E-Tidings May 2005

E-Tidings May 2005

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

From the District Superintendent: Our Ordination Class of 2005

District Assembly 2005 is now history and the highlight for me was the Ordination Service. What a sight, ten men and women walking down the aisle of Flint Central Church, spouses on one arm and God's Word under the other. The organ and piano at full throttle while 700 people sing "Holiness Unto the Lord". Behind each one of these ordinands is a story. A story of hearing God ask "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" and just like Isaiah they individually responded, "Here am I send me". There were years of late night classes and even later nights of study. Places of service where they felt alone and at times unappreciated. And now they are kneeling at the altar with the hands of the elders and deacons upon them confirming their call.

I want to say a public thank you to our ordinands and congratulate them upon this milestone in their lives. We know God has wonderful days of ministry ahead for them.

Campmeeting 2005Our Ordination Class of 2005 includes the following: (photo - left to right with ordinands' names in bold)
  • Dr. James Diehl, General Superintendent
  • Rev. Norman and Marie Long - Elder(Recognized from Church of the Brethren)
  • Rev. Darold and Rev. Patti Ward - Elders
  • Rev. Louis and Shelly Cook - Elder
  • Rev. Kendall and Gail Deford - Elder
  • Rev. Eriks and Kris Mezsets - Elder
  • Rev. Lori and Mark Wood - Deacon
  • Rev. Jeffrey and Lisa Case - Deacon
  • Rev. Marvin and Sue Gerbig - Elder
  • Rev. Terry and Kathryn Clees - Elder
  • Rev. Larry Betz, District Secretary
  • Dr. Stephen T. Anthony, District Superintendent
Steve Anthony
District Superintendent

Campmeeting 2005

Preview: Campmeeting (July 24-30, 2005)

Dr. Louie BustleEvangelist: Dr. Louis Bustle
Missions have been the focus for Dr. Louie Bustle and his wife, Ellen. They served as missionaries in the Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic and Peru. He has been District Superintendent, Mission Director and Regional Director before being elected to serve as Director of the Division of World Mission for the Church of the Nazarene.


Rev. Jack FrenchEvangelist: Rev. Jack French
As an ordained minister, District Superintendent, Evangelist and missionary for the Missionary Church, Rev. French has conducted revival/evangelistic services in various denominations. He has also been associated with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Promise Keepers and has been a part of evangelistic teams in various world countries. His desire is to be used of God to help His Body grow and be more fruitful.

Dr. Gregg ChenowethBible Teacher: Dr. Gregg Chenoweth Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for Olivet Nazarene University, Dr. Chenoweth directs half the institution's professors and coursework over eight departments. He and his wife, Tammy, served a mission assignment in South Korea and currently lead a ministry to young adults at Kankakee, IL First Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Chenoweth was raised at Flint Central Church of the Nazarene.Brian Allen


Worship Leader: Brian Allen Brian Allen communicates the love of God through music in churches, retreat settings and conferences. He currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Olivet Nazarene University.

Allison Durham SpeerSpecial Music Minister: Allison Durham Speer Very Special Appearances Saturday & Sunday, July 30 & 31. You'll be thrilled by the voice of this Internationally Famous Christian Recording Artist.

Children's Camp Information Available on Emdnaz.org

Please visit emdnaz.org for complete details for Family Camp, Children's Camps as well as Junior and Senior High Camps. Children's camp Registration forms, worker forms and posters are available there for download. Here is a schedule of the Children's & Youth camps for 2005:
  • July 3-6: Senior High Camp
  • July 6-9: Junior High Camp
  • July 11-15: Middler Camp
  • July 18-20: Primary Camp
  • August 1-5: Junior (Pre-teen) Camp


More News

Rev. Michael and Karen MorrisRev. Michael and Karen Morris have been called to pastor the Richfield Church. Rev. Morris has accepted and will begin his ministry there on Sunday, June 6th. It was in 1983 that Rev. Morris found the Lord at Richfield and answered the call to ministry in 1987. He has pastored in Saginaw, Fenton, and at the Crossroads Church in Goodrich, Michigan. The last five years he has served as Church Development Director for the Eastern Michigan District.

