many and varied talents and skills, and who come from many states and denominations. As we laugh, cry, share our cares and concerns we spend time together in prayer and hard work. Through all this fellowship we build relationships with the local church families as we work and worship together. All is praise to the One True Living God - especially when hearing "How Great Thou Art" sung in four languages. We truly are a global church!

Work & Witness as a Nazarene in volunteer service is the answer to a mission call I received in 1967. My mission for 30 years was teaching children - God's most precious mission field. Now, whether I serve in a neighboring church or in far away lands, I will go to share Christ when the door opens. My name "Wanda" means "happy wonderer." That fits me! I want to continue to be a Wonderer for Christ.

I praise God for being able to go, worship and work with other cultures. The more I go, the more I see and the more I understand, I can now see how big and how small our world is. I praise God for allowing me the privilege of being a tiny "Little Bit" in the building of His Kingdom. I always want to be obedient to His voice when He calls because if I don't take part in His work I'm the one who will miss the blessings.

Work & Witness allows me to share Christ with a positive, sincere spirit and is the joy of my heart. Missions is my life in Christ!

(Editors Note: Wanda has experienced 17 Work and Witness adventures and has joined the "Many Hands One Heart" project in Indianapolis, Indiana, preceding our Nazarene General Conventions and Assembly, in June, 2005. She has also joined our history-making PrimeTime Ministry, W&W "Barbados Blitz 2006" ministry adventure for January, 2006. We are blessed because the Lord has led this wonderful lady to join one of our teams! Her friends nicknamed her "Lil' Bit" and joked that only "Lil' Bit" could fit into a wheelbarrow. It is evident to me that "Lil' Bit" has a great big heart in her little frame and this great big heart is full of love for our awesome Lord!)

PrimeTime Ministries Update

PrimeTime Spring Luncheons

Promotion Packets have been mailed to each of our EMD Churches for our 14th Annual Spring Luncheon. Again this year we have three luncheons scheduled so our PrimeTimers do not have to drive more than one hour to the closest luncheon. All Luncheons serve at 12:00 Noon.

EMD PrimeTime Work & Witness Adventure "Barbados Blitz 2006"

We currently have 45 PrimeTimers who have join our "Barbados Blitz 2006" mission adventure, representing 10 Districts, 23 local churches and 2 denominations in both the USA and Canada.

Visit our Web site for more information: www.GoPrimeTime.org

PT Event at Schroon Lake, New York

September 26 -- 30, 2005 is the date, Schroon Lake, New York is the place for this year's major PrimeTime gathering. You will not want to miss this incredible retreat.

Schroon Lake, located in the Adirondack Mountains 82 miles north of Albany, NY, has historically been one of the favorite locations for PrimeTime retreats. Near the shores of Lage George and lake Champlain, the Word of Life Retreat Center is on a bluff above Schroon Lake, providing a breathtaking and spectacular view. For more information please contact:

PrimeTime Ministries
6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131
Phone: 1-800-221-6317
Email: PrimeTime@Nazarene.org
PrimeTime Event Website: www.nazarene.org/ssm/adult/primetime/index.html

Prime Dates to Remember

2005:
June 19-24 One Heart, Many Hands - Indianapolis, IN
June 22-July 1 General Conventions & Assembly - Indianapolis, IN
September 11 Grandparents Day! Plan to celebrate
this special day!
26 PrimeTime Day at ONU (NEW DATE)
26-30 General PT Event - Schroon Lake, NY


2006:
Spring Senior Summit Two at ONU
March / April
General PT Event - Caribbean Cruise
April 29 1st Spring Luncheon Allen Park Church
May 6 2nd Spring Luncheon
May 20 3rd Spring Luncheon
September 10 Grandparents Day!

2007:
General PT Event - Kansas City, MO
EMD PT Ministries W&W Trip to ???
Saving $12.50 per week X 3 years = $1,950.00.
Will you go with us?