In this issue:
- News from Around Our Great District
- Summer Camp Information
- Detroit First Invites All Kids to Event
- Clio Church Holds Grand Opening
- Adrian First and Love Mercy Ministry Share in Blessings
- News From The Eastside Mission!
- Benefit Concert at the Eastside Mission
- The EvangeCube
- NMI Convention
- EASTSIDE MISSION support at Convention
- EMD NMI Appoints Mission Call Coordinator Sharon Drake
From the District Superintendent:
WE ARE AT WAR!! No not the war in Iraq nor is it even the war against terrorism. The war that I'm referring to is a battle right here in our own land. It is the war against evil. For a generation we have seen the moral values of our society slowly erode until the unspeakable of just a few years ago is becoming the norm of today.
The latest assault is against the very institution of marriage. It is important for us to remember that marriage is God ordained. Beside man's relationship with the God himself, it is the earliest of all relationships. It was instituted by the Lord in the Garden before the fall of man. Marriage was then and has always been defined as between one man and one woman. Yet, in recent days we have seen those that are living sinful lifestyles, blatantly defying the laws of the land and of God. In California, Massachusetts and even in our own state we have witnessed people with or without a marriage license publicly making a mockery of this sacred relationship.
Your district is supporting the efforts of the group "Citizens for the Protection of Marriage." We have contributed financially and are encouraging all of our churches to become involved in the petition drive to get this issue on the November ballot in order to change the Michigan Constitution. This change would clearly define marriage as between one man and one woman. Over 400,000 signatures are needed. If your church hasn't made petitions available, would you speak to your pastor today. Our district coordinator for this effort is Rev. Steve Barkey, pastor of the Orchard Ridge Church . He can be reached at 586-381-0070 or sbarkeymsu@aol.com In addition, let's make this a matter of urgent prayer.
"Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:24-32 (NKJV)
Dr. Stephen T. AnthonyMore News From Around The District
Congratulations to Rev. Jon Jaymes pastor ofHowell Church and Rev. Ray Hansen pastor of the Ridgeway Church who both received a 4 year renewal of their calls.
Congratulations to Rev. Darold Ward, pastor of Cass City Church, who recently retired from General Motors following a 30 year career.
NMI Convention and District Assembly will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 & 14 at Detroit First Church of the Nazarene. Dr. James Diehl will be the presiding General Superintendent.
Congratulations also to Dr. Ron Blake, pastor of Detroit First who was featured in a recent issue of Preachers Magazine.
Ed and Shirley Howard (former camp caretakers) recently celebrated their 50 wedding anniversary with a reception by their children on May 1st.
Clio Church Holds Grand Opening
Sunday afternoon, April 20th, 2004 was the Grand Opening for the Clio Community Church. Nearly 200 attended this service. Pastor Scott Salo brought a wonderful message. Clio's sponsoring church pastors are Rev. Darrell Harvey of Flushing Community and Rev. Rob Prince of Richfield. Both were on hand for the event.
Adrian First and Love Mercy Ministry Share in Blessings
Adrian First Church of the Nazarene children's ministry recently raised $458.00 to provide Bibles for Love Mercy Ministry Church of the Nazarene in Detroit . The check was presented to the church in a special Saturday evening event at Adrian . The children from LMM gave a special song and the children from Adrian First present an original musical. Rev. Janet Benjamin is the children's pastor at Adrian First.Newstart Church Biographies on>www.EMDNAZ.org/church_planting
Be sure to read all about our newest churches on the Church Planting section of the District Web site, EMDNAZ.ORG!
News From The Eastside Mission!
On April 28th the Mission partnered with two neighborhood churches to supply food in our continuing "Fight Against Hunger." Along with St. Leo's and St. Mary's Catholic Churches we hosted a Mobile Food Pantry. A semitrailer full of food was delivered by the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to St. Mary's parking lot. The FBEM provided a grant to us so with the exception of lunch this was of no cost to us.Boxes and bags were filled with a wide variety of food and personal care items and we were able to service 1,093 men, women and children. We also grilled 480 hot-dogs and along with chips, cookies and drinks our neighbors enjoyed a "Lunch on the Grounds." I might add, in between occasional rain and snow. It was so exciting and of course, blessed by God. We have 3 more planned this summer and are so thankful for the opportunity to once again serve Him in this unique way.