Ellington Church recently took in 23 new members, 11 by profession of faith. Rev. Comfort reports that he is currently conducting another membership class and expects to receive another 10 in membership soon. God is blessing the Ellington Church in these days.

Rev. Fred Prince, pastor at Union Lake Church has resigned to accept a call to be senior pastor at Springfield First Church of the Nazarene on the Illinois District. Fred and Teri have served at Union Lake for just short of 20 years. Fred has been a long time member of the District Advisory Board, Credentials Board and a Trustee to ONU. Their last Sunday will be May 15 and they will begin the next Sunday.

Rev. Clayton Williams, pastor of Beulah Church has resigned and will be moving back to Indiana to be closer to his daughter.

Detroit Grace Church has extended the call for their pastor Rev. Robert Hunter for four more years. Rev. Hunter is completing his 26th year of ministry at Grace Church.

Rev. Vern Hazzard has received a 4 year extension of his call to the Sandusky Church.

Sunday, April 24 Rev. Don Frey began his pastoral ministry at South Flint Church.

Many congratulations to Mrs. Reta Steely on the fine renewal vote she received as District NMI President and the excellent innovative convention she and her council produced.

Also, congratulations to Dr. David W. Bowser on the excellent renewal vote he received as the Chairman of Sunday School Ministries for our district.

Rev. Jim and Margie TaulbeOn Sunday May 1st, Rev. Jim and Margie Taulbe began their ministry at Taylor Church. The Taulbes received their call to ministry while members of Allen Park Church. Rev. Taulbe is a graduate of Nazarene Bible College and Nazarene Theological Seminary.

Rev. Robert Welch, pastor at Mt. Morris Church has resigned effective May 22nd. Rev. Welch and wife Sharon have served at Mt. Morris since 1993.

Rev. Mike Keffer, Youth Pastor at Detroit First, has resigned to accept a position at the Northwest Church of the Nazarene in Columbus, Ohio.

Richfield Church Celebrates 90 Years

Richfield Church Celebrated their 90th Anniversary on Sunday, May 1st. General Superintendent, Dr. Paul Cunningham was the special guest speaker in the morning. Rev. Darrel Harvey, pastor of Flushing Church spoke in the evening service and Rev. Steve and Julie Close also of Flushing Church along with Joel Close of West Flint Church brought the special music. Darrel Harvey and Steve & Joel Close were all raised at Richfield.

Chelsea Church Begins Building

ChelseaSign in front of Chelsea Construction site. Chelsea Church is in the process of building their first facility. The church began in 1996 with a home Bible study initiated by two families. Over that time, the church has grown to over forty households. God has helped them to purchase land, pay it off, and raise seed money to begin building. The phase-one facility is located at exit 162 on I-94 in Chelsea. The congregation anticipates being in their building by late summer/early fall.

Flint Central Spring Expo

When: Friday, May 13th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Flint Central Church of the Nazarene
Come, visit, and experience a center for information and learning like no other. Over 50 exhibits will provide you with knowledge and resources for every day living. Here are just a few:

Imagination Station * Bank One * KinderMusik * Gift of Life * Jan's Professional Cleaners * Visiting Nurses of MI * Zango Health Drink * U of M Recreation Center * Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy * Sunshine Bible Shop * Swartz Funeral Home * Genesys Athletic Club * Gail's Massage & Bodywork * Valley Christian Academy * Alzheimer's Assocation * Home Emergency Systems * Sam's Club * Visually Impaired Center * Abbey Park * Genesee Gardens Retirement Community * AdvoCare World Class Nutrition And many more plus free health screenings!

Otter Lake Church Pig Roast

The Otter Lake Church of the Nazarene is have a Community Pig Roast Picnic on Saturday, May 21st, from 2 PM to 6 PM. This will be a day of family fun with games, live Christian bands, a bouncy house, hourly drawings, and lots of food. Otter Lake is planning this day to be a kickoff for a building project that they anticipate starting soon. Any questions feel free to contact Pastor Louie Cook at (810)793-7020.

