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| FROM OUR DISTRICT PASTOR | 
Dear Pastor/Friends, Rick and Sandra Swiger | Congratulations to Rick and Sandra Swiger upon Rick's election as Pastor of our church in Woodsfield. Pastor Swiger has been serving as their interim for the past several months and was enthusiastically chosen last Sunday as their pastor. Prior to serving in Woodsfield, the Swigers were a part of our Powhatan Point church where he was the associate pastor. I'm so proud of Rick! He has worked in a coal mine for over thirty years. In recent years, he has gone down in the mine six days each week. While doing so, he has nearly completed the course of ministerial preparation and has been very active in his local church. Sandra has worked for an attorney's office. They are excited about their upcoming move to Woodsfield and a great future with the congregation there! I enjoyed, very much, being with Grace Baughman, her husband, Bill, and the Carrollton congregation last Saturday afternoon for her installation as their new pastor. What a great sense of expectancy there is. Already, the congregation is showing signs of renewal and growth. Grace has been so faithful in her studies and service around the district. Over the past two years, she has served as interim pastor of our Dellroy, Mineral City, and Carrollton congregations. Now, God has provided her very first pastorate. I know she is going to be an excellent leader for the Carrollton Church! Sunday morning I visited two of our churches. First, I was in New Philadelphia where they are beginning a period of pastoral transition following the recent resignation of their Pastor, Dr. Fred Wallis. Our good friend from MVNU, Pastor Mike Williams, will be serving as their interim. Then, I rushed up to Macedonia and preached at (and ate with!) our Korean congregation. I'm so pleased to report that the Korean Holiness Church continues to grow and prosper. It's hard to imagine that it has been over eight years since Dr. and Mrs. Kim founded this new congregation. What a blessing they have been to our entire district. Perhaps your youth group or children's group might wish to visit sometime for a great cross-cultural worship experience. I'll see many of you tomorrow at the NYI "Leadership Explosion" at Fishcreek. Our NYI President, Jan Winnale, and his staff always do a great job with this event. I'm appreciative to see our pastors who attend. I know it means a great deal to the teens you bring to have their pastor show such interest in them. Some will remember that you went with them for the rest of their lives. Again, I'm including the District Assembly Checklist. Please look it over once more and be ready for the changes to our normal routine this year. Very Highest regards, Pastor David Downs
District Assembly Checklist
- Due to zone reporting, a one-page, typed report will be asked of each pastor.
- Ten pastors will be selected to report to the entire assembly. If interested, please contact the DS at [email protected].
- If you wish to report using a DVD or PowerPoint, please contact the DS at [email protected] no later than May 13th.
- If you wish to report via baptism, please contact the DS at [email protected] no later than May 13th.
- An email was sent (April 14th) to the Leaders' Link regarding your Pastor's Report preparation. If you did not receive it, contact our district secretary, Tim McPherson, at [email protected].
- For additional help regarding preparation of your Pastor's Report, contact our district secretary, Tim McPherson, at [email protected] or our finance officer, Dave Johnston, at [email protected].
- When calculating attendance, the pastor's discretion regarding snow days is allowed.
- Pastors' reports must be filed electronically no later than midnight on May 3rd.
- If you will be qualifying for the General Superintendents' Growth Award, please contact Tim McPherson immediately at [email protected], as it requires more time to process.
- All other completed forms (Church Directory Form, Church Certificate of Election Form, Deceased Church Members Form, and General Superintendents' Growth Award Form) should be mailed together and postmarked by May 3rd to Rev. Tim McPherson, 3924 High St. NW, Warren, OH 44483.
- The Assembly will begin officially on Wednesday evening (May 19th) at 7:00 due to the abbreviated format.
- Convention Schedule
April 24th - NYI Convention (Leadership Explosion) at Fishcreek Worship Center
May 19th - NMI Convention at Canton First - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
May 19th - Celebration of Praise service at Canton First - 7:00 p.m.
May 20th - Assembly Business Session at Canton First - 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
May 20th - Ordination and Retirees Recognition Service at Canton First - 7:00 p.m.
May 20th - Ordinands and Retirees Reception at Canton First - 8:30 p.m.
