E-Tidings Volume 2, Issue 8 October 2002
In this Issue:- From the District Superintendent
- News From Around Our Great District
- Small Group Ministry Expert Ted Whaley to Speak at Flint Central
- Ellington Moves into New Facility
- Armada Church Launch Team Meets
- Northpointe Church Secures New Location
- New Heights Holds Promotional Service
- "For Such A Time As This" Update
- Pastor & Spouse Retreat
- Lay Retreat 2002
- Teen Quiz
- About E-Tidings
From the District Superintendent:
An Open Letter for Pastor Appreciation Month.
Looking back you can often times find it easy to see how someone had a bigger influence on your life than you thought they were having at the time. My pastor in the early 70's was Rev. Norman Rickey. He and his wife Eloise along with their young son Brett and little white shaggy dog had recently moved to Michigan and began pastoring the Williams Lake Church. I had been away from the Lord for some time but knew that we needed to get back in church. It wasn't long after setting under the anointed preaching of Rev. Rickey that I found myself at an altar of prayer inviting Christ back into my life. It wasn't too long after that I was back at the altar dedicating my entire life to Him. Soon I found myself answering a call to preach and moving to Colorado Springs to attend the Nazarene Bible College.
Now that I have been fast forwarded over 30 years, I realize none of this would have been possible had it not been for the faithfulness of a Godly pastor. Pastor Rickey preached the truth, even when it cut deep and hurt. He called on our family and prayed with us in difficult situations. He helped me and encouraged me when I answered the call to preach. He didn't send me to Colorado Springs to look at the Bible College, but drove with me there to look it over. He was there 30 years ago as my spiritual mentor and he is still there today as an example of Christlikeness. Even today I view him as my pastor and often look to him for spiritual guidance and encouragement.
Pastor Rickey, thanks for all you've done for me in my life and for allowing God to use your life to impact mine. I appreciate you and Eloise more than you'll ever know.
Stephen T. Anthony
District Superintendent
(October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Would you take time to tell your pastor, staff and families the difference being made in your life because of their faithfulness.)
News from Around Our Great District:
Highest Call, the Eastern Michigan District's teen impact group had their first concert of the year on Oct. 13, 2002 at the Rochester Church Of The Nazarene. You can get more information about Highest Call at their new Web site, http://www.highest-call.com/.
Oct 6, Dr. Anthony and Marilyn were at Detroit First Church for the Sunday morning service. Following the service, Dr. Anthony met with the church board for Dr. Carl Leth's Pastoral Review. The board has extend his call for 4 more years. These are exciting days around the Leth home as he and Nancy prepare for a new addition to their family. Actually they are expecting four new additions. They are in the process of arranging the adoption of 4 Haitian children.
On October 5th, Tecumseh Church held a farewell for Rev. Richard and Donna Bruce. Over 300 hundred from the church and community attended. They gave them several gifts of appreciation. Rev. Bruce has completed 14 years of service taking the church from a handful of people struggling for existence to a thriving congregation of over three hundred on 80 acres of land. Rev. Bruce and Donna are retiring and will be making their home in Tecumseh. Rev. Rob Lewis begins as minister there on November 3rd.
Dr. Anthony and Marilyn had the privilege of hosting a Pizza Party for the students at ONU from Eastern Michigan. This year, our district has 113 students on campus. This is one of the highest numbers in recent history.
The ONU Trustee Meeting went very well. Congratulations to Arlene Chenoweth who was elected to the Executive Committee for the coming year. Dr. John Dickey was elected Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee and Dr. Anthony was elected Chairman of the Development Committee. Dr. Neil Strait, DS of the Michigan District, was elected Board Chairman to replace Dr. Tom Bailey who passed away suddenly this past June. Dr. Ted Lee, DS of the Indianapolis District, was elected vice-chairman.
Rev. Mike Morris, pastor at Crossroads Church, has resigned to devote full time to the church planting efforts of the district. His last Sunday at Crossroads will be November 17th.
Rev. Russ Sommer has resigned as pastor at Flat Rock to accept an appointment to pastor the Crossroads Church. Russ and Debbie have served at Flat Rock for nearly 10 years. Their first Sunday at Crossroads will be November 24th.
Dr. Anthony conducted conducted the pastoral review for Rev. Fred Prince and the Union Lake Church. The board has extended his call for 4 more years. Fred and Teri are beginning their 18th year of ministry to the Union Lake Church.
Bernie Blank, father of former East Flint pastor Rev. Daryl Blank is doing much better following a very serious 2 weeks with the West Nile Virus. He is out of his coma and his memory is returning. He is still hospitalized and has begun physical therapy. The family wishes to thank everyone who has prayed for him.