Quadrennial Golf Open

Takes place on June 21st, 2005 at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort in Indianapolis. Entry fees go to benefit Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Get the full details at emdnaz.org in an Adobe PDF document.

Missions_Update

A Request For Books!

A missionary working in the Sudan area who needs to stay un-named request theological books for a needed library. He is seeking books that retired pastors may not be using or wish to pass on for others to glean from.
  • If the pastor who wishes to contribute books is going to the General Convention in June in Indianapolis he/she should take them to African Regional Desk at the convention center.
  • If it is a large number of books to contribute they will make arrangements at the desk to meet and collect.
  • If there is a pastor who wished to contribute to this library and is not going to the Convention please feel free to contact Reta Steely - 517-546-8956 and I will make sure they get there.
  • Please see the Book Drive Poster (Adobe PDF).

Be Sure to Read the NMI Newsletter!

The Bi-monthly EMD NMI Newsletter is available on the NMI section of EMDNAZ.org. Everyone on the District will find news and information of interest in this Newsletter as well as some fun along the way.

Flint Eastside Mission Update
Flint Eastside Mission Logo

Sponsors and Advertisers Needed for 4Him Benefit

Eastside Mission is dependent upon the generosity of others to continue to serve our community. Sometimes, churches step in a do a fund-raiser for us...

On Tuesday, May 24, Richfield Church of the Nazarene will host a fund raising concert featuring 4Him. All monies raised through sponsorships and ad sales for the event program will go directly to benefit the Mission. That is why these sales are critical to us. If you know of a business who would purchase an ad please connect with us.

Details about the concert and pricing are online at www.flinteastsidemission.org.

Churches and individuals may also sponsor this event and will be listed in the program. Also on the Mission Web site is a downloadable bulletin insert with the ad/sponsorship information so churches can offer that to their people!

This is your chance to say We Support the Flint Eastside Mission by being listed in the program.

If interested, please contact Rev. Margie Bryce at (810) 664-3457 or mebryce@flinteastsidemission.org and you will be connected with someone who can go over details with you.

Link with Us

We are asking for a link to the Eastside Mission website to be placed on EMD Church websites. The instructions to do this are on our homepage.

In addition, if you own a business and would like to put a link on your website as a show of support for our ministry that would be wonderful.

Volunteer Coordinator Needed

If you or someone you know would enjoy working with volunteers, both for our special events and on a weekly basis, please contact us!

Visit the Mission online at www.flinteastsidemission.org! Spring 2005 Newsletter now available!

EMD NYI

Junior & Senior High Camp Information Now available at Emdnaz.org

Freedom: Senior High Camp 2005
July 3-6, 2005
Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. on the 3rd
**Walk in Registration is not guaranteed**
Pickup is @ noon on the 6th
Complete 2005 Senior High Camp Information

Soul Survivor: Junior High Camp 2005
July 6-9, 2005
Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. on the 6th
**Walk in Registration is not guaranteed**
Pickup is @ noon on the 9th
Complete 2005 Junior High Camp Information
For both camps - Code of Conduct and Registration Form (80K Adobe PDF)

Night To Remember 2005 Information at Emdnaz.org

Eastern Michigan District's Prom Alternative at Mackinac Island's awesome Grand Hotel is coming on Memorial Day (May 30!) Get all the information here in one document including details, pricing, schedule and registration form. (Adobe PDF document)

Scholarship Information Now Available

The Eastern Michigan District Scholarship forms are now available for download at www.emdnaz.org/youth.

Sunday School Ministries Update 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:
  • May 14 : 2nd District Spring Luncheon -- Flint First Church
  • May 21 : 3rd District Spring Luncheon -- Adrian First Church
  • 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!
  • September 26 : PrimeTime Day at ONU
  • September 26-30 : General PT Event -- Schroon Lake, NY