- Cardboard Testimony Link http://www.vimeo.com/10931404
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| WE CELEBRATE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM |
Below is the baptismal testimony of Jacob Arkwright, who was baptized on April 4, 2010 by Pastor Jan Winnale at Columbiana Church of the Nazarene.
"Today I made a decision to completely turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him. So, I made an important decision to get baptized here today.
The reason for me to do this today is to completely surrender to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He has done more for me than I could ever do for myself. I know in my life and in my past I have walked all over the people I've loved to find someone to love and care for me. Deep down, I tried and tried again to do it myself, but I was unable to get back on my feet without the care of God. The things I've done and things I went through during my past has shown me that I should already be incarcerated or in prison for life. I realized since I was saved from the bottomless pit that He wasn't done with me. If it wasn't for Him standing by my side and carrying me through all the disaster I've seen and caused, I wouldn't be standing here today.
I want to thank my church, family, and friends for sticking by my side through it all. I would never have gotten the courage to be where I'm at if it wasn't for everyone pushing my buttons and praying for me. Thank you, church, for all the support."
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| LOCAL CHURCH NEWS |
Canton First Canton First recently hosted a "Wild Game Dinner" in their newly renovated "Multi-Ministry Center." Designed to reach hunters, this outreach event featured a "bragging wall" where hunters displayed various trophies including domestic game as well as African and Canadian game. Vendors also were invited to set up displays. Among those represented were various local outdoors supply stores, custom knife and archery makers, and the Ohio Wildlife and Game Commission. Approximately 170 people were in attendance.  Prepared by Canton First volunteers, the menu included roast deer and deer meatloaf which was donated by local hunters. The keynote speaker was former Ohio Game Warden, Chip Gross. It was amazing the way he transitioned from turkey-hunting techniques to a clear call to accept Christ as Savior. The coordinators of the event were Mark Lipps and Pastor Paul Dennis. FishcreekSpring revival services were held at Fishcreek Nazarene Worship Center April 11 - 14. The evangelist was Pastor Jerry Beers of Hanover, Pennsylvania. Jerry is the senior pastor of Hanover Wesleyan Church and brought messages each evening about "The Father's Love." The Sunday evening service encompassed the Fishcreek youth for their monthly "RAIN." The theme song for the week was, "How He Loves Us." We enjoyed a blessed time of renewal in our church fellowship. The following Sunday morning, the revival Spirit continued as Curt Eastin and the worship team led us in a blessed worship service. There were a number of seekers at the altar during family prayer time. We give our Father all of the praise. Martins FerryThe Martins Ferry Compassionate Ministries Center is going to have its first annual Car and Bike Show, Saturday, May 15th, Noon to 5:00 p.m. Registration is $10.00 in advance or $15.00 the day of the show. Venders are welcome. Please come and help out the Lord's food bank. For more information or to register contact Keith "Gator" Hullinger Church: 740-633-2570, Cell: 330-704-6551 Shadyside and Martins FerryShadyside will be in revival with Rev. Ward Hall, Sunday, April 25 through Wednesday, April 28. Service times are Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Monday through Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. A special service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at Martins Ferry.
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| DISTRICT ASSEMBLY PREPARATIONS CALENDAR |
April 24: Leadership Explosion at Fishcreek Worship Center
May 18: NMI Council meeting and Convention rehearsal at Canton First Church
May 19: NMI Convention - 8:30 a.m. at Canton First Church
May 19: Celebration of Praise Service - 7:00 p.m. at Canton First Church
May 20: District Assembly - 8:30 a.m. at Canton First Church
May 20: Ordination/Retirees Recognition Service and Reception - 7:00 p.m. at Canton First Church.
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| NYI LEADERSHIP EXPLOSION 2010 |
 April 24th 2010 at Fishcreek Church of the Nazarene
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. We plan to conclude by lunchtime.
This is your opportunity to get all the latest info on everything your District NYI is offering you this year. You will walk away with a full year's worth of dates, so you never have to wonder when an event is again.