To the Eastern Michigan District from the Eastside of Flint we all say "Thank You for all You do."
Benefit Concert at the Eastside Mission
Richfield Nazarene and Family Life Radio sponsored a benefit concert featuring Avalon, Mark Shultz and Across the Sky on Wednesday, April 14th. There was a great crowd and everyone enjoyed themselves as the Lord was praised in song. The concert raised over $9,000.00 for the Mission and this will go a long way in helping the Mission in its ministry to the less fortunate. It was held at Richfield and we thank Pastor Rob Prince, the staff, Board and the people at Richfield. We are also thankful to all who sponsored and attended.We love Jesus, the Mission and You.
Rev. Bill & Barb Burdine
The EvangeCube
The EvangeCube has become an effective tool of evangelism for more than 120 persons every Wednesday at the Vayenglay Clinic in Liberia.This ministry was organized by the Women's Ministry of the Vayenglay Church of the Nazarene. The midwife assigned to the Vayenglay Clinic is the adult Sunday School teacher and secretary of the Women's Ministry of Vaganglay Church. She leads a Bible study every Wednesday when the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) from fifteen teams come together for a meeting. The use of the EvangeCube in the past month has resulted in 10 TBAs making decisions for Christ. Our membership has found this to be a master tool for evangelism. We are praying for more EvangeCubes for our ministry in the rural areas.
Evange Cube can be purchased online at www.evangecube.org or phone 1-888-345-9411 or at NMI convention resource table.
EASTSIDE MISSION support at Convention
Once again we will gather a large collection of a variety of needed food items , paper products, personal care items and diapers and bring them to convention. . Please plan to bring items to Detroit First on Tuesday, July 13. There will be a van parked near the front main entrance for the heavy and numerous items you wish to shower Eastside Mission with.For your information: Eastside Food Pantry roll consists of 1,310 households as of 1/1/04. This represents 4,187 men, women and children.
Gender- Male = 2,094
Female 2,093
Ages- 0 -5 712
6 -19 1,227
20-59 2,148
60+ 1000
Ethnic Origin
White 3,194
African American 612
Hispanic 346
Native American 35
Though the hours open at the Missions are hectic we always sense the Holy Spirit's presence and know that He will see us through the difficult times and give us the wisdom we need to minister. The love of Jesus is faithful and true and His unconditional love remains amazing. Thank you for your support and for loving Him and the Mission.
Bill & Barb Burdine
EMD NMI Appoints Mission Call Coordinator Sharon Drake
NMI has created a new "Mission Call Coordinator" (MCC) to act as a liaison between the child or teen and Kansas City candidate office. We have discovered that most people are called into ministry during the ages 4 through 14. If we can help to encourage and prepare these children and youth in their mission call, we will see better developed missionary candidates when they are ready for appointment. Each MCC will be provided with materials and have access to the DTM (Developing Tomorrow's Missionaries) web site.EMD council has recently appointed Sharon Drake of Richfield Church to be this very important link for the children or youth that feel the call to missions on our district. We welcome Sharon and feel she will communicate and transfer her love for kids and missions to each child through newsletter and training of the local MCC persons . She will be trained by mid- fall and then information for a needed meeting of all MCC people will be announced. Please prayerfully consider who might fill this need in your local church and contact Sharon Drake . drakesl@tir.com Hopefully more information will be available from Kansas City by convention time.
Campground Improvements Underway
Many exciting things are happening on the District Campground. A group of volunteers from Flint Central Church are totally remodeling. The remodeling will include new showers, stalls, fixtures, ceramic tile and will be heated and air conditioned. In addition, coin operated washers and dryers will be installed on both the Men's and Ladie's sides of the bath house. Further improvements include a major landscaping for the grounds. Trees will be planted to ine the main roads and scrubs will be planted around the buildings. Maybe the most exciting of all of the improvements will be the addition of a High Ropes Challenge Course, Climbing Tower, Zip Line and a Water Slide. All of the improvements and additions are expected to be complete for this camping season.