Rev. Don Ault, pastor of Gagetown Church and director of the Eastern Michigan District Nazarene Bible Institute, will be hospitalized in Saginaw for a heart proceedure to implant a defibrillator type device.
Rev. Dave Ballard, children's pastor at Port Huron First Church. was hospitalized with heart problems. A heart cath revealed two blocked arteries. They are treating them with medication. Dave is home and doing better.
Kelsey Brier, the 10 year old daughter of Rev. Ken & Patti Brier of Cornerstone Church (formerly Pinegrove), fell out of a pew at church and broke her arm. Her arm is in a cast and she is getting tender loving care from her family.
Small Group Ministry Expert Ted Whaley to Speak at Flint Central
On Friday, November 8, 2002, Flint Central Church will present a seminar featuring small group Pioneer Ted Whaley of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO. Ted Whaley is an outstanding Small Group Ministry Administrator who began his ministry in 1995. New Life Church now has more than 800 thriving, healthy and empowering Small groups. The seminar runs from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and early registration is $20 (this includes lunch) per person if paid by Nov. 4th.Ellington Moves into New Facility
Ellington Church moved into their new facility on October 20, 2002 and had 156 present for the first service. Rev. Ron Comfort reports almost every seat was filled and their was a great spirit in the service. Special guests include former pastors Rev. John & Joyce Mellish and Rev. Alvin Richards. Pastor's wife, Sandy Comfort is the third generation of her family to serve at Ellington. Her Grandfather and father were both previously the pastors. The new building is located on M-81 about 1 mile west of their old building. Ellington is one of the oldest Nazarene Churches in Michigan.
Armada Church Launch Team Meets
The Bethel Church has officially launched the core group that is planting the new Armada Church in a sponsorship relationship. The first Sunday for the core group was held on October 6 in a community facility in the downtown area of Armada. There were over 50 in attendance and the service was full of anticipation of some great days ahead for the new church. The Armada Church is being led by Rev. John Carr, pastor of the Bethel Church. Congratulations to the great people of Bethel for this tremendous step of faith in launching a new mission point on the Eastern Michigan District.Northpointe Church Secures New Location
Pastor Eriks Mezsets and the core group of the new Northpointe Church have moved into a new facility in the heart of a 1,000-home development on the north side of Oxford. This new location will allow the new church to reach out to the rapidly expanding community in a strategic location. The core group of Northpointe has developed into a strong group consistently averaging around 40. Pastor Mezsets reports a great sense of anticipation and a number of new families coming into the fellowship. For more information of service times and location please call the church office at 248-236-0950 or see the church's web site at www.northpointechurch.net.New Heights Holds Promotional Service
The Metropolitan Church has taken the initial steps of sponsorship toward launching the New Heights Church of the Nazarene in Sterling Heights. Under the leadership of Rev. Kevin Harris, the Metropolitan Church has risen to the challenge by committing prayer, people and finances far beyond the level of normal sponsorship commitment. The core group is now being formed under the leadership of Rev. Chad Oyer, associate pastor of Metropolitan Church."For Such A Time As This" Update
The church sponsorship forms that were collected at the pastor and spouse retreat have helped a great deal in formulating a grid map of churches interested in sponsoring new churches across the district. This information will be used to build a more specific strategy in developing partnerships between existing churches. 28 communities were identified by pastors as potential target locations for new churches.The initial groundwork for the first of several church plants on the Northern Michigan District has begun. A prospective church planter has been identified and sponsor church relations have begun. The Northern Michigan District, under the leadership of Rev. Wayne Brown, district superintendent, has identified 8 communities for church plants.
Pastor & Spouse Retreat
Pastor and Wives Retreat was held this year in Alpena, Michigan. Dr. Ron and Suzanne Blake (left in picture chatting with Dr. Carl and Nancy Leth of Detroit First Church) were the special speakers. Dr. Blake is the director of Clergy Services for the Church of the Nazarene. Over 175 ministers and spouses attend this years event.Lay Retreat 2002
This year's Lay Retreat was a huge success with Mark and Jan Greathouse as the special speakers and Dan and Rosie Evans of Flint Central Church provided the music. The retreat was held at the Oakwood Inn in Syracuse, Indiana. Everyone seemed to love the setting, food, and format for this years retreat. Next year's retreat will be September 26-28, 2003 and also be in Syracuse. The speaker will be Dr. Jerry Porter, General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene. For more information, contact chairmen Richard or Carolyn Dilts at 734-844-0052.