Our speaker this year is Pastor Kevin Peterson of Westside Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon. You will want to bring your entire youth group.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Jan Winnale at 330-482-3358 or Eric Frey at 740-537-3181.
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| REGIONAL BLAST |
Just a reminder... the registration for Regional BLAST is drawing near. Please make sure your students get registered. Let me know as soon as they are registered so I can guarantee you on-campus housing. Thanks. Eric Frey [email protected]
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| MIDDLER AND PRETEEN CAMP | |
July 12-16th @ Canaan Acres Christian Camp. Campers must be 7 to13 years old. The cost is $120 per camper - more details to come. Make sure you save the date and get the word out to the children and families of your church.
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| GREAT NEWS FROM SDMI |
Great News from Your District SDMI !
Beginning this Fall
Area Seminars for Teacher Training
This fall teams of experienced Christian Education practitioners will travel to four regional areas of our district. They will be one-day events allowing every church access to usable resources that will equip teachers in the local church to communicate the Gospel message at a higher level than ever before!
The dates for these training events will be September 4, 11, 18, & 25, each Saturday in September.
The locations are TBA but will be in the East Liverpool, Youngstown, Akron/Canton, and Cambridge areas. The events will be one-day workshops and should last from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m..
Children's Ministries will offer specific training on how to better communicate in
Sunday School classes
Caravan Program
Vacation Bible School
Adult Ministries will offer training in three specific areas:
How to prepare and deliver lessons from a chosen Bible text
How to work effectively with our NPH curriculum no matter the class size
How to organize, prepare, and facilitate an effective Adult Small Group
Pastors, the success of these events rises or falls upon your endorsement to your educational leaders. We promise to provide the quality of program to warrant your support.
Dr. Fred Wallis, District SDMI Chairman
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| PRIMETIME EVENTS |
Festival of Joy at Mount Vernon Nazarene University is on Thursday, April 29th. It will be in the MVNU Chapel with registration from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. The event is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $20 per person with lunch included. Encourage as many as possible to go. Registration is due by April 8th. I hope to see many of you at this event!
Our Spring Banquet will be on Thursday, May 13th at 5:30 p.m. Hopefully this will give those who work more time to get to Canaan Acres. Reservations of $10 per person will be due no later than May 1st.
The menu will be:
Choice of Roast Beef or Turkey w/ Dressing Tossed Salad
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Dinner Rolls w/ butter
Peas Assorted Fruit Pies
Coffee and/or Cold Beverage
The Bucyrus Six | Once again I am asking that your paid reservations be sent to me by May 1st. Checks should be made out to E.O.D. Sunday School Ministries. I will need the church name, total number coming (specific names are not necessary), number for each meat choice and the money.
Entertainment will be provided by The Bucyrus Six. This is a musical and comedic group from the Bucyrus First Church of the Nazarene, led by music pastor, Rev. Keith Showalter. Keith and his wife, Patty, an amazing pianist, have served as music pastors at some of the largest churches in the country, including Denver First Church. Your senior adults will not want to miss this! Click here for a flyer.
Also, pastors, if you don't presently have a PrimeTime Director in your church, would you please appoint one? Once you do so, please email me ([email protected]) with their name, address and phone number, so that I can add them to my PrimeTime Directory. Every church needs a PrimeTime Director to get their seniors involved in District PrimeTime events. Thank you!
Sherry Downs, District PrimeTime Director
4941 Rush Church Rd SE, Uhrichsville OH 44683
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| LADIES' DAY |
This is a reminder that Ladies' Day has been moved to October 2, 2010.
The theme this year is: Becoming the Real Me. We will be learning how to become the real me from a Spiritual, Emotional and Physical viewpoint. There will be two breakout sessions dealing with the Emotional Me and the Physical Me.
Our speaker will be Jeannie McCullough.
Jeannie is a woman who speaks her heart and mind candidly. She approaches God's Word not as a teacher, but as a student. Those who hear her speak respond to her not only as a fellow student, but also as a gifted facilitator for helping them experience His Word at work and in their daily lives. Just as she opens her Bible each day as a student of the Word, she opens her heart and mind to audiences sharing her personal insights into God's living Word.
