E-Tidings Volume 1, Issue 3 November 2001
From the District Superintendent:
Thanksgiving is more than a holiday in November.
Yes we do set aside the 4th Thursday in November to officially celebrate and give thanks, but Thanksgiving for the Christian should be an everyday event. We have so much to be thankful for. Our health, jobs, families, and the list could go on and on. Yet at the top of our list must always be what God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ.
To know that our names are written in the "Lamb's book of life" makes all of the problems and pain of life pale into insignificance. Whatever happens to us as Christians, we should always be able to be thankful to God for his wonderful gift of salvation.
Let's not wait for Thursday, November 22nd to thank him for our relationship with Him.
Stephen T. Anthony
News From Around Our Great District
Brenda Waller, pastor's wife at Southwest Church, is continuing her radiation treatments at St. Joes Hospital in Ypsilanti for cancer. She goes everyday and has about 25 treatments left. She will begin chemotherapy in January. Let's unite in prayer for Brenda and Tom during this time.
Continue to pray for Debbie Stroud, wife of Rev. Don Stroud pastor at Filion, as she undergoes test and treatment for several physical problems.
Alice Funk, wife of Rev. Noah Funk passed away suddenly on November 8. The Funks pastored the Bedford Church from December of 1984 through May of 1991. They had made their home in Central Florida and were attending the Winter Haven Church. Cards and calls can be made to Rev. Funk at:
Rev. Noah Funk
2575 U.S. Highway 27 N.
Haines City, FL 33844
Tel. # 863-422-7672
Flint New Life Church (formerly Flint Eastside Church) is in desperate need of a van to transport children and teens to church. They would like a 15 passenger van but will consider any donations. Pastor Eric Slade has found a good used van for about $8,500. but the church doesn't have the funds to purchase it.
Did you see the wonderful article about Rev. Darrel Harvey and the Flushing Church in the Fall issue of GROW magazine? It is on pages 43 and 44. If you do not receive GROW Magazine please contact Pastor Michael Morris and he will forward your request to the church growth division.
Flushing Church has completed their land
purchase. They have acquired 20 acres of property
just west of the City of Flushing. They have very
little debt on this parcel.
Flushing Church has also welcomed Rev. David & Jodi Mills (pictured left) to serve as full time youth pastor. David is the son of Rev. & Mrs. Garrett Mills who is the DS of the Southwest Indiana District. The Mills come to EMD from the North Central Ohio District.
Dr. Stan Reeder has resigned as pastor of Warren Woods. Dr. Reeder, Janet, and their two boys will be moving to Denver to pastor the Westminster Church. The Reeders have been a great addition to EMD and will be missed.
Rev. Dave and Eleanor Wermuth have completed 40 years of ministry, all of them on the Eastern Michigan District. They have served congregations at Holly, Beulah, Colling and for the past 23 years at Vassar. The church board has unanimously renewed Rev. Wermuth's call for 4 more years.
What Happened to the Statistics Portion of Tidings? Attendance and budget statistics are available at the District Web Site on the Sunday School Statistics page. (This link will take you to a page where you can choose which month to look at.)
The District Advisory Board, according to the MANUAL paragraph 221.1, has selected Rev. Wayne Brown, pastor of Howell, to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Stan Reeder on the Advisory Board. This term runs through District Assembly 2003. According to MANUAL paragraph 226.1, I have appointed Dr. Gavin Raath, pastor of Flint Central, to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Stan Reeder on the Board of Ministerial Credentials. This term runs through District Assembly 2005.
The District Advisory Board has also
voted to purchase a building in Fenton to
be used as a district office. The 1,800 sq.
ft. building was a branch bank and recently
closed due to their merger with another bank.
It is located on the North Fenton Rd.. The
building will house the District Superintendent
offices and a large conference room for
district meetings.
On November 12, the District Superintendent met with the board from the East Flint Church for the pastoral review of Rev. Daryl Blank. Pastor Daryl and Tracy have completed 6 years of service at East Flint and the church has shown tremendous growth under their leadership. The board voted unanimously to extend his call for 4 more years.
Retired elder, Rev. Ray Raycroft,is undergoing tests. Recent tests revealed a possible return of the cancer he had several years ago. Please pray for Ray and Margaret during these days.
The church facility occupied by Monroe
Church for many years on Dunbar Rd.
has been sold and is now meeting in
the former Baptist Church in town. This
is a temporary location as they are
preparing to build a new facility on M-50
just west of town.
On Sunday November 4th, the District Superintendent met with the Monroe church board and voted unanimously to extend Dr. Allen Duce's call for 4 more years. Congratulations to the Duces and the Monroe Church.
Lake Community Church set to Launch!Sunday, November 18 is the much anticipated launch date for the new Lake Community Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Jeff Haynes and his core team have been working very hard preparing for a great day. Recently the Lake Community team held a children's outreach event and had nearly 100 kids come out. The church also sponsored a youth outreach event that had over 50 in attendance. Lets join together in praying for the Haynes' and the core ministry team of Lake Community as they open their doors for ministry to the Greater Belleville community this Sunday.
NEW CHURCH PROPOSALS INCREASING
We presently have five pastors working through the ministry action plan process in hopes of starting new churches on the district. The interest has steadily grown as we have continued to highlight God's activity among our church plants. Some of the factors responsible for the increased interest include the newly launched district web page, district assembly church planter's reports, and an effective system of training and assessing. But by far the greatest factor in building excitement is the atmosphere that our existing church plants have created. Their step of faith has inspired others to follow and become a part of the district planting program. God is using their faith to reach beyond their own church to raise up leaders for the harvest.
If you are interested in learning more about the district planting program please visit the district web page at church_planting/.
10th National Laymen's Conference Coming in July 2002
Join thousands of fellow Nazarenes for this quadrennial gathering in July 2002! Come share the joy of God with friends and encounter God's wonderful presence through inspirational services. Be challenged by exceptional speakers and lift your spirit in praise through powerful worship experiences. Participate in dynamic workshops and equipping opportunities. You don't want to miss the 2002 Nazarene Laymen's Conference . . . Be There!
Nazarene Laymen's Conference is a gathering of lay people occurring every four years. Nazarenes from across the United States and Canada will gather July 3-7, 2002, at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville for a great time of fellowship, inspiration, worship, and equipping.
For conference details, visit www.nazarene.org/ssm/nlc/!
TAKE CLASSES AT EASTERN MICHIGAN NAZARENE BIBLE INSTITUTE
WINTER TERM
January 7 - March 21, 2002
MONDAYS Jan. 7 - Mar. 18
COURSE: CEM-1003 MULTIPLE STAFF MINISTRIES
PROFESSOR: Dr. Carl Leth
Day/Dates: Mondays, Jan. 7 - Mar. 18
Credit: 3 hrs.
Required For: Deacon Programs
THURSDAYS
Jan. 10 - Mar. 21
AT FLINT WESTGATE: 3141 Herrick, Flint, MI.)
COURSE: OTR-2013 GLOBAL EVANGELISM
Instructor: Rev. Donald K. Ault, Jr.
Credit: 3 hrs.
Day/Date: Thursdays, Jan. 10-Mar. 21
Required For: BOTH Elder/Deacon Programs
COURSE: BIB-2053 PAULINE EPISTLES
Instructor: Rev. Ron Compton
Credit: 3 hrs.
Day/Date: Thursdays, Jan. 10-Mar.21
Required For: BOTH Elder/Deacon Programs
For further information or to pre-register contact the director, Rev. Donald K. Ault, Jr. at 989/665-2635 or e-mail dnault@tband.net.