Jeannie understands firsthand how radical obedience to God's Word can change a life. She is committed to the study of the Word and sharing what God is teaching her with others. In 1986, she began the "Women of the Word" Bible study, now called "Wisdom of the Word," which has quickly grown from a small group in Bethany to a video, audiotape, and CD ministry which reaches thousands across the country, as well as several foreign mission fields, on a weekly basis.
Don't miss this special Ladies' Day. You WILL be glad you came.
Barbara Wallis, EOD Women's Ministries Director
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| NMI | |
Local Presidents, in preparation for your end of year reporting, please check if you have met your goals in the following areas:
- Paid 100% WEF
- Qualify to be a Mission Priority One Church (see page 27 in your district booklet)
- Begin counting your Mission Education Credits - remember your annual goal is 2 times the average Sunday morning worship attendance from last year (see page 26 of the district booklet)
Bethany House Linen Shower
Your district NMI council is in the process of making some improvements to the missionary guest house located on our district's Canaan Acres Christian Campgrounds. We'd like to invite you to participate in helping make Bethany House as inviting and comfortable as possible for our missionaries who stay there. New sheets and towels and a few miscellaneous items have been registered with Walmart. We are requesting that you bring these items to the district NMI Convention, May 19, 2010. For a complete list, you may go online and enter these steps:
- www.walmart.com/wishlist
- First name: Bethany
- Last name: House
- State: OH [click enter]
- Click on Bethany House - the complete list will come up for you to print out
If you have any questions, please call John Coy at 330-680-4707 or Jan Williams at 330-385-5376.
District NMI Convention
Canton First Church
May 19, 2010
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| CANAAN ACRES CHRISTIAN CAMP |
 Canaan Acres Christian Camp has scheduled the annual Spring Work Week for April 19 - 24.
There is much that needs to be accomplished to prepare for the coming camp season. Pastries and coffee will be available at 8:00 a.m. each day. Lunch will be provided. Please contact the CACC office at 330-875-1660 or [email protected] to let the camp staff know what day, how many are coming, and skills of people coming so we may plan. Cleaning and painting are ongoing projects. This is a good time for those who are participating in Adopt-A-Building to come work on their own project and work together with others on various projects.
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| DISTRICT MEN'S GOLF SCRAMBLE |
When: May 22, 2010 Where: Sable Creek Golf Course (5942 Edison St. NE, Marlboro Twp.-330-877-9606) Time: 1:30 p.m. - Shot Gun Tee Off Cost: $25 with cart Reg. Fee: $12 per team Food: Yes, we have the pavilion Please contact David Goss at 330-630-9633 (18 Outlook Dr., Tallmadge, OH 44278) Back To Top |
| YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS AT MVNU |
Click here to view information on two upcoming youth ministry events at MVNU.
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| PALCON AT MVNU |
Make your summer plans early! PALCON will be July 6-9, 2010 at MVNU. Click here for more information and registration details.
| | DISTRICT PASTORAL AND RETIREES BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL | |
Lydia Angel-4/3/01 (Akron Southeast)
Audrey Bell-4/4/95 (Harvest)
Paul Bowlby-4/5 (Retired)
Kristi Thompson-4/7 (Canton South)
Ernie & Minnie Creamer-4/11 (Cadiz)
Bea Donato-4/12 (Grace)
Kelly Passmore-4/13 (Mineral City)
John Powell-4/13 (Caldwell First)
Willard Airhart-4/14 (Retired)
Sara Passmore-4/17/08 (Mineral City)
Pierce Frey-4/19/09 (Toronto)
Bill Graham-4/20 (Barnesville)
Evelyn Bowlby-4/22 (Retired)
Stephanie Hall-4/24 (Wellsville)
Jeannie Miller-4/25 (Steubenville First)
Bea Hassinger-4/25 (Retired)
Greg & Karen Mondok-4/26 (North Jackson)
Barbara Peters-4/27 (Leavittsburg First)
Katelyn Moore-4/27/97 (Champion)
Matthew Wellman-4/28/92 (Tallmadge)
David Langdon-4/29 (Greentown)
Connie & Dennis Ballentine-4/29 (Leavittsburg First)
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